IOGear GHPB31 User Manual

HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge

User Manual (GHPB31/GHPB32)

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing one of the most user-friendly networking devices on the market. IOGEAR’s HomePlug to Ethernet Bridges and the Homeplug Networking Kit are first-class networking devices designed to network your computers at home (or in your small office). This device allows you to set up your home network via the most pervasive medium in your house – the home power lines. It is easy to set up, and it doesn’t require any additional wiring in the house.

To better serve you, IOGEAR offers an array of additional USB 2.0, USB 1.1, FireWire, KVM, and other peripheral products. For more information or to purchase additional IOGEAR products, visit us at www.IOGEAR.com

We hope you enjoy using your IOGEAR HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge, another first-rate connectivity solution from IOGEAR.

Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Macintosh, G3/G4 and iMac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. IOGEAR makes no warranty of any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. IOGEAR, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this document.

Table of Contents

Overview Features Requirements Introduction Installation

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Installation of the Utility Software Homeplug Configuration Utility Network Configuration Networking Basics

- Network Setup Wizard

- Checking IP Address

- Assign a Static IP address

- Sharing Disks/Folders

- Sharing Printers

- Sharing Broadband Internet Access

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Frequently Asked Questions T echnical Support Specifications Limited Warranty

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Radio and TV Interference

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Overview

IOGEAR’s HomePlug Ethernet Bridge allows you to network your home computers through the most pervasive medium in your house - the electric power lines - and share Broadband Internet connections, printers, transfer files, play games, and more.

This unit can be used to HomePlug-enable one computer with a 10/100Base-T adapter, or to make a group of computers HomePlug-ready through either a network switch or router.

It can also be used to link through a powerline two network devices such as gaming devices, wireless access points and more.

This unit is compliant with HomePlug Powerline Specifications 1.0, offers up to 14 Mbps bandwidth, and is less prone to interference. Installation requires only that a 10/100Base-T network adapter is installed on the computer. By offering 56-bit DES encryption, it is also much more secure than other home networking technologies such as wireless Ethernet.

Features

• Extend your WiFi network through existing powerlines

• Network your gaming devices through powerlines to play games with a remote partner

• No extra wires required to create a network, simply use the most pervasive medium in your home – powerlines

• Very easy and intuitive to install and set up

• HomePlug Powerline Specifications 1.0 compliant

• Up to 14 Mbps bandwidth

• Up to 990 feet (300 meters) range through powerlines, sufficient for most households

• Worldwide compatibility

• Low risk of interference by other RF sources

• 56-bit DES encryption assures data security

• Encryption done by hardware, with no sacrifice to bandwidth

• Most reliable home networking technology

System Requirements

• Available AC power outlets in the room.

• Standard home power line wiring.

• Computers with 10/100Base-T adapters, or 10/100Base-T switch/hub.

• When used as a node: Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP.

• When used as a bridge: any operating system (OS transparent).

Requirements

Introduction

IOGEAR's HomePlug to Ethernet Bridge allows you to network your computers via your existing home power lines. It offers a data transmission speed of up to 14 Mbps, and reaches up to 990 feet through standard power lines.

Package contents:

For GHPB31: 1 Homeplug to Ethernet bridge

1 CAT5 patch cable 6 feet 1 User manual 1 Utility Software CD 1 Warranty registration card

For GHPB32 (the kit): 2 Homeplug to Ethernet bridge

2 CAT5 patch cable 6 feet 1 User manual 1 Utility Software CD 1 Warranty registration card

Front View:

1. Powerline LED – lights up in green when other Homeplug devices are detected on the same powerline

2. Link/ACT – blinks when data is sent through the Homeplug connection

3. Ethernet port- connecting to the Ethernet of the computer or the devices (router, wi-fi access point, gaming box, etc.)

Back View:

4. Power connection – connecting the power outlet

Introduction

Installation

There are several ways to network your computers using the HomePlug Bridge. Before we get started, please NOTE:

Do not place HomePlug devices under direct sunlight or near high heat emitting devices; Do not place HomePlug devices near water or wet surfaces to avoid electric hazards; Do not place HomePlug devices on any moving or unstable surfaces; It is recommended that you plug the HomePlug devices directly into the wall outlets, not to any power adapters, surge protectors or any device that filters signals.

Hardware Installation

1. Remov e the HomePlug Bridge, the CAT5 cable and the installation CD from the package .

2. Allocate a space for the adapter's placement. Make sure you avoid the places mentioned above.

3. Plug one end of the CAT5 cable into the Ethernet port on the computer, and the other end into the

Ethernet port of the bridge.

4. Plug the HomePlug bridge on the wall outlet.

Installation

5. There are several ways to see whether the Homeplug bridge is functioning. One way is the observe

the LED, the Link/ACT LED should start blinking after you plug the bridge in the wall outlet. For most of the Windows machines (as this Windows 2000 machine used to create this manual), you should see a message being prompted on the tool bar: “Local Area Connection, Speed XX Mbps”. (Speed is determined by the Ethernet port speed of the computer.)

Installation

6. You can also go to “Control Panel”, select “Network and Dial up and Connections. ”Click the “Local Area

Connection” icon.

Installation

7. You can see the network connection is already established.

At this point, you can start communicating with the other computers or devices on the powerline. Please refer to Network Configuration section in how to set up networks for various purposes.

In order to add security and other utilities, you will need to install the utility software. Please refer to the following section for details. Please notice that Homeplug bridge supports many other operating systems, but the utility software is only designed for Windows based computers.

Installation of the utility software

1. Make sure that your HomePlug bridge is NOT CONNECTED TO THE COMPUTER before you install the driver.

2. Insert the installation CD. If CD does not automatically load, run (CD Drive Letter):\setup.exe.

3. Click Next.

4. Read, understand and accept the

License Agreement and continue by clicking Next.

Installation of the utility software

5. Enter a username and organiza-

tion name, and continue installation. (Username and Organization have no importance in device operation. This window might look slightly different on other platforms.)

6. Click Install to start the Installation Wizard:

Installation of the utility software

7. The following message may be prompted to

ask you to connect the bridge to the powerline, do it and then click OK.

The following window will be prompted to indicate that the installation is successful.

Installation of the utility software

8. Restart your computer now for all the changes to

go into effect.

To uninstall the driver, simply go to your Add/Remove programs control panel and remove the IOGEAR Homeplug Utilities. Then restort your computer to complete the uninstall.

Homeplug Configuration Utility

After restarting the computer, you can see the HomePlug utility icon.

1. Double click the icon to start the HomePlug

Configuration utility. The utility is used to configure the HomePlug.

2. Once the utility starts, it will display the MAC

address of the device your computer is connected to as well as the signal strength. The Link Quality line shows whether the link is good or bad. A green line all the way to the right is good. A short red line is bad connection. You will have to do a troubleshooting, if you see a short red line.

Homeplug Configuration Utility

3. The Network tab displays the additional

HomePlug devices on the network. Click on the “Scan” button to scan for additional devices on the HomePlug network.

4. The Security tab will allow you to change the Network Password to the unit that is currently connected to this computer. This network password encrypts all data that is sent from this unit using 56-bit data encryption standard (DES).

Note: Every unit on your home network MUST have the same Network Password for connectivity to be established throughout your home. The default network password is “

HomePlug

To change the password, type the password and then click Set Local.

The Restore Default button will set the password back to “Homeplug”.

”.

Homeplug Configuration Utility

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