Linksys PLUSB10 User Manual
Instant PowerLineTMSeries
Use this guide to install:
PLUSB10 ver. 2
User Guide
PowerLine USB
Adapter
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2002 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. Instant PowerLine is a trademark of
Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their
respective proprietors.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Linksys guarantees that every Instant PowerLine
TM
PowerLine USB Adapter will be free
from physical defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase, when used within the limits set forth in the Specifications section of this User
Guide. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, call Linksys Technical
Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization Number. BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR
PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT’S PACKAGING ON
HAND WHEN CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT
PROOF OF PURCHASE. When returning a product, mark the Return Authorization
Number clearly on the outside of the package and include a copy of your original proof
of purchase. All customers located outside of the United States of America and Canada
shall be held responsible for shipping and handling charges.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS DOES NOT OFFER REFUNDS FOR ANY
PRODUCT. Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory, with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and all
accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves the right to revise or
update its products, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any individual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:
Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
FCC STATEMENT
The Instant PowerLine
TM
PowerLine USB Adapter have been tested and complies with the
specifications for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used according to the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which is found by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment or devices
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s
• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
UG-PLUSB10 ver. 2-111902NC KL
Industry Canada (Canada)
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe (B) est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
PowerLine USB Adapter
Instant PowerLineTMSeries
Chapter 7: Using the PowerLine
Configuration Utility 16
Overview 16
Accessing the PowerLine Configuration Utility 16
Device 17
Network 18
Security 19
About 20
Appendix A: Troubleshooting 21
Common Problems and Solutions 21
Frequently Asked Questions 21
Appendix B: Glossary 22
Appendix C: IP Addressing 28
What’s an IP Address? 28
Static IP Addresses 28
Dynamic IP Addresses 28
DHCP (Dynamic Host Conf iguration Protocol) 28
Appendix D: Specifications 29
Environmental 30
Appendix E: Warranty Information 31
Appendix F: Contact Information 32
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
The Linksys PowerLine USB Adapter 1
Features 1
Chapter 2: Getting to Know the PowerLine
USB Adapter 2
The USB Adapter’s Ports 2
The USB Adapter’s Front Panel LEDs 3
Chapter 3: Planning Your PowerLine Network 4
Chapter 4: Using the Setup CD-ROM 5
Overview 5
Running the Installation Wizard 5
Chapter 5: Connecting the PowerLine
USB Adapter 11
Chapter 6: Installing the Driver for the PowerLine
USB Adapter 12
Overview 12
Windows 98SE 12
Windows Millennium 13
Windows 2000 13
Windows XP 14
PowerLine USB Adapter
1
Chapter 1: Introduction
The PowerLine USB Adapter lets you turn the existing powerlines in your
home or office into a high-speed network. Now you don't have to drill through
the walls, and climb through the attic or cellar to install network cab les, just use
the wires that already run through the building!
The PowerLine USB Adapter interfaces USB-equipped PCs to the HomePlug
PowerLine network standard. Just plug the PowerLine USB Adapter into the
wall, connect your computer to it using the included USB cable, and you've
turned your whole house into network infrastructure! Attach more computers
to the network by simply plugging them into the wall anywhere in the house,
using more Po w erLine USB Adapters, or Linksys PowerLine EtherF ast
®
10/100
Bridges.
Once your computers are connected to the network, they can share resources
like printers and storage space, and all kinds of files -- music, digital pictures,
and documents. W ith up to 12Mbps data rates*, you can pla y head-to-head network computer games, too. And if y ou use a PowerLine Bridge to interface one
of the famous Linksys Broadband Routers from your cable or DSL Internet
connection to your PowerLine network, y ou'll be ab le to get to the Internet from
any computer in the house.
* The HomePlug powerline network data rate is 14Mbps. Actual throughput of
the PLUSB10 is limited to 12Mbps by the USB 1.1 specification.
• Use your home or office's existing powerlines to network your computers
• Connects USB-equipped PCs to powerline networking
• Data rates up to 12Mbps* — 56-bit encryption keeps your data secure
• Share files, printers, network storage, gaming, and your PowerLine-Bridged
cable/DSL Internet connection throughout your home
• Free Technical Support—24 Hours a Day, 7 Da ys a W eek, Toll-Free US Calls
• 1-Year Limited Warranty
Features
The Linksys Powerline USB Adapter
Instant PowerLineTMSeries
PowerLine USB Adapter
3
The Adapter’s LEDs (shown in Figure 2-4), w here netw ork acti vity is displa y ed ,
are located on the Adapter’s front.
Link Green. The Link LED will light up when the PowerLine USB
Adapter is powered on.
Activity Green. The Activity LED will light up when there is power-
line network traffic.
Collision Orange. The Collision LED flashes when there is a collision.
The USB Adapter’s Front Panel LEDs
Figure 2-4
Instant PowerLineTMSeries
2
Chapter 2:Getting to Know the
PowerLine USBAdapter
USB The USB Port, shown in Figure 2-1, is where you will connect
your USB cable. To work with USB ports, your computer must
be running Windows 98SE, 2000, Millennium, or XP.
The USB icon shown in Figure 2-2 marks a USB port on a
PC or device.
Your USB Adapter comes with a USB cable that has tw o dif ferent types of connectors, as shown in Figure 2-3. Type A, the master connector, is shaped like a
rectangle and plugs into your computer’s USB port. Type B, the slave connector, resembles a square and connects to the USB port on the USB Adapter.
The USB Adapter’s Ports
Figure 2-1
Important: Windows 95 and NT do not support the USB Adapter.
USB Type A
USB Type B
Figure 2-3
Figure 2-2
PowerLine USB Adapter
Chapter 4:Using the Setup
CD-ROM
To begin installation of the PowerLine USB Adapter, you will use the Setup
CD-ROM to run the Installation Wizard.
1. Insert the Setup CD-ROM into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. The Setup
CD-ROM should run automatically. If it does not, click the Start button and
choose Run. In the box that appears, enter D:\setup.exe (if “D” is the letter of your CD-ROM drive).
When you see Figure 4-1, click the Next button to continue. Click the
Cancel button to end the installation. Click the User Guide button to view
the User Guide.
5
Instant PowerLineTMSeries
Chapter 3:Planning Yo ur
Powerline Network
With the Instant PowerLine products, a network can be created using home
powerlines. Computers can be networked over powerlines using a PowerLine
USB Adapter or an EtherFast 10/100 Bridge. Use the USB Adapter for a USBenabled computer, or use the 10/100 Bridge for an Ethernet-enabled computer.
The PowerLine EtherFast 10/100 Bridge is also ideal for any user who already
has a router and wants to share high-speed Internet access across the powerline
network. (An example of such a network is shown in Figure 3-1.)
4
Figure 4-1
Overview
Running the Installation Wizard
Figure 3-1
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