Planet Technology PL-101E, PL-101U User Manual

Networking & Communicatio

Powerline Communication

Powerline to Ethernet Converter – PL-101E

USB to Powerline Network Adapter - PL-101U

USER’S MANUAL

The products and programs described in this User’s Manual are licensed products of PLANET

Technology, This User’s Manual contains proprietary information protected by copyright, and this User’s

Manual and all accompanying hardware, software, and documentation are copyrighted.

No part of this User’s Manual may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any

electronic medium or machine-readable form by any means by electronic or mechanical. Including

photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems, for any purpose other than the

purchaser's personal use, and without the prior express written permission of PLANET Technology.

Disclaimer

PLANET Technology does not warrant that the hardware will work properly in all environments and

applications, and makes no warranty and representation, either implied or expressed, with respect to the

quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose.

PLANET has made every effort to ensure that this User’s Manual is accurate; PLANET disclaims liability

for any inaccuracies or omissions that may have occurred.

Information in this User’s Manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a

commitment on the part of PLANET. PLANET assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be

contained in this User’s Manual. PLANET makes no commitment to update or keep current the

information in this User’s Manual, and reserves the right to make improvements to this User’s Manual

and/or to the products described in this User’s Manual, at any time without notice.

If you find information in this manual that is incorrect, misleading, or incomplete, we would appreciate

your comments and suggestions.

CE mark Warning

The is a class A device, in a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which

case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Trademarks

The PLANET logo is a trademark of PLANET Technology. This documentation may refer to numerous

hardware and software products by their trade names. In most, if not all cases, these designations are

claimed as trademarks or registered trademarks by their respective companies.

Revision

User’s Manual for Powerline Communication product

Model: PL-101E, PL-101U

Rev: 1.0 (Jul. 2002)

Part No. EM-PL101v1

Table of Content

Chapter 1 Introduction...................................................................................1

1.1 Powerline to Ethernet Converter – PL-101E....................................... 1

1.1.1 Features ...................................................................................2

1.1.2 Package Content ......................................................................2

1.1.3 Hardware Description ...............................................................2

1.1.4 Specification .............................................................................3

1.1.5 System Requirements ..............................................................4

1.2 USB to Powerline Network Adapter – PL-101U ..................................4

1.2.1 Features ...................................................................................5

1.2.2 Package Contents ....................................................................5

1.2.3 Hardware Description ...............................................................5

1.2.4 Specification .............................................................................6

1.2.5 System Requirements ..............................................................7

Chapter 2 Planning your Powerline Network................................................. 8

Chapter 3 Powerline to Ethernet Converter Installation.................................9

Chapter 4 USB to Powerline Network Adapter Installation.......................... 10

4.1 Connecting USB to Powerline Network Adapter ...............................10

4.2 USB to Powerline Network Adapter Driver Installation .....................10

Chapter 5 Encrypting Your Powerline Network ..............................................14

5.1 Install the PowerPacket Encryption Utility.........................................14

5.2 Run the PowerPacket Encryption Utility ...........................................18

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting.............................................................................21

1. Introduction

Powerline communication is revolution in home and small office networking, greatly

simplifying the task of installing a high-speed local area network. With PLANET’s

powerline communication products, you can utilize existing AC power outlets and

wires to connect your computers, servers and other devices safely, securely and at

true LAN speeds of up to 14Mbit/second. No complex and expensive specialized

wiring usually associated with LAN’s is required, or management, security and

interference problems associated with 802.11x wireless technologies – just

convenient, reliable, secure and simple networking where you need it most.

PLANET’s Powerline products allow you to place a computer anywhere in your home

or small office with flawless, uninterrupted high-speed network connection, simply by

plugging your computer’s Ethernet or USB interface into PL-101E/U equipped power

outlet – and you’re almost guaranteed to have one of these wherever you need it.

The PL-101E is a Powerline to Ethernet bridge with a 10base-T RJ-45 Ethernet

interface for directly connecting to a computer’s Ethernet card or existing Ethernet

switch, hub or broadband router. The PL-101U is an USB to Powerline network

adapter with an USB type B connector for directly connecting to computer’s USB port.

Both of them provide a power socket for connecting to wall outlet.

Security of PLANET’s Powerline communication technology is assured by the use of

56-bit DES encryption – the same system used to protect banking systems all over

the world, and is interference free, avoiding the problems of wireless systems.

1.1 Powerline to Ethernet Converter – PL-101E

The PLANET Powerline to Ethernet Converter PL-101E offers a complete Internet

connection solution for your home powerline network. The PL-101E makes sharing

your high-speed broadband Internet access easier than ever. Build a strong and

simple-to-use home network by taking advantage of the most pervasive medium -

powerline.

The PL-101E is ideal for users who already have a router. It can be plugged into an

Ethernet port on a router to equip a network with powerline capabilities and take

advantage of the router's features. The PL-101E can also be plugged directly into a

cable or DSL modem to allow Internet access and data transfer rates up to 14Mbps

over powerlines.

1.1.1 Features

 HomePlug Powerline Alliance Specification 1.0 compliant

 One 2-pin power inlet for both powerline network and power supply

 Connects 10/100 Ethernet network to powerline Network for seamless

integration

 56-bit data encryption to ensure data security and reliability

 Easy to use Windows-based security key configuration utility

 Easy to read LED indicators

 Support CSMA/CA protocol on power line interface

 Up to 90m between powerline nodes

 Plug-and-play operation provides easy setup

 Shares internet access across your entire home powerline network

 Up to 14 Mbps data transfer over powerline

1.1.2 Package Content

Check the contents of your package for following parts:



One Powerline to Ethernet Converter



One Power Cord



One Manual and Utility CD-ROM

 One Quick Installation Guide

If any of these pieces are missing or damaged, please contact your dealer

immediately, if possible, retain the carton including the original packing material,

and use them against to repack the product in case there is a need to return it to us

for repair.

1.1.3 Hardware Description

PL-101E front panel:

LEDs status

LED definition Color Description

Power

Col

Link

Act

Ethernet port

Green Green Green

Green Green

Amber

The power LED will light up when PL-101E is powered on.

The collision LED flashes when there is a collision.

The link LED will light up when PL-101E is ready for use.

The activity LED flashes when there is powerline network traffic. The LED will be lit steadily when there is a physical Ethernet connections and flashes when there is Ethernet network traffic. The LED is reserved for future use.

Uplink button: If connecting directly to a PC via Ethernet, this button should be UP.

For connecting to a hub, depress this button.

PL-101E rear panel

One 2-pin power inlet for both powerline network and power supply

1.1.4 Specification

Model / Hardware Specification PL-101E

Standards

IEEE 802.3 10Base-T

Ports

Cabling Type

Speed

Powerline Frequency Band Encryption LEDs:

Dimension Weight Certifications Operating Temp. Storage Temp. Operating Humidity Storage Humidity OS support

1.1.5 System Requirements

HomePlug 1.0 One Powerline Port One 10Base-T RJ-45 port Powerline: Power Cord LAN: UTP Cat 3 or better Powerline: 14Mbps (actual throughput is about 6Mbps) LAN: 10Mbps

4.3MHz to 20.9MHz 56-bit DES with Key configuration software Power Powerline: Link, ACT, Col LAN: LNK/ACT 146 x 101 x 34 mm

0.47 kg FCC Class B, CE 0 ~ 50 degree C

-20 ~ 70 degree C 10~90% non-condensing 5~95% non-condensing Windows 98, 2000, Me and XP

 Existing Ethernet/fast Ethernet network or an existing Ethernet/fast Ethernet network

adapter and network cable

 TCP/IP protocol

 CD-ROM Drive (for installing Encryption Utility)

1.2 USB to Powerline Network Adapter – PL-101U

The newest and fastest way to network your PCs is through powerline networking,

which allows you to turn the powerline in your home into your network cable. The

easiest way to integrate any PC or laptop into such a powerline network is with

PLANET USB to Powerline Network Adapter. Use your existing USB port with your

existing powerline. The Plug-and-Play USB Adapter connects directly to virtually any

USB-ready PC ─ just plug it in and you are ready to share data, printers, or

high-speed Internet access over your existing powerline network. For desktop

installation, you do not have to open your PC case. With user-friendly software, it is

simple to set up.

Not only is PL-101U easy to install and use, but it also powerful. You can send and

receive data at speeds of up to 12Mbps. Plug it into the USB port; set it up, and you

are ready to go. So for full desktop and notebook PC flexibility and powerline

convenience, the PL-101U provides the perfect solution.

1.2.1 Features

♦

HomePlug Powerline Alliance Specification 1.0 compliant

♦

One 2-pin power inlet for both powerline network and power supply

♦

Shares internet access across your entire home powerline network

♦

Provides powerline connectivity through Your USB port

♦

56-bit data encryption to ensure data security and reliability

♦

Easy to use Windows-based security key configuration utility

♦

Easy to read LED indicators

♦

Support CSMA/CA protocol on power line interface

♦

Plug-and-play operation provides easy setup

♦

Up to 14 Mbps data transfer rate

♦

Compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP

1.2.2 Package Contents

Check the contents of your package for following parts:

 One USB to powerline network adapter  One Power Cord  One USB cable  One Manual and Utility CD-ROM

 One Quick Installation Guide

If any of these pieces are missing or damaged, please contact your dealer

immediately, if possible, retain the carton including the original packing material,

and use them against to repack the product in case there is a need to return it to us

for repair.

1.2.3 Hardware Description

PL-101U front panel

+ 16 hidden pages