Planet Technology PL-104U, PL-104E User Manual

Powerline Communication

Powerline Ethernet Bridge – PL-104E

USB Powerline Adapter - PL-104U

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 B 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-104E, PL-104U

Rev: 1.0 (Aug. 2004)

Part No. EM-PL104

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions carefully.

2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid

cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

4. Do not use this product near water.

5. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register,

or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation provided.

6. This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the

marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your

dealer or local power company.

7. This product relies on the building’s electrical installation for short-circuit

(over current) protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than

240 VAC (depends on the power supply type in your country) is used on the

phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors).

8. Plug the device directly into a 240 VAC (depends on the power supply type

in your country) wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord between the

adapter and the AC power source.

9. Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing

covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks as well as

ruin product warranty. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

10. Unplug the AC coupler from the wall outlet and refer the product to

qualified service personnel for the following conditions:

- If liquid has been spilled into the product.

- If the product has been exposed to rain or water.

- If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions

are followed.

- If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

Table of Content

1. Introduction..................................................................................................1

1.1 Powerline Ethernet Bridge – PL-104E................................................1

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

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

1.1.3 Hardware Description...............................................................3

1.1.4 System Requirements..............................................................3

1.2 USB to Powerline Network Adapter – PL-104U..................................4

1.2.1 Features...................................................................................4

1.2.2 Package Contents....................................................................4

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

1.2.4 System Requirements..............................................................6

1.3 Specification.......................................................................................6

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

3. Powerline Ethernet Bridge Installation.........................................................9

3.1 Hardware Installation..........................................................................9

3.2 Driver Installation................................................................................9

4. Powerline USB Adapter Installation...........................................................10

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

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

5. Powerline Configuration Utility...................................................................13

5.1 Install the Powerline Configuration Utility.........................................13

5.2 Using the PLANET Powerline Configuration Utility...........................13

6. Troubleshooting.........................................................................................18

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 802.11 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-104E/U equipped power outlet – and

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

The PL-104E 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-104U 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 Ethernet Bridge – PL-104E

The PLANET Powerline Ethernet Bridge PL-104E offers a complete Internet

connection solution for your home powerline network. The PL-104E 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-104E 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-104E can also be plugged directly into a

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

over powerline.

1.1.1 Features

w HomePlug Powerline Alliance Specification 1.0 compliant

w Built-in power plug for both powerline network and power supply

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

integration

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

w Easy to use Windows-based security key configuration utility

w Easy to read LED indicators

w Support CSMA/CA protocol on power line interface

w Up to 90m between powerline nodes

w Plug-and-play operation provides easy setup

w Shares internet access across your entire home powerline network

w Up to 14 Mbps data transfer over powerline

1.1.2 Package Content

Check the contents of your package for following parts:

n One Powerline Ethernet Bridge

n One RJ-45 cable

n One Manual and Utility CD-ROM

n 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-104E front panel:

LEDs status

LED Description

COL

PLC

ETH LNK/ACT

ACT Blinking indicates there exists powerline network traffic

LNK

Blinking indicates there exists collision in powerline

network

Steady on indicates PL-104E has connected to a

powerline network

Steady on indicates the RJ-45 port has correctly

connected to the network card of your PC or the Ethernet

network

1.1.4 System Requirements

§ 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)

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