Rosewill RPLC-200 User Manual

200Mbps Powerline Ethernet Adapter RPLC-200

User Manual

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Contents

Package Contents ...................................................................................................3

Chapter 1 Introduction to Hardware.........................................................................4

1.1 Expanding your Network with RPLC-200 .......................................................4

1.2 Key Features..................................................................................................4

1.3 Application .....................................................................................................5

1.4 System Requirement .....................................................................................6

1.5 Hardware Diagram of RPLC-200 ...................................................................6

1.5.1 LED ..................................................................................................7

1.5.2 Powerline Adapter‟s Button and Connector ......................................7

Chapter 2 Introduction to Utility ...............................................................................8

2.1 Utility Installation ............................................................................................9

2.2 Utility Introduction ........................................................................................ 11

2.2.1 Main Tab ........................................................................................ 11

2.2.2 Privacy Tab .................................................................................... 14

2.2.3 Diagnostics Tab ............................................................................. 16

2.2.4 About Tab ....................................................................................... 18

Chapter 3 Forming a Powerline (HomePlug AV) Network ..................................... 18

3.1 Using the Security Pushbutton ..................................................................... 19

3.2 Using the Utility ............................................................................................ 19

Chapter 4 Joining a Network ................................................................................. 21

4.1 Using the Security Pushbutton ..................................................................... 21

4.2 Using the Utility ............................................................................................ 22

Appendix A: Improving the Transmission Quality .................................................. 23

Appendix B: Specifications .................................................................................... 24

Appendix C: Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................. 26

Appendix D: RPLC-200 QoS Support.................................................................... 27

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Package Contents

The following items should be found in your package:

 2x Rosewill RPLC-200 200Mbps Powerline Fast Ethernet Adapter
 2x RJ45 Ethernet Cable
 1x Quick Installation Guide
 1x Resource CD for RPLC-200, including:

 Rosewill Powerline Utility

 Quick Installation Guide

 User Guide



Note:

Make sure that the package contains the above items. If any of the listed items are damaged or
missing, please contact with your distributor.

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Chapter 1 Introduction to Hardware

Thank you for purchasing Rosewill‟s RPLC-200 Homeplug AV compliant Powerline
Adapter. The RPLC-200 adapter can transmit data up to 200mbps via household‟s
power outlet. RPLC-200 can help you to establish a high-speed network that
supports video, voice and data without wiring and drilling. It is suitable for using in a
wide range of both residential (at home) and commercial (offices, apartments, hotels,
warehouses) network applications.

1.1 Expanding your Network with RPLC-200

The RPLC-200 plugs into an power outlet to extend cable or DSL modem connection
or your current Ethernet Network to almost any power outlet in your home with any
new cabling.* Devices can securely communicate with each other via the 128-bit
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) through RPLC-200 at a high speed transfer
rate of 200Mbps and at 10/100mbps LAN support.



Note:

Powerline Technology has certain limitations.

1. The best performance for Powerline Data transmission will be under one power circuit

2. Performance may be decreased under different circuits but within one Electricity Meter due
to the drop-off via hardware.

1.2 Key Features

 Plug and Play with Quick and Easy Installation

 Installation requires no new wiring
 Every power socket becomes a connection node in the household.

RPLC-200 supports connection for a total of 16 nodes.

 Plug-and-play to your routers, computers and other network devices.

 Enjoy Stable HD Videos and Gaming

 With a pair of plug-and-play RPLC-200 installed, you can easily extend your

home network through any electrical outlet for Internet access by HDTVs,
Blu-ray™ players, DVRs, PCs and game consoles.

 QoS Management Enhances Streaming Quality

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 RPLC-200 supports 4-level type QoS and 8-level VLAN priority fields which

automatically improves the streaming quality

 Green Feature for Power saving mode

 RPLC-200 will detect signals when there is no signal transmit, it will

automatically enters Power Saving mode which saves near 80% of the
energy consumption.

1.3 Application

 Shared broadband internet access
 Higher data rate broadband sharing for power line LAN
 Backbone for Wireless and Wireless Extender
 TV over IP (IPTV) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
 High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video distribution
 Video surveillance
 Online Gaming

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1.4 System Requirement

 If need to use Powerline Utility: Operating system: Windows 98SE, 2000, ME,

XP 32/64 bit and Vista 32/64bit, otherwise, no OS require

 CPU: Intel Pentium III or better, clock rate faster than 2.0GHz recommended
 RAM: At least 128MB
 Screen resolution: Any resolution
 Free disk space: At least 20MB
 Network interface: At least one Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) network card, and a

Ethernet Cord

.

1.5 Hardware Diagram of RPLC-200

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1.5.1 LED

LED

Color

Behavior

Description

(Power)

Green

On

System runs normally.

Green

Blink

 System is resetting.
 System is in the process of

password synchronization.

-

Off

The PLC adapter is powered off.

(Ethernet)

Green
On

Ethernet connection has
established.

Blink

Data is being transmitted.

-

Off

No Ethernet connection.

(Data)

Green

On

The PLC adapter has connected to
the powerline network.

-

Off

The PLC adapter does not connect
to the powerline network.

1.5.2 Powerline Adapter’s Button and Connector

Reset/Security:
Reset: Pressing and holding the Button for between 10 seconds and 15

seconds makes the adapter restore the factory default settings.

Security: Pressing and holding the button for less than 3 seconds makes the

adapter a member of the existing Powerline Network.

Ethernet Port (RJ45 Port): The Ethernet port connects to an Ethernet network

cable. The other end of the cable connects to your computer or other
Ethernet-enabled network device.

Connecting to the router/modem: Insert One end of the RJ45 Cable (Recommend

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using Cat 5E cable or above) to this port, and the other end to the router or modem.
Then plug into the electrical outlet.

Connecting to PC / Smart TV / NB / Blu-ray Player / Media Player / IP Phone:

Insert One end of the RJ45 Cable (Recommend using Cat 5E cable or above) to this
port, and the other end to the other devices. Then plug into the electrical outlet.

Chapter 2 Introduction to Utility



Note:

Before installing the PLC utility software, make sure that there is no any other powerline utility
installed on your computer. If there is another utility installed, please uninstall it and restart your
computer.

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2.1 Utility Installation

Please follow the steps below to install the utility.

1. Please insert the utility CD into the computer‟s CD-ROM drive. Select the Utility
Installation from the Wizard Page.

2. The window for installing the utility software will display. Click Next to continue.

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3. Select I Agree, and then Next to continue.

4. You can choose your own destination folder to install or click Browse… to select
the installation folder, and then click Next to continue..

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5. You can choose your own destination folder to install or click Browse… to select
the installation folder, and then click Next to continue.

2.2 Utility Introduction

Click the desktop icon below to enter the configuration page.

2.2.1 Main Tab

The Main screen provides a list of all powerline devices logically connected to the
computer when the utility is running.The top panel shows the local HomePlugAV
devices connected to the network interface card (NIC) of the computer. Click
Connect. The utility automatically scans the powerline periodically for other
HomePlugAV devices connected to it. If no local HomePlugAV device is discovered,
the status bar displays NO HOMEPLUG ADAPTERS DETECTED.

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The lower panel displays all the HomePlugAV remote devices, which are discovered
in the current logical network. The total number of remote devices connected in the
same network is displayed above the remote device panel. Network type (Public or
Private) depends on the network status of the local device. Autoscan shows
whether the autoscan function is on. The following information is displayed for all the
devices that appear in the lower panel.

Device Name

This column shows the default device name, which may be modified. To change
the name, click Rename, or click the name and edit it in the list.

MAC Address

This column shows the MAC addresses of the remote devices.

Password

By default, this column is blank. You can click Enter Password to change it.
The steps for setting the password of the device (required when creating a
private network) are as follows:

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 Click the device name to select the device in the lower panel.

 Click Enter Password. A dialog box appears, showing the device name

and password. 錯誤! 找不到參照來源。

 Click OK to verify the password. The password field accepts the device

password in any case formats, with or without dash.

A confirmation box appears if the password is entered correctly. If a device is not
found, a message appears, providing suggestions to solve the common
problems. This process might take a few seconds to get completed.

Add

This button is used to add a remote device to the existing network by entering
the device password of the device. A dialog box will appears. You can enter a
device name and the password. (Also refers as DEK on the back Label, this
DEK is generates via MAC address)

If the device is found and the password is entered correctly, a confirmation box
appears. If a device is not found, a message appears, providing suggestions to
solve the common problems.

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

Note:

The device must be in the powerline (plugged in), so that you can confirm the password and add
the device to the network. If the device is not located, a warning message appears.

Scan

This button is used to perform an immediate search for HomePlugAV devices
connected to the powerline network. By default, the utility automatically scans
every a few seconds and updates the displayed information.

2.2.2 Privacy Tab

In the Privacy screen, you can maintain security for the logical network and select
the device included in the network.

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All HomePlugAV devices are loaded using a default logical network (network name),
which is normally “HomePlugAV”. In the Privacy screen, you can modify a private
network by changing the network names and the passwords of the devices.

You can always reset to the HomePlugAV network (Public) by entering
“HomePlugAV” as the network name or by clicking on the Use Default button.



Note:

If the network name changes to anything other than HomePlugAV, the network type in the main
screen is displayed as Private.

Set Local Device Only

This button is used to change the network name and password of the local
device. If a new network password is entered, all the devices appeared in the
main panel prior to this are no longer present in the new network, effectively
making the local devices not to communicate to the devices which are in the old
logical network. Click Set Local Device Only, the devices previously set up with
the same logical network (same network name) appears in the device list.

Set All Devices

This button is used to change the logical network of all devices that appear in

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the main panel. If these devices whose passwords have been entered for the
same logical network, a dialog box appears, indicating the success of this
operation. For the devices whose passwords are not entered, this operation will
fail and it will report a failure message.

2.2.3 Diagnostics Tab

The Diagnostics screen shows the system information and history of all remote
devices appeared over a period of time.

The Upper panel shows technical data concerning software and hardware on the
host computer that are used to communicate through HomePlug on the powerline
network. It includes the following:

 Operating system platform/version
 Host network name
 User name
 MAC address of all NICs (Network interface card) connected to the host
 Identify versions of all driver DLLs and libraries used (NDIS) and optionally
 HomePlug chipset manufacturer name (Turbo Only devices)
 MAC firmware version (Turbo Only devices)
 MAC addresses of all devices connected locally to the host
 Version of the configuration utility
 Vendor name

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The Lower panel displays the history of all remote devices appeared on the
computer over a certain period of time. All the devices and the parameters of the
devices on the powerline network are listed. Devices that are active on the current
logical network show a transfer rate in the rate column. Devices on other networks,
or devices that no longer exist are shown with a “?” in the rate column. The following
remote device information is available from the diagnostics screen:

 Device alias name
 MAC address
 Password
 Device last known rate
 Device last known network name
 HomePlug chipset manufacturer name
 Date device last seen on the network
 MAC firmware version

The diagnostics information displayed can be saved to a text file for later use, or be
printed for reference for a technical support call. Click Delete to delete the devices
which are no longer part of the network. A dialog window pops up with a confirmation

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message if the user wants to delete a device whose password has been entered.

2.2.4 About Tab

The About screen shows the software version and provides a html link to a website,
such as http://www.qua.qualcomm.com. Clicking the web address, you can visit the
web site.

Chapter 3 Forming a Powerline (HomePlug AV)
Network

This chapter describes how to form a HomePlug AV logical network (AVLN) using the
Security pushbutton and using the Utility. Operation progress and outcome can be
monitored by observing the behavior of the power LED.

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3.1 Using the Security Pushbutton

Scenario:

Devices A and B with different NMK (Network Membership Key used to
authenticate/access) values are connected to the same powerline. Users want
to use them to form a logical network.

Forming a HomePlug AV logical network

Please follow below steps to form a logical network using the Security button:

1. Press the Security button on Device A for less than 3 seconds.

2. Press the Security button on Device B for less than 3 seconds. The button

on B must be pressed within 2 minutes

3. Wait for connection to complete.
The Power indicator on both devices will flash evenly at 1 second interval until

the operation succeeds or fails. The Power indicator will illuminate steadily on
successful completion. If an error occurs, the Power indicator on both devices
will flash unevenly for 2 minutes.

3.2 Using the Utility

Scenario:

Devices A and B are located in different networks. Users want to use them to
form a logical network.

In this case, using the Security pushbutton cannot pair Devices A and B. Users
can only use the Utility to form a logical network.

Please follow below to form a logical network using the Utility:

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1. Connect Device A to the network card of a PC.

2. Open the Utility. The Main tab page displays information about Device A

after connection succeeds.

Search for Local device on your computer

3. Click the Privacy tab page. Enter a name in the Private Network Name field.

Setting the network name for your PLC

4. Click Set Local Device Only. When the following page is displayed, the

setting succeeds. Now Device A has been removed from its logical network.

Network name setting success

5. Repeat the procedures above to configure Device B. Configure Device B

with the same Private Network Name as Device A. After the operation
success, Devices A and B form a new logical network.

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Chapter 4 Joining a Network

This chapter describes how to add a device to an existing HomePlug AV logical
network (AVLN) using the Security/Reset pushbutton and using the Utility.

Operation progress and outcome can be monitored by observing the behavior of the
power LED.

4.1 Using the Security Pushbutton

Scenario:

Devices A and B are located in network N. Device C (the joiner) that is not
located in any networks attempts to join Network N. Any devices on Network N
can become the „adder‟.

Joining a network

Please follow below to add Device C to Network N using the Security button:

1. Press the Security button on Device A (or Device B) for less than 3
seconds, making it the „adder‟.

2. Within 2 minutes, press the Security button Device C (the „joiner‟) for less
than 3 seconds.

3. Wait for connection to complete.

The Power indicator on Device A (or Device B) and Device C will flash at 1
second intervals until the process succeeds or fails. It will illuminate steadily on
success. If an error occurs, the Power indicator on Device A (or Device B) and
Device C will flash unevenly for 2 minutes.

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4.2 Using the Utility

Scenario:

Devices A and B are located in Network N. Device C (the joiner) that is located
in another network attempts to join Network N. See

Do as follows to add Device C to Network N using the Utility:

1. Connect Device C to the network card of a PC.

2. Open the Utility. The Main tab page displays information about Device C

after connection succeeds.

3. Click the Privacy tab page. Enter a name in the Private Network Name
field.

4. Click Set Local Device Only. When the page shown as below displayed,
the setting success. Now Device C has been removed from its logical
network.

5. Press the pushbutton on Device A or B for less than 3 seconds, making it
the „adder‟.

6. Within 2 minutes, press the pushbutton on Device C (the „joiner‟) for less
than 3 seconds.

7. Wait for connection to complete.

The Power indicator on Device A (or Device B) and Device C will flash at 1
second intervals until the process succeeds or fails. It will illuminate steadily on
success. If an error occurs, the Power indicator on Device A (or Device B) and
Device C will flash unevenly for 2 minutes.

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Appendix A: Improving the Transmission

Quality

It is important to use the PLC product complying with the following "correct rules",
because it can significantly improve the transmission capacity of the network.

PLC device is recommended to plug the device directly into a wall socket, not to
power stripe.

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Appendix B: Specifications

Spec

Chipset

Atheros AR7420

Standards

Compliant with IEEE 1901
Compatible with HomePlug AV standard Co-existence with
HomePlug 1.0 Nodes
IEEE802.3, IEEE802.3u

Encryption

128-bit AES Encryption

Ports

10/100Mbps Ethernet port

LEDs

Power, Ethernet, Data

Powerline Speeds

Up to 200Mbps

Powerline Range

Up to 300 meters over Electricity line

Maximum PLC support

Capable of extending up to total of 16 Powerline adapters in one
environment

Connection Type

RJ45

Connection Speeds

10/100M

Kit Type

Double

Frequency Band

2 MHz ~ 67.5 MHz

Power Consumption

<2.7 W Operation Mode

1.6 W Idle Mode

0.34 W Standby Mode

QoS Support

ToS
Support up to 4-level type QoS
Support up to 8-level VLAN priority field
IGMP snooping for multicast to multiple unicast mapping

System Requirement

Deployment requirements:

Devices with 10/100 or 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port
Operates system not require.

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Utility software OS support:

Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7

Dimensions

2.72 x 2.28 x 1.22 in (69 x 58 x 31 mm) (1 Powerline adapter)

Weight

0.18 lbs. (80 g) (1 Powerline adapter)

Temperature

0°C ~ 40°C

Humidity

10% ~ 90% Non-condensing

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Appendix C: Acronyms and Abbreviations

AVLN

AV In-home Logical Network, the AVLAN is
the set of STAs that possess the same
network membership key. Every AVLN is
managed by a single CCo.

CCo

Central Coordinator

CSMA/CA

Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision
Avoidance

DAK

Device Access Key

DM

Device Manager

IGMP

Internet Group Management Protocol

NEK

Network Encryption Key

NID

Network ID (Identification)

NMK

Network Membership Key

PLC

Powerline Communication

PIB

Parameter Information Block

STA

Station, a STA in the network with a
connection to the powerline and being able
to source or sink traffic

TDMA

Time Division Multiple Access

TEI

Terminal Equipment Identifier

TOS

Type Of Service

VLAN

Virtual Local Area Network

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Appendix D: RPLC-200 QoS Support

RPLC-200 allows for 4 levels of Channel Access Priority (CAP (0 – 3)). The 8 levels
of VLAN Ethernet tags must be mapped to the 4 levels of CAP priority, where CAP 3
is the highest priority and CAP 0 is the lowest. CAP 3 priority might be used for voice
and network management frames, and CAP 2 is used for streaming video and music
while CAP 1 and CAP 0 are used for data.

Default CAP

The „Default CAP‟ group allows for default priority mapping of packets that do not

have a VLAN TAG. The settings are available for Unicast (directed to a host).

 Unicast - (default CAP 1) - sets the default channel access priority for

unicast frames not matching any other classification or mapping.

 IGMP managed Multicast Stream (Fixed to CAP 2) - sets the default

channel access priority for stream data belonging to a snooped IGMP
multicast group.

 IGMP - (default CAP 3) - sets the channel access priority for IGMP frames -

these are the group management frames, not the stream data.

 Multicast/Broadcast - sets the default CAP for multicast frames not in a

snooped group and for broadcast frames.

The following are the factory default settings for VLAN Tags and TOS Bits:

VLAN Tag User

Priority

Default CAP

Priority

TOS Bit User

Priority

Default CAP

Priority

0

CAP1

0

CAP1

1

CAP0

1

CAP0

2

CAP0

2

CAP0

3

CAP1

3

CAP1

4

CAP2

4

CAP2

5

CAP2

5

CAP2

6

CAP3

6

CAP3

7

CAP3

7

CAP3

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Thank you for purchasing a quality Rosewill Product.
Please register your product at: www.rosewill.com for complete
warranty information and future support for your product.

Rosewill Customer Service Hotline: [phone]

Rosewill Customer Service Support: [e-mail]

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COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS

Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered
trademark of Rosewill Inc. Other brands and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.

No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or
used to make any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation
without permission from Rosewill Inc. Copyright © 2010 Rosewill Inc. All rights
reserved.

http://www.rosewill.com

Safety Warning

This device is intended for connection to the AC powerline. For installation instructions, please refer
to the installation section of this guide. The following precautions should be taken when using this
product.

 Read all instructions before installing and operating this product.
 Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
 Unplug the device from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Do not

use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.

 Do not operate this product near water.
 This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register.
 Do not use an extension cord between the device and the AC power source.
 Only a qualified technician should service this product. Opening or removing covers may result

in exposure to dangerous voltage points or other risks.

 Do not plug the device into a power strip or surge protector because these devices may consist

of filter and impair signal.

 Avoid plugging the device right next to noisy sources such as cell phone charger, Halogen light,

noisy desktop computer, vacuum cleaner, etc. These cases result in poor transmission speed.

 Unplug the device 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

Your product is marked with this symbol, which is known as the WEEE mark. WEEE
stands for Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment. It means that used electrical
and electronic products should not be mixed with general waste. Used electrical
and electronic equipment should be treated separately.