Zyxel PLA5215, PLA5205, PLA4201, PLA4111, PLA4101 User Manual

Quick Start Guide

PLA Series

Powerline Ethernet Adapter

Utility Version 7.0.0 Edition 1, 11/2013 Default Network Name: HomePlugAV

User’s Guide

www.zyxel.com

IMPORTANT! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USE. KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Note: This guide is a reference for a series of products. Therefore some features or

options in this guide may not be available in your product.

Screenshots and graphics in this book may differ slightly from your product due to differences in your product firmware or your computer operating system. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate.

Related Documentation

•Quick Start Guide The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. It contains

information on making your hardware connections.

PLA Series User’s Guide2

Table of Contents

Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................3

Part I: User’s Guide ...........................................................................................5

Chapter 1

Introducing the PLA .............................................................................................................................7

1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................7

1.2 LEDs ...................................................................................................................................................8

1.3 Standby Mode (Power Saving Mode) ..................................................................................................9

1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA .................................................................................................................10

1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA ..................................................................................................10

1.6 Security .............................................................................................................................................10

1.6.1 Passwords ............................................................................................................................... 11

1.6.2 Setting Up Security .................................................................................................................. 11

1.7 Multiple Networks ..............................................................................................................................11

Chapter 2

The RESET/ENCRYPT Button............................................................................................................13

2.1 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Overview .................................................................................................13

2.2 Adding Devices to a Powerline Network ...........................................................................................13

2.3 Removing a Device from a Powerline Network ................................................................................15

2.4 Multiple Separate Powerline Networks .............................................................................................16

2.5 PLAs With One Combination RESET/ENCRYPT Button ..................................................................16

2.6 PLAs with Separate RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons .......................................................................17

2.6.1 ENCRYPT Button Behavior .....................................................................................................17

2.6.2 RESET Button Behavior ..........................................................................................................18

Part II: Technical Reference............................................................................19

Chapter 3

Installing the Utility.............................................................................................................................21

3.1 Windows ............................................................................................................................................21

3.1.1 System Requirements .............................................................................................................21

3.1.2 Installing the Utility ...................................................................................................................21

3.2 Macintosh (Mac) ................................................................................................................................27

3.2.1 Supported OSs ........................................................................................................................27

PLA Series User’s Guide

Table of Contents

3.2.2 Installing the Utility ...................................................................................................................27

Chapter 4

The Configuration Utility....................................................................................................................30

4.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................30

4.1.1 Powerline Network Security .....................................................................................................30

4.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK) .......................................................................................................31

4.2 Starting the Configuration Utility ........................................................................................................31

4.3 Network Info Screen .........................................................................................................................31

4.3.1 Icon View .................................................................................................................................32

4.3.2 List View ..................................................................................................................................33

4.4 Configuration Screen .......................................................................................................................35

4.5 Advanced Screen ..........................................................................................................................36

4.6 About Screen ....................................................................................................................................39

Chapter 5

Powerline Network Setup Tutorial.....................................................................................................40

5.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................40

5.2 Important Terms ................................................................................................................................40

5.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter ...................................................................................................41

5.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter ..............................................................................................................41

5.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter ................................................................................43

5.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks ..............................................................................................45

5.7 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................47

Chapter 6

Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................48

6.1 Power and Light Problems ................................................................................................................48

6.2 Configuration Utility Problems ...........................................................................................................49

6.3 Powerline Problems ..........................................................................................................................50

6.4 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Problems ................................................................................................50

Appendix A Customer Support ..........................................................................................................52

Appendix B Legal Information............................................................................................................58

Index ....................................................................................................................................................62

PLA Series User’s Guide

PART I

User’s Guide

1.1 Overview

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of your ZyXEL HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter, which is called “PLA” in this guide. The following generic icon is used to represent all PLA models.

In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring network is referred to as the “powerline network”. The HomePlug AV standard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical wiring.

CHAPTER 1

Introducing the PLA

This User’s Guide covers the following models:

Table 1 PLA Comparison Table

PORT/FEATURE PLA4101 PLA4111 PLA4201 PLA4201 V2 PLA5205 PLA5215

One 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port

AC Pass-Through Reset/Encrypt Button Reset Button Encrypt Button Maximum PHY Rate

over Powerline

Note: In this guide RESET/ENCRYPT refers to the ENCRYPT button in PLAs that have

separate RESET and ENCRYPT buttons.

You can directly plug an electrical device (such as a router or computer) into PLAs with an AC power pass-through socket to supply power to the device.

There are two types of hardware for each of the PLA4101 and PLA4201 v2 models:

• One has an Ethernet port on the top and a power plug at the bottom of the rear panel.

• One has an Ethernet port on the bottom and a power plug at the top of the rear panel.

200 Mbps 200 Mbps 500 Mbps 500 Mbps 600 Mbps 600 Mbps

The power plug varies depending on your region.

PLA Series User’s Guide 7

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

1.2 LEDs

The following sections describes the lights on the PLA.

The following figure is the front panel of the PLA. Use the lights to determine if the PLA is behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network.

Figure 1 PLA Lights

The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA.

Table 2 LEDs: 200 Mbps Models

LIGHTS ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION

POWER Green On The PLA is on and receiving power.

It also indicates a successful connection using the RESET/ ENCRYPT button.

Blinking It indicates the PLA is trying to connect with another device

using the ENCRYPT function. The Power LED blinks when it is in standby mode. Refer to

Section 1.3 on page 9 for details on this feature.

Off The PLA is not receiving power.

HomePlug Green On The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer

rate is greater than 40 Mbps.

Amber The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer

Red The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer

Green/ Amber/ Red

ETHERNET Green On The ETHERNET port is on and ready and the PLA detects a

Blinking The PLA is communicating with another powerline adapter.

Off The HomePlug port does not detect another powerline

Blinking The PLA is communicating with a networking device

Off The PLA does not detect any devices connected to its

rate is between 12~40 Mbps.

rate is between 0~12 Mbps.

Data is being transmitted and/or received.

adapter.

device connected to it.

connected to it.

ETHERNET port.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

Table 3 LEDs: 500 and 600 Mbps Models

LIGHTS ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION

POWER Green On The PLA is on and receiving power.

It also indicates a successful connection using the RESET/ ENCRYPT button.

Blinking It indicates the PLA is trying to connect with another device

using the ENCRYPT function. The Power LED blinks when it is in standby mode. Refer to

Section 1.3 on page 9 for details on this feature.

Off The PLA is not receiving power.

HomePlug Green On The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer

rate is greater than 80 Mbps.

Amber The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer

Red The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer

Green/ Amber/ Red

ETHERNET Green On The ETHERNET port is on and ready and the PLA detects a

Blinking The PLA is communicating with another powerline adapter.

Off The HomePlug port does not detect another powerline

Blinking The PLA is communicating with a networking device

Off The PLA does not detect any devices connected to its

rate is between 20~80 Mbps.

rate is between 0~20 Mbps.

Data is being transmitted and/or received.

adapter.

device connected to it.

connected to it.

ETHERNET port.

1.3 Standby Mode (Power Saving Mode)

Your PLA is a certified green product. It goes into standby mode when there is no Ethernet connection.

When you plug the PLA into an electric socket, it waits for an Ethernet connection. When no connection is detected after sixty (60) seconds, the Power LED blinks indicating that it is going into standby mode.

The same process occurs when you disconnect the PLA from a previously working Ethernet connection. Sixty (60) seconds after disconnecting the Ethernet cable, the PLA’s power LED blinks signalling that it is going into standby mode.

The Ethernet and HomePlug LEDs are turned off in standby mode.

While in standby mode, you cannot use the RESET/ENCRYPT button. To enable the RESET/ ENCRYPT button again, you have to connect the PLA’s Ethernet cable to a computer/notebook or modem/router first. The PLA wakes up from standby mode and you can start using the RESET/ ENCRYPT button.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

PLA

1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA

Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to add powerline devices to your powerline network if they have this button. See Chapter 2 on page 13 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT feature.

Use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (or utility, for short) to manage the PLA. See

Chapter 3 on page 21 for instructions on installing the utility.

1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA

The PLA plugs into an ordinary power outlet to easily extend a cable or DSL broadband connection or existing Ethernet (LAN) network to any other electrical outlet in any room of a house, all without the need for any new cabling. Devices can securely communicate with each other at high data transfer rates. The PLA uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information.

Figure 2 Expand Your Network wi t h the PLA

Connect your PLA to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA for Internet access. Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLAs into other outlets in your home and connecting other computers or network devices (for example, a printer) to them.

Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information.

1.6 Security

Since your powerline network may extend outside your premises, it is important to set up security on your PLA.

PLA Series User’s Guide

1.6.1 Passwords

You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV powerline network. The following table describes the differences between the passwords.

Table 4 Password Summary

PASSWORD DESCRIPTION

Network Name All powerline adapters that follow the HomePlug AV standard are shipped with the

DAK (Data Access Key) Password

1.6.2 Setting Up Security

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

same powerline network name “HomePlugAV”. Change the network name via the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility or RESET/ENCRYPT button to create a private network. See Section 4.4 on page 35.

In order to manage the powerline adapters on your powerline network you must enter the adapters’ DAK password in t he ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration util ity. This password is printed on the powerline adapter itself.

You don’t need to add the password for the powerline adapter directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility (local powerline adapter), you only have to add the remote powerline adapters’ passwords (those on your circuit, but not directly connected to your computer).

The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if your powerline devices have the RESET/ENCRYPT button.

Alternatively, use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility to set up security on the PLA. Although the PLA is a “plug-and-play” network expanding solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the powerline network in your home.

1 It’s easy and only requires you to change a network name.

2 It’s a good idea to ensure privacy of your communication. When you use the PLA and other

powerline adapters, the electrical wiring in your home becomes an extension of your Ethernet network. Your network traffic flows freely within the electrical circuit of your home and is bounded in most cases by a power meter.

Without security (encryption) your information is accessible to anyone using a powerline adapter on the same electrical circuit. In some cases, a circuit can be shared by more than one household.

To prevent compromising your network security, you can create a private network. A private network uses a secret password (Network Name) to make sure that only permitted powerline adapters can communicate in your network. See Section 4.4 on page 35 for information on setting up a private network.

3 You may need to change the Network Name to create multiple powerline networks. See the next

section for more information on how to set up a multiple network.

1.7 Multiple Networks

Multiple powerline networks can coexist on a single powerline circuit. You might want to implement multiple powerline networks in a small office environment where you have two separate Ethernet networks.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

1 Connect one powerline adapter to a router or switch on the first Ethernet network and assign a

Network Name (for example “Password1”) to this powerline adapter. Add additional powerline adapters to your network by plugging them into your powerline outlets and assigning them “Password1”. This completes the configuration of your first powerline network.

2 Connect another powerline adapter to a router or switch on the second Ethernet network and

assign a different Network Name (for example “Password2”) to this powerline adapter. Again, add additional powerline adapters and assign them “Password2”.

You now have two private networks on your powerline circuit. Information is not shared between the two networks as only powerline adapters with the same Network Name can communicate with each other.

PLA Series User’s Guide

CHAPTER 2

The RESET/ENCRYPT Button

Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to automatically set up a secure powerline connection between your powerline devices.

Note: In this guide RESET/ENCRYPT refers to the ENCRYPT button in PLAs that have

separate RESET and ENCRYPT buttons.

2.1 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Overview

The RESET/ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure powerline connection with other HomePlug AV compliant powerline devices which also support the ENCRYPT feature. No other powerline setting changes are required to connect.

You can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to:

• set up a new powerline network.

• separate an existing powerline network into multiple networks.

• reset the PLA to the factory defaults.

2.2 Adding Devices to a Powerline Network

You can connect a num ber of PLAs on a powerline n etwork, but you can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button on only two PLAs at a time.

Place a powerline device close to another powerline device so you have time to set up each one. After you set up the first powerline device, you have 120 seconds to set up the second powerline device.

Note: Y our PLA must be connected to a networking equipment for the RESET/ENCRYPT

button to work. Refer to Section 1.3 on page 9 for mo re details.

Follow the steps below to set up your HomePlug AV Network:

PLA Series User’s Guide 13

Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button

press 0.5 ~ 3 seconds

within 2

minutes

PLA PLA

1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button at the side of your powerline device for 0.5 to 3 seconds. The

power ( ) light will blink as the powerline device tries to set up a connection with a new random network name.

Figure 3 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure

Note: The RESET/ENCRYPT button’s location varies for each Powerline model. Note: Check the lights on the two powerline devices. The power ( ) and HomePlug ( )

lights should be on while the devices are connecting. Wait for about two minutes while your powerline devices connect.

If the power ( ) light does not blink when you press RESET/ENCRYPT, you have probably pressed the RESET/ENCRYPT button for too long. Try again, pressing the RESET/ ENCRYPT button for 0.5 to 3 seconds.

If the HomePlug ( ) lights on both powerline devices do not light up, the powerline devices are not connected. Repeat s tep 1 in this section. If that doesn’t work, see the Troublesh oot in g i n S e c tio n 6.4 on page 50 for suggestions.

2 To add more powerline devices to your network, use any powerline device (A or B) you have

connected to set up a connection with the powerline devices you want to connect (C and D).

3 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both powerline devices (A and C, or B and C) for 0.5 to 3

seconds to add powerline device C. This must be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the PLA.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button

A OR B

A OR B OR C

4 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both powerline devices (A and D, B and D or C and D) for

0.5 to 3 seconds to add powerline device D. This must be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of

pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the PLA.

Figure 4 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Your Network

This sets up your powerline network between your pow e rline devices.

2.3 Removing a Device from a Powerline Network

Suppose you want to remove PLAs (C) and (D) from the following powerline network.

Figure 5 Removing Devices From an Existing Powerline Network

1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device C for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it.

This disconnects C from the current network.

2 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device D for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it.

This disconnects D from the current network.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button

2.4 Multiple Separate Powerline Networks

You can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to create multiple separ ate powerline networks. Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button on only two PLAs at a time.

1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline devices E and F for 0.5 to 3 seconds. This must

be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the first PLA.

2 Wait for about one minute while powerline devices E and F connect.

3 Now pair two different PLAs. Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline devices G and H for

0.5 to 3 seconds and within two minutes of each other.

4 Wait for about one minute while powerline devices G and H connect.

5 When the power ( ) and HomePlug ( ) lights shine steadily, the devices are connected.

Figure 6 Two Separate Powerline Networks

If the HomePlug ( ) lights on both powerline devices do not light up, the powerline devices are not connected. Repeat the connection process, making certain you press the RESET/ENCRYPT buttons for the correct time and within two minutes of each other. If that does not work see Section 6.4 on page 50 for suggestions.

2.5 PLAs With One Combination RESET/ENCRYPT Button

Refer to Table 1 on page 7 to see which models have a combination RESET /ENCRYPT button.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button

The following table summarizes the actions that occur when the RESET/ENCRYPT button is pressed for specific lengths of time.

Table 5 RESET/ENCRYPT

TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR

0.5 to 3 seconds

5 to 8 seconds

10 to 15 seconds

Create a powerline network with a new random network name.

Join an existing powerline network by sharing the same network name as other devices on the network.

Remove the device from any network it is associated with and its network name assumes a random value.

Clear all user-entered configuration information and return the device to its factory defaults.

The power ( ) light blinks until the device is connected. This may take a minute.

The power ( ) light blinks and then shines steadily.

HOMEPLUG LIGHT BEHAVIOR

The HomePlug ( ) light turns on if your device is connected to another powerline device or a powerline network.

The HomePlug ( ) light turns off when it disconnects from the powerline network.

Note: The network name is unknown when you use the RESET/ENCRYPT button.

2.6 PLAs with Separate RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons

Refer to Table 1 on page 7 to see which models have separate RESET and ENCRYPT buttons.

2.6.1 ENCRYPT Button Behavior

The following table summarizes the actions that occur when the ENCRYPT button is pressed for specific lengths of time.

Table 6 ENCRYPT

TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR

less than 3 seconds

more than 10 seconds

Create a powerline network with a new random network name.

Join an existing powerline network by sharing the same network name as other devices on the network.

Remove the device from any network it is associated with and its network name assumes a random value.

The power ( ) light blinks until the device is connected. This may take a minute.

The power ( ) light blinks and then shines steadily.

HOMEPLUG LIGHT BEHAVIOR

The HomePlug ( ) light turns on if your device is connected to another powerline device or a powerline network.

The HomePlug ( ) light blinks red one time and then turns off when it disconnects from the powerline network.

PLA Series User’s Guide

Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button

2.6.2 RESET Button Behavior

Use a pointed device such as a pin to reset the Network Name back to default HomePlugAV.

Table 7 RESET Button

TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR

1 to 3 seconds

See Troubleshooting in Chapter 6 on page 50 for suggestions on problems with the RESET/ ENCRYPT button and the lights.

Clear all user-entered configuration information and return the device to its factory defaults.

The power ( ) light blinks and then shines steadily.

HOMEPLUG LIGHT BEHAVIOR

The HomePlug ( ) light turns off when it disconnects from the powerline network.

PLA Series User’s Guide

PART II

Technical Reference

+ 44 hidden pages