Zyxel PLA6457 User's Guide

Default Login Details

User’s Guide

PLA6457

G.hn Wave 2 Powerline Pass-through Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

Default Network Name G.hn Network

LAN IP Address http://DHCP-assigned

Default Password FLYPIG2400

Version 1.0 Ed. 2, 08/2021

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

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

Document Conventions

Warnings and Notes

These are how warnings and notes are shown in this guide.

Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your device.

Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may need to

configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.

Syntax Conventions

• The PLA6457 in this user’s guide may be referred to as the “PLA” in this guide.

• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in bold font.

Icons Used in Figures

Figures in this user guide may use the following generic icons. The PLA icon is not an exact representation of your device.

PLA Router Laptop Computer

Internet Fax Printer Printer

Desktop Smart TV Set-top Box

PLA6457 User’s Guide

Table of Contents

Document Conventions ............................................ ................................................ ..........................3

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................4

Part I: User’s Guide............................................................................................ 6

Chapter 1

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

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

1.1.1 G.hn Standard ......................................................................................................................... 8

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

1.3 Standby Mode .................................................................................................................................. 9

1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA ................................................................................................................ 9

1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA ................................................................................................ 9

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

1.6.1 Domain Name ....................................................................................................................... 10

1.6.2 Setting Up Encrypted Pairing ............................................................................................... 10

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

Chapter 2

RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons.......................................... .... ................................................ .... .............12

2.1 ENCRYPT Button .............................................................................................................................. 12

2.2 Adding Devices to a G.hn Network ............................................................................................. 12

2.3 Multiple Separate G.hn Networks ................................................................................................. 14

2.4 RESET Button .................................................................................................................................... 15

Part II: Technical Reference........................................................................... 16

Chapter 3

Web Configurator...............................................................................................................................17

3.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 17

3.1.1 G.hn Network Security .......................................................................................................... 18

3.2 System Login .................................................................................................................................... 18

3.3 G.hn Settings ................................................................................................................................... 19

3.4 IP Settings ......................................................................................................................................... 20

3.5 Ethernet Settings ............................................................................................................................. 22

PLA6457 User’s Guide

Table of Contents

3.6 Device Settings ............................................................................................................................... 23

3.7 Multicast Settings ............................................................................................................................ 25

3.8 Log File Settings ............................................................................................................................... 27

Chapter 4

G.hn Network Setup Tutorial .............................................................................................................29

4.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 29

4.2 Important Terms .............................................................................................................................. 29

4.3 Accessing Your PLA ........................................................................................................................ 29

4.4 Adding a PLA .................................................................................................................................. 30

4.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New PLA ................................................................................ 32

Chapter 5

Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................34

5.1 Power and Light Problems ............................................................................................................. 34

5.2 Web Configurator Problems .......................................................................................................... 35

5.3 Powerline Problems ........................................................................................................................ 36

5.4 ENCRYPT Button Problems ............................................................................................................. 36

Appendix A Customer Support ....................................................................................................... 38

Appendix B Legal Information ......................................................................................................... 44

Index...................................................................................................................................................47

PLA6457 User’s Guide

PART I

User’s Guide

1.1 Overview

PLA1

PLA2

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of your Zyxel G.hn Powerline adapter, which is called “PLA” in this guide.

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. The AC power pass-through feature allows you to unplug electrical device from a power socket, plug the PLA into the socket and then plug the electrical device back into the PLA. The power plug varies depending on your region.

In the following diagram, the first PLA (PLA1) connects to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plugs into an ordinary power outlet. The second PLA (PLA2) plugs into another power outlet and connects to a computer. PLA1 and PLA2 communicates through ordinary power lines.

CHAPTER 1

Introducing the PLA

Figure 1 PLA Application

Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information.

In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring network is referred to as the “G.hn Network”.

Table 1 PLA Features

PORT/FEATURE PLA6457

Number of Gigabit Ethernet ports 1

AC Pass-Through YES

Encrypt Button YES

Reset Button YES

Maximum PHY Rate over Powerline 1200 Mbps

PLA6457 User’s Guide

1.1.1 G.hn Standard

G.hn is a specification for home networking devices that operates over power lines. G.hn specifies the point-to-point security inside a domain, which means that each pair of transmitter and receiver uses a unique encryption key which is not shared by other devices in the same domain. 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.

1.2 LEDs

The following section describes the lights (LEDs) 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 G.hn Network.

Figure 2 PLA Lights

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

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

Table 2 LEDs

LIGHTS ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION

POWER Green On The PLA is on and receiving power.

Blinking The power LED blinks when it is in standby mode that allows you

Off The PLA is not receiving power.

POWERLINE Green On The PLA detects another PLA and can transmit and/or receive

Amber The PLA detects another PLA and can transmit and/or receive

Red The PLA detects another PLA and can transmit and/or receive

Green/ Amber/ Red

Blinking The PLA is communicating with another PLA. Data is being

Off The PLA does not detect another PLA.

PLA6457 User’s Guide

to save on power during periods of inactivity. Refer to Section 1.3

on page 9 for details on this feature.

data at greater than 80 Mbps.

data between 20 – 80 Mbps.

data between 0 – 20 Mbps.

transmitted and/or received.

Table 2 LEDs (continued)

LIGHTS ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION

ENCRYPTED PAIRING

ETHERNET Green On The 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet connection is up.

Green On It indicates the PLA is connected to another device in encrypted

1.3 Standby Mode

You can set your PLA to save on power when there is no Ethernet connection or activity. Use the Web Configurator’s Ethernet screen to set the period of time when the PLA will go into standby mode. Refer to Section 3.5 on page 22 for details on this feature.

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

pairing mode. The transmitter and receiver uses a unique encryption key for point-to-point security.

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

encrypted pairing mode.

Off Encrypted pairing mode is disabled.

Blinking The PLA is communicating with a networking device connected

to it.

Off The PLA does not detect any devices connected to its ETHERNET

port.

The PLA’s power LED blinks signaling that it is going into standby mode. The Ethernet LED, Encrypted Pairing LED, and Powerline LED are turned off in standby mode.

Note: While in standby mode, you cannot use the RESET and ENCRYPT buttons. To enable the

RESET and ENCRYPT buttons 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 and ENCRYPT buttons.

1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA

Use the ENCRYPT button to add PLAs to your G.hn Network. See Chapter 2 on page 12 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT feature.

Use the Web Configurator to manage the PLA. See Chapter 3 on page 17 for instructions on using the Web Configurator.

1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA

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 Smart TV) to them.

PLA6457 User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

Figure 3 Expand Your Network with the PLA

Connect your first PLA (PLA1) to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA (PLA2) in Room1 into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA for Internet access. Plug a third PLA (PLA3) in Room2 into another power outlet and connect a Smart TV to the PLA for streaming video. Plug a fourth PLA (PLA4) in Room3 into another power outlet and connect a Smart TV to the PLA for streaming video.

1.6 Security

Since your G.hn Network may extend outside your premises, it is important to set up security on your PLA.

1.6.1 Domain Name

You can use the domain name to identify your PLA in the G.hn Network.

Table 3 Domain Name Summary

IDENTITY DESCRIPTION

Domain Name Your PLA follow the G.hn standard and is shipped with the same domain name “G.hn

1.6.2 Setting Up Encrypted Pairing

The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up encrypted pairing on your G.hn Network using the ENCRYPT button (see Section 2.1 on page 12 for more information). It involves authenticating the identity of the two PLAs to be paired and encrypting the link.

Alternatively, use the Web Configurator to set up encrypted pairing on the PLA. Although the PLA is a “plug-and-play” network expanding solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the G.hn Network in your home.

Network”. Change the domain name through the Web Configurator or RESET button to create a private network. See Section 3.4 on page 20.

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

PLA6457 User’s Guide

2 It is a good idea to ensure privacy of your communication. When you use the PLA and other PLAs, 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 encrypted pairing (security) your information is accessible to anyone using a PLA 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 Domain Name to make sure that only permitted PLAs can communicate in your network. See

Section 3.4 on page 20 for information on setting up a private network.

3 You may need to change the Domain Name to create multiple G.hn Network. See the next section for

more information on how to set up a multiple network.

1.7 Multiple Networks

Multiple G.hn Networks can coexist on a single electrical circuit. You might want to implement multiple G.hn Networks in a small office environment where you have two independent Ethernet networks.

1 Connect one PLA to a router or switch on the first Ethernet network and assign a Domain Name (for

example “Tom’s Network”) to this PLA (see Section 3.3 on page 19 for more information). Add additional PLAs to your network by plugging them into your Powerline outlets and assigning them “Tom’s Network”. This completes the configuration of your first G.hn Network.

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA

2 Connect another PLA to a router or switch on the second Ethernet network and assign a different

Domain Name (for example “Alice’s Network”) to this PLA. Again, add additional PLAs and assign them “Alice’s Network”.

You now have two private networks on your Powerline circuit. Information is not shared between the two networks as only PLAs with the same criteria for this Domain Name can communicate with each other.

PLA6457 User’s Guide

RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons

2.1 ENCRYPT Button

The ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure Powerline connection with other G.hn compliant PLAs which also support the ENCRYPT feature. No other Powerline setting changes are required to connect.

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

Table 4 ENCRYPT

TIME ACTION

2 to 5 seconds

Join an existing G.hn Network by sharing the same network name as other devices on the network.

CHAPTER 2

ENCRYPTED PAIRING LIGHT BEHAVIOR

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

POWERLINE LIGHT BEHAVIOR

The Powerline ( ) light turns on if your device is connected to another PLA or a G.hn Network.

Note: The domain name is unknown when you use the ENCRYPT button.

2.2 Adding Devices to a G.hn Network

You can connect a number of PLAs on a G.hn Network, but you can use the ENCRYPT button on only two PLAs at a time.

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

Note: Your PLA must be connected to a networking equipment for the ENCRYPT button to

work. Refer to Section 1.3 on page 9 for more details.

Follow the steps below to set up your G.hn Network:

1 Press the ENCRYPT button at the side of your PLA for 2 to 5 seconds. The encrypted pairing ( ) light will

blink as the PLA tries to set up a connection with a new random domain name.

PLA6457 User’s Guide

Chapter 2 RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons

press 2 – 5 seconds

within 2

minutes

PLA PLA

Figure 4 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure

Note: Check the lights on the two PLAs. The encrypted pairing ( ) and Powerline ( ) lights

should be on while the devices are connecting. Wait for about 2 minutes while your

PLAs connect.

If the encrypted pairing ( ) light does not blink when you press ENCRYPT, you have probably pressed the ENCRYPT button for too long. Try pressing the ENCRYPT button again for 2 to 5 seconds.

If the Powerline ( ) lights on both PLAs do not light up, the PLAs are not connected. Repeat step 1 in this section. If that does not work, see Troubleshooting in Section 5.4 on page 36 for suggestions.

2 To add more PLAs to your network, use any PLA (A or B) you have connected to set up a connection

with the PLAs you want to connect (C and D).

3 Press the ENCRYPT button on both PLAs (A and C, or B and C) for 2 to 5 seconds to add PLA C. This must

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

4 Press the ENCRYPT button on both PLAs (A and D, B and D, or C and D) for 2 to 5 seconds to add PLA D.

This must be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the ENCRYPT button on the PLA.

5 After pairing them, unplug the PLAs and plug them where you want to extend your network.

PLA6457 User’s Guide

Chapter 2 RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons

A OR B

A OR B OR C

Figure 5 Adding More PLAs to Your Network

This sets up your G.hn Network between your PLAs.

2.3 Multiple Separate G.hn Networks

You can use the ENCRYPT button to create multiple separate G.hn Networks by using the ENCRYPT button on different pairs of PLAs.

1 Press the ENCRYPT button on PLAs E and F for 2 to 5 seconds. This must be done within 2 minutes (120

seconds) of pressing the ENCRYPT button on the first PLA.

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

3 Now pair two different PLAs. Press the ENCRYPT button on PLAs G and H for 2 to 5 seconds and within 2

minutes of each other.

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

5 When the encrypted pairing (

connected.

) and Powerline ( ) lights shine steadily, the devices are

PLA6457 User’s Guide

Chapter 2 RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons

Figure 6 Two Separate G.hn Networks

If the Powerline ( ) lights on both PLAs do not light up, the PLAs are not connected. Repeat the connection process, making certain you press the ENCRYPT buttons for the correct time and within 2 minutes of each other. If that does not work see Section 5.4 on page 36 for suggestions.

See Troubleshooting in Chapter 5 on page 36 for suggestions on problems with the ENCRYPT button and the lights.

2.4 RESET Button

The RESET button allows you to reset the PLA to the factory defaults. It also unpairs the PLA from a network.

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

Table 5 RESET

TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR POWERLINE LIGHT BEHAVIOR

10 to 15 seconds

Note: The domain name is unknown when you use the RESET button. You can then pair the

PLA to a different network.

See Troubleshooting in Chapter 5 on page 36 for suggestions on problems with the 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.

The Powerline ( ) light turns off when it disconnects from the G.hn Network.

PLA6457 User’s Guide

+ 35 hidden pages

Zyxel PLA6457 User's Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

PLA6457

Document Conventions

Table of Contents

User’s Guide

1.1 Overview

Introducing the PLA

1.1.1 G.hn Standard

1.2 LEDs

1.3 Standby Mode

1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA

1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA

1.6 Security

1.6.1 Domain Name

1.6.2 Setting Up Encrypted Pairing

1.7 Multiple Networks

RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons

2.1 ENCRYPT Button

2.2 Adding Devices to a G.hn Network

2.3 Multiple Separate G.hn Networks

2.4 RESET Button