ZyXEL Communications PLA-4xx User Manual

PLA-4xx Series

Powerline Ethernet Adapter Series (PLA-400/400 v2/401/402/470)

User’s Guide

Version 3.00 10/2007 Edition 1

www.zyxel.com

About This User's Guide

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for people who want to configure the PLA-400, PLA-400 v2, PLA401, PLA-402 and PLA-470 using the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility version

3.0.0(AG). You should have your basic Internet access or home network already set up.

Document Conventions

Warnings and Notes

These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User’s Guide.

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

" Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may

need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.

Syntax Conventions

• The PLA-400, PLA-400 v2, PLA-401, PLA-402 and PLA-470 may be referred to as the “PLA-4xx”, the “ZyXEL device”, the “device” or the “powerline adapter” in this User’s Guide.

• The PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility version 3.0.0(AG) may be referred to as the “configuration utility” or the “utility” in this User’s Guide.

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

• A key stroke is denoted by square brackets and uppercase text, for example, [ENTER] means the “enter” or “return” key on your keyboard.

• “Enter” means for you to type one or more characters and then press the [ENTER] key. “Select” or “choose” means for you to use one of the predefined choices.

• A right angle bracket ( > ) within a screen name denotes a mouse click. For example, Maintenance > Log > Log Setting means you first click Maintenance in the navigation panel, then the Log sub menu and finally the Log Setting tab to get to that screen.

• Units of measurement may denote the “metric” value or the “scientific” value. For example, “k” for kilo may denote “1000” or “1024”, “M” for mega may denote “1000000” or “1048576” and so on.

• “e.g.,” is a shorthand for “for instance”, and “i.e.,” means “that is” or “in other words”.

Icons Used in Figures

Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons. The PLA-4xx icons used may not be an exact representation of your device.

PLA-4xx Computer Notebook computer

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Safety Warnings

1 For your safety, be sure to read and follow all warning notices and instructions.

• Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool.

• Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids.

• Do NOT store things on the device.

• Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.

• Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device.

• Do NOT open the device or unit. Opening or removing covers can expose you to dangerous high voltage points or other risks. ONLY qualified service personnel should service or disassemble this device. Please contact your vendor for further information.For devices that use any external cables or cords [e.g., not for wireless cards]

• Make sure to connect the cables to the correct ports.

• Place connecting cables carefully so that no one will step on them or stumble over them.

• Always disconnect all cables from this device before servicing or disassembling.

• Use ONLY an appropriate power adapter or cord for your device.

• Connect the power adapter or cord to the right supply voltage (for example, 110V AC in North America or 230V AC in Europe).

• Do NOT allow anything to rest on the power adapter or cord and do NOT place the product where anyone can walk on the power adapter or cord.

• Do NOT use the device if the power adapter or cord is damaged as it might cause electrocution.

• If the power adapter or cord is damaged, remove it from the power outlet.

• Do NOT attempt to repair the power adapter or cord. Contact your local vendor to order a new one.

• Do not use the device outside, and make sure all the connections are indoors. There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.

• Do NOT obstruct the device ventilation slots, as insufficient airflow may harm your device.

• If you wall mount your device, make sure that no electrical lines, gas or water pipes will be damaged.

PLA-402 models only:

• Make sure that the cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Safety Warnings

This product is recyclable. Dispose of it properly.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Table of Contents

About This User's Guide ..........................................................................................................3

Document Conventions............................................................................................................4

Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................5

Table of Contents...................................................................................................................... 7

List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... 9

List of Tables...........................................................................................................................11

Part I: Introduction................................................................................. 13

Chapter 1

Introducing the PLA-4xx ........................................................................................................15

1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 15

1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx .............................................................................. 15

1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA-4xx ............................................................................................. 16

1.4 Security ................................................................................................................................ 16

1.4.1 Passwords .................................................................................................................. 16

1.4.2 Setting Up Security .................................................................................................... 16

1.5 Multiple Networks ................................................................................................................ 17

Chapter 2

Installing the Utility.................................................................................................................19

2.1 Overview of the Installation Process .................................................................................... 19

2.2 Installing the Utility ............................................................................................................... 19

Part II: Using the PLA-4xx ..................................................................... 25

Chapter 3

Managing Your PLA-4xx.........................................................................................................27

3.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 27

3.1.1 Powerline Network Security ....................................................................................... 28

3.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK) .......................................................................................... 28

3.2 Starting the Configuration Utility .......................................................................................... 28

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Table of Contents

3.3 Configuration Screen ........................................................................................................... 28

3.4 Firmware Screen ................................................................................................................. 30

3.5 Network Info Screen ............................................................................................................ 31

3.6 Advanced Screen ................................................................................................................ 32

3.7 About Screen ....................................................................................................................... 35

Chapter 4

Powerline Network Setup Tutorial.........................................................................................37

4.0.1 Overview .................................................................................................................... 37

4.0.2 Important Terms ......................................................................................................... 38

4.0.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter ............................................................................ 38

4.0.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter ....................................................................................... 39

4.0.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter ......................................................... 41

4.0.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks ....................................................................... 42

4.1 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................... 44

Chapter 5

LEDs and Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................47

5.1 LEDs .................................................................................................................................... 47

5.1.1 PLA-401 ..................................................................................................................... 47

5.1.2 PLA-400/400 v2/402 .................................................................................................. 48

5.1.3 PLA-470 ..................................................................................................................... 49

5.2 Power and Light Problems .................................................................................................. 50

5.3 Configuration Utility Problems .............................................................................................51

5.4 Powerline Problems ............................................................................................................. 52

Part III: Appendices and Index.............................................................. 53

Appendix A Product Specifications .................................................................................... 55

Appendix B Customer Support .......................................................................................... 59

Appendix C Legal Information............................................................................................65

Index......................................................................................................................................... 69

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 1 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx ................................................................................... 15

Figure 2 .NET Framework Installation Prompt ....................................................................................... 20

Figure 3 Microsoft’s Agreement .............................................................................................................. 20

Figure 4 .NET Framework Installation Process ...................................................................................... 21

Figure 5 Microsoft’s Agreement .............................................................................................................. 21

Figure 6 InstallShield Wizard Start Screen ............................................................................................. 21

Figure 7 Customer Information Input ...................................................................................................... 22

Figure 8 Install Destination Folder .......................................................................................................... 22

Figure 9 Restart Screen ......................................................................................................................... 23

Figure 10 Example Network Setup ......................................................................................................... 27

Figure 11 PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon ............................................................................... 28

Figure 12 Configuration Screen .............................................................................................................. 29

Figure 13 Firmware Screen .................................................................................................................... 31

Figure 14 Network Info Screen ............................................................................................................... 31

Figure 15 Priority Settings ...................................................................................................................... 34

Figure 16 Advanced Screen ................................................................................................................... 34

Figure 17 About Screen .......................................................................................................................... 35

Figure 18 Plug Your Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket ................................................................. 38

Figure 19 Connect Your Powerline Adapter to a Computer .................................................................... 38

Figure 20 Click on the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon ........................................................... 39

Figure 21 Add a Printer to Your Powerline Network ............................................................................... 39

Figure 22 Adding a New Adapter ........................................................................................................... 40

Figure 23 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network .............................................................................40

Figure 24 Network Name Pop-up ........................................................................................................... 40

Figure 25 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network ..................................................................... 41

Figure 26 Making a New Network with the New Adapter ....................................................................... 42

Figure 27 Local/Remote Adapters on a Powerline Network ................................................................... 42

Figure 28 Adding an Adapter to Your New Network ............................................................................... 43

Figure 29 Incorrect DAK or No DAK ....................................................................................................... 43

Figure 30 Correct DAK ........................................................................................................................... 43

Figure 31 An Adapter on Your New Network .......................................................................................... 44

Figure 32 Adapters on a New Powerline Network ..................................................................................44

Figure 33 PLA-401 Lights ....................................................................................................................... 47

Figure 34 PLA-400/402 Lights ................................................................................................................ 48

Figure 35 PLA-470 Lights ....................................................................................................................... 49

Figure 36 Wall-mounting Example .......................................................................................................... 58

Figure 37 RJ-45 Connector Pins ............................................................................................................ 58

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

List of Figures

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

List of Tables

Table 1 Password Summary ................................................................................................................... 16

Table 2 Configuration Screen ................................................................................................................. 29

Table 3 Network Info Screen .................................................................................................................. 32

Table 4 Priority Settings .......................................................................................................................... 33

Table 5 Advanced Screen ....................................................................................................................... 35

Table 6 About Screen ............................................................................................................................. 35

Table 7 PLA-401 Lights .......................................................................................................................... 47

Table 8 PLA-400/402 Lights ................................................................................................................... 48

Table 9 PLA-400 v2 Lights ...................................................................................................................... 49

Table 10 PLA-470 Lights ........................................................................................................................ 50

Table 11 Hardware Specifications ........................................................................................................... 55

Table 12 Firmware Specifications ........................................................................................................... 56

Table 13 Performance ............................................................................................................................ 57

Table 14 Standards Supported ............................................................................................................... 57

Table 15 RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments .......................................................................................... 58

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

List of Tables

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

PART I

Introduction

Introducing the PLA-4xx (15)

Installing the Utility (19)

CHAPTER 1

Introducing the PLA-4xx

1.1 Overview

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the PLA-4xx HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter. See Appendix A on page 55 for detailed product specifications.

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

1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx

The PLA-4xx 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. (See Appendix A on page 55 for speeds currently supported by the PLA-4xx.) The PLA-4xx uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information.

Figure 1 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx

Connect your PLA-4xx to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA-4xx into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA-4xx for Internet access. Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLA-4xxs 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. Refer to Appendix A on

page 55 for wall mounting instructions.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx

1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA-4xx

Use the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility (or utility, for short) to manage the PLA-4xx. See Section 2.2 on page 19 for instructions on installing the utility.

" This User’s Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only

compatible with a PLA-4xx which has the latest firmware installed. If you don’t already have them, download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website.

1.4 Security

Since your powerline network may extend outside your premises, it is important to set up security on your PLA-4xx.

1.4.1 Passwords

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

Table 1 Password Summary

PASSWORD DESCRIPTION

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

shipped with the same powerline network name “HomePlugAV”. Change this password via the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to create a private network. See Section 3.3 on page 28.

DAK (Data Access Key) Password

In order to manage the powerline adapters on your powerline network you must enter the adapters’ DAK password in the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility. 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).

1.4.2 Setting Up Security

Use the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to set up security on the PLA-4xx. Although the PLA-4xx 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 password. 2 It’s a good idea to ensure privacy of your communication. When you use the PLA-4xx

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.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx

To prevent compromising your network security, you can create a private network. A private network uses a secret password to make sure that only permitted powerline adapters can communicate in your network. See Section 3.3 on page 28 for information on setting up a private network.

" Buildings and even streets may share a coaxial cable connection. If your

powerline network uses a coaxial cable, the network will probably extend outside your premises. In this case make your network more secure with a private network name.

3 You may need to change the password to create multiple powerline networks. See the

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

1.5 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.

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

assign a password (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 password (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 password can communicate with each other.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

CHAPTER 2

Installing the Utility

This chapter guides you through the installation of the configuration utility for your PLA-4xx.

2.1 Overview of the Installation Process

The installation of the configuration utility does the following:

1 Checks for and installs Microsoft’s .NET Framework version 1.1 software on your

computer. This software is necessary for the installation of the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility. If you already have .NET Framework version 1.1 installed on your computer this step will be skipped.

2 Installs ZyXEL’s PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility. This utility allows you to

manage the network name (See Section 3.3 on page 28 for more information) or view the devices recognized on your powerline network.

" At the time of writing the utility is only compatible on Microsoft Windows XP

and Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit version) operating systems.

" This User’s Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only

compatible with a PLA-4xx which has the latest firmware installed. If you don’t already have them, download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website.

2.2 Installing the Utility

Follow the steps below to install .NET Framework version 1.1 and the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility on your computer.

1 Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The Setup utility

runs automatically. Alternatively this can also be done manually by double clicking the setup.exe file on the CD. A prompt appears asking you to install the .NET Framework version 1.1. Click Ye s to continue with the installation.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Chapter 2 Installing the Utility

Figure 2 .NET Framework Installation Prompt

2 Review Microsoft’s License Agreement, select I agree and click Install to proceed.

Figure 3 Microsoft’s Agreement

3 The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation.

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

Figure 4 .NET Framework Installation Process

4 Click OK to complete the installation process.

Figure 5 Microsoft’s Agreement

Chapter 2 Installing the Utility

5 The Setup utility runs automatically. Click Yes or Next to continue through the initial

screen. Click Cancel only if you want to abort the installation.

Figure 6 InstallShield Wizard Start Screen

PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide

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