ZyXEL Communications PLA4101 User Manual
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ZyXEL Communications PLA4101 User Manual

Pla series powerline ethernet adapters
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PLA Series
Powerline Ethernet Adapters
PLA4101, PLA4111, PLA4201, PLA4201 v2, PLA5205, PLA5215,
PLA5206, PLA5405
Utility Version 7.0.1
Edition 1, 05/2014
Default Network Name: HomePlugAV
Quick Start Guide
User's Guide
www.zyxel.com
Copyright © 2014 ZyXEL Communications Corporation

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Summary of Contents for ZyXEL Communications PLA4101

  • Page 1 PLA Series Powerline Ethernet Adapters PLA4101, PLA4111, PLA4201, PLA4201 v2, PLA5205, PLA5215, PLA5206, PLA5405 Utility Version 7.0.1 Edition 1, 05/2014 Default Network Name: HomePlugAV Quick Start Guide User’s Guide www.zyxel.com Copyright © 2014 ZyXEL Communications Corporation...
  • Page 2 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents 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) ....................10 1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA .........................10 1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA ....................10 1.6 Security .............................
  • Page 4 Table of Contents 3.2.2 Installing the Utility ........................28 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility........................31 4.1 Overview ............................31 4.1.1 Powerline Network Security .....................31 4.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK) .......................32 4.2 Starting the Configuration Utility ......................32 4.3 Network Info Screen .........................32 4.3.1 Icon View ..........................33 4.3.2 List View ..........................34 4.4 Configuration Screen ........................36 4.5 Advanced Screen...

  • Page 5: Part I User's Guide

    User’s Guide...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1 Introducing The Pla

    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. This User’s Guide covers the following models: Table 1 PLA Comparison Table 1 PORT/FEATURE PLA4101 PLA4111 PLA4201 PLA4201 V2 PLA5205 PLA5215 One 10/100 Base-T...

  • Page 8: Leds

    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.
  • Page 9 Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA Table 3 LEDs: 200 Mbps Models (continued) LIGHTS ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION HomePlug Green 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 rate is between 12~40 Mbps.

  • Page 10: Standby Mode (Power Saving Mode)

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 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.

  • Page 11: Security

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA transfer rates. The PLA uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information. Figure 2 Expand Your Network with the PLA Connect your PLA to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home.

  • Page 12: Passwords

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 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 5 Password Summary PASSWORD DESCRIPTION Network Name All powerline adapters that follow the HomePlug AV standard are shipped with the same powerline network name “HomePlugAV”.
  • Page 13 Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 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”.

  • Page 14: The Reset/Encrypt Button

    H A PT ER 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.
  • Page 15 Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 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.

  • Page 16: Removing A Device From A Powerline Network

    Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 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.

  • Page 17: Multiple Separate Powerline Networks

    Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 2.4 Multiple Separate Powerline Networks You can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to create multiple separate powerline networks. Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button on only two PLAs at a time. 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.

  • Page 18: Plas With Separate Reset And Encrypt Buttons

    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 6 RESET/ENCRYPT HOMEPLUG LIGHT TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR BEHAVIOR 0.5 to 3 Create a powerline network The power ( ) light blinks The HomePlug (...

  • Page 19: Reset Button Behavior

    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 8 RESET Button HOMEPLUG LIGHT TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR BEHAVIOR 1 to 3 Clear all user-entered The power ( ) light blinks...

  • Page 20: Part Ii: Technical Reference

    Technical Reference...

  • Page 22: Installing The Utility

    H A PT ER Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configuration utility for your PLA. 3.1 Windows This section uses the Windows XP screens as an example to show you how to install the Windows vesion of the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility.
  • Page 23 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Insert the included CD 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. If WinPcap 4.1.3 is already installed on your computer, the following screen appears. Click Cancel and go to step 5.
  • Page 24 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Select Automatically start the WinPcap driver at boot time if you want to start WinPcap automatically when the computer boots. Click Install to install WinPcap. Select I want to manually reboot later, and click Finish to exit the wizard. A prompt appears asking you to install the .NET Framework version 4.
  • Page 25 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Note: If you already have .NET Framework version 4 installed on your computer this step can be skipped. The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation. PLA Series User’s Guide...
  • Page 26 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Click Finish to close the window. The utility installation wizard runs automatically. Click Yes or Next to continue through the initial screen. Click Cancel only if you want to abort the installation. PLA Series User’s Guide...
  • Page 27 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Click Install to install the utility to the default folder. Figure 7 Install Destination Folder 10 The screen shows you the progress of the installation. Figure 8 Utility Installation Process PLA Series User’s Guide...

  • Page 28: Macintosh (Mac)

    Chapter 3 Installing the Utility 11 Click Finish to exit the wizard. Figure 9 Installation Complete Note: You may be asked to restart your computer when the installation is complete. Click “Yes” to restart your computer. If you select “No, I will restart my computer later”, you will not be able to launch the utility until after a restart of your computer.
  • Page 29 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Double-click the PLA Utility 1.0.0.mpkg file on the CD to run the installation program. When it opens, follow the on-screen instructions. Click Install to install the utility to the default folder, or click Change Install Location ... to specify a different location on your computer.
  • Page 30 Chapter 3 Installing the Utility When the installation is finished, a screen appears to confirm the PLA Series Configuration Utility has been successfully installed to your computer. Click Close. After installing the utility, you can find the utility icon in your Applications folder. If you are running Mac OS X 10.7 or later, you can also see the utility icon in the Launchpad screen.

  • Page 31: The Configuration Utility

    H A PT ER The Configuration Utility 4.1 Overview This chapter shows you how to use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (or utility) to secure, manage and set up Quality of Service (QoS) on your powerline network. The PLA is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you complete your hardware connections, the PLAs in your network (without additional configuration) are able to communicate with each other by sending and receiving information over your home’s electrical wiring (A).

  • Page 32: Device Access Key (Dak)

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility For the powerline adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the same network name. This network name allows the powerline adapters to understand the encrypted information sent in the powerline network. By default the PLAs are all configured with the network name HomePlugAV, this allows you to simply plug the devices in and not worry about setting up security.

  • Page 33: Icon View

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility You can select to view the connection status represented by icons ( ) or view transmission/ receiving rates in a list ( 4.3.1 Icon View Use the up/down arrow or just click a device icon at the left side to select a powerline adapter in your network.

  • Page 34: List View

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility powerline adapter connected to the computer running the configuration utility to all the Remote powerline adapters. Figure 14 Network Info Screen (Icon) > Info 4.3.2 List View Figure 15 Network Info Screen (List) PLA Series User’s Guide...
  • Page 35 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 9 Network Info Screen (List) LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifies which powerline network information is displayed. Different powerline networks are identified by the Ethernet interface (network card) connected directly to the PLA.

  • Page 36: Configuration Screen

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility 4.4 Configuration Screen Use the Configuration screen to see which devices are recognized by your powerline network, to configure your PLA and to set up a secure powerline network by changing the powerline network name. This screen opens up when you launch the utility. Figure 16 Configuration Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen.

  • Page 37: Advanced Screen

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Table 10 Configuration Screen (continued) LABEL DESCRIPTION DAK Password DAK (Device Access Key) password is used to verify that you are authorized to perform changes on a remote device. You can find the DAK password printed on a sticker on the bottom of your PLA.
  • Page 38 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Allocate priority settings based on application type as follows. Table 11 Priority Settings PRIORITY LEVEL APPLICATION High Voice Application Medium Video and Audio Applications Normal Data Applications Data Applications The figure below shows an example powerline home network connected to the Internet. •...
  • Page 39 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Use this screen to configure priority settings for traffic from the powerline adapters on your network. Figure 18 Advanced Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 12 Advanced Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifies which powerline network information is displayed.

  • Page 40: About Screen

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility 4.6 About Screen Use the About screen to view information regarding the configuration utility version of the PLA you are connected to. Click the icon in the top right corner of the utility to view the About screen. Figure 19 About Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen.

  • Page 41: Powerline Network Setup Tutorial

    H A PT ER Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.1 Overview Use this tutorial to expand your existing powerline network. After setting up your first home powerline network (instructions for that are in the Quick Start Guide for your ZyXEL powerline adapter) you may want to extend the network or create a new one by adding additional powerline adapters.

  • Page 42: Accessing Your Powerline Adapter

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter Plug the powerline adapter you want to add to your network into a power socket and, if needed, switch the power socket on. Figure 20 Plug Your Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket Connect the powerline adapter to your computer.
  • Page 43 Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial The figure below shows the family computer with Internet access on a powerline network. Expand the network by adding a new powerline adapter connected to a printer. Figure 22 Add a Printer to Your Powerline Network Note: You do not need to know the network name of the new adapter to add it to your network.

  • Page 44: Setting Up A New Network With A New Adapter

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Name field (C). Figure 24 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network Click Write and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 25 Network Name Pop-up Your new adapter will now have the same Network Name as your existing network and so has now joined your existing network.
  • Page 45 Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Internet access but with a media adapter such as the ZyXEL DMA-1100P you can use your TV to watch movies and play games which are stored on a computer. Figure 26 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network Connect your new powerline adapter and open the configuration utility as shown in Section 5.5 on page...

  • Page 46: Splitting A Network Into Two Networks

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks This section shows you how to split your existing network into two networks. This is useful if you want to set up a second powerline network in your home, for example, in your study connecting a laptop and printer.
  • Page 47 Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Figure 29 Adding an Adapter to Your New Network Click Save. • If you do not type the DAK password or type it incorrectly the following pop-up appears. Click OK and type the DAK Password correctly in the DAK Password field. Figure 30 Incorrect DAK or No DAK •...

  • Page 48: Troubleshooting

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Go back to step in this section to set the same, new Network Name for all remote adapters you want to add to your new network. Check you have added the adapters correctly by changing the network name for the local adapter. All adapters with the new Network Name now appear in the list of adapters on your network.

  • Page 49: Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

    H A PT ER Troubleshooting This chapter offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter. 6.1 Power and Light Problems The PLA does not turn on. None of the lights turn on. Disconnect and re-connect the PLA. Remove the powerline adapter from the outlet. Then connect an electrical device that you know works into the same power outlet.

  • Page 50: Configuration Utility Problems

    Chapter 6 Troubleshooting Make sure that all your powerline adapters are HomePlug AV compliant. Check the package it came in or ask your vendor. This PLA can not detect earlier versions of HomePlug powerline adapters such as HomePlug 1.0 or 1.0.1. (Although they can coexist on the same electrical wiring without interfering with each other.) Make sure that the powerline adapters on your network are all on the same electrical wiring.

  • Page 51: Powerline Problems

    Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 6.3 Powerline Problems The signal on my powerline network is weak. Your powerline adapters may be connected to electrical surge protectors. Connect them to standard power outlets. Your powerline adapters may be located close to large appliances such as refrigerators or air- conditioners that cause interference with the powerline signal.
  • Page 52 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting The POWER light blinks two times quickly then pauses, before repeating. The ENCRYPT process has failed. Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both devices for 5 to 8 seconds, then try to reconnect. The POWER lights on both devices blink when I press the RESET/ENCRYPT buttons, but the HomePlug light does not turn on.
  • Page 53 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting PLA Series User’s Guide...

  • Page 54: Appendix A Customer Support

    • Brief description of the problem and the steps you took to solve it. Corporate Headquarters (Worldwide) Taiwan • ZyXEL Communications Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com Asia China • ZyXEL Communications (Shanghai) Corp. ZyXEL Communications (Beijing) Corp. ZyXEL Communications (Tianjin) Corp. • http://www.zyxel.cn India • ZyXEL Technology India Pvt Ltd • http://www.zyxel.in Kazakhstan •...
  • Page 55 • ZyXEL Singapore Pte Ltd. • http://www.zyxel.com.sg Taiwan • ZyXEL Communications Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com Thailand • ZyXEL Thailand Co., Ltd • http://www.zyxel.co.th Vietnam • ZyXEL Communications Corporation-Vietnam Office • http://www.zyxel.com/vn/vi Europe Austria • ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH • http://www.zyxel.de Belarus • ZyXEL BY • http://www.zyxel.by...
  • Page 56 Appendix A Customer Support Belgium • ZyXEL Communications B.V. • http://www.zyxel.com/be/nl/ Bulgaria • ZyXEL България • http://www.zyxel.com/bg/bg/ Czech • ZyXEL Communications Czech s.r.o • http://www.zyxel.cz Denmark • ZyXEL Communications A/S • http://www.zyxel.dk Estonia • ZyXEL Estonia • http://www.zyxel.com/ee/et/ Finland • ZyXEL Communications •...
  • Page 57 • ZyXEL Communications Poland • http://www.zyxel.pl Romania • ZyXEL Romania • http://www.zyxel.com/ro/ro Russia • ZyXEL Russia • http://www.zyxel.ru Slovakia • ZyXEL Communications Czech s.r.o. organizacna zlozka • http://www.zyxel.sk Spain • ZyXEL Spain • http://www.zyxel.es Sweden • ZyXEL Communications • http://www.zyxel.se Switzerland •...
  • Page 58 Ecuador • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/ec/es/ Middle East Egypt • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/homepage.shtml Middle East • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/homepage.shtml North America • ZyXEL Communications, Inc. - North America Headquarters • http://www.us.zyxel.com/ PLA Series User’s Guide...
  • Page 59 Appendix A Customer Support Oceania Australia • ZyXEL Communications Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/au/en/ Africa South Africa • Nology (Pty) Ltd. • http://www.zyxel.co.za PLA Series User’s Guide...

  • Page 60: Appendix B Legal Information

    ZyXEL Communications Corporation. Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Page 61 Appendix B Legal Information Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. CE-Konformität Das Produkt entspricht den grundlegenden Anforderungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG (R&TTE) sowie den übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen des FTEG und ist zum Betrieb in der EU und Schweiz...

  • Page 62: Safety Warnings

    Appendix B Legal Information distributor for details about the Warranty Period of this product. During the warranty period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product have indications of failure due to faulty workmanship and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products or components without charge for either parts or labor, and to whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product or components to proper operating condition.
  • Page 63 Appendix B Legal Information 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.

  • Page 64: Index

    Index Index ENCRYPT Button Encrypt Button encryption about screen 10, 31 AC Pass-Through Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 12, 31 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) applications FCC interference statement certifications Guide notices Quick Start viewing configuration screen configuration utility connections overview contact information HomePlug AV standard copyright...
  • Page 65 Index MAC address Quick Start Guide management multiple networks overview managing the device using the utility receive rate maximum PHY rate registration multiple networks product related documentation RESET Button Reset Button RESET/ENCRYPT Button network example Combination network information Manage Separate Network Name network name security...
  • Page 66 Index note ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration PLA Series User’s Guide...

This manual is also suitable for:

Pla4201Pla4201 v2Pla5206Pla5405Pla4111Pla series ... Show all

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