Related Manuals for ZyXEL Communications PLA-4xx
Summary of Contents for ZyXEL Communications PLA-4xx
- Page 1 PLA-4xx Series Powerline Ethernet Adapter Series (PLA-400/400 v2/401/401 v2/ 470/470 v2) User’s Guide Version 3.0.5 11/2007 Edition 1 www.zyxel.com...
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Page 3: About This User's Guide
This manual is intended for people who want to configure the PLA-400, PLA-400 v2, PLA- 401, PLA401 v2, PLA-470 and PLA470 v2 using the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility version 3.0.5(AG). You should have your basic Internet access or home network already set Related Documentation •... -
Page 4: Document Conventions
• “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. -
Page 5: Safety Warnings
• If you wall mount your device, make sure that no electrical lines, gas or water pipes will be damaged. PLA-401 v2 models only: • This power unit is intended to be correctly orientated in a vertical or floor mount position. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Safety Warnings Safety Warnings... - Page 6 Safety Warnings This product is recyclable. Dispose of it properly. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 7: Table Of Contents
Part I: Introduction... 15 Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx ...17 1.1 Overview ... 17 1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx ... 17 1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA-4xx ... 18 1.4 Security ... 18 1.4.1 Passwords ... 18 1.4.2 Setting Up Security ... 18 1.5 Multiple Networks ... - Page 8 7.1.3 PLA-470/PLA470 v2 ... 64 7.2 Power and Light Problems ... 66 7.3 Configuration Utility Problems ... 67 7.4 Powerline Problems ... 68 7.5 ENCRYPT Button Problems ... 68 Part III: Appendices and Index... 71 ... 46 PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
- Page 9 Appendix A Product Specifications ... 73 Appendix B Customer Support ... 79 Appendix C Legal Information... 85 Index... 89 PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Table of Contents...
- Page 10 Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 11: List Of Tables
Table 14 PLA470 v2 Lights ... 65 Table 15 Hardware Specifications ... 73 Table 16 Firmware Specifications ... 74 Table 17 Performance ... 75 Table 18 Standards Supported ... 75 Table 19 RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments ... 77 PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... - Page 12 List of Tables PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 13: List Of Figures
Figure 29 Plug Your Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket ... 52 Figure 30 Connect Your Powerline Adapter to a Computer ... 52 Figure 31 Click on the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon ... 53 Figure 32 Add a Printer to Your Powerline Network ... 53 Figure 33 Adding a New Adapter ... - Page 14 Figure 43 Adapters on a New Powerline Network ... 58 Figure 44 PLA-401 Lights ... 61 Figure 45 PLA-400/400 v2 Lights ... 63 Figure 46 PLA-470 and PLA-470 v2 Lights ... 64 Figure 47 Wall-mounting Example ... 76 Figure 48 RJ-45 Connector Pins ... 77 PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 15: Part I Introduction
Introduction Introducing the PLA-4xx (17) Installing the Utility (21) -
Page 17: Introducing The Pla-4Xx
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. -
Page 18: Ways To Manage The Pla-4Xx
See Chapter 4 on page 35 Use the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility (or utility, for short) to manage the PLA-4xx. Section 2.2 on page 21 Use the firmware detection and firmware upgrade tools to upgrade to the latest firmware. -
Page 19: Multiple Networks
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-4xx and other powerline adapters, the electrical wiring in your home becomes an extension of your Ethernet network. - Page 20 Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 21: Installing The Utility
H A P T E R 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. -
Page 22: Figure 2 .Net Framework Installation Prompt
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... -
Page 23: Figure 4 .Net Framework Installation Process
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 Chapter 2 Installing the Utility... -
Page 24: Figure 7 Customer Information Input
Figure 8 Install Destination Folder 8 When the installation is finished, a screen appears to confirm the InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to your computer. Click Finish to exit the wizard. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 25: Figure 9 Restart Screen
9 The following pop-up appears. Click Yes to restart your computer, or click No to restart your computer later. 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. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... - Page 26 Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 27: Part Ii: Managing The Pla-4Xx
Managing the PLA- Firmware Tools (29) The ENCRYPT Button (35) The Configuration Utility (41) Powerline Network Setup Tutorial (51) LEDs and Troubleshooting (61) -
Page 29: Chapter 3 Firmware Tools
Firmware Upgrade Tool. Run the tools or the Utility one at a time, as only one of these applications can access the PLA-4xx connected to your computer at any time. 3.1 Firmware Detection Tool Use the Firmware Detection Tool to detect the firmware on devices on your powerline network. -
Page 30: Firmware Detection Procedure
1 Close the Utility and Firmware Upgrade Tool if either of them are open. 2 Double click on the Firmware Detection Tool to run the file. 3 Click Next to begin the firmware detection process. 1.4.5 1.4.5 1.4.5 1.4.5 3.0.5 3.0.5 3.0.5 3.0.5 3.0.5 3.0.5 PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 31: Table 2 Firmware Detection Tool: Result Screen
MAC Address This shows the MAC address of the powerline adapter. You can find the MAC address of your PLA-4xx displayed on a sticker on the bottom of your device. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 3 Firmware Tools... -
Page 32: Firmware Upgrade Tool
3 Double click on the Firmware Upgrade Tool to run the file. 4 Click Next to begin the firmware upgrade process. Figure 14 Firmware Upgrade Tool: Start 5 Wait several minutes while the firmware is upgraded. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 33: Figure 15 Firmware Upgrade Tool: Upgrading
7 To check your firmware is successfully upgraded, run the Firmware Detection Utility again and check your firmware version. 8 Repeat this upgrade process for each powerline device you need to upgrade. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 3 Firmware Tools... - Page 34 Chapter 3 Firmware Tools PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 35: Chapter 4 The Encrypt Button
4.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT You can connect a number of devices on a powerline network, but you can use the ENCRYPT button on only two devices at a time. The PLA-4xx and PLA-400 v2 are shown below as examples. -
Page 36: Figure 17 Encrypt Connection Procedure
5 Repeat step in this section for the other powerline device you wish to connect. This must be done within 120 seconds of pressing the ENCRYPT button on the PLA-4xx. 6 Check the lights on the two powerline devices. The power ( lights should be blinking while the devices are connecting. -
Page 37: Setting Up Multiple Networks
Figure 19 One Existing Powerline Network 1 Click the ENCRYPT button on (A) for more than 10 seconds until the power ( flashes. This disconnects (A) from (B). PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button of this section, you can now reconnect... -
Page 38: Encrypt Button Behavior
) 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-4xx Series User’s Guide... - Page 39 Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button See Troubleshooting in Chapter 7 on page 68 for suggestions on problems with the ENCRYPT button and the lights. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
- Page 40 Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 41: The Configuration Utility
Quality of Service (QoS) on your powerline network. 5.1 Overview The PLA-4xx is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you complete your hardware connections, the PLA-4xxs 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 42: Device Access Key (Dak)
Use the Configuration screen to see which devices are recognized by your powerline network, to configure your PLA-4xx and to set up a secure powerline network by changing the powerline network name. This screen opens up when you launch the utility. -
Page 43: Table 4 Configuration Screen
MAC Address This is a read-only field which shows the MAC address of the powerline adapter you are configuring. You can find the MAC address of your PLA-4xx displayed on a sticker on the bottom of your device. DAK Password DAK (Device Access Key) password is used to verify that you are authorized to perform changes on a remote device. -
Page 44: Firmware Screen
To upgrade to the latest firmware, use the firmware upgrade tool available from the ZyXEL website (www.zyxel.com), or from the CD included with your PLA- 4xx. Make sure you also upgrade the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility if you do so, as older version utilities are not compatible with PLA-4xxs using the latest firmware. -
Page 45: Network Info Screen
Figure 24 Firmware Screen 5.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA-4xx is communicating with other powerline adapters on your powerline network. Figure 25 Network Info Screen PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 46: Advanced Screen
Ethernet interface (network card) connected directly to the PLA-4xx. Typically there is only one connection, however, if your computer has two network cards and both are connected to a PLA-4xx, then you have two powerline networks. -
Page 47: Table 6 Priority Settings
• Although device E receives audio or movie files, it does not send a lot of traffic, so the powerline adaptor attached to it can be set to a low priority. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility... -
Page 48: Figure 26 Priority Settings
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility Figure 26 Priority Settings Use this screen to configure priority settings for traffic from the powerline adapters on your network. Figure 27 Advanced Screen Internet PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 49: About Screen
MAC Address This is a read-only field which shows the MAC address of the powerline adapter you are configuring. You can find the MAC address of your PLA-4xx displayed on a sticker on the bottom of your device. - Page 50 Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 51: Powerline Network Setup Tutorial
• How to make a new, separate powerline network with the powerline adapters you have. The tutorial uses the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to set up your powerline adapter. If you haven’t already installed the utility, see not have the CD with the utility, the utility software is also available for download at www.zyxel.com. -
Page 52: Important Terms
Figure 30 Connect Your Powerline Adapter to a Computer 5 Open the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility on your computer. Go to Start > (All) Programs > ZyXEL PLA-4xx Series Configuration > PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility, or click on the icon on your desktop shown below. -
Page 53: Adding A Powerline Adapter
Figure 31 Click on the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon 6 You are now ready to extend your powerline network or set up a second network. • See Section 6.0.4 on page 53 • See Section 6.0.5 on page 55 •... -
Page 54: Figure 33 Adding A New Adapter
7 Plug the adapter’s power cord into a power outlet and, if required, switch the power outlet on. 8 Repeat this procedure for all additional powerline adapters that you want to add to your existing or new powerline network. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 55: Setting Up A New Network With A New Adapter
2 Type a Network Name that is different from the Network Name for your existing network. Make sure you use the same new Network Name for all new adapters you want to add to your new network. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 55. The screen shown below appears. -
Page 56: Splitting A Network Into Two Networks
To move some of these adapters to a new network, you need to give them a new network name. 1 Connect a powerline adapter to your computer and open the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility (see 2 The utility should open to the configuration tab as shown below. A list of powerline adapters on your network displays. -
Page 57: Figure 39 Adding An Adapter To Your New Network
• If you have correctly entered the DAK Password, click OK on the pop-up. Figure 41 Correct DAK 5 The settings for the adapter will now grey out and the adapter will disappear from the table after a few minutes. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial... -
Page 58: Troubleshooting
These adapters are now part of your new network. Figure 43 Adapters on a New Powerline Network • If you want to access any of your new powerline networks using the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility, change the Network Name on your local adapter to the network name for the network you want to access. - Page 59 Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial • Check your powerline adapter is connected to the same electrical circuit as other powerline adapters on your network. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
- Page 60 Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 61: Leds And Troubleshooting
LIGHT ICON STATUS POWER HomePlug Blinking PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide DESCRIPTION The PLA-401 is on and receiving power. The PLA-401 is not receiving power. The PLA-400 detects another powerline adapter. The PLA-401 is communicating with another powerline adapter. The PLA-400 is not detecting another powerline adapter. -
Page 62: Pla-400/400 V2
ETHERNET 7.1.2 PLA-400/400 v2 The following figure is the front panel of the PLA-400 and PLA-400 v2. Use the lights to determine if your PLA-4xx is behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network. STATUS DESCRIPTION The ETHERNET port is on and ready and the PLA-401 detects a device connected to it. -
Page 63: Table 11 Pla-400 Lights
The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA-400 v2. Table 12 PLA-400 v2 Lights LIGHTS ICON POWER PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide STATUS DESCRIPTION The PLA-400 is on and receiving power. The PLA-400 is not receiving power. -
Page 64: Pla-470/Pla470 V2
The ETHERNET port is on and ready and the PLA-400 v2 detects a device connected to it. Blinking The PLA-400 v2 is communicating with a networking device connected to it. The PLA-400 v2 does not detect any devices connected to its ETHERNET port. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 65: Table 13 Pla-470 Lights
The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA470 v2. Table 14 PLA470 v2 Lights LIGHTS ICON COLOR POWER Green PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting STATUS DESCRIPTION The PLA-470 is on and receiving power. It also indicates a successful connection using the ENCRYPT button. -
Page 66: Power And Light Problems
1 Make sure you are using the power cord included with the PLA-4xx. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PLA-4xx and plugged in to an appropriate power source. Make sure the power source is turned on. -
Page 67: Configuration Utility Problems
4 Make sure that all your powerline adapters are HomePlug AV compliant. Check the package it came in or ask your vendor. This PLA-4xx 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.) -
Page 68: Powerline Problems
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting The PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility does not display all or any of my devices. • Inspect the LEDs on your PLA-4xx and make sure that the ETHERNET and HomePlug LEDs are on or blinking. See problems. - Page 69 • The POWER light on some powerline devices do not blink as part of the ENCRYPT process. Check your powerline device is a PLA-4xx. The POWER light blinks two times quickly then pauses, before repeating.
- Page 70 I pressed the ENCRYPT button for more than 10 seconds, but the HomePlug light is still on. The HomePlug light is on, indicating it is still connected to another powerline device. Try again, pressing the ENCRYPT button for more than 10 seconds. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
- Page 71 Appendices and Index Product Specifications (73) Customer Support (79) Legal Information (85) Index (89)
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Page 73: Appendix A Product Specifications
P P E N D I X Product Specifications The following tables summarize the PLA-4xx’s hardware and firmware features. Table 15 Hardware Specifications Dimensions (W x D x H) Power Input Ethernet Port RESET ENCRYPT Operation Environment Storage Environment PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide PLA-400/400 v2 112 (L) mm x 106 (D) mm x 28.5 (H) mm... -
Page 74: Table 16 Firmware Specifications
The maximum number of powerline networks on a single electrical circuit is 4. HomePlug AV devices using version 3.0.5 firmware cannot communicate with earlier version firmware. 128-bit AES Encryption 1.8 MHz ~ 30 MHz FCC, CE, CUL, UL, HomePlug AV, RoHS PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide... -
Page 75: Table 17 Performance
Throughput over PHYsical Transport Medium (PHY) Throughput over UDP Number of devices in one powerline network The following list, which is not exhaustive, illustrates the standards supported in the PLA-4xx. Table 18 Standards Supported STANDARD HomePlug AV RFC 868 RFC 1112... -
Page 76: Figure 47 Wall-Mounting Example
4 Make sure the screws are snugly fastened to the wall. They need to hold the weight of the PLA-4xx with the connection cables. 5 Align the holes on the back of the PLA-4xx with the screws on the wall. Hang the PLA- 4xx on the screws. -
Page 77: Table 19 Rj-45 Connector Pin Assignments
Figure 48 RJ-45 Connector Pins Table 19 RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments PIN NO RJ-45 SIGNAL ASSIGNMENT RxD + RxD - TxD + Not connected Not connected TxD - Not connected Not connected PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Appendix A Product Specifications... - Page 78 Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 79: Appendix B Customer Support
• Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.com.tw • Telephone: +886-3-578-3942 • Fax: +886-3-578-2439 • Web: www.zyxel.com, www.europe.zyxel.com • FTP: ftp.zyxel.com, ftp.europe.zyxel.com • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Corp., 6 Innovation Road II, Science Park, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan Costa Rica • Support E-mail: soporte@zyxel.co.cr • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.co.cr •... - Page 80 Appendix B Customer Support • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications, Czech s.r.o., Modranská 621, 143 01 Praha 4 - Modrany, Ceská Republika Denmark • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.dk • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.dk • Telephone: +45-39-55-07-00 • Fax: +45-39-55-07-07 • Web: www.zyxel.dk • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Columbusvej, 2860 Soeborg, Denmark Finland •...
- Page 81 Puchong Jaya, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia North America • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.com • Support Telephone: +1-800-978-7222 • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.com • Sales Telephone: +1-714-632-0882 • Fax: +1-714-632-0858 • Web: www.zyxel.com PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Appendix B Customer Support...
- Page 82 Appendix B Customer Support • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Inc., 1130 N. Miller St., Anaheim, CA 92806- 2001, U.S.A. Norway • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.no • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.no • Telephone: +47-22-80-61-80 • Fax: +47-22-80-61-81 • Web: www.zyxel.no • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications A/S, Nils Hansens vei 13, 0667 Oslo, Norway Poland •...
- Page 83 • Telephone: +44-1344-303044, 08707-555779 (UK only) • Fax: +44-1344-303034 • Web: www.zyxel.co.uk • FTP: ftp.zyxel.co.uk • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications UK Ltd., 11 The Courtyard, Eastern Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2XB, United Kingdom (UK) PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Appendix B Customer Support...
- Page 84 Appendix B Customer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 85: Appendix C Legal Information
ZyXEL Communications Corporation. Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. - Page 86 Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Viewing Certifications 1 Go to http://www.zyxel.com. 2 Select your product on the ZyXEL home page to go to that product's page. 3 Select the certification you wish to view from this page. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 87: Zyxel Limited Warranty
Registration Register your product online to receive e-mail notices of firmware upgrades and information at www.zyxel.com for global products, or at www.us.zyxel.com for North American products. PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide Appendix C Legal Information... - Page 88 Appendix C Legal Information PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...
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Page 89: Index
31, 41, 43 DAK (Data Access Password) Data Access Password, see DAK dimensions disclaimer electrical and cable wiring electrical circuit boundaries PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide encryption 17, 41, 74 ETHN LED FCC interference statement frequency band HomePlug AV standard humidity, operation and storage... - Page 90 18, 19, 41 passwords starting the utility syntax conventions temperature, operation and storage trademarks transfer rates transmit rate troubleshooting utility launching warranty note web configurator PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide...