IOGear GHPU21 User Manual
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IOGear GHPU21 User Manual

Homeplug usb adapter
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HomePlug USB Adapter
User Manual (GHPU21)

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Summary of Contents for IOGear GHPU21

  • Page 1 HomePlug USB Adapter User Manual (GHPU21)
  • Page 3 It is easy to set up, and it doesn’t require any additional wiring in the house. To better serve you, IOGEAR offers an array of additional USB 2.0, USB 1.1, FireWire, KVM, and other peripheral products. For more information or to purchase additional IOGEAR products, visit us at www.IOGEAR.com We hope you enjoy using your IOGEAR HomePlug to USB adapter, another first-rate connectivity solution from IOGEAR.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Overview Features Requirements Introduction Installation Configuration Network Configuration Networking Basics - Network Setup Wizard - Checking IP Address - Assign a Static IP Address - Sharing Disks/Folders - Sharing Printers - Sharing Internet Access Troubleshooting Technical Support Product Specifications Limited Warranty...

  • Page 5: Overview

    Overview IOGEAR’s HomePlug Powerline Network USB Adapter allows you to network your home computers through the electric power lines in the house. Setting up a home network has never been so simple, just install the driver, plug the USB end to your computer and plug the power end to your AC power outlet.

  • Page 6: Features

    Features • No extra wires, using the most pervasive medium in your home – power lines • Allows multiple computers to share Internet access, printers, and other resources through the power lines • Very easy and intuitive to set up and install •...

  • Page 7: Requirements

    Requirements System Requirements • Available USB port and CD-ROM drive for the Windows based computer that you plan to install this device to • Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP • Available power outlets in room • Standard home power line wiring...

  • Page 8: Introduction

    Introduction IOGEAR’s HomePlug to USB adapter allows you to network your computers via your current existing home power line. It offers a data transmission speed of up to 12 Mbps, and to reach up to 990 feet through standard power lines.
  • Page 9 1. Collision LED – lights in green whenever there is collision 2. ACT LED – blinks in green when there are network activities 3. Link LED – lights up in green when plugged into a power outlet 4. USB port – connecting to the computer 5.

  • Page 10: Installation

    Installation Note: Do not place HomePlug devices under direct sunlight or near high-heat-emitting devices; Do not place HomePlug devices near water or wet surfaces to avoid electric hazards; Do not place HomePlug devices on any moving or unstable surfaces; It is recommended that you plug the HomePlug devices directly into the wall outlets, not to any power adapters, surge protectors or any device that filters signals.
  • Page 11 5. Insert the installation CD. If CD does not automatically load, run (CD Drive Letter):\setup.exe 6. Click Next. Installation...
  • Page 12 Installation 7. Read, understand and accept the agreement and continue by click- ing Next.
  • Page 13 Installation 8. Enter a user name and organization name, and click Next to continue installation. (Username and Organization have no importance in device op- eration. Window might look slightly different on other plat- forms.)
  • Page 14 Installation 9. Press “Install” to start the Installation Wizard:...
  • Page 15 Installation You may be prompted by this warning screen, ignore the warning and click “Continue Anyway”.
  • Page 16 Installation 10. After the installation is successful, a window will come up prompting for the installation of the HomePlug to USB adapter. Go ahead plug the Homeplug USB adapter on the wall outlet, and then plug in the USB cable into both the HomePlug to USB adapter and the computer.
  • Page 17 Installation 11. Click “Finish” to complete the installation.
  • Page 18 Installation 12. Click “Yes” to restart your computer.

  • Page 19: Configuration

    After restarting the computer, you can see the HomePlug utility icon. 1. Double click on the icon to start the HomePlug Configuration Utility. The utility is used to configure the HomePlug device. Configuration...
  • Page 20 Configuration 2. Once the utility starts, it will display the MAC address of the device your computer is connected to as well as the signal strength.
  • Page 21 Configuration 3. The Network tab displays the additional HomePlug devices on the network. Click on the “Scan” button to scan for additional devices on the power line network.
  • Page 22 Configuration 4. The Security tab displays the Network Password. The default Network Password is HomePlug. If you change the password, you will have to set up the same password for all the Homeplug devices on the network.
  • Page 23 Configuration 5. Advanced The Advanced tab is where you can set the Network Password on all of the HomePlug devices at once. This way, you don’t have to connect to each device and set the password one by one. Network Password – Displays the Network Password. Device Password –...
  • Page 24 Configuration 6. The About screen displays the version of the utility.
  • Page 25 Configuration After the above steps, go to Network Connections, you can see that the network connection is enabled and that the ACT LED in the unit blinks.

  • Page 26: Network Configuration

    Networking Configuration Network Terms What is a node? A node is any given device that resides or is connected onto an existing network. A computer with a network card connected to a switch is a node. The same thing applies to a Mac connected to a hub. What is a bridge? A bridge is used when connecting one side of the network with another network.
  • Page 27 Networking Configuration there is a limitation of having sixteen bridges on the same Powerline network. You will have to use bridges to connect two Macintoshes, because the utility software is not compatible with Windows based computers. Can I use both in the same network? Yes.
  • Page 28 Networking Configuration a. Using HomePlug USB Adapter ONLY...
  • Page 29 Networking Configuration b. Using a HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (Node Mode)
  • Page 30 Networking Configuration c. Using HomePlug to USB Adapter AND Ethernet Bridge (Node Mode) (Only 2 HomePlug Bridges can be used)
  • Page 31 Networking Configuration d. Using the Ethernet Bridge to make a sub network HomePlug-ready to communicate with the other HomePlug nodes. (Sixteen HomePlug Bridges can be used in the same network.)

  • Page 32: Networking Basics

    Networking Basics Networking Basics Prior to installing HomePlug, you may have had some ideas about using your new network. This section will help you get started on those ideas or even give you some new ones. It will go through the process of sharing files, printing from any computer on the network, or accessing the Internet on multiple computers with one connection.
  • Page 33 Networking Basics Click “Next” in the following window for the Network Setup Wizard.
  • Page 34 Networking Basics Read and follow the instructions in the window below and then click “Next”.
  • Page 35 Networking Basics In the following window, select among the 3 options which best describe this computer and then click “Next”. If your computer connects to a broad- band router/gateway, select the second option.
  • Page 36 Networking Basics Fill in the information in the fol- lowing window as you desire and then click “Next”.
  • Page 37 Networking Basics Enter the Workgroup name as you wish and then click “Next”. (Very important: All computers on your network should have the same Workgroup name.)
  • Page 38 Networking Basics Review the setting in the following screen, and click “Next” to continue. If you want to change any set- tings, you need to click “Back” and start over again.
  • Page 39 Networking Basics Please wait while the Net- work Setup Wizard applies the changes and config- ures the computer.
  • Page 40 Networking Basics When the configuration is done, the following screen will come up. Select one of the 4 options according to your needs.
  • Page 41 Networking Basics In this case, the last choice was selected, click “Next”. Then click “Finish” on the next window.
  • Page 42 Networking Basics The new setting will take effect after you restart the computer. Click “Yes” to restart the computer. Congratulations, you have completed configuring this computer! After setting up networks on all your computers on the network, you will be able to use your HomePlug network to share files, printers, and Internet connections.

  • Page 43: Checking Ip Address

    Networking Basics Topic 2: Checking IP addresses Go to Start>Programs>Accessories> Command Prompt.
  • Page 44 Networking Basics Type “ipconfig” at the prompt, then press Enter. You will see the IP address of this computer.

  • Page 45: Assign A Static Ip Address

    Networking Basics Topic 3: Assigning a Static IP Address (Note: If you use DHCP-capable gateway/router, you don’t need to assign any static IP addresses because the gateway/router will automatically assign IP addresses to the computers on the network.) Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Network Connections>Local Area Connection.
  • Page 46 Networking Basics in the desired IP address and subnet mask (it is recommended to use the default subnet mask as shown in the following window. Subnet mask must be the same for all the computers on the network.) If you need to enter DNS address, you must enter the address of the default gateway.
  • Page 47 Networking Basics Click “Close” on the Local Area Connection Properties win- dow. You have completed static IP address assignment.

  • Page 48: Sharing Disks/Folders

    Networking Basics Topic 4. Sharing Disks/Folders Once the network has been checked / con- figured, you can access other systems via "My Network Places". To allow other sys- tems to access data on your disks / in your folders, you have to give permission to share your disks and/or folders.
  • Page 49 Networking Basics 2. In the following window, click to select “Share this folder”. Then click on “Permission”.
  • Page 50 Networking Basics 3. Please note that by default, all users defined on your XP Professional system will have full permissions. You can reduce the permissions (for example to allow only Read-access) and/or you could add a dif- ferent group of users to have access per- mission (but then you should delete the group "Everyone"...
  • Page 51 Networking Basics 4. Click OK on the original Sharing and Security window to conclude the process.

  • Page 52: Sharing Printers

    Networking Basics 5. Once a disk or folder is shared, the icon will show it via the "holding hand". Topic 5. Share Printers You may now share any installed printers connected to this computer with other computers on your net- work.
  • Page 53 Networking Basics Click on the printer you want to share with others on the network and select “Share this printer”.
  • Page 54 Networking Basics 2. In the following window, click on “Share this Printer” and type in the share name you would like. After this is done, click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
  • Page 55 Networking Basics Now when you go to “Print- ers and Faxes” in the Con- trol Panel, you will see the supporting hand underneath the printer, which means that the printer is being shared in the network. For a computer to access a Network Printer, the device driver or software for that printer must be installed and...
  • Page 56 Networking Basics 1. Go to a computer that is not connected to the printer and select “Start” from the Task Bar “Control Panel” then “Printers and other Hardware.”...
  • Page 57 Networking Basics 2. Click on "Add a printer."...
  • Page 58 Networking Basics 3. Select the network printer option and click Next.
  • Page 59 Networking Basics 4. Find the printer you would like to share and click Next.
  • Page 60 Networking Basics 5. Decide if you would like to choose this printer as a default printer and click Next.
  • Page 61 Networking Basics 6. You have now added the printer to your computer, click Finish. Now you may use the Network Printer as if it were directly connected to the computer. Make sure that the computer which is directly con- nected to the printer is on.

  • Page 62: Sharing Internet Access

    Sharing Internet Access Topic 6. Sharing Internet Access So how can the Internet connection be shared among other computers on the HomePlug network? Since neither the HomePlug Bridge nor USB adapter are capable of routing at this time, a router is necessary in order to share the Internet connection. Future versions of the HomePlug Bridge or USB adapter may feature built-in routing capabilities.
  • Page 63 Sharing Internet Access • Also all computers that share the Internet connection must be connected to a HomePlug USB Adapter or a HomePlug Ethernet Bridge. Please note that sixteen HomePlug Bridges are allowed on one network if used as bridges (without installation of the software). Please follow these steps for setting up Internet Sharing:...
  • Page 64 Sharing Internet Access a. Make sure that the DSL/Cable modem is connected to the Router (using the WAN port on the router.) b. Connect the HomePlug Bridge to the Router (using the Uplink port on the router.) c. Check the link light on the HomePlug Bridge. It must light up green. d.
  • Page 65 Sharing Internet Access Checking Router Settings: Please assure that the following settings on your router are set: (The setup windows will depend on the router manufacturer's software.) A) The IP should be obtained automatically; B) DHCP must be enabled; C) Release DHCP and then Renew DHCP to reset the IP Addresses. It is recom- mended that you verify that IP Addresses are obtained.

  • Page 66: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions/Troubleshooting 1. Will HomePlug work in my house or apartment? If the house or apartment was built under U.S. building standards using copper wiring, then it will work. 2. What types of security problems will I be facing? If your house is on the same power grid as your neighbor, then there is a potential for a hacker to get in through your neighbor's house.
  • Page 67 4. Will HomePlug operate on different Circuit Breakers? Yes. Circuit breakers do not affect performance of HomePlug devices, however the signal will not pass through the power transformers outside your house. 5. Can Neighbors get my HomePlug signal? It is possible for your immediate (next door) neighbor to receive residual signal from your HomePlug adapter.
  • Page 68 8. How does 56bit-DES compare with Wireless 802.11b 128bit-WEP encryption? 56bit-DES is superior because of its DES type Encryption. Just because 802.11b uses 128bit-WEP with more bits doesn't mean the encryption is better. Also, the IOGEAR HomePlug devices use hardware 56bit-DES encryption. With hardware encryption the signal is almost impossible to crack.

  • Page 69: Technical Support

    23 Hubble Irvine, CA 92618 You may also reach us online at www.iogear.com/support 24 hours a day. Please be ready to give a brief description of the problem, and what you were doing when the problem occurred, before calling Service Support. The Service Support representative will be able...
  • Page 70 Getting Technical Support 1) What version of the OS are you using? 2) When does the problem occur? 3) Were any messages displayed on the screen when the error occurred? If so, what was the exact wording of the message? 4) What is the purchase date and serial number of the product? 5) What have you already tried to get the problem resolved? 6) Are you on a network? If so, what type of network is it?

  • Page 71: Product Specifications

    Product Specifications...

  • Page 72: Limited Warranty

    Limited Warranty Limited Warranty IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, DISK, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT. The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to the contents or use of this documentation, and especially disclaims its quality, performance, merchant- ability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
  • Page 73 Apple Computer, Inc. Finder is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. IOGEAR makes no warranty of any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice.
  • Page 75 Contact info. 23 Hubble • Irvine, CA 92618 • (P) 949.453.8782 • (F) 949.453.8785 • www.iogear.com...

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