Related Manuals for ZyXEL Communications PLA series
Summary of Contents for ZyXEL Communications PLA series
- Page 1 PLA Series Powerline Ethernet Adapter Utility Version 6.0.1 Edition 2, 04/2013 Default Network Name: HomePlugAV Quick Start Guide User’s Guide www.zyxel.com Copyright © 2013 ZyXEL Communications Corporation...
- Page 2 Related Documentation • Quick Start Guide The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away. It contains information on making your hardware connections. PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
3.4 Multiple Separate Powerline Networks .....................22 3.5 PLAs With One Combination RESET/ENCRYPT Button ..............22 3.6 PLAs with Separate RESET and ENCRYPT Buttons ...............23 3.6.1 ENCRYPT Button Behavior .....................23 3.6.2 RESET Button Behavior ......................24 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility........................25 PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 4 5.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks ....................40 5.7 Troubleshooting ..........................42 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting..........................45 6.1 Power and Light Problems ........................45 6.2 Configuration Utility Problems ......................46 6.3 Powerline Problems ..........................47 6.4 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Problems ....................47 Appendix A Legal Information......................49 Index ..............................53 PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 5: Part I User's Guide
User’s Guide... -
Page 7: Chapter 1 Introducing The Pla
• One has an Ethernet port on the top and a power plug at the bottom of the rear panel. • One has an Ethernet port on the bottom and a power plug at the top of the rear panel. The power plug varies depending on your region. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 8: Leds
The ETHERNET port is on and ready and the PLA detects a device connected to it. Blinking The PLA is communicating with a networking device connected to it. The PLA does not detect any devices connected to its ETHERNET port. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 9: Expand Your Network With The Pla
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. Devices can securely communicate with each other at high data PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 10: Ways To Manage The Pla
See Chapter 3 on page 19 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT feature. Use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (or utility, for short) to manage the PLA. See Section 2.2 on page 13 for instructions on installing the utility. -
Page 11: Passwords
The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if your powerline devices have the RESET/ENCRYPT button. Alternatively, use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility to set up security on the PLA. Although the PLA is a “plug-and-play” network expanding solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the powerline network in your home. - Page 12 “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 Network Name can communicate with each other. PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 13: Installing The Utility
2.2 Installing the Utility Follow the steps below to install .NET Framework version 2.0 and the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility on your computer. Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The Setup utility runs automatically. - Page 14 Figure 4 .NET Framework Installation Process 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 5 InstallShield Wizard Start Screen PLA Series User’s Guide...
- Page 15 When the installation is finished, a screen appears to confirm the InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed the PLA Series Configuration Utility to your computer. Click Next. Figure 7 Confirm Installation PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 16: Standby Mode (Power Saving Mode)
While in standby mode, you cannot use the RESET/ENCRYPT button. To enable the RESET/ ENCRYPT button 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/ ENCRYPT button. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 17: Part Ii: Technical Reference
Technical Reference... -
Page 19: The Reset/Encrypt Button
Note: Your PLA must be connected to a networking equipment for the RESET/ENCRYPT button to work. Refer to Section 2.3 on page 16 for more details. Follow the steps below to set up your HomePlug AV Network: PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 20 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both powerline devices (A and C, or B and C) for 0.5 to 3 seconds to add powerline device C. This must be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the PLA. PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 21: Removing A Device From A Powerline Network
Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device C for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it. This disconnects C from the current network. Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device D for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it. This disconnects D from the current network. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 22: Multiple Separate Powerline Networks
RESET/ENCRYPT buttons for the correct time and within two minutes of each other. If that does not work see Section 6.4 on page 47 for suggestions. 3.5 PLAs With One Combination RESET/ENCRYPT Button Refer to Table 1 on page 7 to see which models have a combination RESET /ENCRYPT button. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 23: Plas With Separate Reset And Encrypt Buttons
) light 10 seconds network it is associated with and then shines steadily. blinks red one time and then and its network name turns off when it disconnects assumes a random value. from the powerline network. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 24: Reset Button Behavior
See Troubleshooting in Chapter 6 on page 47 for suggestions on problems with the RESET/ ENCRYPT button and the lights. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 25: The Configuration Utility
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... -
Page 26: Device Access Key (Dak)
In order to manage the powerline adapters on your powerline network you must enter the adapters’ password in the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility. This password is called the DAK (Device Access Key) password. This password is printed on the powerline adapter itself. -
Page 27: Configuration Screen
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 displayed on a sticker on the bottom of your device. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 28: Firmware Screen
PLA such as how to power up and how to load the firmware. You can check the ZyXEL website for firmware upgrades for your PLA. Note: If you update device firmware, it is recommended to check if there is a ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility update. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 29: Network Info Screen
Firmware Screen Figure 16 4.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA is communicating with other powerline adapters on your powerline network. Network Info Screen Figure 17 PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 30: Advanced Screen
For example, if you have a file server on your home network to deliver music and movie files to computers in your home, you should set the priority of the powerline adapter connected to this server to Medium. If video traffic is delivered too slowly, quality problems may occur. PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 31 • 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. Figure 18 Priority Settings PLA Series User’s Guide...
- Page 32 Select a priority setting from the drop-down box for traffic FROM your selected device. The options, in order of importance, are High, Medium, Normal and Low. Save Click this to apply your changes. The new Priority setting is applied to the selected powerline adapter. PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 33: About Screen
This field displays the firmware version of the device you selected in the Device Selection field of the Configuration screen. Released This field displays the date when the firmware was released. Close Click the button in upper right corner to close the About window. PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 34 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 35: Powerline Network Setup Tutorial
• How to make a new network separate from your existing network with new powerline adapters. • How to make a new, separate powerline network with the powerline adapters you have. The tutorial uses the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility to set up your powerline adapter. If you haven’t already installed the utility, see Chapter 2 on page 13 for instructions. -
Page 36: Accessing Your Powerline Adapter
Figure 22 Connect Your Powerline Adapter to a Computer Open the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility on your computer. Go to Start > (All) Programs > ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration > PLA Series Configuration Utility, or click on the icon on your desktop shown below. -
Page 37: Adding A Powerline Adapter
Note: You do not need to know the network name of the new adapter to add it to your network. Connect your computer to the powerline adapter you want to add to your network and open the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (see Section 5.3 on page 36). -
Page 38: Setting Up A New Network With A New Adapter
The figure below shows two powerline networks in a house. The first network (1) shows the home computer connected to a printer and access to the Internet. The second network (2) has no PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 39 Figure 29 Making a New Network with the New Adapter After you have set up a new network, you are ready to connect each powerline adapter on your new network to devices, for example, a computer or a games console. PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 40: Splitting A Network Into Two Networks
To create a second (separate) powerline network, configure the PLAs you want to add to the second network with a new network name. Connect a powerline adapter to your computer and open the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (see Section 5.3 on page... - Page 41 Click OK and type the DAK Password correctly in the DAK Password field. Figure 32 Incorrect DAK or No DAK • If you have correctly entered the DAK Password, click OK on the pop-up. Figure 33 Correct DAK PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 42: Troubleshooting
These adapters are now part of your new network. Figure 35 Adapters on a New Powerline Network • If you want to access any of your new powerline networks using the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility, change the Network Name on your local adapter to the network name for the network you want to access. - Page 43 Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial • Check you have entered the correct network name for your network. • Check your powerline adapter is connected to the same electrical circuit as other powerline adapters on your network. PLA Series User’s Guide...
- Page 44 Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 45: Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
Check all PLAs on your network have the latest firmware installed. PLAs with the latest firmware cannot communicate with PLAs using earlier versions of the firmware. Go to Section 4.4 on page 28 for instructions on installing the latest firmware. PLA Series User’s Guide... -
Page 46: Configuration Utility Problems
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting Use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility to detect all other HomePlug devices on your powerline network. Make sure that the network name (sometimes called the network password) is the same on all of your powerline adapters. See Section 4.3 on page 27... -
Page 47: Powerline Problems
Your device has already connected to another powerline device. Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button for 5 to 8 seconds to release the connection. The POWER light does not blink when I press the RESET/ENCRYPT button. • Check the device is on. PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 48 I pressed the RESET/ENCRYPT button for 5 to 8 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 RESET/ENCRYPT button for 5 to 8 seconds. PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 49: Appendix A Legal Information
ZyXEL Communications Corporation. Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. - Page 50 ZyXEL warrants to the original end user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in material or workmanship for a specific period (the Warranty Period) from the date of purchase. The Warranty Period varies by region. Check with your vendor and/or the authorized ZyXEL local PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 51: Safety Warnings
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. PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 52 Appendix A Legal Information PLA Series User’s Guide...
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Page 53: Index
Data Access Password, see DAK disclaimer documentation ETHERNET 8, 9 related HomePlug 8, 9 POWER 8, 9 local vs. remote adapter electrical and cable wiring electrical circuit boundaries MAC address ENCRYPT Button management encryption 9, 25 multiple networks PLA Series User’s Guide... - Page 54 PLA Comparison trademarks plug-and-play transfer rates power pass-through transmit rate Powerline Network troubleshooting Adding Devices Creating multiple networks Removing Devices priority settings application type priority levels utility private network launching problems and solutions product registration warranty note PLA Series User’s Guide...
- Page 55 Index PLA Series User’s Guide...
- Page 56 Index PLA Series User’s Guide...
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