Powerline Network Security; Use The Security Button To Set The Encryption Key - NETGEAR XAV6501 User Manual

Powerline Network Security

A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline devices using the same network
encryption key. Securing your network is crucial. By encrypting the information that you send
over the Powerline network, you help to keep it secure from hackers. If you do not set up
security on your network, anyone nearby with a Powerline network can potentially use his or
her connection to gain access to your network and information that you send over the
Internet. This concern is especially relevant in settings such as apartment buildings, office
buildings, dorm rooms, and other more populated areas.
You can use either the Security button on the Powerline device or NETGEAR genie to secure
your Powerline network:
• Use the Security button on the Powerline device to automatically generate a random
private encryption key. See
page 16.
• Use NETGEAR genie to configure your Powerline network with a private encryption key
that you specify. See

Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key

Note: A Powerline device can generate a random private encryption key
only once. If you want to generate a new random key, first reset the
Powerline devices to their factory default settings. Either press the
Factory Reset button for two seconds, then release it, or use the
NETGEAR genie factory reset feature. (See
Factory Default Settings
You can use the Security button to replace the default encryption key with a random private
encryption key. The default encryption key is HomePlugAV.

To set the encryption key:
1. Make sure that all of the Powerline devices that you want to configure are plugged in by
checking that the Power and Powerline LEDs on each device are lit solid green.
CAUTION:
Do not press the Security button on the Powerline devices until the Power
and Powerline LEDs on each Powerline device are lit solid green. Pressing
the Security button too soon can temporarily disable Powerline
communication. If Powerline communication is disabled, reset the
Powerline device to its factory default settings by pressing the Factory
Reset button for two seconds, then releasing it.
Powerline PassThru Adapter
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
Chapter 2, Using NETGEAR
on page 26.)
Getting Started
16
genie.
Reset a Device to
on