Power Line Network Security; Starting The Configuration Utility; Figure 8 Navigating The Utility - ZyXEL Communications PowerLine PL100 User Manual

Chapter 3 Managing Your PL100

3.1.1 Power Line Network Security

When PL100s (or other HomePlug 1.0.1 compliant power line adpaters) communicate with
each other, they use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the power line
network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot
understand the message. The HomePlug 1.0.1 standard specifies 56-bit DES (Data Encryption
Standard) to safely transmit data between power line adapters.
For the power line Ethernet adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the
same power line network name. This password allows the power line adapters to understand
the encrypted information sent in the power line network.
By default the PL100s are all configured with the power line network name HomePlug, this
allows you to simply plug the devices in and not worry about configuration details. If you want
to enhance the security on your power line network, you can change the network name on the
specific devices you want to allow to communicate in your power line network.

3.2 Starting the Configuration Utility

To launch the PL100 Configuration Utility simply double click on the configuration icon on
your desktop.
Alternatively, start the utility by browsing to it from the start menu. Click Start > Programs >
ZyXEL Software > PL100 Configuration Utility.
The PL100 Configuration Utility home screen is also the main configuration screen. You can
navigate to different screens of the utility by clicking on the Main, Privacy, Diagnostics and
About tabs on the top of the utility as shown below.

Figure 8 Navigating the Utility

The following is a summary of what you can do in each of the four screens:
• Main - Use this screen to view information about the local and remote power line adapters
on your network, authenticate with or add remote devices on the power line network, scan
the power line network and rename remote power line adaptors on the power line network.
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PL100 User's Guide