85 Mbps MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter Model #: HPE100T User Manual Ver 1.
Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1 Package Contents Features System Requirements Getting to Know the Ethernet Adapter Technical Support 1 2 2 3 4 2 Connecting the MegaPlug Adapter 5 Connecting the Adapters Installing the Configuration Utility 5 6 3 Using the Configuration Utility Quick Setup Advanced About 9 9 10 12 4 Troubleshooting 13 Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions 13 14 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 17 Windows 98 SE Windows Me Windows 2000 Windows XP 17 20 23 27 6 Setting U
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1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter. The MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter is one of the easiest ways to enjoy home or small business networking. It operates on the MegaPlug Powerline Specification Turbo standard, providing data transfer speeds up to 85 Mbps over home AC wiring.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual Features s HomePlug Turbo compliant s 85 Mbps data rate (maximum) s 56-bit DES encryption s Two-pronged US power plug (fits ungrounded power outlets) s Power and Link indicators System Requirements s At least 1 available power outlet s Standard home power wiring s Computer with the following: · CD-ROM drive · IBM compatible running at 200 MHz or better · Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP installed · 64 MB of RAM · Ethernet network adapter · TCP/IP
Chapter 1 Introduction Getting to Know the Ethernet Adapter This section contains a quick description of the Adapter’s external features. Front Panel The Adapter’s front panel features 2 lights (LEDs): Power Light The Power light glows green when sychronized with another device. If the Power light is off, it can still be powered up. Link Light The Link light glows green when an Ethernet connection is detected, and flickers when data is being transferred across the Adapter.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual Technical Support Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making durable, high-quality, high-performance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support Department is available all day every day to provide professional support. Actiontec Electronics, Inc. 760 N. Mary Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Technical Support Phone: (USA) 1-888-436-0657 E-mail: http://support.actiontec.com/email_support/support_form.php Internet: www.actiontec.
Connecting the MegaPlug Adapter 2 To connect the Adapter, it must be connected to a computer, plugged into a standard wall outlet, and the Configuration Utility loaded on the computer. Connecting the Adapters To use the Adapters properly, two Adapters should be plugged into electrical outlets, and devices (computers, printers, etc.) connected to them. Connecting an Adapter to a Computer 1. Get an Adapter and one Ethernet cable. 2.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 5. Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on a router/ gateway connected to a computer. Follow the instructions in the next section, “Installing the Configuration Utility.” Installing the Configuration Utility After connecting the Adapters, install the Configuration Utility: 1. Insert the Installation CD in the CD-ROM drive of the computer connected to an Adapter. 2. When the “Welcome” screen appears, click Next. 3.
Chapter 2 Connecting the MegaPlug Adapters 4. When this window appears, click Finish. 5. Repeat for other computers connected to an Adapter. The MegaPlug Adapters are now connected and ready to use, and the Configuration Utility is loaded on the computers. Go to chapter 3, “Using the Configuration Utility” for information about changing the default configuration settings of the Adapter.
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Using the Configuration Utility 3 Once the Adapters have been properly connected and installed, the user can further configure the Adapters using the Actiontec MegaPlug Configuration Utility. The Utility also provides information about the network. To access the Utility: 1. Click Start on the desktop, then Programs. 2. From the Programs menu, find “Actiontec MegaPlug,” then select MegaPlug Configuration Utility. The Utility appears on the desktop.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual Local Device(s) on Your Computer The list displays all MegaPlug Adapters connected to the computer. If no Adapter appears in the Device List, make sure the ☞ Note: Adapter is connected properly (with the appropriate Ethernet cable) to the computer. Then, unplug the Adapter, and plug it back in again. If, after performing these actions, no Adapter appears in the Device List, the Adapter may be defective. Contact technical support.
Chapter 3 Using the Configuration Utility Local Device(s) on Your Computer The list displays all MegaPlug Adapters connected to the computer. If no Adapter appears in the Device List, make sure the ☞ Note: Adapter is connected properly (with the appropriate Ethernet cable) to the computer. Then, unplug the Adapter, and plug it back in again. If, after performing these actions, no Adapter appears in the Device List, the Adapter may be defective. Contact technical support.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual Set All Devices Click this button to encrypt all devices on the MegaPlug network. About Selecting About from the row of tabs near the top of the Utility’s window generates the “About” tab. The About tab displays the MegaPlug Configuration Utility version.
Troubleshooting 4 This chapter contains a list of problems that may be encountered while using the MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter, and techniques to solve them. Note that these techniques may not be successful in all cases. Also included is a list of frequently asked questions. Troubleshooting If the Adapter is showing signs of trouble, before attempting any other troubleshooting procedures, plug the Adapter into a working electrical wall socket.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual s Use the Adapter’s Configuration Utility to detect all other Adapters on the network. Then, plug the Adapters into adjacent sockets. If the Ethernet lights still don’t illuminate, contact technical support. The Power and Link lights are on, but I can’t access the router/gateway from the computer s Try plugging the Adapters in different power outlets, preferably closer together. s Make sure all Adapters on the network are using the same security parameters.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting No. The Adapter operates at a different frequency than other power line control devices and can co-exist with technologies such as X-10, CEBus, and LONworks. Can my neighbor receive the Adapter’s network signal? It is possible for a neighbor to receive the network signal. To prevent this, change the default 56-bit DES security encryption password on the Adapter (see chapter 3).
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5 Setting Up Static IP Address To communicate with a MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter from a computer on the network, the user may have to switch the IP address settings from DHCP-enabled to static IP, so that the computer and the Adapter are on the same subnet. To set up static IP on a computer, select the operating system and follow the instructions. The following procedures are based on the Adapter’s ☞ Note: factory default address.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 3. Another menu appears. Select Control Panel. 4. When the “Control Panel” window appears, double-click Network.
Chapter 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 5. The “Network” window appears. In the “The following network components are installed” list box, locate and double-click TCP/IP. 6. The “TCP/IP Properties” window appears. Select IP Address. 7. In the IP Address tab, make sure the circle next to “Specify an IP Address” is selected. When active, a black dot appears in the circle. If the circle already contains a black dot, leave it alone. 8. Enter the following numbers in the “IP Address” text box: 192.168.0.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 9. Enter the following numbers in the “Subnet mask” text box: 255.255.255.0 Press the space bar on the keyboard to add the periods between the numbers. 10. Click OK. The TCP/IP Properties window disappears. 11. In the Network window, click OK. The Network window disappears. 12. The “System Settings Change” window appears, asking whether the computer should be restarted. Click Yes. The computer restarts. It is now set up with a static IP address.
Chapter 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 3. Another menu appears. Select Control Panel. 4. When the “Control Panel” window appears, double-click Network.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 5. The “Network” window appears. In the “The following network components are installed” list box, locate and double-click TCP/IP. 6. The “TCP/IP Properties” window appears. Click IP Address. 7. In the IP Address tab, make sure the circle next to “Specify an IP Address” is selected. When active, a black dot appears in the circle. If the circle already contains a black dot, leave it alone. 8. Enter the following numbers in the “IP Address” text box: 192.168.
Chapter 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 9. Enter the following numbers in the “Subnet mask” text box: 255.255.255.0 Do not include the periods; they are automatically entered. 10. Click OK. The TCP/IP Properties window disappears. 11. If there is a check in the box next to “Detect connection to network media,” click on it to uncheck the box. 12. In the Network window, click OK. The Network window disappears. 13. The “System Settings Change” window appears, asking whether the computer should be restarted.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 3. Another menu appears. Select Control Panel. 4. When the “Control Panel” window appears, double-click Network and Dialup Connections.
Chapter 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 5. In the “Network and Dial-up Connections” window, double-click Local Area Connection. A number may be displayed after the Local Area Connection. If there is more than one Local Area Connection listed, locate the one that corresponds to the network card installed in the computer by finding the name of the network card in the Device Name column. 6. The “Local Area Connection Status” window appears. Select General, then click Properties.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 7. The “Local Area Connection Properties” window appears. Click General. 8. In the “Components checked are used by this connection” list box, doubleclick Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). 9. The “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window appears. 10. In the General tab, make sure the circle next to “Obtain an IP Address automatically” is selected. When active, a black dot appears in the circle. If the circle already contains a black dot, leave it alone. 11.
Chapter 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 12. Enter the following numbers in the “Subnet mask” text box: 255.255.255.0 Press the space bar on the keyboard to add the periods between the numbers. 13. Click OK. The “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window disappears. 14 In the “Local Area Connection Properties” window, click OK. The Local Area Connection Properties window disappears. 15. Click Close in the Local Area Connection Status window. The window disappears. 16.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 3. When the “Control Panel” window appears, double-click Network Connections. 4. In the “Network Connections” window, double-click Local Area Connection. A number may be displayed after the Local Area Connection. If more than one Local Area Connection is listed, locate the one that corresponds to the network card installed in your computer by finding the name of the network card in the “Device Name” column.
Chapter 5 Setting Up Static IP Address 5. The “Local Area Connection Properties” window appears. Select General. 6. In the “This connection uses the following items” list box, double-click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). 7. The “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window appears.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 8. In the General tab, make sure the circle next to “Use the following IP Address” is selected. When active, a black dot appears in the circle. If the circle already contains a black dot, leave it alone. 9. Enter the following address in the “IP Address” text box: 192.168.0.2 Enter the periods in the address by pressing the space bar on the keyboard. 10. Enter the following address in the “Subnet mask” text box: 255.255.255.
Setting Up File and Printer Sharing # 6 This chapter describes how to share files, hard drives, and printers over the MegaPlug network. File Sharing To share files, directories, or hard drives on the MegaPlug network, select the operating system running on the computer, then follow the instructions. Windows XP After installing and configuring the Adapter, Windows XP automatically enables file sharing. The only item that needs to be altered is workgroup settings.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 3. Click Change. 4. When the “Computer Name Changes” window appears, enter a new computer name in the “Computer name” text box. 5. Enter a workgroup name in the “Workgroup” text book. 6. Click OK. 7. Restart the computer.
Chapter 6 Setting Up File and Printer Sharing Windows 2000 After installing and configuring the Adapter, Windows 2000 automatically enables file sharing. The only item that needs to be altered is workgroup settings. All the computers on the network must have the same workgroup name, but different computer names. To check or change this: 1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, then select Properties. 2. When the “System Properties” window appears, select Network Identification. 3.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 4. The “Identification Changes” window appears. In the “Computer Name” text box, type a name different than the other computers on the network. 5. In the “Workgroup” text box, enter the network workgroup name. This is the same on each computer on the network. 6. Click OK. 7. Click OK again. 8. Restart the computer.
Chapter 6 Setting Up File and Printer Sharing Windows 98, 98SE, and Me 1. Click Start, select Settings, then Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Network icon. The Network window appears. 3. In the “Configuration” tab, click Add. The “Select Network Component Type” window appears.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 4. Select Service, then click Add. The “Select Network Service” window appears. 5. Highlight File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks, then click OK. 6. The “File and Print Sharing” window appears. Make sure both options have a check mark in their check boxes. If not, click in the box to activate.
Chapter 6 Setting Up File and Printer Sharing 7. Click OK. The Network window reappears. 8. In the Network window, select Identification. The “Identification” tab appears. 9. In the “Computer Name” text box, type a name different than the other computers on the network. 10. In the “Workgroup” text box, enter the network workgroup name. This is the same on each computer on the network. 11. Enter any description in the “Computer Description” text box.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 15. After your computer restarts, Windows prompts for a user name and password. Enter a user name and password, then write them on a sheet of paper, as they will be needed to access the network in the future. 16. Find a file or hard drive to share, right-click its icon, and select Sharing. The “Properties” window appears. 17. In the Properties window, select Sharing. The “Sharing” tab appears. 18.
Chapter 6 Setting Up File and Printer Sharing Depends on Password - Allows you to set both Read Only and Full access on the shared file or drive. The level of access will depend on the passwords entered in the appropriate field. 20. When finished, click Apply, then OK. Printer Sharing To share a printer connected to the computer, follow these instructions. ☞ Note: These instructions are basically identical for Windows XP, 2000, Me, and 98 SE, with some minor differences. 1.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual 4. A “Properties” window appears, with the “Sharing” tab displayed. 5. Select Shared As or Share this Printer. This automatically inserts a default name for the printer share name. You can set a password for the printer at this time if you want to restrict who on the network can use the printer. You can also set the default printer settings by modifying information on the other tabs of this window. 6. Click OK, and close all windows.
A Specifications General Model Number HPE100T (MegaPlug 85 Mbps Ethernet Adapter) Standards HomePlug Turbo IEEE 802.3 10BaseT Security 56-bit DES data encryption Frequency Band 4.3 MHz - 20.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual LED Indicators Power, Link Environmental Power External, 110 - 240v 0.2a, 50 - 60 Hz Certifications FCC part 15, CE Operating Temperature 0º C to 40º C (32ºF to 104ºF) Storage Temperature -20ºC to 70ºC (-4ºF to 158ºF) Operating Humidity 10% to 85% non-condensing Storage Humidity 5% to 90% non-condensing ☞ Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice.
B Glossary Access Point A device that allows wireless clients to connect to one another. An access point can also act as a bridge between wireless clients and a “wired” network, such as an Ethernet network. Wireless clients can be moved anywhere within the coverage area of the access point and remain connected to the network.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual Ethernet Network A standard wired networking configuration using cables and hubs. Firewall A method preventing users outside the network from accessing and/or damaging files or computers on the network. Gateway A central device that manages the data traffic of your network, as well as data traffic to and from the Internet. IP (Internet Protocol) Address A series of four numbers separated by periods identifying a unique Internet computer host.
Appendix B Glossary PPPoE (Point-To-Point Protocol over Ethernet)/ PPPoA (Point-To-Point Protocol over ATM) Methods of secure data transmission. Router A central device that manages the data traffic of your network. Subnet Mask A set of four numbers configured like an IP address used to create IP address numbers used only within a particular network. SSID See “ESSID.” TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) The standard protocol for data transmission over the Internet.
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Notices Regulatory Compliance Notices Class B Equipment This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference 2.
Limited Warranty Hardware: Actiontec Electronics, Inc., warrants to the end user (“Customer”) that this hardware product will be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for twelve (12) months from the date of purchase from Actiontec Electronics or its authorized reseller.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual THIS ACTIONTEC ELECTRONICS PRODUCT MAY INCLUDE OR BE BUNDLED WITH THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE, THE USE OF WHICH IS GOVERNED BY A SEPARATE END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT. THIS ACTIONTEC ELECTRONICS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO SUCH THIRDPARTY SOFTWARE. FOR THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY, PLEASE REFER TO THE END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT GOVERNING THE USE OF SUCH SOFTWARE.
Limited Warranty NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY OTHER LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS.
Actiontec MegaPlug Ethernet Adapter User Manual Governing Law: This Limited Warranty shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., excluding its conflicts of laws and principles, and excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.