Owner's Manual

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA4215

PLA4215 User’s Guide

1.4.2 Setting Up Security

The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if

your powerline devices have the ENCRYPT button.

If your devices do not have the ENCRYPT button, use the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility

to set up security on the PLA4215. Although the PLA4215 is a “plug-and-play” network expanding

solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the powerline network in your home.

1 It’s easy and only requires you to change a network name.

2 It’s a good idea to ensure privacy of your communication. When you use the PLA4215 and other

powerline adapters, the electrical wiring in your home becomes an extension of your Ethernet

network. Your network traffic flows freely within the electrical circuit of your home and is bounded

in most cases by a power meter.

Without security (encryption) your information is accessible to anyone using a powerline adapter on

the same electrical circuit. In some cases, a circuit can be shared by more than one household.

To prevent compromising your network security, you can create a private network. A private

network uses a secret password (Network Name) to make sure that only permitted powerline

adapters can communicate in your network. See Section 4.3 on page 27 for information on setting

up a private network.

3 You may need to change the Network Name to create multiple powerline networks. See the next

section for more information on how to set up a multiple network.

1.5 Multiple Networks

Multiple powerline networks can coexist on a single powerline circuit. You might want to implement

multiple powerline networks in a small office environment where you have two separate Ethernet

networks.

1 Connect one powerline adapter to a router or switch on the first Ethernet network and assign a

Network Name (for example “Password1”) to this powerline adapter. Add additional powerline

adapters to your network by plugging them into your powerline outlets and assigning them

“Password1”. This completes the configuration of your first powerline network.

2 Connect another powerline adapter to a router or switch on the second Ethernet network and

assign a different Network Name (for example “Password2”) to this powerline adapter. Again, add

additional powerline adapters and assign them “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.