PLA Series Powerline Ethernet Adapters PLA4101, PLA4111, PLA4201, PLA4201 v2, PLA5205, PLA5215, PLA5206, PLA5405, PLA5256, PLA5456 Utility Version 7.0.2 Edition 4, 07/2015 Default Network Name: HomePlugAV Quick Start Guide User’s Guide www.zyxel.
IMPORTANT! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USE. KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. Note: This guide is a reference for a series of products. Therefore some features or options in this guide may not be available in your product. Screenshots and graphics in this book may differ slightly from your product due to differences in your product firmware or your computer operating system. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate.
Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................3 Part I: User’s Guide ........................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA .............................................................................................................................6 1.1 Overview ........................................
Table of Contents 3.2.2 Installing the Utility ...................................................................................................................25 Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility....................................................................................................................28 4.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................28 4.1.1 Powerline Network Security ...
P ART I User’s Guide 5
C HAPT ER 1 Introducing the PLA 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the main applications and features of your ZyXEL HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter, which is called “PLA” in this guide. The following generic icon is used to represent all PLA models. In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring network is referred to as the “powerline network”. The HomePlug AV standard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical wiring.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA Note: In this guide RESET/ENCRYPT refers to the ENCRYPT button in PLAs that have separate RESET and ENCRYPT buttons. You can directly plug an electrical device (such as a router or computer) into PLAs with an AC power pass-through socket to supply power to the device. There are two types of hardware for each of the PLA4101 and PLA4201 v2 models: • One has an Ethernet port on the top and a power plug at the bottom of the rear panel.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA Table 3 LEDs: 200 Mbps Models (continued) LIGHTS ICON HomePlug COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION Green On The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer rate is greater than 40 Mbps. Amber The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer rate is between 12~40 Mbps. Red The PLA detects another powerline adapter. The data transfer rate is between 0~12 Mbps.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 1.3 Standby Mode (Power Saving Mode) Your PLA is a certified green product. It goes into standby mode when there is no Ethernet connection. When you plug the PLA into an electric socket, it waits for an Ethernet connection. When no connection is detected after three minutes, the Power LED blinks indicating that it is going into standby mode. The same process occurs when you disconnect the PLA from a previously working Ethernet connection.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA Figure 2 Expand Your Network with the PLA PLA PLA Connect your PLA to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA for Internet access. Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLAs into other outlets in your home and connecting other computers or network devices (for example, a printer) to them.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 1.6.2 Setting Up Security 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.
C HAPT ER 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to automatically set up a secure powerline connection between your powerline devices. Note: In this guide RESET/ENCRYPT refers to the ENCRYPT button in PLAs that have separate RESET and ENCRYPT buttons. 2.1 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Overview The RESET/ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure powerline connection with other HomePlug AV compliant powerline devices which also support the ENCRYPT feature.
Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button Figure 3 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure PLA PLA press 0.5 ~ 3 seconds press 0.5 ~ 3 seconds within 2 minutes Note: The RESET/ENCRYPT button’s location varies for each Powerline model. Note: Check the lights on the two powerline devices. The power ( ) and HomePlug ( ) lights should be on while the devices are connecting. Wait for about two minutes while your powerline devices connect.
Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button Figure 4 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Your Network A B A OR B A OR B OR C C D This sets up your powerline network between your powerline devices. 2.3 Removing a Device from a Powerline Network Suppose you want to remove PLAs (C) and (D) from the following powerline network. Figure 5 Removing Devices From an Existing Powerline Network B A C D 1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline device C for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it.
Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 2.4 Multiple Separate Powerline Networks You can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to create multiple separate powerline networks. Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button on only two PLAs at a time. 1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on powerline devices E and F for 0.5 to 3 seconds. This must be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the first PLA. 2 Wait for about one minute while powerline devices E and F connect. 3 Now pair two different PLAs.
Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button The following table summarizes the actions that occur when the RESET/ENCRYPT button is pressed for specific lengths of time. Table 6 RESET/ENCRYPT HOMEPLUG LIGHT BEHAVIOR TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR 0.5 to 3 seconds Create a powerline network with a new random network name. The power ( ) light blinks until the device is connected. This may take a minute.
Chapter 2 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 2.6.2 RESET Button Behavior Use a pointed device such as a pin to reset the Network Name back to default HomePlugAV. Table 8 RESET Button TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR 1 to 3 seconds Clear all user-entered configuration information and return the device to its factory defaults. The power ( ) light blinks and then shines steadily. HOMEPLUG LIGHT BEHAVIOR The HomePlug ( ) light turns off when it disconnects from the powerline network.
P ART II Technical Reference 18
C HAPT ER 3 Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configuration utility for your PLA. 3.1 Windows This section uses the Windows XP screens as an example to show you how to install the Windows vesion of the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility. 3.1.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Otherwise, the WinPcap setup wizard runs automatically. Click Next to continue. 2 Review the license agreement, and click I Agree to proceed. 3 Select Automatically start the WinPcap driver at boot time if you want to start WinPcap automatically when the computer boots. Click Install to install WinPcap.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility 4 Select I want to manually reboot later, and click Finish to exit the wizard. 5 A prompt appears asking you to install the .NET Framework version 4. Review Microsoft’s License Agreement, select I have read and accept the license terms. and click Intall to proceed. Note: If you already have .NET Framework version 4 installed on your computer this step can be skipped.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility 6 The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation. 7 Click Finish to close the window.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility 8 The utility installation wizard runs automatically. Click Yes or Next to continue through the initial screen. Click Cancel only if you want to abort the installation. 9 Click Install to install the utility to the default folder.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Figure 7 Install Destination Folder 10 The screen shows you the progress of the installation. Figure 8 Utility Installation Process 11 Click Finish to exit the wizard.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility Figure 9 Installation Complete Note: You may be asked to restart your computer when the installation is complete. Click “Yes” to restart your computer. If you select “No, I will restart my computer later”, you will not be able to launch the utility until after a restart of your computer. 3.2 Macintosh (Mac) This section uses the Mac OS X 10.8 screens as an example to show you how to install the Mac vesion of the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility. 3.2.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility 3 Click Install to install the utility to the default folder, or click Change Install Location ... to specify a different location on your computer. 4 When the installation is finished, a screen appears to confirm the PLA Series Configuration Utility has been successfully installed to your computer. Click Close.
Chapter 3 Installing the Utility 5 After installing the utility, you can find the utility icon in your Applications folder. If you are running Mac OS X 10.7 or later, you can also see the utility icon in the Launchpad screen.
C HAPT ER 4 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.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility For the powerline adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the same network name. This network name allows the powerline adapters to understand the encrypted information sent in the powerline network. By default the PLAs are all configured with the network name HomePlugAV, this allows you to simply plug the devices in and not worry about setting up security.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility You can select to view the connection status represented by icons ( receiving rates in a list ( ). ) or view transmission/ 4.3.1 Icon View Use the up/down arrow or just click a device icon at the left side to select a powerline adapter in your network. The screen shows you the network connection status of the selected device. Click Refresh to update the screen immediately.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Figure 14 Network Info Screen (Icon) > Info 4.3.2 List View Figure 15 Network Info Screen (List) The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 9 Network Info Screen (List) LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifies which powerline network information is displayed. Different powerline networks are identified by the Ethernet interface (network card) connected directly to the PLA.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Table 9 Network Info Screen (List) (continued) LABEL DESCRIPTION Select a powerline adapter from the drop-down box. The information provided in the following table reflects transmission rate information about the powerline adapters which communicate in your powerline network. The powerline adapters listed in this table are all the powerline adapters in your powerline network except the selected powerline adapter.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Figure 16 Configuration Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 10 Configuration Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Network Topology Use this to select which powerline network information is displayed. Different powerline networks are identified by the Ethernet interface (network card) connected directly to the PLA.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Table 10 Configuration Screen (continued) LABEL DESCRIPTION DAK Password DAK (Device Access Key) password is used to verify that you are authorized to perform changes on a remote device. You can find the DAK password printed on a sticker on the bottom of your PLA. Select the remote powerline adapter you want to manage by clicking the MAC address which corresponds to it in the MAC Address column. Enter the DAK Password value and click Save.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Allocate priority settings based on application type as follows. Table 11 Priority Settings PRIORITY LEVEL APPLICATION High Voice Application Medium Video and Audio Applications Normal Data Applications Low Data Applications The figure below shows an example powerline home network connected to the Internet. • Device A is a printer and does not handle traffic with high importance, so the powerline adapter connected to it can be set to low priority.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Figure 18 Advanced Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 12 Advanced Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifies which powerline network information is displayed. Different powerline networks are identified by the Ethernet interface (network card) on your computer which is connected directly to a powerline adapter. Typically there is only one connection.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Figure 19 About Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 13 About Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Utility version This field displays the software version of the configuration utility. Released This field displays the date when the utility was released. Close Click the button in upper right corner to close the About window.
C HAPT ER 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.1 Overview Use this tutorial to expand your existing powerline network. After setting up your first home powerline network (instructions for that are in the Quick Start Guide for your ZyXEL powerline adapter) you may want to extend the network or create a new one by adding additional powerline adapters. This tutorial shows you the following. • How to start up your new powerline adapter. You need to do this before you can begin the next sections.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter 1 Plug the powerline adapter you want to add to your network into a power socket and, if needed, switch the power socket on. Figure 20 Plug Your Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket PLA 1 2 Connect the powerline adapter to your computer. 3 Use a LAN or Ethernet cable (shown below) to connect the LAN or Ethernet port on your adapter to the same kind of port on your computer.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Figure 22 Add a Printer to Your Powerline Network Note: You do not need to know the network name of the new adapter to add it to your network. 1 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 39). 2 Go to the Configuration screen. On this screen in the Site column your new powerline adapter should appear as Local (A).
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Figure 24 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network C 4 Click Write and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 25 Network Name Pop-up 5 Your new adapter will now have the same Network Name as your existing network and so has now joined your existing network. 6 Connect the adapter to the device you want to add to the network, for example, your Internet refrigerator in the kitchen.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Figure 26 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network 1 Connect your new powerline adapter and open the configuration utility as shown in Section 5.5 on page 41. The screen shown below appears. 2 Type a Network Name that is different from the Network Name for your existing network. Make sure you use the same new Network Name for all new adapters you want to add to your new network.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks This section shows you how to split your existing network into two networks. This is useful if you want to set up a second powerline network in your home, for example, in your study connecting a laptop and printer. See Figure 26 on page 42 for an example. To set up your existing powerline network you had to set each powerline adapter with the same network name.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Figure 29 Adding an Adapter to Your New Network A B C 4 Click Save. • If you do not type the DAK password or type it incorrectly the following pop-up appears. Click OK and type the DAK Password correctly in the DAK Password field. Figure 30 Incorrect DAK or No DAK • If you have correctly entered the DAK Password, click OK on the pop-up. Figure 31 Correct DAK 5 The adapter will disappear from the table of your existing network.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 6 Go back to step 3 in this section to set the same, new Network Name for all remote adapters you want to add to your new network. 7 Check you have added the adapters correctly by changing the network name for the local adapter. All adapters with the new Network Name now appear in the list of adapters on your network. These adapters are now part of your new network.
C HAPT ER 6 Troubleshooting This chapter offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter. 6.1 Power and Light Problems The PLA does not turn on. None of the lights turn on. 1 Disconnect and re-connect the PLA. 2 Remove the powerline adapter from the outlet. Then connect an electrical device that you know works into the same power outlet. This checks the status of the power outlet. 3 If the problem continues, contact the vendor. The ETHERNET light does not turn on.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 3 Make sure that all your powerline adapters are HomePlug AV compliant. Check the package it came in or ask your vendor. This PLA can not detect earlier versions of HomePlug powerline adapters such as HomePlug 1.0 or 1.0.1. (Although they can coexist on the same electrical wiring without interfering with each other.) 4 Make sure that the powerline adapters on your network are all on the same electrical wiring.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 6.3 Powerline Problems The signal on my powerline network is weak. 1 Your powerline adapters may be connected to electrical surge protectors. Connect them to standard power outlets. 2 Your powerline adapters may be located close to large appliances such as refrigerators or airconditioners that cause interference with the powerline signal. Move the adapters further away from such appliances to reduce interference.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting The POWER light blinks two times quickly then pauses, before repeating. The ENCRYPT process has failed. Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both devices for 5 to 8 seconds, then try to reconnect. The POWER lights on both devices blink when I press the RESET/ENCRYPT buttons, but the HomePlug light does not turn on. • Ensure you have pressed the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both devices. • Wait for about a minute while the devices set up a connection.
A PPENDIX A Customer Support In the event of problems that cannot be solved by using this manual, you should contact your vendor. If you cannot contact your vendor, then contact a ZyXEL office for the region in which you bought the device. Regional websites are listed below (see also http://www.zyxel.com/ about_zyxel/zyxel_worldwide.shtml). Please have the following information ready when you contact an office. Required Information • Product model and serial number. • Warranty Information.
Appendix A Customer Support Korea • ZyXEL Korea Corp. • http://www.zyxel.kr Malaysia • ZyXEL Malaysia Sdn Bhd. • http://www.zyxel.com.my Pakistan • ZyXEL Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. • http://www.zyxel.com.pk Philipines • ZyXEL Philippines • http://www.zyxel.com.ph Singapore • ZyXEL Singapore Pte Ltd. • http://www.zyxel.com.sg Taiwan • ZyXEL Communications Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com Thailand • ZyXEL Thailand Co., Ltd • http://www.zyxel.co.
Appendix A Customer Support Belgium • ZyXEL Communications B.V. • http://www.zyxel.com/be/nl/ Bulgaria • ZyXEL България • http://www.zyxel.com/bg/bg/ Czech • ZyXEL Communications Czech s.r.o • http://www.zyxel.cz Denmark • ZyXEL Communications A/S • http://www.zyxel.dk Estonia • ZyXEL Estonia • http://www.zyxel.com/ee/et/ Finland • ZyXEL Communications • http://www.zyxel.fi France • ZyXEL France • http://www.zyxel.fr Germany • ZyXEL Deutschland GmbH • http://www.zyxel.
Appendix A Customer Support Lithuania • ZyXEL Lithuania • http://www.zyxel.com/lt/lt/homepage.shtml Netherlands • ZyXEL Benelux • http://www.zyxel.nl Norway • ZyXEL Communications • http://www.zyxel.no Poland • ZyXEL Communications Poland • http://www.zyxel.pl Romania • ZyXEL Romania • http://www.zyxel.com/ro/ro Russia • ZyXEL Russia • http://www.zyxel.ru Slovakia • ZyXEL Communications Czech s.r.o. organizacna zlozka • http://www.zyxel.sk Spain • ZyXEL Spain • http://www.zyxel.
Appendix A Customer Support Turkey • ZyXEL Turkey A.S. • http://www.zyxel.com.tr UK • ZyXEL Communications UK Ltd. • http://www.zyxel.co.uk Ukraine • ZyXEL Ukraine • http://www.ua.zyxel.com Latin America Argentina • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/ec/es/ Ecuador • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/ec/es/ Middle East Egypt • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/homepage.shtml Middle East • ZyXEL Communication Corporation • http://www.zyxel.
Appendix A Customer Support Oceania Australia • ZyXEL Communications Corporation • http://www.zyxel.com/au/en/ Africa South Africa • Nology (Pty) Ltd. • http://www.zyxel.co.
A PPENDIX B Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2015 by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any part or as a whole, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into any language, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, photocopying, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of ZyXEL Communications Corporation. Published by ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
Appendix B Legal Information EUROPEAN UNION List of national codes COUNTRY ISO 3166 2 LETTER CODE COUNTRY ISO 3166 2 LETTER CODE Austria AT Liechtenstein LI Belgium BE Lithuania LT Bulgaria BG Luxembourg LU Croatia HR Malta MT Cyprus CY Netherlands NL Czech Republic CR Norway NO Denmark DK Poland PL Estonia EE Portugal PT Finland FI Romania RO France FR Serbia RS Germany DE Slovakia SK Greece GR Slovenia SI Hungary HU Spain ES Iceland IS Sweden SE
Appendix B Legal Information • • • • • • • • • • • • Always disconnect all cables from this device before servicing or disassembling. Use ONLY an appropriate power source for your device. Connect the powerline adapter to the right supply voltage (for example, 110V AC in North America or 230V AC in Europe). Do NOT allow anything to rest on the powerline adapter and do NOT place the product where anyone can walk on the powerline adapter.
Appendix B Legal Information Environmental Product Declaration PLA Series User’s Guide 59
Appendix B Legal Information Viewing Certifications Go to http://www.zyxel.com to view this product’s documentation and certifications. ZyXEL Limited Warranty 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.
Index Index A ENCRYPT Button 16 about screen 36 encryption 9, 28 Encrypt Button 6 AC Pass-Through 6 Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 9 AES 10, 28 F AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 9 applications 6 FCC interference statement 56 C G certifications notices 57 viewing 60 Guide Quick Start 2 configuration screen 32 configuration utility 9 H connections overview 10 contact information 50 HomePlug AV standard 6 copyright 56 customer support 50 I D installation procedure 19, 25 DAK 10,
Index M Q MAC address 33 Quick Start Guide 2 management multiple networks 11 overview 28 R managing the device using the utility receive rate 29 maximum PHY rate 6 registration product 60 multiple networks 11 related documentation 2 RESET Button 17 N Reset Button 6 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Combination 15 Manage 9 Separate 16 network example 28 network information 29 Network Name 10 network name 16 S O security 10, 11, 28 passwords 10 other documentation 2 standby mode (power saving mode) 9 st
Index note 60 Z ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration 28 PLA Series User’s Guide 63
