PLA Series Powerline Ethernet Adapter Utility Version 6.0.1 Edition 2, 04/2013 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 .............................................................................................................................7 1.1 Overview ........................................
Table of Contents 4.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................25 4.1.1 Powerline Network Security .....................................................................................................25 4.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK) .......................................................................................................26 4.2 Starting the Configuration Utility ..........................
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 1.2 LEDs The following sections describes the lights on the PLA. The following figure is the front panel of the PLA. Use the lights to determine if the PLA is behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network. Figure 1 PLA Lights The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA. Table 2 LEDs: 200 Mbps Models LIGHTS POWER ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION Green On The PLA is on and receiving power.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA Table 3 LEDs: 500 and 600 Mbps Models LIGHTS POWER ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION Green On The PLA is on and receiving power. It also indicates a successful connection using the RESET/ ENCRYPT button. Blinking The PLA is starting up. It also indicates the PLA is trying to connect with another device using the ENCRYPT function. The Power LED blinks when it is in standby mode. Refer to Section 2.3 on page 16 for details on this feature.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA transfer rates. The PLA uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information. 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.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 1.5.1 Passwords You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV powerline network. The following table describes the differences between the passwords. Table 4 Password Summary PASSWORD DESCRIPTION Network Name All powerline adapters that follow the HomePlug AV standard are shipped with the same powerline network name “HomePlugAV”. Change the network name via the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility or RESET/ENCRYPT button to create a private network. See Section 4.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA 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.
C HAPT ER 2 Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configuration utility for your PLA. 2.1 System Requirements At the time of writing, the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility is compatible with: • Windows XP (32-bit version) • Windows XP (64-bit version) (you may need to download and install .NET Framework version 2.
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility Note: If you already have .NET Framework version 2.0 installed on your computer this step will be skipped. Figure 3 .NET Framework Installation Prompt 2 The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation. Figure 4 .NET Framework Installation Process 3 The Setup utility runs automatically. Click Yes or Next to continue through the initial screen. Click Cancel only if you want to abort the installation.
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility 4 If you want the utility to be only available to the currently logged in user, select Just me. Otherwise, click Everyone to allow all users to use the configuration utility. Click Next to install the utility to the default folder, or click Browse to specify a different location on your computer. Figure 6 Install Destination Folder Note: You can also click Disk Cost to know how much available disk space you have in the hard drives found in your computer.
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility 6 Click Close to exit the wizard. Figure 8 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. 2.3 Standby Mode (Power Saving Mode) Your PLA is a certified green product. It goes into standby mode when there is no Ethernet connection.
P ART II Technical Reference 17
C HAPT ER 3 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. 3.1 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 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 1 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button at the side of your powerline device for 0.5 to 3 seconds. The power ( ) light will blink as the powerline device tries to set up a connection with a new random network name. Figure 9 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.
Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 4 Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button on both powerline devices (A and D, B and D or C and D) for 0.5 to 3 seconds to add powerline device D. This must be done within 2 minutes (120 seconds) of pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the PLA. Figure 10 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. 3.
Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 3.4 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 3 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 5 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 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button 3.6.2 RESET Button Behavior Use a pointed device such as a pin to reset the Network Name back to default HomePlugAV. Table 7 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.
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 4.3 Configuration Screen Use the Configuration screen to see which devices are recognized by your powerline network, to configure your PLA and to set up a secure powerline network by changing the powerline network name. This screen opens up when you launch the utility. Figure 15 Configuration Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Table 8 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 Note: Be sure to upload the correct model firmware as uploading the wrong model firmware may damage your device. Figure 16 Firmware Screen 4.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA is communicating with other powerline adapters on your powerline network.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 9 Network Info Screen 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. Typically there is only one connection, however, if your computer has two network cards and both are connected to a PLA, then you have two powerline networks.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility On the other hand, a powerline adapter attached to a printer should have a low priority setting since the slow delivery of messages will not affect the print job. Similarly, if you want to prioritize any downloads from the Internet, set the priority on the powerline adapter attached to your Internet gateway to High. Allocate priority settings based on application type as follows.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility Use this screen to configure priority settings for traffic from the powerline adapters on your network. Figure 19 Advanced Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 11 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.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility 4.7 About Screen Use the About screen to view information regarding the configuration utility and firmware version of the PLA you are connected to. Click the icon in the top right corner of the utility to view the About screen. Figure 20 About Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. Table 12 About Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Utility version: This field displays the software version of the configuration utility.
Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility 34 PLA Series User’s Guide
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 21 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 5.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter This section shows you how to add a new powerline adapter to expand your existing network. The figure below shows the family computer with Internet access on a powerline network. Expand the network by adding a new powerline adapter connected to a printer. Figure 24 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.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Name field (C). Figure 26 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network C 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 27 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.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Internet access but with a media adapter such as the ZyXEL DMA-1100P you can use your TV to watch movies and play games which are stored on a computer. Figure 28 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 38. The screen shown below appears. 2 Type a Network Name that is different from the Network Name for your existing 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 28 on page 39 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 31 Adding an Adapter to Your New Network A B 4 Click Save. • If you do not type the DAK password or type it incorrectly either of the following pop-ups appear. Click OK and type the DAK Password correctly in the DAK Password field. Figure 32 Incorrect DAK or No DAK • If you have correctly entered the DAK Password, click OK on the pop-up.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5 The settings for the adapter will now grey out and the adapter will disappear from the table after a few minutes. Figure 34 An Adapter on Your New Network 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.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial • Check you have entered the correct network name for your network. • Check your powerline adapter is connected to the same electrical circuit as other powerline adapters on your network.
Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 44 PLA Series User’s Guide
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 Make sure you are using the power cord included with the PLA. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PLA and plugged in to an appropriate power source. Make sure the power source is turned on. 3 Disconnect and re-connect the power cord to the PLA. 4 Remove the powerline adapter from the outlet.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 2 Use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility to detect all other HomePlug devices on your powerline network. Make sure that the network name (sometimes called the network password) is the same on all of your powerline adapters. See Section 4.3 on page 27 for instructions on checking the network name. 3 Check the DAK password and MAC address for all powerline adapters are typed correctly in the utility. See Section 4.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting • Check you are using the latest version utility. Earlier version utilities cannot communicate with PLAs using the latest firmware. If you do not have the latest utility, download it from the ZyXEL website. • If you are running another tool such as the Firmware Detection Tool, the utility will not detect your local device.
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting • Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button again, making certain you have pressed the button for 0.5 to 3 seconds. • The POWER light on some powerline devices do not blink as part of the ENCRYPT process. Check your powerline device is a PLA. • For PLA, you cannot use the RESET/ENCRYPT button when it is in standby mode. Connect the PLA to a computer/router then try again. The POWER light blinks two times quickly then pauses, before repeating. The ENCRYPT process has failed.
A PPENDIX A Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2013 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 A Legal Information 1 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. 2 Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. 3 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. 4 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Appendix A Legal Information distributor for details about the Warranty Period of this product. During the warranty period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product have indications of failure due to faulty workmanship and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products or components without charge for either parts or labor, and to whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product or components to proper operating condition.
Appendix A Legal Information 52 PLA Series User’s Guide
Index Index A F about screen 33 FCC interference statement 49 AC Pass-Through 7 firmware 28 Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 9 AES 11, 25 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 9 applications 7 G Guide Quick Start 2 C certifications 49 notices 50 viewing 50 H HomePlug AV standard 7 configuration screen 27 configuration utility 10 connections overview 10 copyright 49 I installation procedure 13 D InstallShield wizard 14 introduction 7 DAK 11, 25, 27 DAK (Data Access Password) 11 Data Access K
Index overview 25 managing the device using the utility Q Quick Start Guide 2 maximum PHY rate 7 multiple networks 12 R N receive rate 29 network example 25 registration product 51 network information 29 related documentation 2 Network Name 11 RESET Button 24 network name 23 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Combination 22 Manage 10 Separate 23 O other documentation 2 S P Parameter Information Block, see PIB 28 pass-through 7 security 10, 11, 25 passwords 11 standby mode (power saving mode) 16 starting t