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ZyXEL PLA4201 manual

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  • Page 1

    www .zyxel.com www .zyxel.com PLA4201 500 Mbp s Mini Powerline Ethernet Adapter IMPORT ANT! READ CAREFULL Y BEFORE USE. KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. Copyright © 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation Edition 1, 03/2012[...]

  • Page 2

    PLA4201 User’s Gui de 2 IMPORT ANT! READ CAREFULL Y BEFORE USE. KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. Graphics in this book ma y differ slightly from the product due to difference s in oper ating systems, operating system versions, or if y ou installed updated firmware/software fo r your device. Every effort has been made to ensure that the infor[...]

  • Page 3

    Table of Contents PLA4201 User’s Guide 3 Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................. ..................................................... ........... ................ 3 Part I: User ’ s Guide .............. .............................. .............................. ................. 5 Chapter 1 Intr[...]

  • Page 4

    Table of Contents PLA4201 User’s Gui de 4 4.4 Firmware Screen ... ................ ............. ................ ............. ................ ................ ............. ...... .............. 25 4.5 Network Info Screen . ............. ................ ................ ............. ................ ............. .............. ......... ...[...]

  • Page 5

    5 P ART I User ’ s Guide[...]

  • Page 6

    6[...]

  • Page 7

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 7 C HAPTER 1 Introducing the PLA4201 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the main applications an d features of the PLA4201 HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter . In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring netw ork is referred to as the “powerline network” . The HomePlug A V standard specifies how network devices co[...]

  • Page 8

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA420 1 PLA4201 User’s Gui de 8 R efer to your Quick Start Guide for hardw are connection information. 1.3 W ays to Manage the PLA4201 Use the RESET/ ENCRYPT button to add powerline devices to you r powerline network if they have this button. See Chapter 3 on page 17 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT feature. Use th[...]

  • Page 9

    Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA4201 PLA4201 User’s Guide 9 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 PLA4201 and other powerline adapters, the electrical wiring in your home becomes an extension of your Ethernet network. Y our network traffic flows fr[...]

  • Page 10

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 10 C HAPTER 2 Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configur ation utility for your PLA4201. 2.1 Overview of the Inst allation Process The installation of the configur ation utility does the following: 1 Checks for and installs Microsoft’ s .NET Framework version 2.0 software on y ou[...]

  • Page 11

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4201 User’s Guide 11 1 Insert the included CD-ROM into your comp uter’ s CD-ROM drive. The Setup utility runs automatically . Alternatively this can also be done manually by double clicking the setup.exe file on the CD. A prompt appears asking you to install th e .NE T Framew ork version 2. 0. R eview Microso[...]

  • Page 12

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4201 User’s Gui de 12 4 If you want the utility to be only availabl e to the currently logged in user , sele ct 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 y[...]

  • Page 13

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4201 User’s Guide 13 When you plug the PLA4201 into an electric socket, it waits for an Ethernet connection. When no connection is detected after sixty (60) seconds, the Power LED blinks indic ating that it is going into Low Power mode. The same process occurs when you disconnect th e PLA4201 from a previously [...]

  • Page 14

    Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4201 User’s Gui de 14[...]

  • Page 15

    15 P ART II T echnical Reference[...]

  • Page 16

    16[...]

  • Page 17

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 17 C HAPTER 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button Use the RESET/EN CRYPT button to automatically set up a secure powerline connection between your powerline devices. 3.1 RESET/ENCR YPT Button Overview The RESET/ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure powerline connection with other HomePlug A V compliant powerline devices which als[...]

  • Page 18

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA4201 User’s Gui de 18 2 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. Figure 7 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure Note: The RESET/ENCRYPT button’s location v aries for each P owerline [...]

  • Page 19

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button PLA4201 User’s Guide 19 5 Then repeat steps 2 and 3 in this section using any powerline device ( A or B ) you have connected using ENCRYPT and the powerline device y ou want to connect ( C ). Y ou must use the RESET/ ENCRYPT button on both devices. Figure 8 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Y our Network 6 If yo[...]

  • Page 20

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Bu tton PLA4201 User’s Gui de 20 F or example, you hav e already set up a powerline network in y our home ( A ) which accesses a printer ( B ). Now you want a separate powerline network connection from your laptop to your printer ( C ). Figure 9 One Existing Powerline Network 1 Click the RESET/ENCRYPT button on ( A ) f[...]

  • Page 21

    Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button PLA4201 User’s Guide 21 Congratulations. Y ou now have tw o separate powerline networks as shown abo ve. If the HomePlug ( ) lights on both pow e rl i n e d e vi c e s do not light up , the po w e rl i ne de v i c es are not co nnected. Repeat the connecti on process, making certain you press the RESET/ENCRYPT b[...]

  • Page 22

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 22 C HAPTER 4 The Configuration Utility 4.1 Overview This chapter shows you how to use the Configuration Utility (or Utility) to secure, manage and set up Quality of Service (QoS) on your powerline network. The PLA4201 is designed as a plug-and -play networ k expanding solution. This means that once you complete your hardware[...]

  • Page 23

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Guide 23 For the powerline adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the same network name. This network name allows the powerline ad apters to understand the encrypted information sent in the powerline network. By default the PLA4201s are all configured with the network name H[...]

  • Page 24

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Gui de 24 4.3 Configuration Screen Use the Config uration screen to see which devices are recognized by your powerline network, to configure your PLA4201 and to set up a secure powerline network by changing the powerline network name. This screen opens up when you launch the utility . Figure 13 [...]

  • Page 25

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Guide 25 4.4 Firmware Screen Use the Firmware screen to update the firm ware on the PLA4201 directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility . Firmware is the software which is embedded in the PLA4201. This software contains proce ssing instructions for how the PLA4201 sends a[...]

  • Page 26

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Gui de 26 Note: Be sure to upload the correct mode l firmware as uploading the wrong model firmw are may damag e your device . Figure 14 Firmware Screen 4.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA4201 is communicating with other powerline adapters[...]

  • Page 27

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Guide 27 The following table describes the labels in this screen. 4.6 Advanced Screen Note: This f eature is only available wi th the lates t version utility . Go to the ZyXEL website to download the latest utility and firm ware for your Z yXEL HomePlug A V adapter . Y ou can configure the powerl[...]

  • Page 28

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Gui de 28 For example, if y ou have a file server on your home network to deliver music and mo vie files to computers in your home, you should set the priorit y of the powerline adapter connected to this server to Medium . If video traffic is delivered too slowly , quality problems may occur . O[...]

  • Page 29

    Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Guide 29 Use this screen to configure priority settings fo r tr affic from the powerline adapters on your network. Figure 17 Advanced Screen The following table describes the labels in this screen. T able 6 Advance d Screen LABEL DESCRIPTION Adapter This field identifi es which powerline ne twor [...]

  • Page 30

    Chapter 4 The Con figuration Utility PLA4201 User’s Gui de 30 4.7 About Screen Use the About screen to view information regarding the configuration utility and firmw are version of the PLA4201 you are connected to. Click the icon in the top right corner of the utility to view the About screen. Figure 18 About Sc reen The following table describes[...]

  • Page 31

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 31 C HAPTER 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 5.1 Overview Use this tutorial to expand your existing powerline network. After setting up your first home powerline netwo rk (instructions for that are in the Quick Start Guide for your Z yXEL powe rline adapter) you ma y wa nt to extend the network or create a new one by adding[...]

  • Page 32

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Gui de 32 5.3 Accessing Y o ur Powerline Adapter 1 Plug the powerline adapter you w ant to add to yo ur network into a power socket and, if n eeded, switch the power socket on. Figure 19 Plug Y our Powerline Adapter into a Power Socket 2 Connect the powerline adapter to your computer . 3 [...]

  • Page 33

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Guide 33 5.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter This section shows you how to add a new powerlin e adapter to expand yo ur existing network. The figure below shows the family computer with Internet access on a powerline network. Expand the network by adding a new power line adapter connected to a [...]

  • Page 34

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Gui de 34 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Name field ( C ). Figure 24 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up. Figure 25 Network Name Pop-up 5 Y our new adapter will now ha[...]

  • Page 35

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Guide 35 Internet access but with a media adapter such as the Z yXEL DMA-1100P you can use your TV to watch movies and play games which are stored on a computer . Figure 26 Add New Adapters to Make a Second Network 1 Connect your new powerline adapter and op en the configur ation utility a[...]

  • Page 36

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Gui de 36 3 After you have set up a new network, you are read y to connect each powerline adapter on your new network to devices, for example, a computer or a games co nsole. 5.6 S plitting a Network into T w o Networks This section shows you how to split your existing network into two ne[...]

  • Page 37

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Guide 37 • Then type the new network name in the Network Name field. Figure 29 Adding an Adapter to Y our New Network 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 [...]

  • Page 38

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Gui de 38 5 The settings for the adapter will now grey out and the adapter will disappear from the table after a few minutes. Figure 32 An Adapter on Y our New Network 6 Go ba ck t o s t ep 3 in this section to set the same, new Network Name for all remote adapters you want to add to y ou[...]

  • Page 39

    Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Guide 39 • Check you ha ve entered the correct network name for your networ k. • Check your powerline adapter is connected to the same electrical circuit as other powerline adapters on your network.[...]

  • Page 40

    Chapter 5 Powerlin e Network Setup Tutorial PLA4201 User’s Gui de 40[...]

  • Page 41

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 41 C HAPTER 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting This chapter describes the behavior of the LEDs (lights) and offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter . 6.1 LEDs The following sections describes the lights on the PLA4201. The following figure is the front panel of the PLA4 201. Use the lights to d etermine if the P[...]

  • Page 42

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA4201 User’s Gui de 42 The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA4201. 6.2 Power and Light Problems The PLA4201 does not turn on. None of the lights turn on. 1 Make sure you are using the power cord included with the PLA4201. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PLA4201 and [...]

  • Page 43

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA4201 User’s Guide 43 4 R emove 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 th e power outlet. 5 If the problem continues, contact the v e ndor . The ETHERNET light does not turn on. 1 Check the hardware conn[...]

  • Page 44

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA4201 User’s Gui de 44 The POWER and HomePlug light bl ink at the same time. • Y ou have pressed the RESET/ENCRYPT button for more than three secon ds. T ry setting up a connection again, this time pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT buttons on both devices for less than three seconds. 6.3 Configuration Utility Prob[...]

  • Page 45

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA4201 User’s Guide 45 3 Y our powerline adapters may be placed close to electrical devices such as electrical insect-killers which produce radio wa ves. These may interfere wi th the powerline signals. Move the adapters further awa y from such electrical devices. 4 Y our wiring may be old and/or low qu ality o[...]

  • Page 46

    Chapter 6 LEDs and Troublesh ooting PLA4201 User’s Gui de 46 The POWER lights on both devices blink, then many lig hts blink and the HomePlug light b links red. Do not worry , the connection process is proceeding normally . The POWER lights on both devices finished blin king, but only one devi ce’ s HomePlug light is on. One device may hav e co[...]

  • Page 47

    PLA4201 User’s Guide 47 A PPENDIX A Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2012 by Z y XEL Communications Corporation. The contents of this publication may not be repr oduced in any part or as a whole, tr anscribed, stored in a retrieval system, translated into an y language, or transmitted in any form or by an y means, electronic, mechanical, [...]

  • Page 48

    Appendix A Legal Information PLA4201 User’s Gui de 48 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 receiv er is connected. 4 Consult the dealer or an experienced r adio/TV technician for help. CE[...]

  • Page 49

    Appendix A Legal Informa tion PLA4201 User’s Guide 49 distributor for details about the W arranty Period of this product. During the warr anty period, and upon proof of purchase, should the product ha ve indications of failure due to faulty workman ship and/or materials, ZyXEL will, at its discretion, repair or replace the defective products or c[...]

  • Page 50

    Appendix A Legal Information PLA4201 User’s Gui de 50[...]

  • Page 51

    Index PLA4201 User’s Guide 51 Index Symbols .NET Framework 10 A about screen 30 Advanced Encryption Standard, see AES 7 AES 8 , 22 AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 7 applications 7 C certifications 47 notices 48 viewing 48 configuration screen 24 connections overview 7 copyright 47 D DAK 22 , 24 DAK (Data Access Password) 8 Data Access P asswor[...]

  • Page 52

    PLA4201 User’s Gui de 52 Index multiple networks 9 overview 22 managing the device using the web configurator . See web configurator . multiple networks 9 N network example 22 network information 26 O other documentation 2 P Par ameter Information Block, see PIB 25 passwords 22 , 24 , 25 types of 8 PIB (P arameter Information Block) 25 plug-and-p[...]