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PLA-407
Powerline Pass-Thru Ethernet Adapter
Firmware Version 4.0.1
Edition 1, 8/2009
www.zyxel.com
www.zyxel.com
Copyright © 2009
ZyXEL Communications Corporation
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About This User's Guide About This User's Guide Intended Audience This manual is intended for people who want to configure the PLA-407 using the web configurator. Tips for Reading User’s Guides On-Screen When reading a ZyXEL User’s Guide On-Screen, keep the following in mind: • If you don’t already have the latest version of Adobe Reader, you can download it from http://www.adobe.com. • Use the PDF’s bookmarks to quickly navigate to the areas that interest you. Adobe Reader’s bookmarks pane
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About This User's Guide Documentation Feedback Send your comments, questions or suggestions to: techwriters@zyxel.com.tw Thank you! The Technical Writing Team, ZyXEL Communications Corp., 6 Innovation Road II, Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, 30099, Taiwan. Need More Help? More help is available at www.zyxel.com. • Download Library Search for the latest product updates and documentation from this link. Read the Tech Doc Overview to find out how to efficiently use the User Guide, Quick
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About This User's Guide Customer Support Should problems arise that cannot be solved by the methods listed above, 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. See http://www.zyxel.com/web/contact_us.php for contact information. Please have the following information ready when you contact an office. • Product model and serial number. • Warranty Information. • Date that you received your device. B
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Document Conventions Document Conventions Warnings and Notes These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User’s Guide. Warnings tell you about things that could harm you or your device. Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may need to configure or helpful tips) or recommendations. Syntax Conventions • The PLA-407 may be referred to as the “PLA-407”, the “ZyXEL device”, the “device” or the “Powerline adapter” in this User’s Guide. • The PLA-4x
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Document Conventions Icons Used in Figures Figures in this User’s Guide may use the following generic icons. The PLA-407 icons used may not be an exact representation of your device. PLA-407 Computer Internet Modem / Router Printer Notebook TV PLA-407 User’s Guide 7
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Safety Warnings Safety Warnings • Do NOT use this product near water, for example, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool. • Do NOT expose your device to dampness, dust or corrosive liquids. • Do NOT store things on the device. • Do NOT install, use, or service this device during a thunderstorm. There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning. • Connect ONLY suitable accessories to the device. • Do NOT open the device or unit. Opening or removing covers can expose you to dangerous
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Table of Contents Table of Contents About This User's Guide ..........................................................................................................3 Document Conventions............................................................................................................6 Safety Warnings........................................................................................................................8 Table of Contents...............................................
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Table of Contents Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button.............................................................................................................31 4.1 ENCRYPT Button Overview ................................................................................................ 31 4.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT ............................................................... 31 4.2.1 Expanding the Network with ENCRYPT ...........................................................
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Table of Contents 7.0.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter ......................................................... 65 7.0.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks ....................................................................... 67 7.1 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................... 70 Chapter 8 PLA Compatibility....................................................................................
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Table of Contents PLA-402 v3 User’s Guide 12
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PART I Introduction Introducing the PLA-407 (15) Installing the Utility (23) 13
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CHAPTER 1 Introducing the PLA-407 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the PLA-407 HomePlug AV compliant Powerline adapter. 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. The PLA-407 plugs into an ordinary electrical outlet to easily extend a DSL broadband connection or existing Ethernet (LAN) network to
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Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-407 1.1.1 Data Transfer The PLA-407 securely communicates with each other at high data transfer rates of up to 200 Mbps. The theoretical maximum channel data rate is 200 Mbps on the physical layer. The actual channel data rate will vary depending on noise on the electrical wires and the quality of your electrical installation. It uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information. 1.1.2 Pass-Through Design The PLA-407 has a
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Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-407 interference from the electrical devices so that it does not affect the Powerline network. This is shown in the following figure. Figure 2 Noise Filter on PLA-407 Noise Filter Powerline Network Home Appliances This setup maximizes the PLA-407’s performance and ensures that the Powerline network is stable. This benefits users who are into gaming or those watching streaming media from the Internet. The internal noise filter is enabled by default. 1.1.4 Qua
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Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-407 1.1.5 Low Power Mode Your PLA-407 is a certified green product. It goes into Low Power mode when there is no Ethernet connection. When you plug the PLA-407 into an electric socket, it waits for an Ethernet connection. When no connection is detected after sixty (60) seconds, the Power LED ( ) blinks indicating that it is going into Low Power mode. The same process occurs when you disconnect the PLA-407 from a previously working Ethernet connection. Sixty (6
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Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-407 Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLA-407s into other power outlets in your home and connecting other computers or network devices (for example, a printer) to them. Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information. 1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA-407 Use the ENCRYPT button to add Powerline devices to your Powerline network if they have this button. See Chapter 4 on page 31 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT featur
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Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-407 1.4.1 Passwords You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV Powerline network. The following table describes the differences between the passwords. Table 1 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 PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to create a private network. See Section 5.3 on page
