Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product PLA-401 ZyXEL Communications
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www .zyxel.com PLA-4xx Series Powerline Ethernet Adapter Seri es (PLA-400/400 v2/401/401 v2/ 402 v2/470/470 v2) User ’ s Guide V ersion 3.0.5 1/2008 Edition 2.
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About This User's Guide PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 3 About This User's Guide Intended Audience This manual is intended for people who want to configure the PLA -400, PLA-400 v2, PLA- 401, PLA401 v2, PLA402 v2, PLA-470 and PLA470 v2 using the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility version 3.
Document Conventions PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 4 Document Conventions W arnings and Notes These are how warnings and notes are shown in this User ’ s Guide.
Document Conventions PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 5 Icons Used in Figures Figures in this User ’ s Guide may use the fo llowing generic icon s. The PLA-4xx icon s used may not be an exact represe ntation of your devic e.
Safety Warnings PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 6 Safety Warnings 1 For your safety , be sure to read and follow all warni ng notices and instructions. • 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.
Safety Warnings PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 7 This product is recyclable . Dispose of it properly ..
Safety Warnings PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 8.
Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 9 Table of Contents About This User's Guide ........................................... ............................................................. .. 3 Document Conventions.......................
Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 10 3.2 Firmware Upgrade T ool ............. ............ ................. ............. ................ ............. ................ . .. 34 Chapter 4 The ENCR YPT Button ............................
Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 11 Part III: Appendices and In dex ............................ .................................. 73 Appendix A Product S pecifications ................................................. ................
Table of Contents PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 12.
List of Tables PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 13 List of Tables T able 1 Password Summary .............. ............. ................ ............. ................ ............. ................ .......... ... 21 T able 2 Firmware Detection T ool: Res ult Screen .
List of Tables PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 14.
List of Figures PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 15 List of Figures Figure 1 Expand Y our Network with the PLA-4xx ..... .......... ............. ............. ............. ............. .............. .. 19 Figure 2 Expand Y our Network with the PLA402 v2 ov er Coaxial Cable Wiring .
List of Figure s PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 16 Figure 39 Local/Remote Adapters on a Powerline Network ........... ................ ............. ................ .......... 59 Figure 40 Adding an Adapter to Y our New Network ........... ...........
17 P ART I Introduction Introducing the P LA-4xx (19) Installing the Utility (23).
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PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 19 C HAPTER 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx 1.1 Overview This chapter introduces the ma in applications and features of the PLA-4xx HomePlug A V compliant powerline adapter . See Appendix A on page 75 for detailed product specifications.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 20 1.3 Coaxial Cable Networks with the PLA402 v2 The PLA402 v2 allows you to be more flexib le in expanding y our network by adding the coaxial cable capability .
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 21 " This User ’s Guide describes the latest version utility . Th is utility is only compatible with a PLA-4xx wh ich has the latest firmware installed. If you don’t already have them, download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website.
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-4xx PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 22 W ithout security (encryption) your information is accessible to anyone using a powerline adapter on the same electrical circui t. In some cases, a circuit can be shared by more than one househol d.
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 23 C HAPTER 2 Installing the Utility This chapter guides you through the installation of the configur ation utility for your PLA-4xx. 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 .
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 24 Figure 3 .NET Framework Installation Prompt 2 Review Microsoft’ s License Agreement , select I agree and click Install to proceed. Figure 4 Microsoft’ s Agreement 3 The next screen allows you to s ee the progress of the installation.
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 25 Figure 5 .NET Framework Installation Process 4 Click OK to complete the installation process. Figure 6 Microsoft’ s Agreement 5 The Setup utility runs automatically . Click Ye s or Next to continue through the initial screen.
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 26 6 Fill in the User Name and Company Name fields (optional). If you want the utility to be only available to the curren tly logged in user , select Only for me(...) . Otherwise, click Next to continue and allow all user s to use the configuration utility .
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 27 Figure 10 Restart Screen 9 The following pop-u p appears. Click Ye s to restart your computer , or click No to restart your computer later .
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 28.
29 P ART II Managing the PLA- 4xx Firmware T ools (31) The ENCR YP T Button (37) The Configuration Utility (43) Powerline Network Setup T utorial (53) LEDs and T roubleshooting (63).
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PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 31 C HAPTER 3 Firmware Tools Use the Firmware Detection T ool and Firmwar e Upgrade T ool to ensure you have the latest firmware (version 3.
Chapter 3 Firmwar e Tools PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 32 Figure 1 1 Firmware Detection With an Ea rly Firmware Local Device This diagram shows the Firmware Detection T ool detecting the firmware on latest firmware devices only , as the local device has the latest firmware.
Chapter 3 Firmwar e Tools PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 33 Figure 13 Firmware Detec tion T ool: S tart The T ool shows the firmware version(s) of devi c es it has detected on yo ur powerline network. Figure 14 Firmware Detection T ool: Result The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Chapter 3 Firmwar e Tools PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 34 3.2 Firmware Upgrade T ool Use the firmware upgrade tool to upgrade firm ware earlier than versio n 3.0.5 to the latest version firmware on the powerlin e device directly conn ected to your computer .
Chapter 3 Firmwar e Tools PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 35 Figure 16 Firmware Up grade T ool: Up grading 6 If your firmware is successfully upgraded , the following screen appea rs.
Chapter 3 Firmwar e Tools PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 36.
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 37 C HAPTER 4 The ENCRYPT Button Use the ENCRYP T button to automatically set up a secure powerline c onnection between your powerline devices.
Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 38 Figure 18 ENCRYP T Connection Procedure 5 Repeat step 4 in this section for the other powerlin e device you wish to connect. This must be done within 120 seconds of pressing the ENCR YPT button on the PLA-4xx.
Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 39 Figure 19 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Y our Network 9 If you disconnected y our computer or modem (or any other net w orking product connected to your powerline device) in step 1 of this section, you can now reconnect them.
Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 40 2 Click the ENCR YP T button on ( A ) and ( C ) for 1~2 sec onds and within two min utes of each other . 3 W ait for about one minute while ( A ) and ( C ) connec t. 4 Check the LEDs on both ( A ) and ( C ).
Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 41 4.4 ENCR YPT Button Behavior The following table summarizes th e actions that occur when the EN CR YPT button is pressed for specific le ngths of time. See T roubleshooting in Chapter 7 o n page 71 for suggestions on problems with the ENCR YPT button and the lights.
Chapter 4 The ENCRYPT Button PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 42.
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 43 C HAPTER 5 The Configuration Utility 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. 5.1 Overview The PLA-4xx is designed as a plu g-and-play network expan ding solution.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 44 5.1.1 Powerline Network Security When the PLA-4xxs communicate with each ot her , they use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the powerline network. Encryption is like a secret code.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 45 5.3 Configuration Screen Use the Configuration screen to see which devices are recognized by your powerline network, to configure your P LA-4xx and to set up a secure powerline network by changing the powerline network name.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 46 5.4 Firmware Screen " T o upgrade to the latest firmware, use the firmwa re upgrade tool available from the ZyXEL website (www .zyxel.co m), or from the CD included with your PLA-4xx.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 47 Figure 25 Firmware Scre en 5.5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rate s at which a specific PLA-4xx is communicating with other powerline adapters on yo ur powerline network.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 48 The following table describes the labels in this screen. 5.6 Advanced Screen " This feature is only available with the latest version utility . Go to the ZyXEL website to download the late st utility and firmware for your ZyXEL HomePlug A V adapter .
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 49 Y ou can configure the powerline adapters on your network to give priority to network traf fic depending on its importanc e. When you set th e priority of a powerline adapter, you set how quickly messages FROM your powerline adapte r are sent in your powerline network.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 50 Figure 27 Priority Settings Use this screen to configure priority settings for traf fic from the power line adapters on your network.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 51 The following table describes the labels in this screen. 5.7 About Screen Use the About screen to view informa tion regarding the configuration utility and firmware version of the PLA-4xx you are connected to.
Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 52 Released This field disp lays the date when the firmware was released . Close Click the button in upper right corner to close the About window .
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 53 C HAPTER 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial Use this tutorial to expand your existing powerline network. 6.1 Overview After setting up your first home powerline networ.
Chapter 6 P owerline Netw ork Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 54 6.1.1 Import ant T erms 6.1.2 Accessing Y our Powerline Adapter 1 Attach the power cord that came in th e package to your powerline adapter .
Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 55 Figure 32 Click on the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon 6 Y ou are now ready to exten d your power line network or set up a second network. • See Section 6.1.3 on page 55 to add a new powerline adapter to your network.
Chapter 6 P owerline Netw ork Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 56 Figure 34 Adding a New Adapter 3 Select your adapter by selecting Local and type the network name for your existing network in the Network Na me field ( C ). Figure 35 Adding an Adapter to an Existing Network 4 Click Save and click OK on the pop-up.
Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 57 6.1.4 Setting Up a New N etwork with a New Adapter This section shows you h ow to use your new powerline adapters to set up a new powerline network separate to your ex isting network.
Chapter 6 P owerline Netw ork Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 58 Figure 38 Making a New Network with the New Adapter 3 After you have set up a new network, you ar e ready to connec t each powerline adapter on your new network to devices, for ex ample, a computer or a games console.
Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 59 Figure 39 Local/Remote Adapters on a Powerline Ne twork 3 T o set up a new powerline network, type the DAK Password and change the Network Name on all powerline adapters you wish to add to your network.
Chapter 6 P owerline Netw ork Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 60 Figure 41 Incorrect DAK or No DAK • If you have correctly entered the DAK Password , click OK on the pop-up. Figure 42 Correct DAK 5 The settings for the ad apter will now grey out and the adapter wil l disappear from the table after a few minutes.
Chapter 6 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 61 Figure 44 Adapters on a New Powerline Network • If you want to access any of your new powerline networks using the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility , change the Network Name on your local adapter to the network name for the network you want to access.
Chapter 6 P owerline Netw ork Setup Tutorial PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 62.
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 63 C HAPTER 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting This chapter describes the behavior of the LEDs ( lights) and offers some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter . 7.1 LEDs The following sections describes the lights on the PLA-400, PLA-400 v2 and PLA402 v2, the PLA-401, PLA401 v2 and the PLA-470.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 64 The following table describes the behavi or of the lights on the PLA-401 v2. HomePlug On The PLA-401 detects another powerline adapte r . Blinking The PLA-401 is communica ting with ano ther powerline ada pter .
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 65 7.1.2 PLA-400/400 v2/402 v2 The following figure is th e front panel of the PLA-400, PLA-400 v2 an d PLA402 v2. Use the lights to determine if your PLA-4xx is behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 66 7.1.3 PLA-470/PLA470 v2 The following figure is the fro nt panel of the PLA-470 and PLA-470 v2. Use the lights to determine if the PLA-470 or PLA470 v2 is beha ving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 67 The following table describes the beha vior of the lights on the PLA-470. The following table describes the behavi or of the lights on the PLA470 v2. T able 13 PLA-470 Lights LIGHT S ICON COLOR STATUS DESCRIPTION POWER Green On The PLA-470 is on and receiving power .
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 68 7.2 Power and Light Problems V The PLA-4xx does not turn on. None of the lights turn on. 1 Make sure you are using the power cord included with the PLA-4xx. 2 Make sure the power cord is connected to the PLA-4xx and pl ugged in to an appropriat e power source.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 69 4 If the PLA-4xx is connected to an Ethernet switch or router , make sure the device is working correctly , and that the LAN network is working and configured correctly as well. V The HomePlug light does not turn on.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 70 7.3 Configuration Utility Problems V The PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utilit y displays an error during installation. • Make sure your computer is usin g W indows XP or W indows V ista (32-bit) operating system.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubleshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 71 7.5 ENCR YPT Button Problems This section applies only to PLA-4xxs with the EN CR YPT button. V The HomePlug light is already on, bu t I haven’t pressed the ENCR YPT button yet. Y our device has already connected to another powerline device.
Chapter 7 LEDs and Troubl eshooting PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 72 V The POWER lights on both de vices finished blinking, but only one device’ s HomePlug light is on. One device m ay have co nnected to a third p owe rline device. T o check device A is conne cted to device B and not anoth er device, disco nnect device B from its power source.
73 P ART III Appendices and Index Product Specification s (75) Customer Support (85) Legal Information (81) Index (91).
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PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 75 A PPENDIX A Product S pecifications The following tables summarize the PLA-4 xx’ s hardware and firmware features. T able 15 Hardware Specifications Dimensions (W x D x H) PLA-400/400 v2/402 v2 1 12 (L) mm x 106 (D) mm x 28.
Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 76 Cabling T ype PLA-400/400 v2/401/401 v2/40 2/470/470 v2 1 x Power Cord PLA-400/400 v2/401/40 1 v2/402 1 x LAN UTP Category 5 or Better PLA-402 v2 1 x Coaxial Cable (RG6 or RG59 cable with 75 ohm impedance preferred but others are compatible.
Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 77 The following list , which is not exhaustive, illustrates the standa rds supported in the PLA-4xx. W all-mounting Instructions Complete the following step s to hang your PLA-400/400 v2/4 01/401 v2/402 v2/470/470 v2 on a wall.
Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 78 " See T able 15 on p age 75 for the size of screws to use and how far apart to place them. 1 Select a high position on a sturdy wa ll that is free of obstructions. 2 Drill two holes for the screws.
Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 79 Cable Pin Assignment s RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignment s Figure 49 RJ-45 Connector Pins T able 19 RJ-45 Conn ector Pi n Assignment s P.
Appendix A Product Specifications PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 80.
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 81 A PPENDIX B Legal Information Copyright Copyright © 2008 by ZyXEL Communications Corporation. The contents of this publication may not be reprod uced in any part or a.
Appendix B Legal In formation PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 82 If this device does cause harmful inte rference to radio/television reception, which can be determined by turning th e device off and on, the user is enc ouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: 1 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Appendix B Legal Information PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 83 ZyXEL Limited W arranty ZyXEL warrants to the original en d user (purchaser) that this product is free from any defects in materials or workmansh ip for a period of up to tw o years from the date of purchase .
Appendix B Legal In formation PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 84.
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 85 A PPENDIX C Customer Support Please have the following information r eady when you contact customer support. Required Information • Product model and serial number . • W arranty Information. • Date that you received your de vice.
Appendix C Custo mer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 86 • Re g u l a r Ma i l : ZyXEL Communications, Czech s.r .o., Modranská 621, 143 01 Praha 4 - Modrany , Ceská Republika Denmark • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.dk • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.
Appendix C Customer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 87 India • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.in • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.in • T elephone: +91-1 1-30888144 t o +91-11 -30888153 • Fax: +91-1 1-30888149, +91-1 1-26810715 • W eb: http://www .
Appendix C Custo mer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 88 • Regular Mail: ZyXEL Communications Inc., 1 130 N. Miller St., Anaheim, CA 92806- 2001, U.S.A. Norway • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.no • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.no • T elephone: +47-22-80-61-80 • Fax: +47-22-80-61-81 • W eb: www .
Appendix C Customer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 89 Sweden • Support E-mail: support@zyxel.se • Sales E-mail: sales@zyxel.se • T elephone: +46-31-744-7700 • Fax: +46-31-744-7701 • W eb: www .
Appendix C Custo mer Support PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 90.
Index PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 91 Index Symbols .NET Framework 23 A about screen 51 Advanced Encryption S tandard, see AES 19 AES 21 , 43 AES (Advanced Encryption S tandard) 19 applications 19 C .
Index PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide 92 M MAC address 33 , 45 management multiple networks 22 overview 43 managing the device using the web configurator .
An important point after buying a device ZyXEL Communications PLA-401 (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought ZyXEL Communications PLA-401 yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data ZyXEL Communications PLA-401 - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, ZyXEL Communications PLA-401 you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get ZyXEL Communications PLA-401 will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of ZyXEL Communications PLA-401, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime ZyXEL Communications PLA-401.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with ZyXEL Communications PLA-401. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device ZyXEL Communications PLA-401 along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
