ZyXEL PLA-401 Series User Guide - Page 21

PLA-401 Series User’s Guide

21

C

HAPTER

2

Installing the Utility

This chapter guides you through the installation of the configuration utility for your

PLA-401 Series.

2.1

Overview of the Installation Process

The installation of the configuration utility does the following:

1

Checks for and installs Microsoft’s .NET Framework version 2.0 software on your

computer. This software is necessary for the installation of the

PLA-4xx Series

Configuration Utility

. If you already have .NET Framework version 2.0 installed

on your computer this step will be skipped.

Note: At the time of writing the

utility

is only compatible with Microsoft Windows XP

and Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit version) operating systems. Users with

Windows XP (64-Bit version) operating systems can go to Microsoft’s website

to upgrade their systems to .NET Framework version 2.0 so it can work with the

utility

. To check for your Windows operating system version, right-click on

My

Computer > Properties

. You should see this information in the

General

tab.

2

Installs ZyXEL’s

PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility

. This utility allows you to

manage the network name (See

Section 5.3 on page 37

for more information) or

view the devices recognized on your powerline network.

Note: This User’s Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only

compatible with a PLA-401 Series which has the latest firmware installed. If you

don’t already have them, download the latest firmware and utility from the

ZyXEL website.

2.2

Installing the Utility

Follow the steps below to install .NET Framework version 2.0 and the

PLA-4xx

Series Configuration Utility

on your computer.

Section	Page
PLA-401 Series	1
About This User's Guide	3
Document Conventions	5
Safety Warnings	7
Table of Contents	9
Introduction	13
Introducing the PLA-401 Series	15
1.1 Overview	15
1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-401 Series	15
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA-401 Series	16
1.4 Security	17
1.4.1 Passwords	17
1.4.2 Setting Up Security	17
1.5 Multiple Networks	18
1.6 PLA Compatibility	19
Installing the Utility	21
2.1 Overview of the Installation Process	21
2.2 Installing the Utility	21
2.3 Low Power Mode	24
Managing the PLA- 401 Series	25
Firmware Tool	27
3.1 Overview	27
3.2 Firmware Upgrade Tool	27
The ENCRYPT Button	29
4.1 ENCRYPT Button Overview	29
4.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT	29
4.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks	31
4.4 ENCRYPT Button Behavior	34
The Configuration Utility	35
5.1 Overview	35
5.1.1 Powerline Network Security	35
5.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK)	36
5.2 Starting the Configuration Utility	36
5.3 Configuration Screen	37
5.4 Firmware Screen	38
5.5 Network Info Screen	40
5.6 Advanced Screen	41
5.7 About Screen	44
The OS X Configuration Utility	47
6.1 Overview	47
6.1.1 System Requirements	47
6.1.2 Start the Configuration Utility	48
6.1.3 Add a Device	48
6.1.4 Change Network Name	48
6.1.5 Change Nickname	49
6.1.6 QoS Settings	49
6.1.7 Set HomePlug Light Color	51
6.1.8 Link Information	52
6.1.9 Download Firmware	54
6.2 Firmware Detection Tool	54
6.3 Firmware Upgrade Tool	56
6.3.1 Notes on Upgrading Firmware	56
6.3.2 Procedure to Upgrade Firmware	56
Powerline Network Setup Tutorial	61
7.0.1 Overview	61
7.0.2 Important Terms	62
7.0.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter	62
7.0.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter	63
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
LEDs and Troubleshooting	71
8.1 LEDs	71
8.2 Power and Light Problems	73
8.3 Configuration Utility Problems	74
8.4 Powerline Problems	75
8.5 ENCRYPT Button Problems	76
Appendices and Index	79
Product Specifications	81
Legal Information	85

ZyXEL PLA-401 Series User Guide - Page 21

Installing the Utility, 2.1 Overview of the Installation Process, 2.2 Installing the Utility

Page 21 highlights