ZyXEL PLA-407 User Guide - Page 23

PLA-407 User’s Guide

23

C

HAPTER

2

Installing the Utility

2.1

Overview

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

your PLA-407.

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,

Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit version), MAC OS 10.4 and MAC OS 10.5

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 39

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-407 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-407	1
About This User's Guide	3
Document Conventions	6
Safety Warnings	8
Table of Contents	9
Introduction	13
Introducing the PLA-407	15
1.1 Overview	15
1.1.1 Data Transfer	16
1.1.2 Pass-Through Design	16
1.1.3 Noise Filter	16
1.1.4 Quality of Service	17
1.1.5 Low Power Mode	18
1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-407	18
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA-407	19
1.4 Security	19
1.4.1 Passwords	20
1.4.2 Setting Up Security	20
1.5 Multiple Networks	21
Installing the Utility	23
2.1 Overview	23
2.2 Installing the Utility	23
Managing the PLA- 407	27
Firmware Tool	29
3.1 Overview	29
3.2 Firmware Upgrade Tool	29
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	33
4.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks	33
4.4 ENCRYPT Button Behavior	36
The Configuration Utility	37
5.1 Overview	37
5.1.1 Powerline Network Security	37
5.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK)	38
5.2 Starting the Configuration Utility	38
5.3 Configuration Screen	39
5.4 Firmware Screen	41
5.5 Network Info Screen	41
5.6 Advanced Screen	43
5.7 About Screen	46
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
PLA Compatibility	71
8.1 Overview	71
8.2 Firmware and Utility Compatibility	71
8.3 Compatibility Diagrams	72
8.4 Chipset Compatibility	73
Appendices and Index	75
LEDs and Troubleshooting	77
9.1 LEDs	77
9.2 Power and Light Problems	79
9.3 Configuration Utility Problems	81
9.4 Powerline Problems	81
9.5 ENCRYPT Button Problems	82
Product Specifications	85
Legal Information	89

ZyXEL PLA-407 User Guide - Page 23

Installing the Utility, 2.1 Overview, 2.2 Installing the Utility - software

Page 23 highlights