ZyXEL PLA4215 User Guide - Page 29

Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility

PLA4215 User’s Guide

29

4.4

Firmware Screen

Use the

Firmware

screen to update the firmware on the PLA4215 directly connected to the

computer running the configuration utility.

Firmware is the software which is embedded in the PLA4215. This software contains processing

instructions for how the PLA4215 sends and receives information in a secure way.

Parameter Information Block (PIB) is similar to firmware. It contains the most basic operating

instructions for the PLA4215 such as how to power up and how to load the firmware.

You can check the ZyXEL website for firmware upgrades for your PLA4215.

Note: If you have upgraded the firmware, make sure you also upgrade the PLA42xx

Series Configuration Utility. Older version utilities are not compatible with PLA4215s

using the latest firmware.

Network Name

(NMK)

The default network name (sometimes called a network password or network

membership key (NMK)) of the PLA4215 is “

HomePlugAV

”. HomePlug compatible

devices use the same network name to recognize and communicate with each other

over the powerline network. If you change the network name of one device on the

network, it will no longer be recognized as part of that network.

If you change the network name, make sure you change the network name for all of

the powerline adapters that you want to be part of your powerline network.

The network name can be from 8 to 64 characters in length, using “A”~”Z”, “a”~”z”,

“0”~”9”; spaces are not allowed.

Set NMK to

this device

Select this to apply the NMK (entered in the field above) as the network name for

the powerline adapter directly connected to the computer running the configuration

utility.

Set NMK to all

devices

Select this to apply the NMK (entered in the field above) as the network name for all

powerline adapter detected by the utility.

Save

Click this to apply your changes. The new

Network Name

is applied to the selected

powerline adapter.

Note: You must enter the correct DAK password for the selected powerline adapter

before you can make changes to it.

Table 3

Configuration Screen (continued)

LABEL

DESCRIPTION

Section	Page
PLA4215	1
About This User's Guide	3
Document Conventions	4
Safety Warnings	6
Table of Contents	7
User’s Guide	9
Introducing the PLA4215	11
1.1 Overview	11
1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA4215	11
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA4215	12
1.4 Security	12
1.4.1 Passwords	12
1.4.2 Setting Up Security	13
1.5 Multiple Networks	13
Installing the Utility	14
2.1 Overview of the Installation Process	14
2.2 Installing the Utility	14
2.3 Low Power Mode	16
Technical Reference	19
The ENCRYPT Button	21
3.1 ENCRYPT Button Overview	21
3.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT	21
3.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks	23
3.4 ENCRYPT Button Behavior	25
The Configuration Utility	26
4.1 Overview	26
4.1.1 Powerline Network Security	26
4.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK)	27
4.2 Starting the Configuration Utility	27
4.3 Configuration Screen	27
4.4 Firmware Screen	29
4.5 Network Info Screen	30
4.6 Advanced Screen	31
4.7 About Screen	34
Powerline Network Setup Tutorial	37
5.1 Overview	37
5.1.1 Important Terms	37
5.2 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter	38
5.3 Adding a Powerline Adapter	39
5.4 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter	40
5.5 Splitting a Network into Two Networks	42
5.6 Troubleshooting	44
LEDs and Troubleshooting	47
6.1 LEDs	47
6.2 Power and Light Problems	48
6.3 Configuration Utility Problems	50
6.4 Powerline Problems	50
6.5 ENCRYPT Button Problems	51
Legal Information	53

ZyXEL PLA4215 User Guide - Page 29

Firmware Screen - firmware update

Page 29 highlights