ZyXEL PLA4231 User Guide - Page 11

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA4231

PLA4231 User’s Guide

11

1.5.1

Powerline Passwords

You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV powerline network. The following table

describes the differences between the passwords.

1.5.2

Setting Up Powerline Security

The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if

your powerline devices have the

RESET/ENCRYPT

button.

If your devices do not have the

RESET/ENCRYPT

button, use the

PLA42xx Series

Configuration Utility

to set up security on the PLA4231. Although the PLA4231 is a “plug-and-

play” network expanding solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the powerline

network in your home.

1

It’s easy and only requires you to change a network name.

2

It’s a good idea to ensure privacy of your communication. When you use the PLA4231 and other

powerline adapters, the electrical wiring in your home becomes an extension of your Ethernet

network. Your network traffic flows freely within the electrical circuit of your home and is bounded

in most cases by a power meter.

Without security (encryption) your information is accessible to anyone using a powerline adapter on

the same electrical circuit. In some cases, a circuit can be shared by more than one household.

To prevent compromising your network security, you can create a private network. A private

network uses a secret password (

Network Name

) to make sure that only permitted powerline

adapters can communicate in your network. See

Section 5.3 on page 29

for information on setting

up a private network.

3

You may need to change the

Network Name

to create multiple powerline networks. See the next

section for more information on how to set up a multiple network.

Table 1

Powerline 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

PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility

to create a private network. See

Section

5.3 on page 29

.

DAK (Data Access Key)

Password

In order to manage the powerline adapters on your powerline network you must

enter the adapters’ DAK password in the

PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility

.

This password is printed on the powerline adapter itself.

You don’t need to add the password for the powerline adapter directly connected to

the computer running the configuration utility (local powerline adapter), you only

have to add the remote powerline adapters’ passwords (those on your circuit, but

not directly connected to your computer).

Section	Page
PLA4231	1
Table of Contents	3
Introduction	7
Introducing the PLA4231	9
1.1 Overview	9
1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA4231	9
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA4231	10
1.4 Good Habits for Managing the PLA4231	10
1.5 Powerline Security	10
1.5.1 Powerline Passwords	11
1.5.2 Setting Up Powerline Security	11
1.6 Multiple Networks	12
1.7 Resetting the PLA4231	12
1.7.1 Procedure to Use the Reset Button	12
The WPS Button	13
2.1 WPS Overview	13
2.2 How to Use the WPS Button	13
The RESET/ENCRYPT Button	15
3.1 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Overview	15
3.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT	15
3.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks	17
3.4 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Behavior	19
Configuration Utility	21
Installing the Powerline Configuration Utility	23
4.1 Overview of the Installation Process	23
4.2 Installing the Utility	23
Using the Powerline Configuration Utility	27
5.1 Overview	27
5.1.1 Powerline Network Security	27
5.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK)	28
5.2 Starting the Configuration Utility	28
5.3 Configuration Screen	29
5.4 Firmware Screen	30
5.5 Network Info Screen	31
5.6 Advanced Screen	32
5.7 About Screen	35
Powerline Network Setup Tutorial	37
6.1 Overview	37
6.2 Important Terms	37
6.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter	38
6.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter	39
6.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter	40
6.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks	42
6.7 Troubleshooting	44
Web Configurator	47
Introducing the Web Configurator	49
7.1 Overview	49
7.2 Accessing the Web Configurator	49
7.2.1 Login Screen	49
7.2.2 Password Screen	51
7.3 Navigating the Web Configurator	52
7.3.1 Title Bar	53
7.3.2 Navigation Panel	53
7.3.3 Main Window	54
Dashboard	55
8.1 The Dashboard Screen	55
Monitor	59
9.1 Overview	59
9.2 What You Can Do	59
9.3 Log	59
9.4 Packet Statistics	60
9.5 WLAN Station Status	61
Wireless LAN	63
10.1 Overview	63
10.2 What You Can Do	63
10.3 What You Should Know	64
10.3.1 Wireless Security Overview	64
10.4 General Wireless LAN Screen	66
10.5 Wireless Security	67
10.5.1 No Security	67
10.5.2 WEP Encryption	68
10.5.3 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK	70
10.6 MAC Filter	71
10.7 Wireless LAN Advanced Screen	73
10.8 Quality of Service (QoS) Screen	73
10.9 WPS Screen	74
10.10 WPS Station Screen	76
10.11 Scheduling Screen	76
LAN	79
11.1 Overview	79
11.2 What You Can Do	79
11.3 What You Need To Know	79
11.3.1 LAN TCP/IP	80
11.3.2 IP Alias	80
11.4 LAN IP Screen	80
11.5 IP Alias Screen	81
HomePlug	83
12.1 Overview	83
12.2 What You Can Do	83
12.3 HomePlug Screen	83
Maintenance	87
13.1 Overview	87
13.2 What You Can Do	87
13.3 General Screen	87
13.4 Password Screen	88
13.5 Time Setting Screen	88
13.6 Firmware Upgrade Screen	90
13.7 Configuration Backup/Restore Screen	92
13.8 Restart Screen	93
13.9 Language Screen	93
LEDs and Troubleshooting	95
14.1 LEDs	95
14.2 Power and Light Problems	96
14.3 Configuration Utility Problems	98
14.4 Powerline Problems	98
14.5 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Problems	99
14.6 Wireless Connection Problems	100
14.7 PLA4231 Access and Login Problems	101
Pop-up Windows, JavaScript and Java Permissions	105
Legal Information	115

ZyXEL PLA4231 User Guide - Page 11

Powerline Passwords, 1.5.2 Setting Up Powerline Security, RESET/ENCRYPT, PLA42xx Series

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