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Using the Powerline Configuration Utility, 5.1 Overview, 5.1.1 Powerline Network Security, Overview

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CHAPTER 5 Using the Powerline Configuration Utility 5.1 Overview 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. The PLA4231 is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you complete your hardware connections, the PLA4231s in your network (without additional configuration) are able to communicate with each other by sending and receiving information over your home's electrical wiring (A). Figure 11 Example Network Setup A All HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapters within range can join your network. The range varies depending on the quality of your home's wiring. Note: See Section 5.1.1 on page 27 for more information on enhancing your powerline network security. 5.1.1 Powerline Network Security When the PLA4231s communicate with each other, they use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the powerline network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, you cannot understand the message. The HomePlug AV standard uses 128-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) to safely transmit data between powerline adapters. For the powerline adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the same network name. This network name allows the powerline adapters to understand the encrypted information sent in the powerline network. PLA4231 User's Guide 27

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

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PLA4231 User’s Guide

HAPTER

Using the Powerline Configuration Utility

5.1

Overview

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.

The PLA4231 is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you

complete your hardware connections, the PLA4231s in your network (without additional

configuration) are able to communicate with each other by sending and receiving information over

your home’s electrical wiring (

Figure 11

Example Network Setup

All HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapters within range can join your network. The range

varies depending on the quality of your home’s wiring.

Note: See

Section 5.1.1 on page 27

for more information on enhancing your powerline

network security.

5.1.1

Powerline Network Security

When the PLA4231s communicate with each other, they use encryption to protect the information

that is sent in the powerline network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret

code, you cannot understand the message. The HomePlug AV standard uses 128-bit AES (Advanced

Encryption Standard) to safely transmit data between powerline adapters.

For the powerline adapters to communicate with each other they all need to use the same network

name. This network name allows the powerline adapters to understand the encrypted information

sent in the powerline network.