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PLA4215 User’s Guide

47

C

H A P T E R

6

LEDs and Troubleshooting

This chapter describes the behavior of the LEDs (lights) and offers some suggestions to solve
problems you might encounter.

6.1 LEDs

The following sections describes the lights on the PLA4215.

The following figure is the front panel of the PLA4215. Use the lights to determine if the PLA4215 is
behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network.

Figure 34

PLA4215 Lights

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Summary of Contents for PLA4215

Page 1: ...www zyxel com www zyxel com PLA4215 500Mbps Powerline Pass Thru Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Copyright 2011 ZyXEL Communications Corporation Edition 1 9 2011 ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ... want to configure the PLA4215 using the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility version 5 2 0 You should have your basic Internet access or home network already set up Related Documentation Quick Start Guide The Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running right away It contains information on making your hardware connections Support Disc Refer to the included CD for support document...

Page 4: ...ct labels screen names field labels and field choices are all in bold font A key stroke is denoted by square brackets and uppercase text for example ENTER means the enter or return key on your keyboard Enter means for you to type one or more characters and then press the ENTER key Select or choose means for you to use one of the predefined choices A right angle bracket within a screen name denotes...

Page 5: ...15 User s Guide 5 Icons Used in Figures Figures in this User s Guide may use the following generic icons The icons used may not be an exact representation of your device PLA4215 Computer Internet Modem Router Printer Notebook TV ...

Page 6: ...ht supply voltage for example 110V AC in North America or 230V AC in Europe Do NOT allow anything to rest on the power adapter or cord and do NOT place the product where anyone can walk on the power adapter or cord Do NOT use the device if the power adapter or cord is damaged as it might cause electrocution If the power adapter or cord is damaged remove it from the power outlet Do NOT attempt to r...

Page 7: ... the PLA4215 12 1 4 Security 12 1 4 1 Passwords 12 1 4 2 Setting Up Security 13 1 5 Multiple Networks 13 Chapter 2 Installing the Utility 14 2 1 Overview of the Installation Process 14 2 2 Installing the Utility 14 2 3 Low Power Mode 16 Part II Technical Reference 19 Chapter 3 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 Multi...

Page 8: ...ter 5 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 Chapter 6 LEDs and Troubleshooting 47 6 1 LEDs 47 6 2 Power and Light Problems 48 6 3 Configuration Utility Problems 50 6 4 ...

Page 9: ...9 PART I User s Guide ...

Page 10: ...10 ...

Page 11: ... The HomePlug AV standard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical wiring 1 2 Expand Your Network with the PLA4215 The PLA4215 plugs into an ordinary power outlet to easily extend a cable or DSL broadband connection or existing Ethernet LAN network to any other electrical outlet in any room of a house all without the need for any new cabling Devices can securely communic...

Page 12: ...test version utility This utility is only compatible with a PLA4215 which has the latest firmware installed If you don t already have them download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website 1 4 Security Since your powerline network may extend outside your premises it is important to set up security on your PLA4215 1 4 1 Passwords You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV power...

Page 13: ...etwork uses a secret password Network Name to make sure that only permitted powerline adapters can communicate in your network See Section 4 3 on page 27 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 1 5 Multiple Networks Multiple powerline...

Page 14: ...ndows 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 PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility This utility allows you to manage the network ...

Page 15: ...s asking you to install the NET Framework version 2 0 Review Microsoft s License Agreement select Accept to proceed Figure 2 NET Framework Installation Prompt 2 The next screen allows you to see the progress of the installation Figure 3 NET Framework Installation Process 3 The Setup utility runs automatically Click Yes or Next to continue through the initial screen Click Cancel only if you want to...

Page 16: ... you have in the hard drives found in your computer 5 When the installation is finished a screen appears to confirm the InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility to your computer Click Close to exit the wizard Figure 6 Installation Complete Note You may be asked to restart your computer when the installation is complete Click Yes to restart your compu...

Page 17: ...sly working Ethernet connection Sixty 60 seconds after disconnecting the Ethernet cable the PLA4215 s Power LED blinks signalling that it is going into Low Power mode The Ethernet and HomePlug LEDs are turned off in Low Power mode While in Low Power mode you cannot use the ENCRYPT button To enable the ENCRYPT button again you have to connect the PLA4215 s Ethernet cable to a computer notebook or m...

Page 18: ...Chapter 2 Installing the Utility PLA4215 User s Guide 18 ...

Page 19: ...19 PART II Technical Reference ...

Page 20: ...20 ...

Page 21: ...n only two devices at a time Place a powerline device close to another powerline device so you have time to set up each one After you set up the first powerline device you have 120 seconds to set up the second powerline device You can disconnect them from your computer or modem or other networking equipment if you need to move them close to each other but the powerline devices need to be plugged i...

Page 22: ...ing while the devices are connecting Several times all lights blink simultaneously and the HomePlug light also shows red Wait for about one minute while your powerline devices connect If the power light does not blink when you press ENCRYPT you have probably pressed the ENCRYPT button for too long Try again pressing the ENCRYPT button for 1 2 seconds If the HomePlug lights on both powerline device...

Page 23: ...th devices Figure 8 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Your Network 6 If you disconnected your computer or modem or any other networking product connected to your powerline device in step of this section you can now reconnect them This sets up your powerline network between your powerline devices 3 3 Setting Up Multiple Networks You can use the ENCRYPT button to set up multiple powerline networks u...

Page 24: ...erline Network 1 Click the ENCRYPT button on A for more than 10 seconds until the power light flashes This disconnects A from B 2 Click the ENCRYPT button on A and C for 1 2 seconds and within two minutes of each other 3 Wait for about one minute while A and C connect 4 Check the LEDs on both A and C When the power and HomePlug lights stop blinking and the power light shines steadily the devices a...

Page 25: ...bleshooting in Chapter 6 on page 51 for suggestions on problems with the ENCRYPT button and the lights Table 2 Time ENCRYPT Button is Pressed and Action TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR HOMEPLUG LIGHT BEHAVIOR less than 3 seconds The device joins a network It shares the same network name as other devices on the network The power light blinks until the device is connected This may take a minute The...

Page 26: ...ithin range can join your network The range varies depending on the quality of your home s wiring Note See Section 4 1 1 on page 26 for more information on enhancing your powerline network security 4 1 1 Powerline Network Security When the PLA4215s 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 yo...

Page 27: ...ed to enter the DAK password for the powerline adapter directly connected to the computer running the utility local powerline adapter you only have to add the remote powerline adapters passwords those in your powerline network but not directly connected to your computer 4 2 Starting the Configuration Utility To launch the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility simply double click on the configuratio...

Page 28: ...se fields immediately Note Only devices which share the same network name are displayed in this table Site This field displays Local if it is identifying the powerline adapter directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility Remote if it is a powerline adapter in your powerline network but not directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility MAC Address This...

Page 29: ...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 ...

Page 30: ...del firmware as uploading the wrong model firmware may damage your device Figure 14 Firmware Screen 4 5 Network Info Screen Use the Network Info screen to see the rates at which a specific PLA4215 is communicating with other powerline adapters on your powerline network Figure 15 Network Info Screen ...

Page 31: ... adapter selected in the Configuration page of the configuration utility In other words if the Local powerline adapter is selected in the Configuration screen then this table will display the rates of transmission from the powerline adapter connected to the computer running the configuration utility to all the Remote powerline adapters Site This field displays Local if it is the PLA4215 directly c...

Page 32: ...eway to High Allocate priority settings based on application type as follows The figure below shows an example powerline home network connected to the Internet Device A is a printer and does not handle traffic with high importance so the powerline adapter connected to it can be set to low priority Device B is a file server delivering audio or movie files to other users on the network The powerline...

Page 33: ...udio or movie files it does not send a lot of traffic so the powerline adaptor attached to it can be set to a low priority Figure 16 Priority Settings Use this screen to configure priority settings for traffic from the powerline adapters on your network Figure 17 Advanced Screen A B C D E ...

Page 34: ...computer has two network cards and both are connected to a powerline adapter then you have two powerline networks Site This field displays Local if it is the PLA4215 directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility Remote if it is a powerline adapter in your powerline network but not directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility MAC Address This is a read...

Page 35: ...ility Firmware version This field displays the firmware version of the device you selected in the Device Selection field of the Configuration screen In the example firmware version given in the screen 5 2 5203 the firmware version is shown by the numbers 520 meaning this is firmware version 5 2 0 Released This field displays the date when the firmware was released Close Click the button in upper r...

Page 36: ...Chapter 4 The Configuration Utility PLA4215 User s Guide 36 ...

Page 37: ...erline adapter If you haven t already installed the utility see Chapter 2 on page 14 for instructions If you do not have the CD with the utility the utility software is also available for download at www zyxel com Navigate to the powerline products section of the ZyXEL website to find this software Follow the instructions provided by the software to install it on your computer See the product spec...

Page 38: ...r adapter to the same kind of port on your computer Figure 20 Connect Your Powerline Adapter to a Computer 4 Open the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility on your computer Go to Start All Programs ZyXEL PLA42xx Series Configuration PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility or click on the icon on your desktop shown below Figure 21 Click on the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility Icon 5 You are now rea...

Page 39: ...ted to a printer Figure 22 Add a Printer to Your Powerline Network Note You do not need to know the network name of the new adapter to add it to your network 1 Connect your computer to the powerline adapter you want to add to your network and open the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility see Section 5 2 on page 38 2 The utility should open to the configuration tab On this screen in the Site column...

Page 40: ...ice you want to add to the network for example your Internet refrigerator in the kitchen 7 Plug the adapter s power cord into a power outlet and if required switch the power outlet on 8 Repeat this procedure for all additional powerline adapters that you want to add to your existing or new powerline network 5 4 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter This section shows you how to use your new ...

Page 41: ...ter and open the configuration utility as shown in Section 5 4 on page 40 The screen shown below appears 2 Type a Network Name that is different from the Network Name for your existing network Make sure you use the same new Network Name for all new adapters you want to add to your new network Figure 27 Making a New Network with the New Adapter 3 After you have set up a new network you are ready to...

Page 42: ...r computer and open the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility see Section 5 2 on page 38 2 The utility should open to the configuration tab as shown below A list of powerline adapters on your network displays These adapters all have the same network name as the adapter you are connected to The adapter you are connected to will appear as Local in this table All others are listed as Remote Figure 28 ...

Page 43: ...an Adapter to Your New Network 4 Click Save If you do not type the DAK password or type it incorrectly either of the following pop ups appear Click OK and type the DAK Password correctly in the DAK Password field Figure 30 Incorrect DAK or No DAK If you have correctly entered the DAK Password click OK on the pop up Figure 31 Correct DAK B A ...

Page 44: ...t of adapters on your network These adapters are now part of your new network Figure 33 Adapters on a New Powerline Network If you want to access any of your new powerline networks using the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility change the Network Name on your local adapter to the network name for the network you want to access The adapters on that network will then display in the adapter table all...

Page 45: ...work Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User s Guide 45 Check you have entered the correct network name for your network Check your powerline adapter is connected to the same electrical circuit as other powerline adapters on your network ...

Page 46: ...Chapter 5 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial PLA4215 User s Guide 46 ...

Page 47: ...s some suggestions to solve problems you might encounter 6 1 LEDs The following sections describes the lights on the PLA4215 The following figure is the front panel of the PLA4215 Use the lights to determine if the PLA4215 is behaving normally or if there are some problems on your powerline network Figure 34 PLA4215 Lights ...

Page 48: ... the ENCRYPT button The Power LED blinks when it is in Low Power mode Refer to Section 2 3 on page 16 for details on this feature Off The PLA4215 is not receiving power HomePlug Green On The PLA4215 detects another powerline adapter The data transfer rate is greater than 40 Mbps Amber The PLA4215 detects another powerline adapter The data transfer rate is between 10 40 Mbps Red The PLA4215 detects...

Page 49: ...hat the network name sometimes called the network password is the same on all of your powerline adapters See Section 4 3 on page 27 for instructions on checking the network name 3 Check the DAK password and MAC address for all powerline adapters are typed correctly in the utility See Section 4 3 on page 27 for instructions on checking the DAK and MAC address 4 Make sure that all your powerline ada...

Page 50: ... HomePlug AV devices on your network have the latest firmware installed The latest utility cannot communicate with PLA4215s using earlier versions of the firmware Go to Section 4 4 on page 29 for instructions on installing the latest firmware Check you are using the latest version utility Earlier version utilities cannot communicate with PLA4215s using the latest firmware If you do not have the la...

Page 51: ...YPT button again making certain you have pressed the button for more than one second and less than three seconds The POWER light on some powerline devices do not blink as part of the ENCRYPT process Check your powerline device is a PLA4215 For PLA4215 you cannot use the ENCRYPT button when it is in Low Power mode Connect the PLA4215 to a computer router then try again The POWER light blinks two ti...

Page 52: ...heck device A is connected to device B and not another device disconnect device B from its power source Device A s HomePlug light will turn off if the connection is with Device B Press the ENCRYPT button on both devices for more than 10 seconds then try to reconnect pressing the ENCRYPT button for less than 3 seconds on both devices I pressed the ENCRYPT button for more than 10 seconds but the Hom...

Page 53: ...bject to the terms and conditions of any related service providers Do not use the PLA4215 for illegal purposes Illegal downloading or sharing of files can result in severe civil and criminal penalties You are subject to the restrictions of copyright laws and any other applicable laws and will bear the consequences of any infringements thereof ZyXEL bears NO responsibility or liability for your use...

Page 54: ...or an experienced radio TV technician for help CE Konformität Das Produkt entspricht den grundlegenden Anforderungen der Richtlinie 1999 5 EG R TTE sowie den übrigen einschlägigen Bestimmungen des FTEG und ist zum Betrieb in der EU und Schweiz vorgesehen Das Produkt ist eine Einrichtung der Klasse A Diese Einrichtung kann im Wohnbereich Funkstörungen verursachen in diesem Fall kann vom Betreiber v...

Page 55: ...components without charge for either parts or labor and to whatever extent it shall deem necessary to restore the product or components to proper operating condition Any replacement will consist of a new or re manufactured functionally equivalent product of equal or higher value and will be solely at the discretion of ZyXEL This warranty shall not apply if the product has been modified misused tam...

Page 56: ...Appendix A Legal Information PLA4215 User s Guide 56 ...

Page 57: ...ssword 12 Data Access Password see DAK 12 disclaimer 53 E electrical and cable wiring 26 electrical circuit boundaries 26 encryption 11 26 ETHN LED 47 F FCC interference statement 53 firmware 29 H HomePlug AV standard 11 I installation overview 14 procedure 14 requirements 14 InstallShield wizard 15 introduction 11 L LED 47 ETHN 47 LINK 47 PWR 47 LINK LED 47 local vs remote adapter 28 M MAC addres...

Page 58: ... settings 31 application type 32 priority levels 34 private network 12 problems and solutions 47 product registration 55 PWR LED 47 R receive rate 30 registration product 55 related documentation 3 S safety warnings 6 security 12 13 26 passwords 12 starting the utility 27 syntax conventions 4 T trademarks 53 transfer rates 11 transmit rate 30 troubleshooting 47 U utility launching 27 W warranty 55...

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