ZyXEL Communications PLA4225, User Manual

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PLA4225 User’s Guide
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H A P T E R
4
The Configuration Utility
4.1 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 PLA4225 is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you
complete your hardware connections, the PLA4225s 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
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 4.1.1 on page 26 for more information on enhancing your powerline
network security.
4.1.1 Powerline Network Security
When the PLA4225s 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.
A