ZyXEL PLA-401 Series driver and firmware
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User Guide - Page 9
... PLA-401 Series 16 1.4 Security ...17
1.4.1 Passwords ...17 1.4.2 Setting Up Security ...17 1.5 Multiple Networks ...18 1.6 PLA Compatibility ...19
Chapter 2 Installing the Utility...21
2.1 Overview of the Installation Process 21 2.2 Installing the Utility ...21 2.3 Low Power Mode ...24
Part II: Managing the PLA-401 Series 25
Chapter 3 Firmware Tool...27
3.1 Overview ...27 3.2 Firmware Upgrade...
User Guide - Page 10
... Upgrading Firmware 56 6.3.2 Procedure to Upgrade Firmware 56
Chapter 7 Powerline Network Setup Tutorial 61
7.0.1 Overview ...61 7.0.2 Important Terms ...62 7.0.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter 62 7.0.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter 63 7.0.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter 65 7.0.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks 67 7.1 Troubleshooting ...70
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PLA-401 Series User's Guide
User Guide - Page 16
... PLA-401 Series. See Section 2.2 on page 21 for instructions on installing the utility.
Use the firmware upgrade tool to upgrade to the latest firmware. Because the latest PLA-401 Seriess are only compatible with other powerline devices with the latest HomePlug AV firmware, as well as the latest version Utility, these tool is available to help you upgrade. You can download this tool from the ZyXEL...
User Guide - Page 17
...the PLA-401 Series
Note: This User's Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only compatible with a PLA-401 Series 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 PLA-401...
User Guide - Page 19
... the PLA-4XX series User's Guide for instructions on how to do this.
For PLA v2 models (for example, PLA400 v2, PLA402 v2, PLA401 v2, PLA470 v2 and so on) make sure the firmware version is 3.0.5.
Note: The PLA v2 models can be upgraded to firmware version 3.3.4. The firmware will be available for download in ZyXEL's website (www.zyxel.com).
At the time of writing, PLA-401 Series...
User Guide - Page 20
Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA-401 Series
This diagram below shows a Powerline network where two PLAs have an earlier firmware that cannot be managed by the 3.3.4 Configuration Utility. You should upgrade the firmware of these PLAs.
Figure 2 Wrong Firmware in a Powerline Network
3.0.5
1.4.5 3.3.4
3.3.4
1.4.5
3.0.5
The diagram below shows a Powerline network where each PLA has the correct ...
User Guide - Page 21
... on page 37 for more information) or view the devices recognized on your powerline network.
Note: This User's Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only compatible with a PLA-401 Series which has the latest firmware installed. If you don't already have them, download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website.
2.2 Installing the Utility
Follow the steps below to...
User Guide - Page 27
... to your computer. This is necessary as devices with ZyXEL's early version firmware are not compatible with the latest Utility or with devices running ZyXEL's latest version firmware.
At the time of writing, firmware version 3.3.4 is only available to PLA-401 Series.
Note: The firmware is included in the Tool. You do not need to download the firmware separately.
PLA-401 Series User's Guide
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User Guide - Page 36
... your desktop.
Figure 14 PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility Icon
Alternatively, start the utility by browsing to it from the start menu. Click Start > Programs > ZyXEL PLA-4xx Series Configuration > PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility.
Note: Close the Firmware Upgrade Tool and Firmware Detection Tool if either of them are open for the Utility to work properly.
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PLA-401 Series User's Guide
User Guide - Page 38
... perform changes on a remote device. You can find the DAK password printed on a sticker on the bottom of your PLA-401 Series.
Select the remote powerline adapter you want to manage by clicking the MAC address which corresponds to it in the MAC Address column. Enter the DAK Password value and click Save.
Network Name
Set NMK to this device Set NMK to all devices Save
Note: You...
User Guide - Page 39
...PLA-401 Series. This software contains processing instructions for how the PLA-401 Series 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 PLA-401 Series such as how to power up and how to load the firmware.
You can check the ZyXEL website for firmware upgrades for your PLA-401 Series...
User Guide - Page 41
...-401 Series directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility.
• Remote, if it is a PLA-401 Series in your powerline network but not directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility.
MAC Address
This field displays the MAC address of your powerline adapter. The MAC address of your powerline adapter can be found by looking at the label on your device...
User Guide - Page 44
... utility.
• Remote, if it is a powerline adapter in your powerline network but not directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility.
This is a read-only field which shows the MAC address of the powerline adapter you are configuring. You can find the MAC address of your PLA-401 Series displayed on a sticker on the bottom of your device.
Select a priority setting from the...
User Guide - Page 45
...the screen, 3-3-3348, the firmware version is shown by the numbers 334, meaning this is firmware version 3.3.4.
Released Close
If your device's firmware is earlier than 3.3.4, please use the Firmware Upgrade Tool to upgrade your firmware.
This field displays the date when the firmware was released.
Click the button in upper right corner to close the About window.
PLA-401 Series User's Guide
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User Guide - Page 47
... tasks:
• Change Network Name (NMK) • Change Nickname • QoS Settings • Set HomePlug Light Color • Link Information • Download Firmware
6.1.1 System Requirements
These are the OS X utility system requirements at the time of writing.
• Supported Models: PLA-401 Series
• Supported Mac operating systems: Mac OS X 10.3, Mac OS X 10.4, Mac OS X 10.5
•...
User Guide - Page 54
... to close this window.
6.1.9 Download Firmware
Use this screen to go to the ZyXEL download library from where you can download firmware to your computer.
Figure 27 Download Firmware
6.2 Firmware Detection Tool
Use the Firmware Detection Tool to detect the firmware version of the powerline devices on your network. All powerline devices of the same type should
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PLA-401 Series User's Guide
User Guide - Page 56
... your device using the utility.
• Your device automatically reboots after you upload the firmware. • You cannot downgrade firmware to an older version firmware.
6.3.2 Procedure to Upgrade Firmware
1 Connect the powerline device to be upgraded to your computer.
2 Close the Configuration Utility and Firmware Detection Tool if either of them are open.
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PLA-401 Series User's Guide
User Guide - Page 61
..., separate powerline network with the powerline adapters you have.
The tutorial uses the PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility to set up your powerline adapter.
If you haven't already installed the utility, see Chapter 2 on page 21 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...
User Guide - Page 75
... PLA-401 Series and make sure that the ETHERNET and HomePlug LEDs are on or blinking. See Section 8.1 on page 71 for troubleshooting LED related problems.
• Check all ZyxEL HomePlug AV devices on your network have the latest firmware installed. The latest utility cannot communicate with PLA-401 Seriess using earlier versions of the firmware. Go to Section 5.4 on page 38 for instructions...
User Guide - Page 82
...AG) to easily configure the PLA-401 Series.
Network Name Firmware Upgrade
Note: The PLA-4xx Series Configuration Utility version 3.0.5(AG) is only compatible with PLA-401 Seriess with the latest firmware installed.
Change the powerline network name to only allow the powerline adapters you specify to join your network.
Download new firmware (when available) from the ZyXEL website and use the...