Comtrend Corporation PowerGrid 902 User manual

Powerline Ethernet Adapter
User Manual
EU type

1
Introduction
This user manual provides practical information for the
installation, operation and application of the device. It is
suitable for those with little or no networking experience,
although some advanced topics are also covered.
A glossary of acronyms is included in Appendix A for
reference.
Save Our Environment
This symbol means that when the equipment has
reached the end of its useful life, it must be taken
to a recycling centre and processed separate from
domestic waste.
The cardboard box, the plastic contained in the packaging,
and the parts that make up this device can be recycled in
accordance with regionally established regulations.
Never throw this electronic equipment out along with
your household waste. You may be subject to penalties or
sanctions under the law. Instead, ask for instructions from
your municipal government on how to correctly dispose of it.
Please be responsible and protect our environment.
Copyright
Copyright© 2008 Comtrend Corporation. All rights reserved.
The information contained herein is proprietary to Comtrend
Corporation. No part of this document may be translated,
transcribed, or reproduced in any form or by any means
without prior written permission of Comtrend Corporation.
NOTE: This document is subject to change without notice.

1
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introduction 2
Chapter 2 - Basics 3
2.1 Device Layout 3
2.2 Front Panel 4
2.3 Default Settings 5
Chapter 3 - Quick Setup 6
3.1 Internet Connection 6
3.2 Computer Connection 8
Chapter 4 - Network Performance 12
4.1 Point-to-Point Network 13
4.2 Point to Multipoint Network 14
4.3 Neighboring Networks 15
Chapter 5 - Web User Interface 17
5.1 IPConguration 17
5.1.1 Fixed IP 17
5.1.2 Isolation 21
5.2 Login Screen 21
5.3 WUI homepage 22
5.4 Further Information 25
5.5 ChangeConguration 30
Chapter 6 - HELP 38
6.1 Troubleshooting 38
6.2 FAQ 41
Appendix A - Acronyms 44

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3
Chapter 1 - Introduction
This user guide provides details concerning the installation,
conguration and application of COMTREND Corporation’s
PowerGrid 902 Powerline adapter.
ThePowerGrid902istherstofitskindtoincorporatean
AClterwithrearsocket.Itallowsfortheconnectionofthe
adapter to the electrical grid of a home without depriving the
user of a single power outlet.
The PowerGrid 902 is the physical link between Powerline
and Ethernet (10/100M) networks. The design is such that,
on the one hand, it avoids limiting a power socket to just PLC
purposes,andontheotherhand,providesalteredpower
socket to avoid interference from appliances connected to
it.
The front panel of the PowerGrid 902 has two buttons and
three LEDs that allow the user to congure a secure PLC
network without the use of a computer. The Status LED
shows the available level of data throughput in the application
layer.
SPECIAL FEATURES
One Button Security Setup - Automatic generation of
anEncryptionKeyandNetworkIdentierbypressinga
single button!
Throughput Indicator - A tri-color Status LED that
shows estimated data throughput in the application
layer
Rear Socket with AC Filter -Plug the PowerGrid 902
into a power outlet without losing use of the outlet for
other applications.

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Chapter 2 - Basics
2.1 Device Layout
The following gure shows the physical layout of the
PowerGrid 902 adapter.
POWER PLUG
– located in
back
POWER PLUG
– located in
back
POWER OULET
– AC Filtered
Outletlocatedin
front
POWER OULET
– AC Filtered
Outletlocatedin
front
LAN
the yellow port
located on top
LAN
the yellow port
located on top
FRONT PANELFRONT PANEL
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
RESET
ON
STBY
Powerline Ethernet
Adapter with Filter

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2.2 Front Panel
This table provides descriptions of the front panel
buttons and LEDs.
Button Function
CONFIG/RESET
(Security Setup /
FactoryReset)
Press for “One Button Security Setup”.
Holding down the button for a long period
willresultina“FactoryReset”.
ON/SBY
(PowerON/
Standby button)
Used to switch the adapter between ON and
STANDBY (Power Saving) modes. Turning
offtheadapterwillalsosetthe“Status”&
“Ethernet”LEDsto“off”
LED Function
STATUS*
• Red: AdapterisON.IfPLClink,Estimated
Application Throughput < Threshold 1
(6Mbps).
• Orange:ifPLClink,Threshold1(6Mbps)
< Estimated Application Throughput <
Threshold 2 (12Mbps).
• Green:ifPLClink,EstimatedApplication
Throughput > Threshold 2 (12Mbps)
• BLINKING(inRED,ORANGEorGREEN):
TrafcintheEthernetport.
ETHERNET
• GreenOn:LANconnectionestablished.
• Off:LANconnectionisnotestablished.
• Blinking:Datatransmitting/receiving
AP/STBY
• Red:AdapterinStandbymode.
• Green(steady):FixedAP(accesspoint).
• Green(blinking):FixedAPissearching.
• Off:AdapterinEP(EndPoint)mode.
• 3 Flashes:EP has exchangedkeyswith
AP
*see Chapter 4 for more details.

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2.3 Default Settings
The factory default settings are presented below.
• Network Mode is AP (Public)
• IPCongurationisFixedIP
• MAC Type is In-Home AV
• Node type is End Point
• Congurationpassword=paterna
• FactoryResetpassword=betera
• FixedIPaddress=10.10.1.69
• FixedIPsubnetmask=255.255.0.0
• DefaultGatewayIPaddress=192.168.1.105
NOTE: These conguration settings can be customized using
a web browser. For further instructions, see Chapter 5
- Web User Interface. To return the adapter to factory
defaultsettings,followtheFACTORYRESETprocedurein
the Troubleshooting section of this manual.

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Chapter 3 - Quick Setup
NOTE: You will need a single PowerGrid 902 unit and Ethernet
cable for each computer, or other device, that you wish to
connect to the Internet.
3.1 Internet Connection
The steps below show how to connect a PowerGrid 902
unit to your modem.
1.Turn on your modem and wait for
the Internet connection to become
active.
2.Plug a PowerGrid 902 unit into the
power socket closest to the modem
as in figure 1 (at right). The Status
LED on the front panel of the unit
should light up RED.
3. As in figure 2, connect the
PowerGrid 902 unit to the LAN port
of the modem with an Ethernet
cable. The ETHERNET LED on the
unit should light up GREEN.
PowerGrid 902 units are configured by default with flexible
network settings.
As a result, when they are plugged into the power mains of
a home they will connect to an already existing PowerGrid
network. If there is no existing network they will create a
new network that will operate smoothly but without enhanced
security features.
This is why it is recommended to reconfigure your PowerGrid
902 units to form a secure network (with a unique network
identifier and encryption key). This can be accomplished
using just the front panel buttons on the PowerGrid units. The
following sections describe how to setup a secure network in
this way.

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AP UNIT CONFIGURATION
A PowerGrid network consists of one AP (Access Point)
unit connected to multiple EP (End Point) units. The
AP unit controls access to the Internet and connects
the EP units to the network. Follow step 4 (below) to
conguretheAPunit.
4.Asshowningure3,presstheCONFIG/RESETbutton
onthePowerGrid902unit.WaitfortheAP/STBYLED
to start blinking and then release it. Wait another
thirty (30) seconds until it stops blinking and check
theAP/STBYLED.

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9
If the AP/STBY LED is now ON, then setup was
successful and you can now proceed to section 3.2,
whereyouwillconguretheEPunit.
If AP/STBY LED is now OFF, or just keeps blinking,
youmustrstpresstheCONFIG/RESETbuttonfor15
seconds to reset the unit and repeat step 4.
Afterseveralattempts,iftheAP/STBYLEDdoesnot
stay ON, then disconnect the PowerGrid 902 unit from
the modem and the power socket, choose another
unit and repeat the process from step 2.
If all else fails, contact your supplier or service
provider for further assistance.
3.2 Computer Connection
The steps below show how to connect a PowerGrid 902
unit to your computer.
1.Turn on your computer.
2.Plug a PowerGrid 902 unit into the power socket
closest to the computer. The Status LED should light
upRED,asingure1.
3.Connect the PowerGrid 902 to the computer with an
Ethernet cable, see gure3. The ETHERNET LED on
theunitshouldlightupGREEN.

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EP UNIT CONFIGURATION
As previously discussed, a PowerGrid network can have
onlyoneAPunit.Thisunitwasconguredinsection3.1.
All other units must be set as EP units.
Todoso,followthesesteps:
4.Asshowningure5,presstheCONFIG/RESETbutton
on the AP unituntiltheAP/STBYLEDstartsblinking
and then release it. You now have thirty (30) seconds
to complete the EP set up.
5.Before the AP unit AP/STBY
LED stops blinking, press the
CONFIG/RESET button on the
PowerGrid 902 that you wish to
congureas anEP unit. Wait
for its AP/STBY LED to start
blinking and then release the
button. After a few seconds,
the AP/STBY LED should ash
quickly three times and then
turnOFF,asshowningure6.

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IftheAP/STBYLEDoftheEP unit is now OFF, then
proceed to step 6.
IftheAP/STBYLEDoftheEP unit is now ON, or just
keepsblinking,youmustpressCONFIG/RESETfor15
seconds and then return to step 4.
Afterseveraltries,iftheAP/STBYLEDoftheEPunit
does not remain OFF, then disconnect it from its
power socket and from the computer, or other device.
Select another EP unit, if possible, and repeat the
process from step 2.
If all else fails, contact your supplier or service
provider for further assistance.
6.After adding the EP unit to the PowerGrid
network,checkthat theAP/STBYLEDon
the AP unit has stopped blinking and
remains ON,asingure7.
If the AP/STBY LED on the AP unit is
now OFF, or just keeps blinking, you
must rst reset the unit and then try
again.Toresettheunit,pressCONFIG/
RESET for 15 seconds. Then return to
step 4 in section 3.1 and repeat section
3.2 for every device you wish to add to
the network.
Afterseveraltries,iftheAP/STBYLEDon

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the AP unit does not stay ON, then disconnect it from
the modem and its power socket, choose another unit
to be the AP unit and repeat the entire process starting
from section 3.1, step 2.
If all else fails, contact your supplier for further assistance.
7.IftheAP/STBYLEDontheAP unit is now ON, then
you have completed the setup successfully.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Youcannoweither:
 Add another computer to the network by repeating
steps 1-6
OR
 Stop here and start enjoying your secure PowerGrid
network!
NOTE: These PowerGrid 902 units keep their network security
settingsevenafterlosingpower,sothatyoudon’tneedto
reset the network, when moving network devices or even
after a power outage!

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Chapter 4 - Network Performance
The Status LED shows the estimated available level of
throughput in the application layer.
There are three levels of throughput indicated by three
different LED colors. A particular adapter shows, with one
color, the throughput level with reference to the adapter
sending the most data to it. In the case of a network consisting
of two adapters, they always show the level of throughput
with reference to the other. However, in the case of a network
of three or more adapters, each one internally measures
the amount of bytes received from the other adapters in
the network and only shows the level of throughput with
reference to the one that is sending the most data.
A throughput estimator also keeps track of the number of
neighboring networks since available bandwidth will be
divided between them when sharing the PLC channel. The
thresholdsfortheselevelsofthroughputareprecongured
in the system as shown below.
LED STATUS
RED Estimated Throughput < Threshold 1 (6Mbps)
ORANGE Threshold 1 (6Mbps) < Estimated Throughput <
Threshold 2 (12Mbps)
GREEN Estimated Throughput > Threshold 2 (12Mbps)
BLINKING
(in any
color)
TrafcinthePLCport
(for each estimated throughput level)

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4.1 Point-to-Point Network
• CASE 1:Estimatedthroughput islessthan6 Mbps.
The PLC channel is not able to transmit an SDTV
channel.TheSTATUSLEDwillbeREDasshowninthe
followinggure:
Set Top Box
video server
data flow
Estimated throughput < 6 Mbps
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking RED
PLC
adapter 1
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
E
ST
S
• CASE 2:Estimatedthroughputisgreaterthan6Mbps
but less than 12 Mbps. The PLC channel is able to
transmit an SDTV channel, but not two SDTV channels
simultaneously or one HDTV channel. The STATUS LED
willbeORANGEasshowninthefollowinggure:
Set Top Box
video server
data flow
6 Mbps < Estimated throughput < 12 Mbps
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking ORANGE
PLC
adapter 1
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
E
ST
S
• CASE 3: Estimated throughput is greater than 12
Mbps. The PLC channel is able to play at least two
SDTV channels or 1 HDTV. The STATUS LED will be
GREENasshownhere:

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15
Set Top Box
video server
data flow
Estimated throughput < 12 Mbps
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking GREEN
PLC
adapter 1
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
E
ST
S
4.2 Point to Multipoint Network
In the case where the PLC network is composed of three
or more adapters, similar situations could arise as with
a point-to-point network. These are illustrated in the
followinggures:
Set Top Box
Set Top Box
video server
data flow 1
data flow 2
6 Mbps < Estimated throughput < 12 Mbps
Estimated throughput < 12 Mbps
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking GREEN
PLC
adapter 3
Status indicator blinking ORANGE
PLC
adapter 1
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
E
ST
S
E
ST
S
The STATUS LED in each adapter will show the estimated
level of the PLC link from which it is receiving the most
amountoftrafcatanygiventime.ThestatusLED in
PLC adapter 3, for example, could be showing a level of
throughput available from PLC adapter 2 for a period of

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timeasillustratedinthegureabove.However,trafc
ow could change through user intervention and then
the status LED in PLC adapter 3 could show the level
with reference to the PLC adapter 1 link, as shown in
thefollowinggure.
Set Top Box
Set Top Box
video server
data flow 1
data flow 2
data flow 3
Estimated throughput > 12 Mbps
Estimated throughput > 12 Mbps
Estimated throughput < 6 Mbps
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking GREENStatus indicator blinking GREEN
PLC
adapter 3
Status indicator blinking RED
PLC
adapter 1
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
E
STA
S
E
ST
S
E
STA
S
4.3 Neighboring Networks
The Status LED also takes into account the possibility
of having neighboring networks. In such a case, the
throughput evaluator will divide the available bandwidth
in two when there is visibility between any two networks
since the PLC channel must be shared on a time basis. In
thefollowinggure,anexampleofanisolatednetwork
isrstshown.

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Set Top Box
video server
data flow
Estimated throughput = 20 Mbps
ISOLATED NETWORK
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking GREEN
PLC
adapter 1
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
R ES E T
ON
STBY
PowerlineEtherne t
Adapterwith Filt er
E
ST
S
In the next gure, the previous network (network 1)
sees a new neighboring network (network 2), and a
new evaluation of throughput is made to show the user
that channel conditions have changed and available
bandwidthhasdecreased:
Set Top Box
video server
data flow
Estimated throughput = 20 Mbps / 2 = 10 Mbps
PLC NETWORK 1
PLC
adapter 2
Status indicator blinking ORANGE
PLC
adapter 1
Set Top Box
video server
data flow
Estimated throughput = 30 Mbps / 2 = 15 Mbps
PLC NETWORK 2
PLC
adapter 4
Status indicator blinking GREEN
PLC
adapter 3
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
RESET
ON
STBY
Powerline Ethernet
Adapter withFilter
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
RESET
ON
STBY
Powerline Ethernet
Adapter withFilter
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
RESET
ON
STBY
Powerline Ethernet
Adapter withFilter
AP/STBY
ETHERNET
STATUS
CONFIG
RESET
ON
STBY
Powerline Ethernet
Adapter withFilter
E
ST
S
E
ST
S

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Chapter 5 - Web User Interface
The web-based user interface (WUI) provides information
about your PowerGrid 902 units and can also be used to
congureorresettheirsettings.
The WUI is accessed using a web browser, such as Microsoft
Internet Explorer. The instructions that follow assume the
PowerGrid network has been congured correctly (i.e.
according to the instructions in Chapter 3 or the QIG) and
that the host computer is running Windows XP.
NOTE: The process described in the following sections will work
foranyoperatingsystem(OS),butthespecicstepswill
need to be adjusted to match your particular computing
environment.
5.1 IPConguration
Before using the WUI, you rst need to adjust the IP
congurationofthehostPC.Thisisatwo-stepprocess
addressed in subsections 5.1.1 and 5.1.2.
FYI: The IP conguration denes the location of your
computer within the network using Internet Protocol (IP)
addressing. Your computer needs an IP address so it can
receive and send information on the network.
In Fixed IP mode you assign this IP address yourself;
while in DHCP mode it is assigned automatically by a
DHCP server.
5.1.1 Fixed IP
The following instructions describe how to change the IP
congurationofyourcomputertoFIXED IP mode, so

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that you can access the WUI.
STEP 1: Turn on your computer (and login, if necessary).
STEP 2:From the desktop (as shown below), click on therom the desktop (as shown below), click on the
Start button and select Network Connections.
Next, double-click Local Area Connections to
open its window and then click the Properties
button.
STEP 3:Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the
Properties button.button.
NOTE: You may also access this window by double-
clicking the Local Area Connection icon on your
taskbar.