HomePlug PL-14PE Product information sheet

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PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor
Easy Start
Version 1.0
CONTENTS
1Introduction to PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor ……2
1.1 Package Contents………………………………………….2
1.2 Important Safety Instructions……………………………….3
2 Installation and Connection…………………………………… 4
2.1 System Requirements ……………………………………….4
2.2 Installation and Uninstallation of Configuration Utility…….4
2.3 Connection and Light indicators …………………………….5
3 All about the Home Network……………………………………6
3.1 Configuring the Computer…………………………………...6
3.2 Examples of Applications……………………………………8
3.3 Care Instructions……………………………………………..10
3.4 Frequently Asked Questions………………………………....10
4Configuration Utility User Guide………………………………11
5Technical Data…………………………………………………...15
Product warranty does not apply to damage caused by lightning, power surges or wrong voltage usage.

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1 Introduction to PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor
One of the major drawbacks in setting up home network is the absence of required wiring
inside the house to interconnect networked computers. In recent years several technologies
have attempted to address the issue. The most prominent technology so far is the family of
WIFI (802.11 X) products. Recently, however, another technology called HomePlug has
come forth. It uses electrical grids, already available inside walls to transmit data from
computer to computer. HomePlug technology modulates computer data in a way to enable
them use power grid as a medium of transmission from point to point. Using this
technology, two computers have a virtual Ethernet connection without the need to be
physically connected to each other.
The PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor has 3 indicator lights (LEDs) and an Ethernet
port. The LEDs depict the connection status, as well as other information, enabling
detailed diagnosis of system malfunction. The Ethernet port is to connect to a device in the
home network. The PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor has a standard power plug for
connection to a power outlet. There are three main kinds of power plugs:
•PL-14PE (UK) –3 pins UK plug with integrated 230V AC power supply.
•PL-14PE (EUR) –2 pins Euro plug with integrated 230V AC power supply.
Computernetworking in the office or at home has the following advantages:
1. Share centrally stored data
2. Share one printer
3. Multi-access to one Internet connection
4. Multi-user games over the network.
1.1 Package Contents
Make sure that you have the following items. If any of the items is damaged or missing,
please contact your dealer immediately.
PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor (Qty:1) Easy Start (Qty:1)
Configuration Utility Installation CD (Qty:1) CAT-5 UTP Straight Ethernet
Network cable (RJ-45) (Qty:1)

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1.2 Important Safety Instructions
Please read these instructions carefully:
1.Unplug the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor from the wall outlet before cleaning.
Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
2. Do not use the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor near water.
3.The PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor should never be placed near or over a
radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation provided.
4.The PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor should be operated from the type of power
indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult
your dealer or local power company.
5.The PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor relies on the building’s electrical installation
for short-circuit (over current) protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger
than 230 VAC (depends on the power supply type in your country) is used on the phase
conductors (all current-carrying conductors).
6.PlugthePL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor directly into a 230V AC (depends on the
power supply type in your country) wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord between the
adapter and the AC power source.
7.Do not attempt to service the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor yourself, as opening
or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks as well as
ruin product warranty. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
8.Unplug the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor from the wall outlet and refer the
product to qualified service personnel for the following conditions:
-If liquid has been spilled into the product.
-If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
-If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are
followed.
-If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

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2 Installation and Connection
2.1 System Requirements
PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor is applicable with all TCP/IP operating systems with
Ethernet port. Drivers are not required for this adapter. But the supplied Configuration Utility
software to assign the network password operates only with Windows operating systems.
Your computer must meet the following requirements in order to use the PL-14PE HomePlug
Ethernet Adaptor Configuration Utility:
Operating systems:
•Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP with Ethernet connection
•Pentium II 300 MHz MMX-Compatible PC or greater
•At least 64MB hard disk space and memory
CD-ROM drive
Note: Your computer or the device to which you want to connect the PL-14PE HomePlug
Ethernet Adaptor must have anEthernet port, i.e. a network card or a network adaptor.
2.2 Installation and Uninstallation of Configuration Utility
Simple Installation:
1. Connect the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor to the computer or the device
with the Ethernet cable.
2. Connect the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor to thePower Outlet.
3. Install theConfiguration Utility.The Configuration UtilityInstallation CD hasauto
run feature. If the Configuration Utility Installation CD auto run fails, please run the
Setup.exe file in the CD.
4. Follow the on screen instructions to install the Configuration Utility.
Please refer to Page 11 for theConfiguration Utility User Guide .
Note: 1) Before connecting the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor, please note its
Security ID / Device Password and keep it available for configuration of the
network.
2) No drivers are required for installation of the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor.
Uninstallation:
1. To uninstall the Configuration Utility, go to the Control Panelof your system.
2. Openthe Add/Remove Programs.
3. Selectanddouble click on thePowerPacket Utilitiesin theAdd/Remove Programs
Properties.
4. Follow the on screen instructions to uninstallation the Configuration Utility.

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2.3 Connection and Indicator Lights
The PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor has three lights indicator (LEDs) and an
Ethernet port:
PWR: Lights up when connected to AC power supply.
PL-LINK: Lights up when detected and connected with another HomePlug
adaptor within the network.
ETH-LINK/ACT: Lights up when connected to the Ethernet port of the computer or
other Ethernet devices.
Flashes during data transfer.
ETHERNET: This is the connection point for connecting it to a computer or other
devices with Ethernet port.

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3 All about the Home Network
This chapter contains important and useful information on networks—from the
configuration of your computer to examples of applications to general tips.
3.1 Configuring the Computer
Now that you have successfully connected and installed your PL-14PE HomePlug
Ethernet Adaptor, we show you how to configure your computer correctly and how to
check existing settings.
3.1.1 Windows 98 and Windows Me
1. Open the properties of the LAN connection on the connected computers by selecting
Start Settings Control Panel Network
2. Click the entry for the TCP/IP protocol of the network adaptor and on Properties.
Enable the option 'Obtain an IP address automatically'. You can ignore all other
options: they either remain empty or retain their default settings. Close the dialogs
with OK.
Note:If you cannot find an entry similar to 'TCP/IP' or 'TCP/IP-> Network Adaptor Name'
or 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)', you must install the TCP/IP protocol. Under Add select
'Protocol' and click Add again. In the next dialog box under 'Manufacturer' select
'Microsoft' and under 'Network Protocol' select 'TCP/ IP'.
3. If you use a router for Internet access, you will still need to configure it, because the
router dials into the Internet, not the computer.
Under Start Settings Control/Panel Internet Option select the
‘Connections’tab and enable the 'Never dial a connection' option. Close the dialogs
with OK.
3.1.2 Windows 2000
1. Open the properties of the LAN connection on the connected computers by selecting
Start Settings Control Panel Network and Dial-up Connections.Click with
the rightmouse button on the corresponding LAN connection and select 'Properties'.
2. Click the entry for the TCP/IP protocol of the network adaptor and on Properties.
Enable the option 'Obtain an IP address automatically'. You can ignore all other
options: they either remain empty or retain their default settings. Close the dialogs
with OK.

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Note: If you cannot find an entry similar to 'TCP/IP' or 'TCP/IP -> Network Adaptor
Name' or 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)', you must install the TCP/IP protocol. Under
Install select 'Protocol' and click Add. In the next dialog box select 'Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)' and confirm withOK.
3. If you use a router for Internet access, you will still need to configure it, because
the router dials into the Internet, not the computer.
Under Start Settings Control Panel Network and Dial-up Connections,
and enable the 'Never dial a connection' option. Close the dialogs withOK.
3.1.3 Windows XP
The Windows XP start menu can be configured in different ways. See the Windows
XP documentation for more information.
1. Open the properties of the LAN connection on the connected computers.
Select Start Control Panel Network and Internet Connections. Click with
the right mouse button on the corresponding LAN connection and select
'Properties'.
2. Click the entry for the TCP/IP protocol of the network adaptor and onProperties.
Enable the option 'Obtain an IP address automatically'. You can ignore all other
options: they either remain empty or retain their default settings. Close the dialogs
with OK.
Note: If you cannot find an entry similar to 'TCP/IP' or 'TCP/IP -> Network Adaptor
Name' or 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)', you must install the TCP/IP protocol. Under
Install select 'Protocol' and click Add. In the next dialog box select 'Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)' and confirm withOK.
3. If you use a router for Internet access, you will still need to configure it, because
the router dials into the Internet, not the computer.
Under Start Settings Control/Panel Internet Options, select the
'Connections' tab and enable the 'Never dial a connection' option. Close the
dialogs with OK.
Note: Other Internet applications such as e-mail clients may also need this
information. This generally involves changing a setting with a name like 'Connect to'
or similar to 'LAN'.

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3.2 Examples of Applications
This section demonstrates some of the application scenarios.
3.2.1 Home Networking-option 1
Workstation with Internet connection over an ADSL/Cable modem
3.2.2 Home Networking—option 2
Networking for Online Gaming.

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3.2.3 Home Networking—option 3
Networking for several workstations with one Internet connection over an ADSL/Cable
modem router.
3.2.4 Home Networking-option 4
Networking for several workstations with one Internet connection over an ADSL/Cable router
and an ADSL/Cable modem.

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3.3 Care Instructions
Network Volume
The maximum number of HomePlug adaptors in a single-family house is theoretically 253
connections, but in practice no more than 10 devices should be transferring data
simultaneously.
Network Security
Normally the electric meter forms a physical barrier, i.e. only devices connected to this meter
can be part of the network and benefit from the phase coupling. We strongly recommend that
you use the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor internal device encryption. It is configured
with the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor Configuration Utility (refer to the Appendix
on Page 11).
How to Use Passwords Correctly
You can improve your security substantially by following some important rules regarding the
use of passwords.
•Keep your passwords as secret as possible.
•Never write a password down. Popular, but completely unsuitable storage options include
notebooks, wallets and text files in computers.
•Do not pass on your password unnecessarily.
•Select a random password. Use random strings of letters and numbers. Passwords from
common language usage are not secure.
•Change the password regularly or immediately if you feel it has been compromised.
•Passwords should be changed as frequently as possible. This requires a little effort, but
increases your security considerably. Even if only the slightest indication of a leak exists,
the password should be changed.
Note: Always use the internal device encryption (the network password) for security. It can be
configured using the PL-14PE HomePlug Configuration Utility (please refer to Page 11 for
the Configuration Utility User Guide).
3.3 Frequently Asked Questions
Please refer to the FAQ.html file located in the \Manuals folder on the Configuration Utility
Installation CD for the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor frequently asked questions
(FAQ).

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4 Configuration Utility User Guide
Running the Utility:
To run the utility, double click thePowerPacket Configuration Utility icon on your desktop.
Device dialog screen:
In the text list box, it reports back all devices that are found locally connected to the computer
where the utility is running. In most cases, one device only is listed.
In case you have more, click on one of them and hit Connect. Make sure that the State box
indicates that your PC is connected to the same device. Now you are ready to manage the
powerline network connected to this device, ensure its privacy and measure its data rate
performance.
Press the Refresh button to refresh the search of the powerline devices connected to your
computer. The progress bar will change into a status bar indicating the network average data
rate.

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The color of the bar reflects the average performance of the powerline network:
•Green: Excellent performance
•Yellow: Fair performance
•Red: Poor performance
Network dialog screen:
The Network dialog screen provides detailed information about your powerline network.
The text list box shows all HomePlug devices found on your powerline network identified by
their MAC addresses. A second column indicates their data rate measurements in Mbps.
Click on theScan Powerline Networkbutton to refresh the listed information.
Important Note:
In case a HomePlug device in your home is not listed in the screen above, make sure that its
Network Passwordhas not been made private previously with a different password than your
current private network password.
You can always reset a HomePlug Network Password to the universal one by running the
PowerPacket Configuration Utility on the PC attached to this device and choose
“HomePlug” as the network password.

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Security dialog screen:
All HomePlug devices are shipped using “HomePlug”as a Network Password.The Security
dialog screen allows you to change this Network Password and set your own private
password and apply it to the HomePlug device connected to the computer where the utility is
running.
Clickon theRestore Default button to restore the originalNetwork Password “HomePlug”
and apply it locally.
Clickon theSet Localbutton to change the network password locally.
Important Note:
Your private Network Password must have between 4 and 24 characters. The password is
case sensitive. The Network Password can include any letters of the alphabet, numbers or
punctuation marks. Remember the Network Passwordas it will be needed when adding other
devices to the network later.

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Advanced dialog screen:
The Advanced dialog screen allows you to set up a network password remotely on other
HomePlug devices through the powerline.
Type your private network password into the Network Password text box.
The other devices on the network with HomePlug capabilities will have a Security ID/Device
Passwordprinted on the device itself. Find the passwords for all devices you want to manage
and type them one by one into the Device Passwordtext box and Click on the Add button.
This will add the passwords to RemotePasswords text list box and set them to the currently
defined Network Password.
Important Note:
The device must be present on the powerline in order for the password to be confirmed and
added to theRemote Passwords list.
TheStatus indicates whether each device is successfully set to the Network Password. An
“OK” indicates success while “Fail” indicates a failure.
Click on the Set Allbutton to apply your private network password to all devices that are
listed in the Remote Passwords text list box and to your local device connected to the
computer where the utility is running as well.
Select a password and Hitthe Remove button to remove it from the list.

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5 Technical Data
The table below shows the Technical Specifications of the PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet
Adaptor.
PL-14PE HomePlug Ethernet Adaptor
Standards
10Base-T Ethernet, IEEE 802.3
10 Mbps Auto MDI / MDIx Support
14 Mbps HomePlug 1.0 compatible
Protocols CSMA/CA MAC control
Transfer rate 14 Mbps
Transfer procedure Asynchronous
Modulation OFDM, DQPSK, DBPSK, ROBO
Carrier Modulation Support
Frequency Band 4.3 Mhz to 20.9 Mhz band
Range Up to 5000 square feet
Security 56 bit DES
Platform Support OS Independent with TCP/IP protocol
installed and with Ethernet port
LED Indicators 1x Power LED
1x Powerline Link Status LED
1x Ethernet Link/Activity Status LED
HomePlug connection Standard power plug
Computer interface RJ45
Power consumption 5.8W
Power supply Integrated 230V AC Supply via Power
Socket for Europe/UK Model
Temperature Storage: -25°C-70°C
Operation: suitable for room temperature,
27°C
Environment Suitable for room temperature, 27°C,
10-90% humidity (non-condensing)
System requirements
(for Configuration Utility)
Ethernet interface
Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows
2000, Windows XP
External Connectors 1 x Electrical Power Socket
1 x RJ45 for 10Base-T Ethernet
(AutoMDI/MDI-X)
Dimension Plastic housing 92mm x 66mm x 45mm(height x width x
depth)
Weight Approx 180g
© Copyright Aug 2004. All Rights Reserved.
P/N: 040-311324-101 (Ref:PL-14PE)