LevelOne PLI-2021 User manual

1
Level One
P
PL LI I- -2 20 02 21 1
8
85 5M Mb bp ps s H Ho om me eP Pl lu ug g E Et th he er rn ne et t B Br ri id dg ge e
User Manual
V1.0-0511

2
Contents
Chapter 1: Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Chapter 2: About the Power Line Ethernet Adapter ................................................................................... 4
Chapter 3: How to install Configuration Utility........................................................................................... 5
Chapter 4: How to Connect the PowerLine Ethernet Adapter ................................................................. 10
Chapter 5: Introduction to the PowerLine Configuration Utility.............................................................. 10
Appendix A: Important Safety Information ............................................................................................... 15
Appendix B: Specifications........................................................................................................................ 16
Appendix C: Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................... 17
FAQ .............................................................................................................................................................. 17

3
Chapter 1: Overview
LevelOne 85Mbps HomePlug Ethernet Bridge
PLI-2021 HomePlug Ethernet Bridge is a perfect data communications solution for SOHO and home
networking. It makes you simply create a home network. There is no new wire needed. With up to 85 Mbps
date rates, it provides high speed data transmission through existing electrical wiring of a home or office.
Moreover, if you use a PowerLine bridge to interface one of the broadband routers from your cable or DSL
Internet connection to your PowerLine network, you'll be able to get to the Internet from any computer in the
house. You may share data, media and other peripherals with other computers connected to the network.

4
Chapter 2: About LevelOne 85Mbps HomePlug Ethernet Bridge
Ethernet
To work with Ethernet ports, your computer must have Ethernet-equipped.
Ethernet Adapter comes with an Ethernet cable as shown in Figure 3-1
Figure 3-1
Front Panel LEDs
Figure 3-2
The Adapter’s LEDs (shown in Figure 3-2), indicates network activity.
Turbo Orange: The Link LED will light up when network connects with 85 Mbps protocol standard.
HomePlug Green: The Link LED will light up when PowerLine adapters are connected.
Ethernet Green: The Link LED will light up when Ethernet port is connected to computer.

5
Power Green: The Link LED will light up when PowerLine adapter is connected to AC outlet.
Chapter 3: How to install Configuration Utility
Introduction
LevelOne Configuration Utility is a tool to help you managing the home network with PLI-2021 HomePlug
Ethernet Bridge. You may easily view all devices’ status and activities. The utility also enables you to manage
all connections, such as dividing different groups, setting password for specific device,..etc.
Note: Configuration Utility is not mandatory for the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge. The product can works without
configuration utility installed.
1. Please insert the CD into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The installation wizard will pop out
automatically. Click “Next” to begin installation.

6
2. Please click “Next” to continue.
3. Please enter user name and organization name then click “Next” to continue.

7
4. Utility will be saved to the default folder, C:\Program Files\LevelOne PLI-2021\. You may change it by
pressing “Change” bottom.
5. Shortcut Icon will be saved to the default folder, C:\Program Files\LevelOne PLI-2021\ You may
change it by pressing “Change” bottom.

8
6. Please click “Next” to proceed with the installation.

9
7. Click “Finish” to exit.

10
Chapter 4: How to Connect the LevelOne HomePlug Ethernet Bridge
Note: Please make sure the driver installation is finished.
1. Insert the Ethernet cable connector into the PC’s Ethernet port or DSL/Cable/Wireless Router Ethernet
port.
2. Insert the Ethernet cable another connector into the Ethernet port on the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge.
3. Insert the Power cord’s connector into the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge and plug the power cord into the
outlet.
Chapter 5: Introduction to the LevelOne Configuration Utility
To Access the LevelOne Configuration Utility
The short-cut icon is automatically created on your desktop. You may double click the icon to access the
LevelOne configuration utility.
You may see four categories including Main, Privacy, Diagnostics and About.
1. Main: View current status of all devices which have same name of network and connect to the HomePlug
network by Ethernet.

11
zChange default name for each device
Click on a device then click “Rename” button. Type device name in text field then press Enter.

12
zSet device Password
You may need to set device password in order to create network groups. Click on a device then
click “Enter Password”. Type DEK number then click “OK”. You may find the DEK number
showed on a label which is stuck on the back of device.
zManually scan status of devices
Click “Scan” to refresh current status of all connected devices.
2. Privacy: Security setting for the HomePlug network. You may create network groups in the same
HomePlug network.
zDefault setting
HomePlug is the default network group name for all devices.
zRename network group
Type new name in Private Network Name for the HomePlug which connects to the
local PC you are using and click “OK”.

13
Click “Set Local Device Only” to set the HomePlug which connects to the local PC only. Click “Set
all Device” to set all devices which are in the same network group and have valid password set.
Click “Use Default (Public Network)” to set as default.
3. Diagnostics: view system information
zSystem Information
Show system general information of the local PC.
zRemote Device History (Log)
Show information of all devices which ever connected to the system.

14
4. About: View current Software version.

15
Appendix A: Important Safety Information
This product is intended for connection to the AC power line. The following precautions should be taken when
using this product:
• Read all instructions before installing and operating this product.
• Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
• Do not operate this product near water.
• This product relies on a building’s electrical installation for short-circuit (over current)
protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than 16 Amp is used on the
phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors).
• Do not allow anything to rest on the product interconnect cords.
• Do not locate this product where people may walk on the cords.
• The wall mount should be plugged directly into a AC wall outlet. (Note: The appropriate voltage,
120/220/230/240V, depends on different areas or countries.)
• Only a qualified technician should service this product. Opening or removing covers may
result in exposure to dangerous voltage points or other risks. (Note: Opening or removing
the covers will void your product warranty.)
• Unplug the wall mount from the wall outlet and refer the product to qualified service personnel for the
following conditions:
- When the interconnect cords are damaged or frayed.
- If liquid has been spilled onto the product.
- If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
- If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions have
been followed.
- If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

16
Appendix B: Specifications
Specifications
z10/100 Ethernet Interface
zUp to 85 Mbps data rate
zUp to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in distance
zIntelligent channel adaptation maximizes throughput under harsh channel conditions
zFully compliant with the HomPlug 1.0.1
zSupport QAM 256/64/16, DQPSK, DBPSK and ROBO modulation schemes
zIntegrated Quality of Service (QoS) features such as prioritized random access, contention-free access
and segment bursting
zBuilt-in 56-bit DES data encryption
zShared broadband internet access
zPC files and applications sharing
zPeripheral and printer sharing
zAudio / video stream sharing
zWindows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/ MAC/ Linux system compliant
zWeight: 210 mg

17
Appendix C: Troubleshooting
Common Problems and Solutions
1. None of the LEDs light up after I installed the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge.
• Unplug the product from computer and AC outlet then re-plug it again. Make sure the AC
outlet is working properly.
2. I can’t connect to other computers in the PLI-2021 network or to the Internet.
• Make sure the IP address and TCP/IP protocol are set up correctly for all the power line
networked computers.
• Make sure all devices on the PLI-2021 network have been configured using Configuration Utility. The
network password must be the same for all devices.
FAQ
Q: Does the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge cause interference with other home networking
or Power line products?
A: No. The HomePlug Ethernet Bridge can co-exist with phone line and wireless networking technologies.
Instant Power Line operates in a different frequency band than PowerLine control and can co-exist with other
technologies.
Q: How does the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge handle signal interference between two adjacent homes? How is
eavesdropping prevented?
A: The HomePlug Ethernet Bridge uses 56-bit DES security encryption to ensure network separation
between homes. To enable 56-bit DES security encryption on Instant PowerLine products, you must run the
PowerLine Configuration Utility on each and every Instant PowerLine product.