NETGEAR Powerline 1200 User manual

Powerline 1200
User Manual
Models
PL1200
PLP1200
January 2016
202-11566-01
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA

Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product.You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help,
access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community.We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR
support resources.
Trademarks
©NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks
are used for reference purposes only.
Compliance
For current EU Declaration of conformity, visit http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
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Powerline 1200

Contents
Chapter 1Your Powerline Adapter
PL1200...................................................................................................................5
PLP1200................................................................................................................5
LED Descriptions...................................................................................................6
Button Descriptions................................................................................................7
Ethernet Port..........................................................................................................7
Extra Outlet............................................................................................................8
Product Label.........................................................................................................8
Chapter 2 Powerline Networks
How the Powerline Adapter Fits intoYour Network..............................................10
Set Up a New Powerline Network........................................................................11
Add an Adapter to an Existing Powerline Network...............................................13
About Powerline Network Security.......................................................................14
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key..............................................14
Chapter 3Troubleshooting
LEDs Are Off When the Powerline Device Is Plugged In.....................................17
Power LED Is Off.................................................................................................17
Power LED Is Amber............................................................................................17
Pick A Plug LED Is Off, Amber, or Red................................................................17
Ethernet LED Is Off..............................................................................................18
Appendix ATechnical Specifications and Safety Information
Powerline PL1200 Technical Specifications.........................................................20
Powerline PLP1200 Technical Specifications.......................................................21
Safety Information................................................................................................22
3

1
Your Powerline Adapter
This chapter describes your Powerline adapter and how your adapter fits into a home network. It also explains the
security features and how to secure your Powerline network with a private encryption key.
This chapter contains the following sections:
•PL1200
•PLP1200
•LED Descriptions
•Button Descriptions
•Ethernet Port
•Extra Outlet
•Product Label
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the NETGEAR support website at support.netgear.com.
4

PL1200
The hardware features of the Powerline PL1200 adapter are shown in the following figure. Note that adapters vary
by region.Your adapter might look different.
1
2
3
4 5 6
Figure 1. PL1200 hardware features
Power LED1
Ethernet LED2
Pick A Plug LED3
Ethernet port4
Factory Reset button5
Security button6
PLP1200
The hardware features of the Powerline PLP1200 adapter are shown in the following figure.Note that adapters vary
by region.Your adapter might look different.
Your Powerline Adapter
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1
2
45
6
3
Figure 2. PLP1200 hardware features
Power LED1
Ethernet LED2
Pick A Plug LED3
Ethernet port4
Factory Reset button5
Security button6
LED Descriptions
The LEDs indicate the status of your Powerline adapter.
Your Powerline Adapter
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Table 1. LED descriptions
DescriptionItem
Solid green.The electrical power is on.
Solid amber.The adapter is in power saving mode.
Blinking green.The adapter is in the process of setting up security.
Off.The adapter is not receiving electrical power.
Power LED
Solid green.The Ethernet port is linked.
Off. No Ethernet connection is detected.
Ethernet LED
The Pick A Plug feature lets you pick the electrical outlet with the
strongest performance, indicated by the color displayed by the
LED:
Red. Link rate < 50 Mbps (good).
Amber. Link rate > 50 and < 80 Mbps (better).
Green. Link rate > 80 Mbps (best).
Off.The adapter did not find any other compatible Powerline
devices using the same encryption key.
Pick A Plug LED
Button Descriptions
Use the buttons to restore to the factory configuration and to create a secure Powerline network.
Table 2. Button descriptions
DescriptionButton
Press the Factory Reset button for one second, and then release it to return the Powerline
adapter to its factory default settings.
Factory Reset
Use the Security button to create a secure Powerline network.Security
Ethernet Port
Powerline adapters use an Ethernet port to convert a standard electrical wall outlet into a high-speed wired network
connection.You can use the wired network connection to bring Internet connectivity to any device with an Ethernet
port, such as a computer, game console, Blu-ray player, smart TV, HD set-top box, or network DVR.
Your Powerline Adapter
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Extra Outlet
For models with an extra outlet, you must observe a few restrictions on how you use the extra outlet.
The technical specifications for your model provide socket outlet ratings.See Technical Specifications and Safety
Information on page 19. See Safety Information on page 22 for general guidelines for use.
Product Label
The product label provides unique details specific to your device.
The product label displays the following:
•Model number
•Powerline MAC address
•Ethernet MAC address
•Serial number
•Device password
Your Powerline Adapter
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2
Powerline Networks
This chapter describes the setup and configuration of Powerline networks.
This chapter contains the following sections:
•How the Powerline Adapter Fits intoYour Network
•Set Up a New Powerline Network
•Add an Adapter to an Existing Powerline Network
•About Powerline Network Security
•Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
9

How the Powerline Adapter Fits intoYour Network
You can use one or more Powerline adapters to extend Internet access throughout your home.
A Powerline network consists of two or more compatible Powerline devices that communicate with each other using
your electrical power lines. One of the Powerline devices is connected with an Ethernet cable to your router so that
the Powerline network is linked to your local area network (LAN). Connecting one Powerline device to your router
allows all the Powerline devices on the Powerline network to communicate with the router and use its Internet
connection.
The following illustration shows a Powerline network with one Powerline device in Room 1 and a second Powerline
device in Room 2.
Figure 3. Poweline Adapters Connecting Two Rooms
To form a Powerline network, you need at least two compatible Powerline devices.
For best performance, follow these guidelines when you plan the location of your Powerline devices:
Powerline Networks
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•Use an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a wall switch to avoid accidentally turning off the power to the
outlet.
•Avoid plugging Powerline products into electrical outlets that are located near appliances that consume a lot of
power, such as washers, dryers, or refrigerators. Interference from these appliances might prevent Powerline
products from working correctly or reduce Powerline network performance.
•Do not plug Powerline products into a power strip, extension cord, or surge protector. Connecting a Powerline
product to one of these devices might prevent the product from working correctly or reduce Powerline network
performance.
Set Up a New Powerline Network
You can use two or more Powerline adapters to form a network or extend an existing network to additional wired
Ethernet devices.
Powerline networks use an encryption key common to all adapters on the network.You can use the default key or
a private key.We recommend that you use a private key.This procedure sets a private key.
To set up a new Powerline network:
1. If you are extending an existing wired network, make sure that your wired Ethernet connections are working by
navigating to a web page from a computer connected to your router or gateway using an Ethernet cable.
2. Plug one Powerline device into a wall outlet near your router or gateway.
3. Connect the device to the LAN port on your router or gateway using an Ethernet cable.
Powerline Networks
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4. Plug the second Powerline device into a wall outlet where you want to add Internet access.
5. Use the Ethernet cable that came with your adapter to connect the Powerline device to an Ethernet port on a
computer, game console, Blu-ray player, or other peripheral device.
6. Wait until the Pick A Plug LEDs are lit.
7. To use a private encryption key, press the Security button on one of the adapters for two seconds, and then
press the Security button on the other adapter for two seconds.
Both buttons must be pressed within two minutes.
WARNING:
Do not press the Security button on the Powerline adapter until installation is complete
and the adapters are communicating with each other (indicated by the blinking Power
LED).Pressing this button too soon can temporarily disable Powerline communication.
If this occurs, use the Factory Reset button to return the Powerline adapter to its
factory default settings.
The Security button does not work in power saving mode.Note
8. Wait for the Powerline network to recognize each Powerline device.
This process could take as little as 5 seconds or up to 80 seconds.
When the Power LEDs stop blinking, the process is complete. If the Pick A Plug LEDs are green or amber, the
devices are successfully connected to the Powerline network. A red Pick A Plug LED indicates a slow link rate.
In this case, move the Powerline device to another electrical outlet with a faster connection.
9. If you are installing additional adapters, repeat Step 7 with one of the secure adapters and one of the adapters
that is not yet secured.
See Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 14.
Powerline Networks
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Add an Adapter to an Existing Powerline Network
You can add additional adapters to an existing Powerline network.
To add an adapter to a Powerline network:
1. Plug the adapter into a wall outlet where you want to add Internet access.
2. (Optional) Use the Ethernet cable that came with your adapter to connect the adapter to an Ethernet port on a
computer, game console, Blu-ray player, or other peripheral device.
The Powerline devices attempt to detect each other and form a Powerline network.
3. If you used a private encryption key, press the Security button on one of the adapters that is already a part of
the network for two seconds, and then press the Security button on the new adapter for two seconds.
Both buttons must be pressed within two minutes.
See Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 14.
WARNING:
Do not press the Security button on the Powerline adapter until installation is complete
and the adapters are communicating with each other (indicated by the blinking Power
LED).Pressing this button too soon can temporarily disable Powerline communication.
If this occurs, use the Factory Reset button to return the Powerline adapter to its
factory default settings.
The Security button does not work in power saving mode.Note
4. Wait for the Powerline network to recognize each Powerline device.
This process could take as little as 5 seconds or up to 80 seconds.
Powerline Networks
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When the Power LED stops blinking, the process is complete. If the Pick A Plug LEDs are green or amber, the
devices are successfully connected to the Powerline network. A red Pick A Plug LED indicates a slow link rate.
In this case, move the Powerline device to another electrical outlet with a faster connection.
About Powerline Network Security
A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline devices using the same network encryption key. By setting
up security, you configure your Powerline network to use a private key instead of the default key. If you do not set
up security on your network, anyone nearby with a Powerline network can potentially use his or her connection to
gain access to your network and information that you send over the Internet.
You can use the Security button on the Powerline device to create a private encryption key and secure your Powerline
network. See Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 14.
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
All Powerline networks start with the same default encryption key.You can use the Security button to replace the
default key with a random private key.This is especially relevant in settings such as apartment buildings, office
buildings, dorm rooms, and other more populated areas.
A Powerline device can generate a random private encryption key only once. If you want to
generate a new random key, first reset the Powerline devices to their factory default settings.
Press the Factory Reset button for two seconds, and then release it.
Note
To set the encryption key:
1. Make sure that all of the Powerline devices that you want to configure are plugged in by checking that the Power
and Pick A Plug LEDs on each device are lit solid green.
Do not press the Security button on the Powerline devices until the Power and Pick A Plug
LEDs on each Powerline device are lit solid green. Pressing the Security button too soon
can temporarily disable Powerline communication.If Powerline communication is disabled,
reset the Powerline device to its factory default settings by pressing the Factory Reset button
for two seconds and then releasing it.
Note
2. Press the Security button on the first Powerline device for two seconds.
The Power LED starts blinking after you release the button, and then the Powerline device automatically creates
a new, randomly generated encryption key that all other Powerline devices on the network will use.
At this point, the Powerline devices cannot communicate with each other.
3. Within two minutes of pressing the Security button on the first Powerline device, press the Security button on
the second Powerline device for two seconds.
You must press both Security buttons within two minutes.
Powerline Networks
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Powerline 1200

The Power LED starts blinking after you release the button.This process allows the second Powerline device
to use the same private encryption key as the first device so that they can communicate.
When the Power LEDs stop blinking and the Pick A Plug LEDs are lit solid green, the two devices can
communicate over the Powerline network in a secure way.
This process works for only one pair of Powerline devices at a time.If you use more than
two Powerline devices, repeat this process for each additional Powerline device to be
configured.The devices retain security settings even if they are unplugged.
Note
Powerline Networks
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3
Troubleshooting
You can take various steps to diagnose and solve problems that you might encounter.
The first step in troubleshooting your Powerline adapter is to check the LEDs. After you plug in the Powerline device,
the following sequence of events occurs:
1. The Power LED lights.
2. After approximately 10 seconds, verify the following:
•The Power LED is solid green.The device is powered on.
•If the device is connected to a Powerline network, the Pick A Plug LED is lit.
•If the Powerline device is connected through the Ethernet port to a powered-on Ethernet device, the Ethernet
LED is lit.
If no LEDs are lit, see LEDs Are Off When the Powerline Device Is Plugged In on page 17.
If the Power LED is not lit, see Power LED Is Off on page 17.
If the Power LED is amber, see Power LED Is Amber on page 17.
If the Pick A Plug LED is not lit, see Pick A Plug LED Is Off, Amber, or Red on page 17.
If the Ethernet LED is not lit, see Ethernet LED Is Off on page 18.
If you do not find the solution here, visit the NETGEAR support site at support.netgear.com for product and contact
information.
16

LEDs Are OffWhen the Powerline Device Is Plugged In
The common reason the LEDs are off is that power is not being provided to the device.
Make sure that power is supplied to the electrical outlet.
Power LED Is Off
If the Power LED is off, the adapter is not receiving electrical power.You can try various troubleshooting tips.
First, make sure that power is supplied to the electrical outlet and that the Powerline device is not plugged into an
extension cord, power strip, or surge protector. Next, press the Factory Reset button on the Powerline device for
two seconds to return the device to its factory default settings.
Power LED Is Amber
If the Power LED is amber, the adapter is in power saving mode.You can investigate why the adapter is in power
saving mode, and wake it.
The adapter enters power saving mode when the Ethernet link is inactive for more than 10 minutes.The Ethernet
link is inactive if any of the following occurs:
•The Ethernet cable is unplugged.
•The peripheral device that is connected through the Ethernet port is turned off.
•The Powerline adapter is idle.
To wake a Powerline device from power saving mode:
1. Connect a powered-on Ethernet device to one end of the Ethernet cable.
2. Connect the Powerline device to the other end of the Ethernet cable.
The Powerline device returns to normal mode within two seconds.
Pick A Plug LED Is Off, Amber, or Red
If the Pick A Plug LED is off, you can try various troubleshooting tips.
If the Pick A Plug LED is off, the Powerline devices cannot find each other.Try these troubleshooting tips:
•Make sure that the Powerline devices are plugged into wall outlets with power and that they use the same
network encryption key.
•Move the Powerline device to an outlet that is closer to the computer or devices.
•If you set a private encryption key, make sure that all Powerline devices are using the same encryption key.
•If the problem occurred after you set the encryption key, reset each device to its factory default settings.Then
try setting the encryption key again.
•If the LED is amber or red, move the Powerline device to another electrical outlet with a faster connection.
Troubleshooting
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Powerline 1200

Ethernet LED Is Off
If the Ethernet LED is off, the Ethernet port on the adapter is not linked; you can try various troubleshooting tips.
If your Powerline device is connected to the LAN port of your router, make sure of the following:
•Your router and modem are turned on.
•The computer connected directly to the router can access the Internet.
If your Powerline device is connected to a computer, game console, Blu-ray player, or other peripheral device, make
sure of the following:
•The peripheral device is turned on.
•The Powerline device is securely connected to the peripheral device using an Ethernet cable.
Press the Factory Reset button on each Powerline device for two seconds to return the device to its factory default
settings.
Troubleshooting
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A
Technical Specifications and Safety
Information
This appendix provides technical specifications and safety information for Powerline PL 1200 adapters.
•Powerline PL1200 Technical Specifications on page 20
•Powerline PLP1200 Technical Specifications on page 21
•Safety Information on page 22
19

Powerline PL1200Technical Specifications
The PL1200 adapter meets the technical specifications defined in the following table.
Table 3. Powerline PL1200 technical specifications
SpecificationFeature
IEEE 802.3 (10BASE-T), IEEE 802.3u (100BASE-Tx)Data and routing protocols
100–240V, 0.2A (max.)AC input
AU: 10A, 250V; EU: 16A, 250V; NA: 15A, 125V; UK: 13A, 250VSocket outlet rating (max. load)
Normal: 4W; Power saving mode: <0.5WPower consumption
100 x 56 x 30 mm (4.5 x 2.2 x 1.18 in.)Dimensions
112.5 g (0.25 lb)Weight
0°to 40°C (32º to 104ºF)Operating temperature
10–90% maximum relative humidity, noncondensingOperating humidity
5–95% maximum relative humidity, noncondensingStorage humidity
128-bit AESSecurity encryption type
8 (active), 16 (total):number of nodes that can be added to a
single network
MAC addresses
1200 MbpsBandwidth
HomePlug AV2 compliant
(Not compatible with HomePlug v1.0 or HomePlug v1.0Turbo)
Compatibility
Up to 1200 Mbps with real throughput greater than 80 MbpsData transfer rate
2–68 MbpsFrequency band
OFDM windowed modulationModulation type
FCC Part 15 Class B; CE-EMC Class B; 3-home FCC
Certificate; ICES-003; EN50561-1
Electromagnetic emissions
UL Listed (UL 60950-1) /cUL IEC 60950-1; CE LVD; LCIE CBSafety agency approvals
Technical Specifications and Safety Information
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Powerline 1200