NETGEAR Powerline 1200 User manual

Quick Start
Powerline 1200
Model PL1200

2
Package Contents
In some regions, a resource CD is included with your product.

3
Getting Started
Powerline adapters give you an alternative way to extend your network
using your existing electrical wiring. Plug two or more Powerline adapters
into electrical outlets to create a wired network connection. You can add
up to 16 Homeplug AV-certified and AV2-certified adapters to extend
your network. For a complete list of Homeplug AV-certified devices, visit
http://www.homeplug.org/certified_products.

4
Power LED
Factory Reset button
Ethernet port
Pick A Plug LED
Ethernet LED
Security button
Meet Your Adapter
Before you install your adapter, familiarize yourself with its LEDs,
buttons, and port.

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Power LED 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.
O. The adapter is not receiving electrical power.
Ethernet LED Solid green. The Ethernet port is linked.
O. No Ethernet connection is detected.
Pick A Plug LED The Pick A Plug feature lets you pick the electrical outlet
with the strongest link 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).
O. The adapter did not find any other compatible Powerline
devices using the same encryption key.
Factory Reset
button
Press the Factory Reset button for one second, then release
it to return the Powerline adapter to its factory default
settings.

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Ethernet port Use an Ethernet cable to connect your wired devices,
including computers, WiFi routers, or game consoles, to your
Powerline network.
Security button Use the Security button to create a secure Powerline
network.

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Install Your Adapters
Room 1 Room 2

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Secure Your Network
¾To create a secure network:
1. Plug in your new adapters.
2. Wait until the Pick A Plug LEDs are lit.
3. Press the Security button on one of the adapters for two seconds,
then press the Security button on one of the other adapters in your
existing network for two seconds.
Both buttons must be pressed within two minutes.
4. If you are installing additional adapters, repeat Step 3 with one of the
secure adapters and one of the adapters that is not yet secured.
Note: The Security button does not work in power saving mode (see
Troubleshooting Tips on page 10).
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 Pick A Plug 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.

9
Add Adapters
To add adapters before you configure the security feature, just plug them
in and connect the adapters to your equipment.
¾To add adapters to a Powerline network with security set:
1. Plug in and connect the new adapters.
2. On any of the adapters that are already a part of the secure network,
press and hold the Security button for two seconds.
3. On the new adapter, press and hold the Security button for two
seconds.
Both buttons must be pressed within two minutes.

10
Troubleshooting Tips
Power LED is o. Make sure that power is supplied to the electrical
outlet, and that the Powerline devices are not plugged
into an extension cord, power strip, or surge protector.
Power LED is blinking
amber.
Power saving mode occurs when the Ethernet LED is
o. This can occur in the following circumstances:
• The Ethernet cable is unplugged.
• The device connected through the Ethernet cable
is turned o.
• The adapter is idle for 10 minutes.
It returns to normal mode within two seconds
aer the Ethernet link is up.
Pick A Plug LED is o. • If you already set network security, make sure
that all Powerline devices are using the same
encryption key. See the online user manual for
details.
• Press the Factory Reset button on each device
for one second to return the Powerline adapter to
its factory default settings.