NETGEAR Powerline 500 User manual

Installation
Powerline 500
Model XAVB5221

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

3
Getting Started
Powerline networking solutions give you an alternative to Ethernet-only
or wireless networks by extending your signal using the electrical wiring.
Plug 2 or more compatible Powerline 500 devices into electrical outlets to
create or extend your wired home network. In addition to Powerline 500
devices, you can add Homeplug AV certified adapters, for a total of up to
16 devices. For a complete list of Homeplug AV certified devices, go to
http://www.homeplug.org/certified_products.
You can use the Pick A Plug feature to choose the best combination of
outlets.
You can use the Security button on each Powerline device to secure the
links between the Powerline devices.

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

5
Power LED Solid green. The electrical power is on.
Blinking 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. 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 rate, indicated by the color displayed by the
LED:
Solid. The adapter is connected to a Powerline network.
• Green. Link rate > 80 Mbps (best)
• Amber. Link rate > 50 and < 80 Mbps (better)
• Red. Link rate < 50 Mbps (good)
O. The adapter has not found 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.

6
Ethernet port Connect your computers, networking equipment, and other
equipment that uses an Ethernet cable, to your Powerline
network.
Security button Use the Security button to create a secure Powerline
network.
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.
Note: If, aer creating a secure Powerline network, you want to add another
adapter, perform a factory reset on all of the adapters and then perform this
procedure.

7
Install Your Adapters
Room 1 Room 2

8
Secure Your Network
¾To create a secure network:
1. Plug in your new adapters.
2. Wait until the Pick A Plug LEDs are blinking.
3. Press the Security button 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.
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.
Note: If, aer creating a secure Powerline network, you want to add
another adapter, perform a factory reset on all of the adapters and then
perform this procedure.

9
Add Adapters
To add adapters before you have configured 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 all of the previously installed adapters, press and hold the Factory
Reset button for one second.
This returns them to the factory settings.
3. Secure the Powerline network:
a. On any of the adapters, press and hold the Security button
for two seconds.
b. On any one of the other adapters, 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 have set network security, make sure
that all Power line devices are using the same
encryption key; see the online user manual for
details.
• Press the Factory Reset button on each device
for 1 second to return the Powerline adapter to its
factory default settings.
Pick A Plug LED is
amber or red.
Move the Powerline device closer to the other
Powerline devices.