NETGEAR XAV1301v1/XAVB1301v1 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
September 2011
202-10850-01
v1.0
Powerline AV 200 Mini
Adapter XAV1301
User Manual

2
Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
© 2011 NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated
into any language in any form or by any means without the written permission of NETGEAR, Inc.
Technical Support
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. To register your product, get the latest product updates, get support online, or
for more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the Support website at
http://support.netgear.com .
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at
http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/984
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and Connect with Innovation are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Information is subject to change
without notice. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective
holders. © 2011 NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Statement of Conditions
To improve internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to make changes
to the products described in this document without notice. NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur
due to the use, or application of, the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

3
Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Powerline Adapter in a Home Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Powerline Network Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Chapter 2 Powerline Utility
Install the Powerline Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Powerline Utility Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Security Icon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Change the Name of a Powerline Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Turn LEDs Off or On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Set the Powerline Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Reset a Device to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Add a Device to a Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Device List with Column-Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting
Basic Functioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
LEDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
If You Do Not See All Your Devices with the Powerline Utility. . . . . . . . . .20
Appendix A Supplementary Information
Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Appendix B Notification of Compliance

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1
1. Getting Started
This chapter describes your Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301, and how your adapters
can fit into a home network. For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit
the Support website at http://support.netgear.com.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Hardware Features
• Powerline Adapter in a Home Network
• Powerline Network Security
• Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key

Getting Started
5
Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Hardware Features
The package includes a Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301 and an Ethernet cable.
Powerline AV 200
Mini Adapter XAV1301
Ethernet cable
Figure 1. Package contents (North America)
Depending on where you purchased your adapter, it might look like one of these:
United States France Germany
Figure 2. Adapters in different regions
Ethernet port
Power LED
Ethernet LED Powerline LED
Factory Security button
Reset
button
Figure 3. Adapter LEDs, buttons, and Ethernet port

LED Description
Power • Solid green. The electrical power is on.
• Blinking green. The adapter is restarting or setting up security.
• Amber.Power saving mode.
• Off. There is no electrical power.
Powerline • Solid. The adapter is connected to a Powerline network.
• Blinking. The adapter is sending or receiving data.
• Off. The adapter has not found any other compatible Powerline devices using the same
encryption key.
The Pick A Plug feature lets you pick the electrical outlet with the strongest link rate, indicated
by the color displayed by the LED:
Green: (Best)
Link rate > 80 Mbps Amber: (Better) Link rate > 50 and < 80 Mbps Red: (Good) Link rate < 50 Mbps
Ethernet • Solid. The Ethernet port is linked, but there is no activity.
• Blinking. There is traffic on the Ethernet port.
• Off. There is no Ethernet connection.
Getting Started
6
Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Buttons
Two buttons are located on the side of the adapter:
• Security. After you plug in your new AV adapters, press the Security button for 2
seconds on both of the AV adapters. Both buttons must be pressed within 2 minutes.
The Security button does not work in power saving mode. The unit enters power saving
mode if the Ethernet port is idle (not linked) for more than 10 minutes.
• Reset. Press the Reset button for 1 second, then release to return the Powerline adapter
to its factory default settings.
Ethernet Port
Plug one end of the Ethernet cable that comes with the Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter
XAV1301 into this port and the other end either into your router, or into the computer or other
peripheral devices.
Powerline Adapter Label
The product label shows unique details specific to your adapter. The product label is located
on the back of the adapter. The label contains the following information.
• Model number
• MAC address
• Device password
• Serial number

Getting Started
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Powerline Adapter in a Home Network
You can use Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapters to extend your Ethernet network anywhere in
your home using your existing electrical power lines.
Here, an Ethernet cable connects the
router to the Powerline network. In another room, an Ethernet cable connects a computer to the Powerline network.
Ethernet
Figure 4. Powerline network with two Powerline adapters
For best performance, plan the location of your Powerline devices (to make a Powerline
network, you need at least two Powerline devices):
• Use an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a wall switch to avoid someone
unknowingly turning off the power to the outlet.
• Do not plug in Powerline products to a power strip, extension cord, or surge protector as
this might prevent them from working correctly, or reduce the network performance.
• Avoid plugging Powerline products into electrical outlets located near an appliance that
uses a lot of power, such as a washer or dryer, or a refrigerator. This could potentially
prevent the adapters from working correctly, or reduce network performance.
Different Powerline adapter models can share the network. All Powerline NETGEAR AV
products (models XAV101, XAV1004, XAV2001, XAV2501, and XAVN2001) are compatible.

Getting Started
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
To set up your Powerline network:
1. Make sure that your home router is up and running and that Ethernet wired connections
are working.
2. Install the first Powerline adapter based on the installation instructions that came in the
package.
3. Install the second Powerline adapter, which finds the adapter you just installed. The two
Powerline devices form a Powerline network.
4. Install any additional Powerline adapters that you plan to use.
5. Test to make sure that the computer or peripheral can access the Powerline network.
For example, on a computer, use the Internet. Another way to test this is to install the
Powerline Utility and use it to view all devices on the Powerline network.
6. NETGEAR recommends that you secure your Powerline network from unauthorized access,
especially in settings such as apartment buildings. See Powerline Network Security .
Powerline Network Security
A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline adapters using the same network
encryption key. Securing your network protects the information you send over the Powerline
network from unwanted access. 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 you send over the Internet. This is especially relevant in settings
such as apartment buildings, office buildings, dorm rooms, and other populated areas.
There are two ways to secure your Powerline network.
• Use the Security button to automatically generate a random encryption key.
• Use the Powerline Utility to specify an encryption key for your Powerline network. If you
already have a Powerline network, you need to use the Powerline Utility, which is located
on your Resource CD. See Chapter 2, Powerline Utility.
• To return the Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter to its factory default settings, press its
Factory Reset button for 1 second, then release.
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
An adapter can generate a private key only once. If you want to replace a private key, first
reset the adapters to their factory settings. To do this either press the Reset button for 1
second, then release; or use the Powerline Utility factory defaults feature (see Reset a
Device to Factory Settings on page 15).
You can use the security button to change the default encryption key and set a private
encryption key instead. The default encryption key is HomePlugAV.
To set the encryption key:
1. Verify that all the Powerline adapters to be configured are plugged in.

Getting Started
9
Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
CAUTION:
Do not press the Security button on the Powerline adapter until installation
is complete and all adapters on your network are plugged in and
communicating with each other. Pressing the Security button too soon can
temporarily disable Powerline communication. If this should occur, reset
the Powerline adapter to its factory default settings (press the Reset
button for 1 second, then release).
2. Press the Security button for 2 seconds.
• The Power LED starts blinking after you release the button.
• The adapter automatically creates a new, randomly generated network encryption key
that each Powerline adapter on the network will use.
At this point, the other adapters in your network cannot communicate with each other.
3. Within 2 minutes of pressing the Security button on the first adapter, press the security
button on the second adapter for 2 seconds.
In order to pair the devices, you need to press both buttons within 2 minutes.
This securely configures your Powerline network with the same network encryption key.
4. If your network has more than two adapters, press the Security button on the next adapter
for 2 seconds, then push the Security button on any additional adapters in your network for
2 seconds. The adapters retain security settings even if they are unplugged.

10
2
2. Powerline Utility
This chapter explains how to install and use the Powerline Utility. The Powerline Utility works
with many Powerline AV products. NETGEAR Powerline models XAV1004, XAV2001, and
XAVN2001 are compatible and can share the same Powerline network.
You can use the Powerline Utility to access a local Powerline device that is connected to your
computer with an Ethernet cable and also to access remote Powerline devices. Remote devices
are on the Powerline network, but are not directly cabled to the computer on which you are using
the Powerline Utility.
You can use the NETGEAR Powerline Utility to:
• Change the name of a Powerline device
• Turn LEDs on or off
• Set encryption keys
• Restore a device to default configuration settings
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Install the Powerline Utility
• Powerline Utility Screen
• Change the Name of a Powerline Device
• Turn LEDs Off or On
• Set the Powerline Encryption Key
• Reset a Device to Factory Settings
• Add a Device to a Powerline Network
• Device List with Column-Type
• About

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Install the Powerline Utility
This utility allows you to set your own unique Powerline network encryption key, and prioritize
traffic passing through your Powerline network.
All devices on a Powerline network can be managed from one computer. If you add another
Powerline device to a Powerline network, you can install the Powerline Utility on the
computer connected locally to the new adapter, or open the utility on the computer originally
used to set up the Powerline network encryption key. You can use any computer to manage
the network, but this procedure assumes that you are working from the computer that is
connected to a Powerline adapter.
To install the Powerline Utility:
The Powerline utility is a free download available from the NETGEAR support website.
1. Launch an Internet browser and visit
http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19401
2. Scroll down to display the download instructions:
3. Click the Click here to download button and download the utility to your computer.
4. Run the file that you downloaded, and follow the wizard prompts to install the Powerline
Utility. Click Finish to complete the wizard.
The Powerline Utility shortcut icon displays on your desktop.
5. There are two ways to launch the Powerline Utility:
• Click this icon located on your desktop.
• Select Start > Programs > NETGEAR > NETGEAR Powerline Utility.

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Powerline Utility Screen
When launched, the Powerline Utility opens to a screen that shows all the devices in your
Powerline network.
• Click the image of the device that you want to manage.
• If all devices are not shown, click the Refresh button to update the screen.
• The Information box at the bottom of the screen provides tips and information for using
this utility screen.
Security Icon
You can click the Security icon on the Powerline Utility main screen to go to the Security
screen, the Device list screen, or the About screen:

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Change the Name of a Powerline Device
Powerline devices are identified by their model number and name. Any Powerline devices
that are plugged in and connected are detected by the Powerline Utility, and are shown on
the Powerline Utility main screen. If no name has been assigned to a Powerline device, it is
shown as un-named.
To name a Powerline device in your Powerline network:
1. From the Powerline Utility main screen, click the device you want to name, and the
following pop-up menu displays:
2. Select Device Name. The utility responds that connectivity will be temporarily lost if you
continue.
3. Click OK. The following screen displays:
4. Enter a new name for the Powerline device, and click OK.
Turn LEDs Off or On
For each device in your Powerline network, you can turn the LEDs off or on. To do this, follow
these steps:
1. Click the Powerline device icon on the Powerline Utility main screen.
2. On the pop-up menu, select Turn LED off.
Note: This feature is a toggle. You can turn off LEDs if they are turned on, or
turn them on if they are currently turned off.
A screen displays advising you that connectivity will be temporarily lost while the LEDs are
being reset.

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Set the Powerline Encryption Key
Powerline devices that share the same Powerline network have to use the same encryption
key. The factory default encryption key is HomePlugAV.
In locations such as apartment buildings or office buildings, others might share the same
electrical power lines that you use for your Powerline network. To protect your Powerline
network from unwanted access, you can customize the encryption key for your Powerline
devices. Make sure that you set up exactly the same encryption key for all of your Powerline
devices so that they can communicate with each other.
You use the Security screen in the Powerline Utility to set encryption keys. If you customize
the encryption key and then forget what it is, you can return your Powerline devices to their
factory default Powerline encryption key of HomePlugAV.
To set the encryption key:
1. Click the Powerline device icon or the Security icon on the Powerline Utility main
screen.
The top section of the Security screen shows information about each device that the
Powerline Utility detects.
• Device Name. This lists the Powerline devices detected on the network after the
utility completes a scan for devices. The device name is initially set by the utility, but
you can change it to a descriptive name such as Office or Master Bedroom.
• Model. This identifies the model number of the Powerline adapter.
• MAC Address. The MAC address for the Powerline device. This is also on the
product label, which might not be visible when the device is plugged in.
• Device Password. To change settings for a remote Powerline device you have to
enter its password. The device password is located on the product label.
2. Select the check box for each device for which you want to set the encryption key.

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
3. In Step 2 on your screen, select the option that you want:
• Create a new Encryption Key. To set your own network encryption key, type your
network encryption key in the field.
• Use default Encryption Key. When you click this button, the factory default
encryption key automatically displays in the field. The default network encryption key
is HomePlugAV.
Note: Before you can reset the encryption key for a remote device, you have
to enter its password. The password is printed on the product label located on
the back of the adapter.
4. Click the Apply Security to Selected Devices button.
When you are finished setting the encryption key, the utility displays a message indicating
that the operation was successful.
5. Click OK.
Reset a Device to Factory Settings
This option returns the network encryption key to its factory default of HomePlugAV.
Note: If you customized your network encryption key, the local Powerline
device is disconnected from the network when you reset it to the
factory default. To avoid this problem, reset all remote devices
before you reset the local device.
To reset a device to its factory settings:
1. On the Powerline Utility main screen, click the Powerline device icon. The pop-up menu
displays:
2. Select Factory Reset. A message displays asking you to confirm the reset.
3. Click OK to reset the device. A message indicates whether or not the operation succeeded.

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Add a Device to a Powerline Network
If you are adding a device to a Powerline network, and the network encryption key has been
left at its default setting, all you need to do is plug the new device into a power outlet.
If the network encryption key has been customized, there are two ways to set the security:
• You can use the Security button to add the new device to your network. See Use the
Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 8.
• You can use the Powerline Utility to add the new device to the network, as described in
the following sections.
The procedure for setting the network encryption key depends on whether you use the
Powerline Utility on a computer connected directly to the new Powerline adapter (local) or a
different Powerline adapter (remote).
To add a Powerline device from a local computer:
1. Plug the Powerline adapter into an available AC power outlet.
2. Use the provided cable to connect the Powerline device to an Ethernet port on the computer.
3. Start the Powerline Utility, click the Refresh button, and wait for the utility to detect the new
device.
4. Click the device, and select Security from the drop-down list.
5. Set the encryption key for the device (see Set the Powerline Encryption Key on page 14).
Verify that the devices in the Powerline network are in the device list by clicking the Refresh
button. It might take a minute or two for all devices in the network to be detected.

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
Device List with Column-Type
You can display a list of Powerline devices instead of viewing the graphic display.
To display the device list:
1. Click the device to display the drop-down menu:
2. Select Device list with column-type from the drop-down list, and the following screen
displays:

Powerline Utility
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Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
About
You can display information about your Powerline Utility.
To display Powerline Utility details:
1. Click the device to display the drop-down menu:
2. Select About from the drop-down list, and the following screen displays

19
3
3. Troubleshooting
Basic Functioning
After you plug in the Powerline adapter, the following sequence of events should occur:
1. The Power LED lights up.
2. After approximately 10 seconds, verify that:
a. The Power LED is solid green.
b. The Powerline LED is lit.
c. The Ethernet LED lights or blinks.
Troubleshooting Tips
The Reset and Security buttons are located on the side panel of the adapter.
• Pressing the Reset button longer than 2 seconds does not reset the device.
• Pressing the Security button longer than 2 seconds does not activate security.
LEDs
The LEDs indicate activity, and can be used for troubleshooting.
LEDs Are Off When the Adapter Is Plugged In
• First check to make sure that the electrical outlet has power.
• If power is supplied and the LEDs stay off, someone might have used the Powerline
Utility to turn off the LEDs. Use the Powerline Utility to see if that is the case. If so, then
use the Powerline Utility to turn them back on.
Power LED
• Off. 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.
• Amber. Power saving mode occurs when the Ethernet LED is off. This can occur when:

Troubleshooting
20
Powerline AV 200 Mini Adapter XAV1301
-The Ethernet cable is unplugged.
-The device connected through the Ethernet cable is turned off.
-The adapter is idle for 10 minutes.
The adapter returns to normal mode within 2 seconds once the Ethernet link is up.
Powerline LED
• Off. The Powerline devices cannot find each other. Make sure that the Powerline devices
are plugged into outlets with power, and that they use the same network encryption key.
-Move the Powerline device to a location closer to the computer or devices.
-If you have set up network security, make sure that all Powerline devices are using
the same encryption key.
-If the problem occurred after you changed the network encryption key, reset each
device to its factory default settings. Then you can customize the encryption key.
• Amber or red. Move the Powerline device to a closer location.
Ethernet LED Does Not Blink
There is no data traffic. Make sure that:
-Your router and modem are switched on.
-The adapter’s cable is securely connected to a router LAN port.
-The PC connected directly to the router can access the Internet.
-Press the Reset button on each Powerline device for 1 second to return the
Powerline adapter to its factory default settings.
If You Do Not See All Your Devices with the Powerline
Utility
If you click Refresh on the main screen of the Powerline Utility, and do not see all the devices
you expect, it could be that a Powerline adapter is in power saving mode or is set to use a
different encryption key.
• Power saving mode. You might see a message at the bottom of the screen regarding the
power saving feature. If a unit goes into power saving mode, the Powerline Utility does
not find it. Keeping a connected Ethernet cable plugged into the device keeps it active so
that it does not go in to power saving mode.
• Encryption keys are different. To fix this, you can do one of the following:
-Reset your Powerline adapters to their factory settings and default encryption key.
Then set the encryption for all of your Powerline adapters.
-Connect your computer to each Powerline device and set up the network encryption
key for one adapter at a time.