NETGEAR XAV2602 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
July 2013
202-11314-01
Powerline PassThru Adapters
User Manual
Models:
XAV2602
XAV5401
XAV5602

2
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product.
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product
at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.
NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates, additional
documentation, and support, visit 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/general/contact/default.aspx.
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. © NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.

3
Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
XAV2602 Powerline 200 Nano PassThru 2-Port Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . .6
XAV5401 Powerline 500 PassThru 1-Port Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
XAV5602 Powerline 500 Nano PassThru 2-Port Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . .8
LED Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Button Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Ethernet Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Filtered AC Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Product Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
How the Powerline PassThru Adapter Fits into Your Network. . . . . . . . . .10
Set Up the Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Set Up a New Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Add the Adapter to an Existing Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Powerline Network Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Chapter 2 Using NETGEAR genie
Install NETGEAR genie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Powerline Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Security Icon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
View the Link Rate Between Powerline Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Change the Name of a Powerline Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Turn LEDs Off or On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Set the Powerline Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Reset a Device to Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Add a Device to the Powerline Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting
Basic Functioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Troubleshooting Buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Troubleshooting LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
LEDs Are Off When the Powerline Device Is Plugged In . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Power LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Powerline LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Ethernet LED Is Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
If You Do Not See All Your Devices with the NETGEAR genie . . . . . . . . .30
If You Do Not See the Powerline Icon on Your Network Map . . . . . . . . . .30
Symantec Endpoint Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

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Powerline PassThruAdapter
Appendix A Supplemental Information
XAV2602 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
XAV5401 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
XAV5602 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Appendix B Notification of Compliance

5
1
1. Getting Started
This chapter describes your Powerline PassThru 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 includes:
•Hardware Features
•How the Powerline PassThru Adapter Fits into Your Network
•Set Up the Powerline Network
•Powerline Network Security
•Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the NETGEAR support
website at http://support.netgear.com.

Getting Started
6
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Hardware Features
This section describes the hardware features of the Powerline PassThru adapters. Adapters
vary by region. Your adapter might look different.
XAV2602 Powerline 200 Nano PassThru 2-Port Adapter
The hardware features of the XAV2602 adapter are shown in the following figure.
Ethernet ports
Security
button
Factory Reset
button
Power
LED
Ethernet
LED
Powerline
LED
FilteredAC
socket
Figure 1. XAV2602 hardware features

Getting Started
7
Powerline PassThruAdapter
XAV5401 Powerline 500 PassThru 1-Port Adapter
The hardware features of the XAV5401 adapter are shown in the following figure.
Ethernet port
Filtered AC
socket
Power LED
Powerline LED
Ethernet LED
Factory Reset
button
Security
button
Figure 2. XAV5401 hardware features

Getting Started
8
Powerline PassThruAdapter
XAV5602 Powerline 500 Nano PassThru 2-Port Adapter
The hardware features of the XAV5602 adapter are shown in the following figure.
Ethernet ports
Power
LED
Ethernet
LED
Powerline
LED
FilteredAC
socket
Security
button
Factory Reset
button
Figure 3. XAV5602 hardware features

Getting Started
9
Powerline PassThruAdapter
LED Descriptions
The LEDs indicate the status of your Powerline adapter
Table 1. LED descriptions
Item Description
Power LED •Solid green. The electrical power is on.
•Blinking green. The adapter is in the process of setting up security.
•Amber. The adapter is in power saving mode. If the Ethernet port is inactive for more
than ten minutes, the adapter enters power saving mode.
•Off. There is no electrical power or the LEDs have been turned off using NETGEAR
genie.
Powerline LED •Solid. The adapter is connected to a Powerline network.
•Off. The adapter has not found any other compatible Powerline devices using the same
encryption key.
The PickA Plug feature lets you pick the electrical outlet with the fastest link rate, indicated by
the color of the LED:
Green. Link rate > 80 Mbps
(Fast) Amber. Link rate > 50 and < 80 Mbps (Medium) Red. Link rate < 50 Mbps (Slow)
Ethernet LED •Solid green. The Powerline adapter is connected through the Ethernet port to a
powered-on Ethernet device.
•Off. There is no Ethernet connection.
.
Button Descriptions
The buttons on your Powerline adapter let you do the following:
•Factory Reset button. Use the Factory Reset button to return your Powerline PassThru
adapter to its factory default settings. Press the Factory Reset button for two seconds,
and then release it.
•Security button. Once the Powerline adapters are active, you can use the Security
button to secure your Powerline network with a private encryption key. See Use the
Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 14.
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.

Getting Started
10
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Filtered AC Socket
The filtered AC socket can remove some electrical noise that might affect Powerline
performance. Plugging the power plugs of nearby devices into the filtered AC socket
improves performance.
Product Label
The product label is on the back of the adapter. The label shows unique details specific to
your device, including the following information.
•Model number
•Powerline MAC address
•Ethernet MAC address
•Serial number
•Device password
How the Powerline PassThru Adapter Fits into Your
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.

Getting Started
11
Powerline PassThruAdapter
The following illustration shows a Powerline network with one Powerline device in Room 1
and a second Powerline device in Room 2.
Room 1 Room 2
Figure 4. A Powerline network with two Powerline PassThru adapters
To form a Powerline network, you need at least two compatible Powerline devices.
For best performance, plan the location of your Powerline devices.
•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.

Getting Started
12
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Set Up the Powerline Network
You can set up a new Powerline network that includes the Powerline PassThru adapter or you
can add the Powerline PassThru adapter to an existing Powerline network.
Set Up a New Powerline Network
Different Powerline models can share the same Powerline network.All NETGEAR Powerline
AV products are compatible.
To set up a new Powerline network:
1. Make sure that your wired Ethernet connections are
working. If you have an existing wireless network,
make sure that it is connected to the Internet.
a. On a computer that is connected to your router or
gateway using an Ethernet cable, open a web
browser and navigate to a web page.
b. On a computer or device that is connected to your
wireless network, open a web browser and
navigate to a web page.
2. Plug the one Powerline device into a wall outlet near
your router or gateway. Then, connect the device to the
LAN port on your router or gateway using an Ethernet
cable.
3. Plug the second Powerline device into a wall outlet
where you want to add Internet access. Second
Powerline
device
4. (Optional) You can use the provided Ethernet cable to
connect the Powerline device 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.
5. 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 and Powerline LEDs stop blinking, the
process is complete. If the Powerline LEDs are green or
amber, the devices are successfully connected to the
Powerline network. A red Powerline LED indicates a
slow link rate. In this case, move the Powerline device
to another electrical outlet with a faster connection.
6. Secure your Powerline network.
See Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 14.
First
Powerline
device

Getting Started
13
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Add the Adapter to an Existing Powerline Network
If you have an existing Powerline network, make sure one of the Powerline devices is
connected to your router or gateway so that the Powerline network is linked to your local area
network (LAN). Your Powerline network must have two or more compatible Powerline
devices that communicate with each other.
To add the Powerline PassThru adapter to a Powerline network:
1. If you used the Security buttons or NETGEAR genie to secure your Powerline network,
press the Factory Reset button for two seconds on each Powerline device to return it to
its factory default settings.
This is the quickest way to allow your Powerline PassThru adapter to communicate with
the other Powerline devices.
2. Plug the Powerline PassThru adapter into a wall outlet
where you want to add Internet access.
3. (Optional) You can use the provided Ethernet cable 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.
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.
When the Power and Powerline LEDs stop blinking,
the process is complete. If the Powerline LEDs are
green or amber, the devices are successfully
connected to the Powerline network. A red Powerline
LED indicates a slow link rate. In this case, move the
Powerline device to another electrical outlet with a
faster connection.
5. Secure your Powerline network.
See Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on page 14.

Getting Started
14
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Powerline Network Security
A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline devices using the same network
encryption key. Securing your network is crucial. By encrypting the information that you send
over the Powerline network, you help to keep it secure from hackers. 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. This concern is especially relevant in settings such as apartment buildings, office
buildings, dorm rooms, and other more populated areas.
You can use either the Security button on the Powerline device or NETGEAR genie to secure
your Powerline network.
•Use the Security button on the Powerline device to automatically generate a random
private encryption key. See Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key on
page 14.
•Use NETGEAR genie to configure your Powerline network with a private encryption key
that you specify. See Chapter 2, Using NETGEAR genie.
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
Note: 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. Either press the
Factory Reset button for two seconds, then release it, or use the
NETGEAR genie factory reset feature. (See Reset a Device to
Factory Default Settings on page 24.)
You can use the Security button to replace the default encryption key with a random private
encryption key. The default encryption key is HomePlugAV.
To set the encryption key:
1. Make sure that all of the Powerline devices that you want to configure are plugged in.
Verify that the Power and Powerline LEDs on each device are lit solid green.
CAUTION:
Do not press the Security button on the Powerline devices until the Power
and Powerline 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. (Press the Factory Reset
button for two seconds, then release it).

Getting Started
15
Powerline PassThruAdapter
2. Press the Security button on the first Powerline device for two seconds.
•The Power LED starts blinking after you release the button.
•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.
•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 Powerline LEDs are lit solid green, the two
devices can communicate over the Powerline network in a secure way.
Note: This process works for only one pair of Powerline devices at a time.
If you have 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.

16
2
2. Using NETGEAR genie
This chapter explains how to install NETGEAR genie and use it to manage your Powerline
network. NETGEAR genie works with all Powerline devices.
You can use NETGEAR genie to manage a local Powerline device that is connected to your
computer with an Ethernet cable and also to manage other Powerline devices on the same
network.
This chapter includes:
•Install NETGEAR genie
•Powerline Map
•View the Link Rate Between Powerline Devices
•Change the Name of a Powerline Device
•Turn LEDs Off or On
•Set the Powerline Encryption Key
•Reset a Device to Factory Default Settings
•Add a Device to the Powerline Network

Using NETGEAR genie
17
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Install NETGEAR genie
NETGEAR genie allows you to set a private encryption key for your Powerline network and
manage devices on your Powerline network.
You can manage the Powerline network using any computer that is connected to your
Powerline network.All devices on a Powerline network can be managed from one computer.
Note: If you already have NETGEAR genie installed on your computer,
you must reinstall the latest version to get support for Powerline
products.
NETGEAR genie is a free download available from the NETGEAR website.
To install NETGEAR genie on your computer:
1. Launch an Internet browser and visit www.netgear.com/genie.
2. Download the version of NETGEAR genie that corresponds to your operating system.
3. Run the file that you downloaded and follow the setup prompts to install NETGEAR genie.
4. Click the Finish button to complete the setup.
The NETGEAR genie shortcut icon displays on your desktop.
NETGEAR genie is installed on your computer.

Using NETGEAR genie
18
Powerline PassThruAdapter
Powerline Map
The Powerline Map screen is where you view and manage your Powerline network.
To navigate to the Powerline map:
1. On a computer that is connected to your Powerline network, launch NETGEAR genie.
2. From the NETGEAR genie Home screen, click Network Map on the dashboard or select it
from the list of menu items on the left.
3. On the Network Map screen, click the Powerline icon.
The Powerline map displays.

Using NETGEAR genie
19
Powerline PassThruAdapter
•For management options, right-click the icon of the device that you want to manage.
•If all devices are not shown, click the Refresh icon to update the screen.
•Move your cursor over a device icon to view more information about the device.
Refresh
icon
Device
information
Powerline
icon
Security
icon Device
icon
Security Icon
Click the Security icon on the Powerline map to go to the Security screen.
•If the Powerline devices are secured using the default encryption key, the
unlocked Security icon displays.
•If the Powerline devices are secured using a private encryption key, the locked
Security icon displays.
For more information about setting the encryption key, see Set the Powerline
Encryption Key on page 22.

Using NETGEAR genie
20
Powerline PassThruAdapter
View the Link Rate Between Powerline Devices
To view the link rate between your Powerline devices:
On the Powerline map, click the icon of the device whose link rate you want to view.
A pop-up screen displays.
•Tx. The rate at which the device is transmitting data.
•Rx. The rate at which the device is receiving data.