NETGEAR XAVB5501 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
February 2011
202-10711-01
v1.0
XAV5501 Powerline AV+
500 Adapter
User Manual

2|
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
©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, or get support online,
visit us 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, ReadyNAS, ProSafe, Smart Wizard, Auto Uplink, X-RAID2, and NeoTV are
trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Vista are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or
trademarks of their respective holders.
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.
Revision History
Publication Part Number Version Publish Date Comments
202-10711-01 v1.0 February 2011 First publication

Contents |3
Contents
Chapter 1 Installation and Basic Configuration
How the Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter Fits in Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Powerline XAV5501 Adapter Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
XAV5501 Product Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
LED and Feature Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Installing Your Powerline XAV5501 Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Prepare for Installation: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Connecting a Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter to the Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Adding Adapters to Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Understanding Powerline Network Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Set the Encryption Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Chapter 2 Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility
Installing the XAV5501 Powerline Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Powerline Utility Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Change the Name of a Powerline Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Turn LEDs On or Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Set Encryption Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Set Up Quality of Service (QoS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Reset a Device to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Add a Device to a Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Security Icon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Return to the Default Network Encryption Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting
Product Registration and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Basic Functioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
LED Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Problems after Changing the Network Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Appendix B Notification of Compliance
Index

Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration |4
1
1. Installation and Basic Configuration
This chapter describes how to install and configure the XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter. It
also explains the security features and how to customize the encryption key for added security.
How the Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter Fits in Your Network
You can use one or more Powerline XAV5501 Adapters to extend your Ethernet network
anywhere in your house using your existing electrical power lines. following illustration shows
an existing Powerline network with one Powerline device Room 1, and second Powerline
device added in Room 2:
Room 1 Room 2
Figure 1. Powerline Adapter Connected to an Ethernet Network

Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration |5
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Powerline XAV5501 Adapter Features
The following illustration shows the front and side panels of the XAV5501:
LEDs
Security
button
Factory
Reset
button
Figure 2. XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter
XAV5501 Product Label
The product label on the rear panel of the XAV5001 contains the items listed below:
• Model number
• MAC address
• Device password
• Serial number
LED and Feature Descriptions
The following table describes the buttons, status LEDs, and Ethernet port on the XAV5501
Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter.

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XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Table 1. Model Number Feature Descriptions
Table 2.
Item Description
Power
LED • Solid green. The electrical power is on.
• Blinking green.The adapter is in the process of restarting or setting up security.
• Amber. Power saving mode. The unit enters power saving mode if the Ethernet port is not
linked for more than 10 minutes.
• Off. There is no electrical power, or has been turned off through the Powerline utility.
Powerline
LED • 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, or has been turned off through the Powerline utility.
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: Link rate > 80 Mbps
(Best) - Good for HD video Amber: Link rate >50, < 80 Mbps (Better) - Good for SD Video Red: Link rate < 50 Mbps (Good) - Good for data
Ethernet LED • 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, or it has been turned off through the Powerline utility.
Factory
Reset Press the Factory Reset button for 1 second, then release to return the Powerline adapter to
its factory default settings.
Security
Button If you set security on your other adapters, after you plug your new AV adapter into the wall socket, press its security button for 2 seconds; then press the Security button on any
adapter in your existing network for 2 seconds. Both buttons must be pressed within 2
minutes.
Note: The Security button does not work in power saving mode. The unit enters power
saving mode if the Ethernet port is not linked for more than 10 minutes.
Ethernet Port Plug one end of the Ethernet cable that comes with the XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter
into this port and the other end either into your router, or into the computer or other peripheral
devices.

Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration |7
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Installing Your Powerline XAV5501 Adapter
Prepare for Installation:
1. Before you begin, verify the following:
• Your Ethernet network is set up.
• An Ethernet port is available on your router.
• Your Internet connection is working.
• An Ethernet port is available on each computer that will use a Powerline XAV5501
Adapter and is configured to work on your network. Usually, the default configuration
settings (TCP/IP and DHCP) are fine.
2. Familiarize yourself with the Powerline XAV5501 Adapter.
The front panel has three lights: Power, Powerline, and Ethernet. The side panel has a
Security button, and a Reset button. The Ethernet port is located on the bottom of the
adapter. See Figure 2 on page 5.
3. Plan the location of your 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 connect the Powerline XAV5501 Adapter to a
power strip, extension cord, or surge protector as this
might prevent it from working correctly, or reduce the
network performance.
• Avoid using the Powerline XAV5501 Adapter in an
electrical outlet that is located near an appliance that
uses a lot of power, such as a washer or dryer, or a
refrigerator. This could potentially prevent the adapter
from working correctly, or reduce network
performance.

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XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Connecting a Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter to the Router
1. Plug an XAV5501 into a power outlet near your router.
Use the supplied gray Ethernet cable to connect from the XAV5501 to a LAN port on your
router so that the Powerline network can gain access to the Internet. The Power and
Ethernet LEDs on the Powerline XAV5501 Adapter should turn on.
XAV5501 Powerline
AV+ 500 Adapter
Supplied Ethernet cable
Router
Laptop PC
Desktop PC
Note: It is not necessary to disconnect your router from your computer.
Figure 3. Connecting the XAV5501 to a Router
2. Once the Powerline adapter is plugged in and power is first applied, check to see that the
Power LED is on.
3. After approximately 10 seconds, check to see that:
a. The Power LED is solid green.
b. The Powerline LED is lit.
c. The Ethernet LED is on or blinks.

Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration |9
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Adding Adapters to Your Network
Once the first adapter is installed and connected to your router, you can easily add adapters
into your network.
To add Powerline adapters:
1. Be sure the first Powerline adapter is connected to your router.
2. Plug additional Powerline adapters into power outlets near the other computers and
additional peripheral devices to be included in your Powerline network.
3. Use the gray Ethernet cable from the XAV5501
package to connect from the
Figure 4. Add an adapter
Powerline adapter
to an Ethernet port located on the other
computer or peripheral device.
4. Wait for each Powerline adapter to be
recognized by the Powerline network.
The Power, Ethernet, and Powerline LEDs
should turn on. This could take as little as 5
seconds, or up to 80 seconds. For details
about how the LEDs work, see Table 1 on
page 6.
5. Test to make sure that each computer
connected to a Powerline XAV5501 Adapter can
access the Powerline network.
For example, be sure that you can access the
Internet from a remote computer.
One way to test this is to install the Powerline
utility and use it to view all the computers
connected by the Powerline AV Ethernet adapter.
CAUTION:
NETGEAR recommends that you secure your Powerline network from
unauthorized access. This is especially relevant in settings such as
apartment buildings. See Understanding Powerline Network Security on
page 10.

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XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Understanding Powerline Network Security
A Powerline network consists of two or more Powerline adapters using the same network
encryption key. Securing your network is crucial. By encrypting the information you send over
the Powerline XAV5501 Adapter, 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 their
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 more populated areas.
Powerline devices connected to the same network must use an identical encryption key. The
security used by Powerline XAV5501 Adapters is similar to the SSID and encryption keys
used in wireless networks, but you do not need software to configure Powerline XAV5501
Adapters.
There are two ways to secure your Powerline network.
• Use the Security button located on the Powerline adapter to automatically generate a
random encryption key. See Set the Encryption Key .
• Use the XAV5501 Powerline Utility to configure your Powerline network with an
encryption key that you specify. If you are already using Powerline or HomePlug devices
then you will need to use the Powerline Utility. If not already installed, the Powerline Utility
should be installed on your computer. See Installing the XAV5001 Powerline Utility on
page 12.
For information about using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility to configure Powerline security
or to prioritize Powerline network traffic using the Quality of Service (QoS) feature, see
Chapter 2.
Note: To return the XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter to its factory
default settings, see Reset a Device to Factory Settings on page 17.
Set the Encryption Key
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.
Note: Before you change the Encryption key, you need to install the
Powerline adapters and get them up and running. Otherwise, they
might not be able to communicate with each other.

Chapter 1. Installation and Basic Configuration |11
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
To set a private encryption key:
1. Verify that all the Powerline XAV5501 Adapters to be configured are plugged in.
2. On the first Powerline XAV5501 Adapter, press its Security button for 2 seconds.
The power LED starts blinking after you release the button.
The adapter automatically produces a new, randomly generated network encryption key
that each Powerline XAV5501 Adapter 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, both buttons must be pressed within 2 minutes.
This securely configures your Powerline network with the same network encryption key.
4. If your network has more than 2 adapters, press the Security button on the additional
adapter for 2 seconds, then push the Security button on any additional adapters in your
existing network for 2 seconds. Both buttons must be pressed within 2 minutes. The
adapters retain security settings even if they are unplugged.
Note: An adapter can generate a private encryption key only once. To
start over, first reset the adapter back to its factory defaults, then
follow the previous procedure. See Reset a Device to Factory
Settings on page 17.

Chapter 2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility |12
2
2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility
This chapter explains how to install and use the XAV5501 Powerline Utility. The Powerline Utility
works with all Powerline AV products. The models XAV101, XAV101v2, XAV1004, XAV1501,
XAV2001, XAV2501, XAVN2001, XAV5001, and XAV5004 are compatible and can share the
same powerline network.
Use the NETGEAR Powerline Utility to:
• Configure encryption for your Powerline network
• Perform diagnostics and monitor performance
• Set quality of service (QoS) features to prioritize Powerline network traffic
• Reset adapters to factory default settings
Installing the XAV5501 Powerline Utility
This utility allows you to set your own unique Powerline network encryption key, and prioritize
traffic passing through your Powerline network.
To install the XAV5501 Powerline Utility:
1. From your browser, go to this URL link:
http://support.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/16168
2. Under Product Quick Links, click Powerline Utility Version 2.0.0.8.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the Powerline Utility Version 2.0.0.8 page, and right-click the
Right-click and Save to Download button.
4. On the pop-up menu, select Save Target As, and save the Powerline utility to the directory
of your choice.
5. Click the Run button when prompted.

Chapter 2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility |13
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
The Welcome screen displays:
6. Click Next, follow the wizard prompts, and click Finish when the wizard is done.
The Powerline Utility shortcut icon appears on your desktop:
7. There are two ways to launch the Powerline Utility:
• Click the Powerline Utility shortcut icon located on your desktop.
• Navigate to Start > Programs > NETGEAR > NETGEAR Powerline Utility
Powerline Utility Screen
When launched, the Powerline Utility opens to a screen that shows all of the devices in your
Powerline network. If all devices are not shown, click the Refresh button to detect all
Powerline Adapters on your network.

14 |Chapter 2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Figure 5. Powerline Utility main screen
Note: The Information box at the bottom of the screen provides tips and
information for using this utility page.
From the Powerline Utility screen, you can do the following:
• Change the Name of a Powerline Device
• Turn LEDs On or Off
• Set Encryption Keys
• Set Up Quality of Service (QoS)
• Reset a Device to Factory Settings
Change the Name of a Powerline Device
Powerline devices are shown in the Powerline network by the model number and name. Any
Powerline devices that are plugged in and connected are detected by the Powerline Utility,
and will be shown on the Powerline Utility main screen. If no name has been assigned to a
Powerline device, the device is shown as un-named.

Chapter 2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility |15
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
To name any 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 appears:.
2. Click 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 On or Off
For each device in your Powerline network, you can turn LEDs on or off. To do this, follow
these steps:
1. Click the Powerline device icon on the Powerline Utility main screen.
2. On the pop-up menu, click Turn LED off.
Note: This function is a toggle. You can turn off LEDs if they are turned on,
or turn them on if they are currently turned off.
A message displays advising you that connectivity will be temporarily lost while the LEDs
are being reset.
3. Click OK, and the LEDs for the selected Powerline device are turned on or off.
Set Encryption Keys
By encrypting the information you send over the Powerline XAV5501 Adapter, 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 their connection to gain access to your network.

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XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
To set the Encryption Key for the Powerline network:
1. Click the Powerline device icon or the Security icon on the Powerline Utility main
screen.
2. On the pop-up menu, click Security. The following screen appears:
Figure 6. Security screen
3. Select the check box for each Device Name for which you want to set encryption keys.
4. In Step 2 on your screen, you have two options:
a. Use the Default Encryption Key option.
When you click this option, the factory default encryption key is automatically
populated in the field. The default network encryption key is HomePlugAV.
b. Create a new Encryption Key.
This option lets you set your own network encryption key. Type your network
encryption key in the field.
5. Click Apply Security to Selected Devices.
When completed, the utility displays a message indicating that the operation was
successful.
6. Click OK.
Set Up Quality of Service (QoS)
The Quality of Service (QoS) function helps you prioritize your Powerline network traffic.

Chapter 2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility |17
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
By default, all types of traffic on the Powerline network are assigned the same priority. For
most applications, this works fine. However, there are situations where performance
improves if you assign a higher priority to certain types of traffic, such as multimedia files.
To prioritize by general application type:
If your network traffic is a mix of multimedia and document/database traffic you might want to
give priority to a particular traffic type. If it is important that your multimedia playback is
smooth, even while document files are being transferred over the network, then give priority
to multimedia traffic. Conversely, if it is more important for your network to be responsive to
database applications, give priority to this type of application over multimedia applications.
The Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter supports the following:
• MAC address
• IP port
• VLAN tags
• ToS bits (Type of Service routing)
To set the priority of data transfers by the type of protocol:
1. Start the XAV5501 Powerline Utility and wait for the utility to detect the Powerline AV
Ethernet Adapters connected to the network.
You can go to the QoS screen from either the Security icon menu or the Powerline
device pop-up menu.
2. From the pop-up menu, click QoS (Quality of Service).
Figure 7. QoS Setup screen

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XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
3. To set the traffic prioritization rule into the selected Powerline AV Ethernet Adapter device,
specify the priority in the QoS Setup section of the screen.
4. Click Apply.
Note: QoS settings are applied only to the selected device.
These options only apply to QoS-configured business networks. IEEE 802.1p uses
prioritization bits in Layer-2 frames. Type of Service routing (ToS) uses prioritization bits
in Layer-3 IP packets. The deprecated ToS values range from 0 to 7.
Reset a Device to Factory Settings
The Factory Reset option returns the network encryption key to its factory default value of
HomePlugAV.
To reset to factory defaults:
1. On the Powerline Utility main screen, click the Powerline device icon.
2. From the pop-up menu, click Factory Reset.
3. Click OK to reset the device. A message indicates whether or not the operation succeeded.
Note: If you customized your network encryption key, the local Powerline
device will be 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.
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 Adding
Adapters to Your Network on page 9.

Chapter 2. Using the XAV5501 Powerline Utility |19
XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
• You can use the XAV5501 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 the computer
running the XAV5501 Powerline Utility is connected directly to the new Powerline adapter
(local) or is connected to a different device in the Powerline network (remote).
To add a device from a locally connected computer:
1. Plug the new Powerline adapter into an available AC power outlet.
2. Connect the Ethernet cable that came with the adapter to the adapter’s Ethernet port and an
Ethernet port on the computer.
3. Start the XAV5501 Powerline Utility, click the Refresh button, and wait for the utility to detect
the new device.
4. From the Device Name column select the device.
5. Re-name the device if you wish (see Change the Name of a Powerline Device on page 14).
6. Set the device’s Security option from the drop-down menu.
7. Click the Apply Security to Selected Devices button.
8. Click Close.
Verify that the devices in the Powerline network appear in the device list by clicking the Refresh
button on the Powerline Utility main screen. It might take a minute or two for all devices in the
network to be detected.
Security Icon
By clicking the Security icon on the Powerline Utility main screen, you can perform a
number of security functions, such as:
• Setting up the network encryption key
• Setting Quality of Service (QoS)
• Viewing a list of Powerline devices in your Powerline network
When you click the Security icon , the following menu displays:
Figure 8. Security Icon Menu

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XAV5501 Powerline AV+ 500 Adapter User Manual
Return to the Default Network Encryption Key
1. Make sure your Powerline XAV5501 adapter is connected to an AC power outlet.
2. Start the XAV5501 Powerline Utility, click the Refresh button, and wait for the utility to detect
the devices in your Powerline network.
Note: Before you can reset a remote device, you must enter its password.
The password is printed on the product label located on the back of
the adapter.
3. Click the Security icon and select Security from the pop-up menu.
4. Check the box next to any Powerline device you want to return to the default Encryption Key.
5. Click the Use Default Encryption Key button.
You will see the default encryption key, HomePlugAV, display in the encryption field.
6. Click Apply Security to Selected Devices.
When completed, the utility displays a message indicating that the operation was
successful.
7. Click OK.