Phonex Broadband NeverWire 14 User manual

NeverWire 14
User Guide

© 2002 Phonex Broadband Corporation. All rights reserved. All Phonex Broadband
brand and product names are trademarks of Phonex Broadband Corporation. Other
product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their
respective owners.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, elec-
tronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of
Phonex Broadband Corporation.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Version 1, May 2002
Phonex Broadband Corporation
6952 High Tech Drive
Midvale, UT 84047-3756
800-257-0601
www.phonex.com

NeverWire 14
User Guide
Awarded ‘Best
of Innovations’
Phonex Broadband Corporation
is proud to be the first company
worldwide to market a broadband
networking device that turns any electrical outlet into a
10BaseT Ethernet portal.
The NeverWire 14 is the winner of the Best of Innovations
2002 award in the Home Data Networking category of
products from the Consumer Electronics
Association. As the most widely renowned
consumer technology awards program,
Innovations recognizes the best designed
and engineered products in digital
communications technology.

1 Introduction 1
A History of Leadership ................................................1
Where to Find Information ............................................2
2 Quick Start Guide 4
3 Welcome to Home Networking 8
Learning about Home Networking ..............................8
Taking Advantage of Powerline Technology..............10
4 Uses for the NeverWire 14 12
File Sharing....................................................................12
Sharing Printers and Other Devices ..........................12
Internet Access Sharing ..............................................13
Putting It All Together ..................................................14
5 Getting to Know the NeverWire 14 15
Prerequisites ..................................................................15
Package Contents..........................................................16
The NeverWire 14..........................................................17
6 ConnectingYour Hardware 19
Selecting Locations for the NeverWire 14 ................19
Connecting a Single Computer ..................................20
Connecting a Broadband Modem ..............................22
Connecting to a Hub or Switch ..................................24
Security Encryption ......................................................26
Moving the Units ..........................................................28
Contents
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14

7 ConfiguringYour Computer(s) 29
BeforeYou Start ............................................................30
Overview ........................................................................31
DeterminingYour Operating System..........................32
Windows 95/98/98SE ....................................................33
Windows Millennium Edition (Me), NT, 2000,
and XP Pro/XP Home ..................................................42
Macintosh ......................................................................43
8 Troubleshooting 44
Troubleshooting Process Steps....................................44
Problem List ..................................................................51
Indicator Lights ............................................................52
Diagnostics ....................................................................53
Technical Support ........................................................55
9 Frequently Asked Questions 56
Top Five Questions ........................................................56
Benefits/Applications Questions ................................57
Networking/Equipment Questions..............................58
Installation Questions ..................................................59
Ongoing Use Questions................................................60
Appendices 62
Specifications ................................................................63
Ordering Information ..................................................64
Glossary..........................................................................65
Index ..............................................................................70
FCC Statement ..............................................................72
Safety..............................................................................73
Contents
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14

Introduction
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
1
Thank you for purchasing the NeverWire 14 home networking
system.The NeverWire 14 allows you to share files, printers, and
high-speed Internet access at any electrical power outlet in your
home or office. We are confident you will enjoy the many benefits
of this innovative device.
A History of Leadership
Phonex Broadband Corporation, based in Midvale, Utah, is a
privately held company recognized as the world’s leading
developer of powerline technology. Our proprietary technologies
enable voice and data devices to communicate reliably using
standard electrical wiring. We have been designing, manufac-
turing, and marketing a broad base of telephone accessories,
communication equipment, and Internet access products for over
twelve years, and over 9 million nodes of our products have been
installed worldwide.
The strong history of Phonex Broadband’s successes has resulted
in a knack for being“first to market”with the most innovative
solutions for the digital home of today.The NeverWire 14 is proof
of the company’s leadership in the home networking arena.
1

PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
Where to Find Information
Your NeverWire 14 product is backed by helpful information
designed to get your home network up and running quickly and
securely.
Quick Start Guide
Use the quick installation instructions to guide you in the most
common setup tasks.There is a separate Quick Start Guide in the
package box as well as on pp. 6-8.
User Guide
This manual offers more detailed installation instructions, along
with suggestions about configuring your home network and
helpful references, including a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
file, a Troubleshooting Guide, and a Glossary.
Web Site
See the Phonex Broadband Corporation web site for the latest
product news, or to find a convenient retail source for additional
NeverWire 14 units:
http://www.phonex.com
2
1Introduction

Where to Find Information
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14 3
Technical Support
If you have questions about your NeverWire 14, please contact us
in one of these ways.
On the Web Site
http://www.phonex.com
By Email or Fax
Contact us by email or fax at any time:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: [phone]
By Telephone
The Customer Service Center is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.The number is toll-free from anywhere in the U.S.:
800-257-0601

Quick Start Guide
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
2
The following Quick Start Guide will help you to set up your
NeverWire 14’s quickly. For more details on setup, refer to
Chapter 5,“Getting to Know the NeverWire 14,”and Chapter 6,
“ConnectingYour Hardware.”
Also see“Safety”in the Appendices at the end of this User Guide.
After setting up your NeverWire 14’s with the Quick Start Guide,
refer to Chapter 7,“ConfiguringYour Computer(s),”for helpful
instructions about setting up your home network.
4

PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14 5
2Quick Start Guide
Verify that you have TWO or more
NeverWire 14 units. The NeverWire 14
home networking system requires at
least two units to function. You cannot
establish a network with only one
NeverWire 14 unit.
Check contents of box--You should
have one NeverWire 14 unit, one Power
Cord, one Ethernet Cable, one User
Guide, one Quick Start Guide and one
Registration card per box. If you do
not have all of these materials,
please call at 1-800-257-0601, visit our
web site at www.phonex.com, or email
us at [email protected].
Step 3
Step 1: Verify Number Of Units
Step 2: Box contents
Step 3: Connect Power Supply
Plug both power cords into
the NeverWire 14 units.
Plug both power cords into the wall.
• Installing units near halogen lamps, light
dimmers and touch lamps may cause
interference and slow data transfer speeds.
• In addition, units will not function if plugged
into a surge protector.
Before you
begin your
NeverWire 14
Installation,
please note:

Quick Start Guide
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14 6
Within a few seconds of plugging units in,
LED lights (at the top of the unit) will
begin to flash.
The PLC R/A LED should now be on.
This indicates that the units are ready to
connect to each other via your outlets.
The SECURE LED should now be
on, blinking off every five seconds.
This indicates that the units are
using default security encryption.
Step 4: Verify Operation
Step 5: Setting Security (optional)
Advanced security encryption prevents neighboring
households from accessing your data traffic over
the powerline system. Setting security encryption
is recommended. If you do NOT want to set
encryption, go to step 7. If you would like to set
security encryption, press the SECURE button
on the top of ONE unit for FIVE seconds. The
SECURE LED will blink rapidly. This indicates
that the first unit is waiting for other units to
set their security encryption. Go to step 6.
Step 6: Setting Security On Additional Units
After setting the first unit in step 5, go to each other unit in
your home and press the SECURE LED button for only ONE or
TWO seconds. The SECURE LED on the top of the unit will flash
for about five seconds and then go solid. You then have FIVE
minutes to get to the next unit. After setting security
encryption, all secure LEDs will stay on solid (no flashing).
At this point, either wait five minutes for the security
feature to activate, or press the SECURE button on
the first unit for five seconds again to finish the
security setting cycle.
Note: Unplugging the units will not deactivate the
Security setting.

PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14 7
2Quick Start Guide
Refer to HUB/PC switch on the side of the units.
Set the switch to PC on any
NeverWire 14 units that will
be installed for a computer
or network printer.
Set to HUB all other
NeverWire 14 units that
will be installed to
cable/DSL modems, hubs,
switches, or other network
access devices.
Step 7: HUB/PC Switch Settings
Step 8: Turn Off All Devices
Shut off power to all the device that will be
connected to the NeverWire 14 units. You may
leave the NeverWire 14 units plugged in.
Step 9: Plug In Ethernet Cables
Plug an Ethernet cable into each NeverWire 14
and connect the cable to the Ethernet port of
the device it will be networking (computers,
cable modems, etc.).
Step 10: Turn On All Devices/Verify Operation
Turn on all the devices. Once all devices are up and running,
the ETH L/A LED (Ethernet) on each installed NeverWire 14
should now be on, indicating an Ethernet connection
has been established. (A flashing ETH L/A LED
indicates network traffic.)
Enjoy your new Home Network!
There are some Ethernet devices that use the PC setting instead of the HUB
setting, if the ETH LA light does not come on, try the other switch setting.

Welcome to Home
Networking
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
3
Your NeverWire 14 system allows you to tap into a new world of
home networking.This section explains some of the advantages
of home networking and how powerline technology makes it
even easier to bring into your home or small office.
Learning about Home Networking
Networks
A network is a system of interconnected computers and other
devices. A network can be specific to a local area within a room,
house, or building – a local area network, or LAN – or it can
cover a wide area spanning many buildings, or even across cities
and regions – a wide area network, or WAN.
Networks can connect to other networks, forming ever-larger
interconnections among people and their digital devices.The
widest collection of networks created so far is the Internet, which
links up millions of computers worldwide in a vast web of infor-
mation exchange.
8

PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
Bringing It Home
Within the home or small office, it is now possible to set up a
local area network that is connected to the Internet via a high-
speed, or broadband, access. Some examples of broadband
access are Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, and Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN). Broadband technology makes it
possible to use bandwidth-intensive services in the home such as
streaming audio/video and interactive computer gaming.The
rapid proliferation of personal computers (PC’s) in the home has
also spurred the need to link up resources and devices.
So whether you want to work from the living room couch,
outside on the patio, or upstairs in a comfortable bedroom, your
home network lets you stay connected to the flow of information
from the Internet, and, via the Internet, to the activities of busi-
nesses, other homes, and many other enterprises. It also allows
you to share files and printers with other computers on the
network, or to play games with other people on the network.
Components
Essentially, each network consists of these components:
•Nodes: Computers and other devices with network interface
cards (NIC’s)
Some computers and peripherals like modems, printers, and
scanners are now manufactured with NIC’s already installed.
You can also purchase NIC’s separately and install them
yourself.
•Links: Transmission lines or other means to handle the
transfer of data
When networks were first created, the communication among
network nodes was done over cable lines, either coaxial
cable, which resembles television cable, or twisted pair cable,
9
3Welcome to Home Networking

Learning about Home Networking
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14 10
which looks like the wire that connects your telephone to the
wall jack. Now, however, network communications can be
handled in a variety of ways, including over regular phone
lines, with serial cables, by radio waves (wireless), and over
powerlines.
Networks may also have a hub or switch, used to route traffic
among the nodes of the network, much like a telephone switch-
board routes calls between telephones.
Taking Advantage of Powerline
Technology
Phonex Broadband has engineered solutions that provide a way
to readily access communications signals in the home affordably
and conveniently, with no additional wiring. The NeverWire 14 is
the first high-speed home networking product that provides
access to data devices over the powerline.
How Powerline Carrier (PLC) Technology Works
Because most data communication is electrical in nature, normal
home electrical wiring can be used to transmit modulated elec-
trical signals. Powerline carrier technology takes advantage of
the existing bandwidth of the power cable to transmit data over
existing home power wiring.The transceivers made by Phonex
Broadband plug into the wiring system and translate the modu-
lated signals into meaningful data, which is then sent via
Ethernet cable to computers and other devices.
Advantages of Powerline Carrier Technology
Phonex Broadband Corporation uses PLC technology in the
engineering and design of all of its products and believes this
technology to be the most functional, convenient, and low-cost

PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
solution to today’s home networking needs. Powerline carrier
technology makes it possible for virtually any home or small
office to have its own network, with these advantages:
•Ease and simplicity: No new wiring is necessary.
Connection to the network is available from any power
outlet in the home.
•Distance: Nodes on the network can be up to 150 feet apart.
•Construction independent: The signal can travel through
walls and floors.
•Mobility: The ports can move to new locations, and no
settings are lost.
11
3Welcome to Home Networking

Uses for the
NeverWire 14
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
4
The NeverWire 14 uses the existing electrical wiring in your
home or office to pass digital signals between Ethernet-enabled
devices.This creates a variety of opportunities for connectivity in
the home or office. Whether you have one computer and need to
access a broadband modem in another location in the house, or
you have multiple computers to connect, powerline carrier tech-
nology in the NeverWire 14 makes it a snap to connect up a
home network.
File Sharing
• Transfer files between computers across the network without
the need of a floppy disk.
• Back up your files onto a second computer across the
network.
Sharing Printers and Other Devices
• Print to any printer that is connected to a computer on the
network. Or print to stand-alone Ethernet-enabled printers.
12

PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
• Use other devices that are attached to another computer and
not available on your computer. For example, if your computer
does not have a CD-ROM drive, you can use a CD-ROM drive
on another computer on the network to install software, read
files, or play games.
Internet Access Sharing
• Place your computer anywhere in the house and still access
your broadband modem via the powerline. Cable modem
comes into the basement den, and you want to surf the Net
from your second-floor bedroom? Powerline technology
makes it easy.
• Share your broadband Internet access with all computers in
the house.The shared DSL, ISDN, or cable modem lets all
users browse the Internet from any electrical outlet in your
home.
• Access office resources and email from your home office.
13
4Uses for the NeverWire 14

Putting It All Together
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14 14
Putting It All Together
This configuration diagram shows some of the many possibilities
for using the NeverWire 14 in your home or office:

Getting to Know
the NeverWire 14
PhonexBroadband NeverWire 14
5
Prerequisites
You will need the following:
•Power outlets to the electrical wiring system of your home or
office
Note: The NeverWire 14 unit will not work if plugged
into a surge suppressor.
•Network interface card (NIC) for each computer or device
you want to connect, supporting 10BaseT or 10/100BaseT
Ethernet
Note: The NeverWire 14 will not work with Ethernet devices
that support only 100BaseT Ethernet.
•Broadband access through an Internet service provider (if
using the NeverWire 14 to access the Internet)
15