ZyXEL Communications PLA6457 User manual

Default Login Details
User’s Guide
PLA6457
G.hn Wave 2 Powerline Pass-through Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Copyright © 2021 Zyxel and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Default Network Name G.hn Network
LAN IP Address http://DHCP-assigned
IP
Default Password FLYPIG2400
Version 1.0 Ed. 2, 08/2021

PLA6457 User’s Guide
2
IMPO RTANT!
READ C AREFULLY BEFO RE USE.
KEEP THIS G UIDE FO R FUTURE REFERENC E.
Screenshots and graphics in this book may differ slightly from what you see due to differences in release
versions or your computer operating system. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
in this manual is accurate.
Re la te d Do c ume nta tio n
•QuickStartGuide
The Quick Start Guide shows how to connect and set up the PLA in your network.
•MoreInformation
Go to sup po rt.zyxe l.c o m to find other information on the PLA.

PLA6457 User’s Guide
3
Do c um e nt C o nve ntio ns
Wa rning s a nd No te s
These are how warnings and notes are shown in this guide.
Wa rning s te ll yo u a b o ut thing s tha t c o uld ha rm yo u o r yo ur d e vic e .
Note: Notes tell you other important information (for example, other things you may need to
configure or helpful tips) or recommendations.
Synta x C o nve ntio ns
• The PLA6457 in this user’s guide may be referred to as the “PLA” in this guide.
• Product labels, screen names, field labels and field choices are all in b o ld font.
Ic o ns Use d in Fig ure s
Figures in this user guide may use the following generic icons. The PLA icon is not an exact
representation of your device.
PLA Router Laptop Computer
Internet Fax Printer Printer
Desktop Smart TV Set-top Box

Table of Contents
PLA6457 User’s Guide
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Ta b le o f C o nte nts
Do c um e nt C o nve ntio ns ......................................................................................................................3
Ta b le o f C o nte nts .................................................................................................................................4
Pa rt I: Use r’s G uide ............................................................................................ 6
C ha p te r 1
Intro duc ing the PLA .............................................................................................................................7
1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1.1 G.hn Standard ......................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 LEDs .................................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3 Standby Mode .................................................................................................................................. 9
1.4 Ways to Manage the PLA ................................................................................................................ 9
1.5 Expand Your Network with the PLA ................................................................................................ 9
1.6 Security ............................................................................................................................................ 10
1.6.1 Domain Name ....................................................................................................................... 10
1.6.2 Setting Up Encrypted Pairing ............................................................................................... 10
1.7 Multiple Networks ........................................................................................................................... 11
C ha p te r 2
RESET a nd ENC RYPT Butto ns...............................................................................................................12
2.1 ENCRYPT Button .............................................................................................................................. 12
2.2 Adding Devices to a G.hn Network ............................................................................................. 12
2.3 Multiple Separate G.hn Networks ................................................................................................. 14
2.4 RESET Button .................................................................................................................................... 15
Pa rt II: Te c hnic a l Re fe re nc e ........................................................................... 16
C ha p te r 3
We b C o nfig ura to r...............................................................................................................................17
3.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 17
3.1.1 G.hn Network Security .......................................................................................................... 18
3.2 System Login .................................................................................................................................... 18
3.3 G.hn Settings ................................................................................................................................... 19
3.4 IP Settings ......................................................................................................................................... 20
3.5 Ethernet Settings ............................................................................................................................. 22

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3.6 Device Settings ............................................................................................................................... 23
3.7 Multicast Settings ............................................................................................................................ 25
3.8 Log File Settings ............................................................................................................................... 27
C ha p te r 4
G .hn Ne two rk Se tup Tuto ria l .............................................................................................................29
4.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 29
4.2 Important Terms .............................................................................................................................. 29
4.3 Accessing Your PLA ........................................................................................................................ 29
4.4 Adding a PLA .................................................................................................................................. 30
4.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New PLA ................................................................................ 32
C ha p te r 5
Tro ub le sho o ting ..................................................................................................................................34
5.1 Power and Light Problems ............................................................................................................. 34
5.2 Web Configurator Problems .......................................................................................................... 35
5.3 Powerline Problems ........................................................................................................................ 36
5.4 ENCRYPT Button Problems ............................................................................................................. 36
Appendix A Customer Support ....................................................................................................... 38
Appendix B Legal Information ......................................................................................................... 44
Inde x ...................................................................................................................................................47

6
PART I
Use r’s G uide

PLA6457 User’s Guide
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CHAPTER 1
Intro duc ing the PLA
1.1 O ve rvie w
This chapter introduces the main applications and features of your Zyxel G.hn Powerline adapter, which
is called “PLA” in this guide.
The PLA plugs into an ordinary power outlet to easily extend a cable or DSL broadband connection or
existing Ethernet (LAN) network to any other electrical outlet in any room of a house, all without the
need for any new cabling. The AC power pass-through feature allows you to unplug electrical device
from a power socket, plug the PLA into the socket and then plug the electrical device back into the
PLA. The power plug varies depending on your region.
In the following diagram, the first PLA (PLA1) connects to an Internet gateway such as a modem and
plugs into an ordinary power outlet. The second PLA (PLA2) plugs into another power outlet and
connects to a computer. PLA1 and PLA2 communicates through ordinary power lines.
Fig ure 1 PLA Application
Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information.
In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring network is referred to as the “G.hn Network”.
Table 1 PLA Features
PO RT/ FEATURE PLA6457
Number of Gigabit Ethernet ports 1
AC Pass-Through YES
Encrypt Button YES
Reset Button YES
Maximum PHY Rate over Powerline 1200 Mbps
PLA1
PLA2

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA
PLA6457 User’s Guide
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1.1.1 G .hn Sta nda rd
G.hn is a specification for home networking devices that operates over power lines. G.hn specifies the
point-to-point security inside a domain, which means that each pair of transmitter and receiver uses a
unique encryption key which is not shared by other devices in the same domain. Devices can securely
communicate with each other at high data transfer rates.
The PLA uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information.
1.2 LEDs
The following section describes the lights (LEDs) on the PLA.
The following figure is the front panel of the PLA. Use the lights to determine if the PLA is behaving
normally or if there are some problems on your G.hn Network.
Fig ure 2 PLA Lights
The following table describes the behavior of the lights on the PLA.
Table 2 LEDs
LIG HTS IC O N C O LO R STATUS DESC RIPTIO N
POWER Green On The PLA is on and receiving power.
Blinking The power LED blinks when it is in standby mode that allows you
to save on power during periods of inactivity. Refer to Section 1.3
on page 9 for details on this feature.
Off The PLA is not receiving power.
POWERLINE Green On The PLA detects another PLA and can transmit and/or receive
data at greater than 80 Mbps.
Amber The PLA detects another PLA and can transmit and/or receive
data between 20 – 80 Mbps.
Red The PLA detects another PLA and can transmit and/or receive
data between 0 – 20 Mbps.
Green/
Amber/
Red
Blinking The PLA is communicating with another PLA. Data is being
transmitted and/or received.
Off The PLA does not detect another PLA.

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA
PLA6457 User’s Guide
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1.3 Sta ndb y Mo de
You can set your PLA to save on power when there is no Ethernet connection or activity. Use the Web
Configurator’s Ethe rne t screen to set the period of time when the PLA will go into standby mode. Refer
to Section 3.5 on page 22 for details on this feature.
The PLA’s power LED blinks signaling that it is going into standby mode. The Ethernet LED, Encrypted
Pairing LED, and Powerline LED are turned off in standby mode.
Note: While in standby mode, you cannot use the RESETand ENC RYPT buttons. To enable the
RESETand ENC RYPTbuttons again, you have to connect the PLA’s Ethernet cable to a
computer/notebook or modem/router first. The PLA wakes up from standby mode and
you can start using the RESETand ENC RYPT buttons.
1.4 Wa ys to Ma na g e the PLA
Use the ENC RYPTbutton to add PLAs to your G.hn Network. See Chapter 2 on page 12 for instructions on
using the ENCRYPT feature.
Use the Web Configurator to manage the PLA. See Chapter 3 on page 17 for instructions on using the
Web Configurator.
1.5 Expa nd Yo ur Ne two rk with the PLA
Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLAs into other outlets in your home and
connecting other computers or network devices (for example, a Smart TV) to them.
ENCRYPTED
PAIRING
Green On It indicates the PLA is connected to another device in encrypted
pairing mode. The transmitter and receiver uses a unique
encryption key for point-to-point security.
Blinking It indicates the PLA is trying to connect with another device in
encrypted pairing mode.
Off Encrypted pairing mode is disabled.
ETHERNET Green On The 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet connection is up.
Blinking The PLA is communicating with a networking device connected
to it.
Off The PLA does not detect any devices connected to its ETHERNET
port.
Table 2 LEDs (continued)
LIG HTS IC O N C O LO R STA TUS DESC RIPTIO N

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA
PLA6457 User’s Guide
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Fig ure 3 Expand Your Network with the PLA
Connect your first PLA (PLA1) to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary
power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA (PLA2) in Room1 into another power outlet and connect
a computer to the PLA for Internet access. Plug a third PLA (PLA3) in Room2 into another power outlet
and connect a Smart TV to the PLA for streaming video. Plug a fourth PLA (PLA4) in Room3 into another
power outlet and connect a Smart TV to the PLA for streaming video.
1.6 Se c urity
Since your G.hn Network may extend outside your premises, it is important to set up security on your PLA.
1.6.1 Do m a in Na m e
You can use the domain name to identify your PLA in the G.hn Network.
1.6.2 Se tting Up Enc rypte d Pa iring
The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up encrypted pairing on your G.hn Network using the ENC RYPT
button (see Section 2.1 on page 12 for more information). It involves authenticating the identity of the
two PLAs to be paired and encrypting the link.
Alternatively, use the Web Configurator to set up encrypted pairing on the PLA. Although the PLA is a
“plug-and-play” network expanding solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the G.hn
Network in your home.
1It is easy and only requires you to change a network name.
Table 3 Domain Name Summary
IDENTITY DESC RIPTIO N
Domain Name Your PLA follow the G.hn standard and is shipped with the same domain name “G.hn
Network”. Change the domain name through the Web Configurator or RESETbutton to
create a private network. See Section 3.4 on page 20.