ZyXEL Communications PLA4231 User manual

Quick Start Guide
www.zyxel.com
PLA4231
500 Mbps Powerline Wireless N Extender
Version 1.00
Edition 3, 10/2013
Copyright © 2013 ZyXEL Communications Corporation
User’s Guide
Default Login Details
LAN IP Address http://192.168.1.2
Password 1234
SSID ZyXEL
Wi-Fi Key None

PLA4231 User’s Guide2
IMPORTANT!
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE USE.
KEEP THIS GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Screenshots and graphics in this book may differ slightly from your product due to differences in
your product firmware or your computer operating system. Every effort has been made to ensure
that the information in this manual is accurate.
Related Documentation
•QuickStartGuide
The Quick Start Guide shows how to connect the PLA4231 and access the Web Configurator.

Table of Contents
PLA4231 User’s Guide 3
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................3
Part I: Introduction ............................................................................................7
Chapter 1
Introducing the PLA4231 .....................................................................................................................9
1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................9
1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA4231 ............................................................................................9
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA4231 .........................................................................................................10
1.4 Good Habits for Managing the PLA4231 ..........................................................................................10
1.5 Powerline Security ............................................................................................................................10
1.5.1 Powerline Passwords .............................................................................................................. 11
1.5.2 Setting Up Powerline Security ................................................................................................. 11
1.6 Multiple Networks ..............................................................................................................................12
1.7 Resetting the PLA4231 .....................................................................................................................12
1.7.1 Procedure to Use the Reset Button .........................................................................................12
Chapter 2
The WPS Button..................................................................................................................................13
2.1 WPS Overview ..................................................................................................................................13
2.2 How to Use the WPS Button .............................................................................................................13
Chapter 3
The RESET/ENCRYPT Button............................................................................................................15
3.1 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Overview .................................................................................................15
3.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT .............................................................................15
3.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks ............................................................................................................17
3.4 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Behavior .................................................................................................19
Part II: Configuration Utility............................................................................21
Chapter 4
Installing the Utility.............................................................................................................................23
4.1 Windows ............................................................................................................................................23
4.1.1 System Requirements .............................................................................................................23
4.1.2 Installing the Utility ...................................................................................................................23

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4
4.2 Macintosh (Mac) ................................................................................................................................29
4.2.1 Supported OSs ........................................................................................................................29
4.2.2 Installing the Utility ...................................................................................................................29
Chapter 5
The Configuration Utility....................................................................................................................32
5.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................32
5.1.1 Powerline Network Security .....................................................................................................32
5.1.2 Device Access Key (DAK) .......................................................................................................33
5.2 Starting the Configuration Utility ........................................................................................................33
5.3 Network Info Screen .........................................................................................................................33
5.3.1 Icon View .................................................................................................................................34
5.3.2 List View ..................................................................................................................................35
5.4 Configuration Screen .......................................................................................................................37
5.5 Advanced Screen ..........................................................................................................................38
5.6 About Screen ....................................................................................................................................41
Chapter 6
Powerline Network Setup Tutorial.....................................................................................................42
6.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................42
6.2 Important Terms ................................................................................................................................42
6.3 Accessing Your Powerline Adapter ...................................................................................................43
6.4 Adding a Powerline Adapter ..............................................................................................................43
6.5 Setting Up a New Network with a New Adapter ................................................................................45
6.6 Splitting a Network into Two Networks ..............................................................................................47
6.7 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................49
Part III: Web Configurator...............................................................................51
Chapter 7
Introducing the Web Configurator ....................................................................................................53
7.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................53
7.2 Accessing the Web Configurator .......................................................................................................53
7.2.1 Login Screen ...........................................................................................................................53
7.2.2 Password Screen ....................................................................................................................55
7.3 Navigating the Web Configurator ......................................................................................................56
7.3.1 Title Bar ...................................................................................................................................57
7.3.2 Navigation Panel .....................................................................................................................57
7.3.3 Main Window ...........................................................................................................................58
Chapter 8
Dashboard...........................................................................................................................................59

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PLA4231 User’s Guide 5
8.1 The Dashboard Screen .....................................................................................................................59
Chapter 9
Monitor.................................................................................................................................................63
9.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................................63
9.2 What You Can Do .............................................................................................................................63
9.3 Log ....................................................................................................................................................63
9.4 Packet Statistics .............................................................................................................................64
9.5 WLAN Station Status .....................................................................................................................65
Chapter 10
Wireless LAN.......................................................................................................................................67
10.1 Overview .........................................................................................................................................67
10.1.1 Powerline Extended Wireless LAN ........................................................................................67
10.2 What You Can Do ...........................................................................................................................68
10.3 What You Should Know ..................................................................................................................69
10.3.1 Wireless Security Overview ...................................................................................................69
10.4 General Wireless LAN Screen .......................................................................................................70
10.5 Wireless Security ............................................................................................................................72
10.5.1 No Security ............................................................................................................................72
10.5.2 WEP Encryption ....................................................................................................................73
10.5.3 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK ...........................................................................................................75
10.6 MAC Filter .......................................................................................................................................76
10.7 Wireless LAN Advanced Screen .....................................................................................................78
10.8 Quality of Service (QoS) Screen .....................................................................................................78
10.9 WPS Screen ....................................................................................................................................79
10.10 WPS Station Screen ......................................................................................................................81
10.11 Scheduling Screen ........................................................................................................................81
Chapter 11
LAN ......................................................................................................................................................83
11.1 Overview .........................................................................................................................................83
11.2 What You Can Do ............................................................................................................................83
11.3 What You Need To Know .................................................................................................................83
11.3.1 LAN TCP/IP ...........................................................................................................................84
11.3.2 IP Alias ...................................................................................................................................84
11.4 LAN IP Screen .................................................................................................................................84
11.5 IP Alias Screen ................................................................................................................................85
Chapter 12
HomePlug............................................................................................................................................87
12.1 Overview .........................................................................................................................................87
12.2 What You Can Do ...........................................................................................................................87

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6
12.3 HomePlug Screen ...........................................................................................................................87
Chapter 13
Maintenance........................................................................................................................................91
13.1 Overview .........................................................................................................................................91
13.2 What You Can Do ...........................................................................................................................91
13.3 General Screen ..............................................................................................................................91
13.4 Password Screen ............................................................................................................................92
13.5 Time Setting Screen ........................................................................................................................92
13.6 Firmware Upgrade Screen ..............................................................................................................94
13.7 Configuration Backup/Restore Screen ............................................................................................96
13.8 Restart Screen ................................................................................................................................97
13.9 Language Screen ............................................................................................................................97
Chapter 14
LEDs and Troubleshooting................................................................................................................99
14.1 LEDs ...............................................................................................................................................99
14.2 Power and Light Problems ............................................................................................................100
14.3 Configuration Utility Problems .......................................................................................................102
14.4 Powerline Problems ......................................................................................................................102
14.5 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Problems ............................................................................................103
14.6 Wireless Connection Problems .....................................................................................................104
14.7 PLA4231 Access and Login Problems ..........................................................................................105
Appendix A Customer Support ........................................................................................................108
Appendix B Pop-up Windows, JavaScript and Java Permissions ................................................... 115
Appendix C Legal Information .........................................................................................................125
Index ..................................................................................................................................................131

7
PART I
Introduction

8

PLA4231 User’s Guide 9
CHAPTER 1
Introducing the PLA4231
1.1 Overview
This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the PLA4231 HomePlug AV compliant
powerline adapter.
In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring network is referred to as the “powerline network”. The
HomePlug AV standard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical
wiring.
1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA4231
The PLA4231 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. Devices can securely communicate with each other at high
data transfer rates. The PLA4231 uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe
transfer of information.
Figure 1 Expand Your Network with the PLA4231
Connect your PLA4231 to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power
outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA4231 into another power outlet and connect a computer to
the PLA4231 for Internet access. You can also connect a computer to your existing wireless network
through the PLA4231 which acts as an AP or wireless extender. Your network can be further

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA4231
PLA4231 User’s Guide
10
expanded by plugging additional PLA4231s into other outlets in your home and connecting other
computers or network devices (for example, a printer) to them.
Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information.
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA4231
•UsetheRESET/ENCRYPT button to add powerline devices to your powerline network if they
have this button. See Chapter 3 on page 15 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT feature.
•UsethePLA42xx Series Configuration Utility (or utility, for short) to manage the PLA4231.
See Chapter 4 on page 23 for instructions on installing the utility.
Note: This User’s Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only compatible
with a PLA4231 which has the latest firmware installed. If you don’t already have
them, download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website.
• Use the Web Configurator for everyday management of the PLA4231 using a (supported) web
browser. See Section 7.2 on page 53 for instructions on accessing the Web Configurator.
• WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button. You can use the WPS button or the WPS section of the Web
Configurator to set up a wireless network with your PLA4231. See Section on page 13 for
instructions on using the WPS button.
1.4 Good Habits for Managing the PLA4231
Do the following things regularly to make the PLA4231 more secure and to manage the PLA4231
more effectively.
• Change the password. Use a password that’s not easy to guess and that consists of different
types of characters, such as numbers and letters.
• Write down the password and put it in a safe place.
• Back up the configuration (and make sure you know how to restore it). Restoring an earlier
working configuration may be useful if the device becomes unstable or even crashes. If you
forget your password, you will have to reset the PLA4231 to its factory default settings. If you
backed up an earlier configuration file, you would not have to totally re-configure the PLA4231.
You could simply restore your last configuration.
1.5 Powerline Security
Since your powerline network may extend outside your premises, it is important to set up security
on your PLA4231.

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1.5.1 Powerline Passwords
You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV powerline network. The following table
describes the differences between the passwords.
1.5.2 Setting Up Powerline Security
The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if
your powerline devices have the RESET/ENCRYPT button.
If your devices do not have the RESET/ENCRYPT button, use the PLA42xx Series
Configuration Utility to set up security on the PLA4231. Although the PLA4231 is a “plug-and-
play” network expanding solution there are several reasons for enabling security on the powerline
network in your home.
1It’s easy and only requires you to change a network name.
2It’s a good idea to ensure privacy of your communication. When you use the PLA4231 and other
powerline adapters, the electrical wiring in your home becomes an extension of your Ethernet
network. Your network traffic flows freely within the electrical circuit of your home and is bounded
in most cases by a power meter.
Without security (encryption) your information is accessible to anyone using a powerline adapter on
the same electrical circuit. In some cases, a circuit can be shared by more than one household.
To prevent compromising your network security, you can create a private network. A private
network uses a secret password (Network Name) to make sure that only permitted powerline
adapters can communicate in your network. See Section 5.4 on page 37 for information on setting
up a private network.
3You may need to change the Network Name to create multiple powerline networks. See the next
section for more information on how to set up a multiple network.
Table 1 Powerline Password Summary
PASSWORD DESCRIPTION
Network Name All powerline adapters that follow the HomePlug AV standard are shipped with the
same powerline network name “HomePlugAV”. Change the network name via the
PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility to create a private network. See Section
5.4 on page 37.
DAK (Data Access Key)
Password
In order to manage the powerline adapters on your powerline network you must
enter the adapters’ DAK password in the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility.
This password is printed on the powerline adapter itself.
You don’t need to add the password for the powerline adapter directly connected to
the computer running the configuration utility (local powerline adapter), you only
have to add the remote powerline adapters’ passwords (those on your circuit, but
not directly connected to your computer).

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1.6 Multiple Networks
Multiple powerline networks can coexist on a single powerline circuit. You might want to implement
multiple powerline networks in a small office environment where you have two separate Ethernet
networks.
1Connect one powerline adapter to a router or switch on the first Ethernet network and assign a
Network Name (for example “Password1”) to this powerline adapter. Add additional powerline
adapters to your network by plugging them into your powerline outlets and assigning them
“Password1”. This completes the configuration of your first powerline network.
2Connect another powerline adapter to a router or switch on the second Ethernet network and
assign a different Network Name (for example “Password2”) to this powerline adapter. Again, add
additional powerline adapters and assign them “Password2”.
You now have two private networks on your powerline circuit. Information is not shared between
the two networks as only powerline adapters with the same Network Name can communicate with
each other.
1.7 Resetting the PLA4231
If you forget your password or IP address, or you cannot access the Web Configurator, you will need
to use the RESET/ENCRYPT button at the side of the PLA4231 to reload the factory-default
configuration file. This means that you will lose all configurations that you had previously saved, the
password will be reset to “1234” and the IP address will be reset to “192.168.1.2”.
1.7.1 Procedure to Use the Reset Button
1Make sure the power LED is on.
2Press the RESET button for 10 to 15 seconds (until the power LED begins to blink) and release it to
set the PLA4231 back to its factory-default configurations.

PLA4231 User’s Guide 13
CHAPTER 2
The WPS Button
2.1 WPS Overview
Your PLA4231 supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), which is an easy way to set up a secure
wireless network. WPS is an industry standard specification, defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
WPS allows you to quickly set up a wireless network with strong security, without having to
configure security settings manually. Each WPS connection works between two devices. Both
devices must support WPS (check each device’s documentation to make sure).
Depending on the devices you have, you can either press a button (on the device itself, or in its
configuration utility) or enter a PIN (a unique Personal Identification Number that allows one device
to authenticate the other) in each of the two devices. When WPS is activated on a device, it has two
minutes to find another device that also has WPS activated. Then, the two devices connect and set
up a secure network by themselves.
2.2 How to Use the WPS Button
You can use the WPS button on the side panel of the PLA4231 to activate WPS.
1Make sure the power LED and the WLAN LED are on (not blinking).
2To copy wireless settings (SSID and wireless security key for example) from an access point (AP) or
wireless router, press the WPS button for longer than five seconds and release it. The WLAN LED
begins to blink.
To connect a WPS-enabled wireless client (such as your computer with a WPS-enabled wireless
adapter) to the PLA4231 via Wi-Fi or to the existing wireless network through the PLA4231, press
the WPS button for two or three seconds and release it. The WLAN LED begins to blink.
3Press the WPS button on another WPS-enabled device within range of the PLA4231.
4The WLAN LED turns steady on when WPS was successful. The WLAN LED will be off for about ten
seconds if WPS has failed, and comes on again.
Note: You must activate WPS in the PLA4231 and in another wireless device within two
minutes of each other.

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PLA4231 User’s Guide
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PLA4231 User’s Guide 15
CHAPTER 3
The RESET/ENCRYPT Button
Use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to automatically set up a secure powerline connection between
your powerline devices.
3.1 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Overview
The RESET/ENCRYPT button allows you to set up a secure powerline connection with other
HomePlug AV compliant powerline devices which also support the ENCRYPT feature. No other
powerline setting changes are required to connect.
You can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to:
• set up a new powerline network.
• separate an existing powerline network into multiple networks.
• reset the PLA4231 to the factory defaults.
3.2 Set Up a HomePlug AV Network with ENCRYPT
You can connect a number of devices on a powerline network, but you can use the RESET/
ENCRYPT button on only two devices at a time.
Place a powerline device close to another powerline device so you have time to set up each one.
After you set up the first powerline device, you have 120 seconds to set up the second powerline
device.
You can disconnect them from your computer or modem (or other networking equipment) if you
need to move them close to each other, but the powerline devices need to be plugged into power
outlets.
Follow the steps below to set up your HomePlug AV Network:
1Press and hold the RESET/ENCRYPT button at the side of your powerline device for 5 to 8 seconds
and then release it. This resets the network name to a random value and removes your device from
any network it may belong to.

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16
2Press the RESET/ENCRYPT button at the side of your powerline device for 0.5 to 3 seconds. The
power ( ) light will blink as the powerline device tries to set up a connection.
Figure 2 ENCRYPT Connection Procedure
Note: The RESET/ENCRYPT button’s location varies for each Powerline model.
3Repeat step 2in this section for the other powerline device you wish to connect. This must be done
within 120 seconds of pressing the RESET/ENCRYPT button on the PLA4231.
Note: Check the lights on the two powerline devices. The power ( ) and HomePlug ( )
lights should be blinking while the devices are connecting. Several times all lights
blink simultaneously and the HomePlug ( ) light also shows red. Wait for about
one minute while your powerline devices connect.
If the power ( ) light does not blink when you press RESET/ENCRYPT, you have probably
pressed the RESET/ENCRYPT button for too long. Try again, pressing the RESET/
ENCRYPT button for 0.5 to 3 seconds.
If the HomePlug ( ) lights on both powerline devices do not light up, the powerline
devices are not connected. Repeat steps 2 and 3 in this section. If that doesn’t work, see
the Troubleshooting in Section 14.5 on page 103 for suggestions.
4To add more powerline devices to your network, press and hold the RESET/ENCRYPT button on
device C(shown below) for for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it.
press 0.5 ~ 3 seconds
press 0.5 ~ 3 seconds
within 2
minutes

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button
PLA4231 User’s Guide 17
5Then repeat steps 2and 3in this section using any powerline device (A or B) you have connected
using ENCRYPT and the powerline device you want to connect (C). You must use the RESET/
ENCRYPT button on both devices.
Figure 3 Adding More Powerline Adapters to Your Network
6If you disconnected your computer or modem (or any other networking product connected to your
powerline device) in step of this section, you can now reconnect them.
This sets up your powerline network between your powerline devices.
3.3 Setting Up Multiple Networks
You can use the RESET/ENCRYPT button to set up multiple powerline networks using your
existing powerline network.
AB
OR
C
AB

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18
For example, you have already set up a powerline network in your home (A) which accesses a
printer (B). Now you want a separate powerline network connection from your laptop to your
printer (C).
Figure 4 One Existing Powerline Network
1Click the RESET/ENCRYPT button on (A) for 5 to 8 seconds and then release it. This disconnects
(A) from (B).
2Click the RESET/ENCRYPT button on (A) and (C) for 0.5 to 3 seconds and within two minutes of
each other.
3Wait for about one minute while (A) and (C) connect.
4Check the LEDs on both (A) and (C). When the power ( ) and HomePlug ( ) lights stop blinking
and the power ( ) light shines steadily, the devices are connected.
Figure 5 Two Separate Powerline Networks
A
C
B
A
C
B

Chapter 3 The RESET/ENCRYPT Button
PLA4231 User’s Guide 19
Congratulations. You now have two separate powerline networks as shown above.
If the HomePlug ( ) lights on both powerline devices do not light up, the powerline
devices are not connected. Repeat the connection process, making certain you press the
RESET/ENCRYPT buttons for the correct time and within two minutes of each other. If that
does not work see Section 14.5 on page 103 for suggestions.
3.4 RESET/ENCRYPT Button Behavior
The following table summarizes the actions that occur when the RESET/ENCRYPT button is
pressed for specific lengths of time.
See Troubleshooting in Chapter 14 on page 103 for suggestions on problems with the RESET/
ENCRYPT button and the lights.
Table 2 Time RESET/ENCRYPT Button is Pressed and Action
TIME ACTION POWER LIGHT BEHAVIOR HOMEPLUG LIGHT
BEHAVIOR
0.5 to 3
seconds
The device joins a network. It
shares the same network
name as other devices on the
network.
The power ( ) light blinks
until the device is connected.
This may take a minute.
The HomePlug ( ) light turns
on if your device is connected
to another powerline device or
a powerline network.
5 to 8
seconds
The device leaves any
network it is associated with
and its network name
assumes a random value.
The power ( ) light blinks
several times and then shines
steadily.
The HomePlug ( ) light blinks
red one time and then turns off
when it disconnects from the
powerline network.
10 to 15
seconds
Clear all user-entered
configuration information and
return the device to its
factory defaults.
The power ( ) light blinks
several times and then shines
steadily.
The HomePlug ( ) light blinks
red one time and then turns off
when it disconnects from the
powerline network.

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