ZyXEL Communications PLA4205 - 1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA4205; 1.4 Security

Chapter 1 Introducing the PLA4205
PLA4205 User’s Guide
12
Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information. Refer to Appendix A on page
75 for wall mounting instructions.
1.3 Ways to Manage the PLA4205
Use the ENCRYPT button to add powerline devices to your powerline network if they have this
button. See Chapter 3 on page 21 for instructions on using the ENCRYPT feature.
Use the PLA42xx Series Configuration Utility (or utility, for short) to manage the PLA4205. See
Section 2.2 on page 14 for instructions on installing the utility.
Note: This User’s Guide describes the latest version utility. This utility is only compatible
with a PLA4205 which has the latest firmware installed. If you don’t already have
them, download the latest firmware and utility from the ZyXEL website.
1.4 Security
Since your powerline network may extend outside your premises, it is important to set up security
on your PLA4205.
1.4.1 Passwords
You use two types of passwords in the HomePlug AV powerline network. The following table
describes the differences between the passwords.
1.4.2 Setting Up Security
The ENCRYPT feature automatically sets up security on your powerline network. Use this feature if
your powerline devices have the ENCRYPT button.
Table 1 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 4.3
on page 27.
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).