ZyXEL Communications PLA4201 V2 User Manual

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PLA Series User’s Guide
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      4
The Configuration Utility
4.1  Overview
This chapter shows you how to use the ZyXEL PLA Series Configuration utility (or utility) to 
secure, manage and set up Quality of Service (QoS) on your powerline network.
The PLA is designed as a plug-and-play network expanding solution. This means that once you 
complete your hardware connections, the PLAs in your network (without additional configuration) 
are able to communicate with each other by sending and receiving information over your home’s 
electrical wiring (A).
Figure 13   
Example Network Setup
All HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapters within range can join your network. The range 
varies depending on the quality of your home’s wiring.
 for more information on enhancing your powerline 
network security.
4.1.1  Powerline Network Security 
When the PLAs communicate with each other, they use encryption to protect the information that is 
sent in the powerline network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret code, 
you cannot understand the message. The HomePlug AV standard uses 128-bit AES (Advanced 
Encryption Standard) to safely transmit data between powerline adapters.
A
PLA
PLA