ZyXEL Communications Corporation PLA4231 Manuel D’Utilisation

Chapter 5 Using the Powerline Configuration Utility

PLA4231 User’s Guide

Use the Firmware screen to update the firmware on the PLA4231 directly connected to the 
computer running the configuration utility.

Firmware is the software which is embedded in the PLA4231. This software contains processing 
instructions for how the PLA4231 sends and receives information in a secure way.

Parameter Information Block (PIB) is similar to firmware. It contains the most basic operating 
instructions for the PLA4231 such as how to power up and how to load the firmware. 

You can check the ZyXEL website for firmware upgrades for your PLA4231. 

Note: If you have upgraded the firmware, make sure you also upgrade the PLA42xx 

Series Configuration Utility. Older version utilities are not compatible with 

PLA4231s using the latest firmware.

DAK Password

DAK (Device Access Key) password is used to verify that you are authorized to perform 
changes on a remote device. You can find the DAK password printed on a sticker on the 
bottom of your PLA4231. 

Select the remote powerline adapter you want to manage by clicking the MAC address 
which corresponds to it in the MAC Address column. Enter the DAK Password value and 
click Save.

Note: You must enter the DAK Password value exactly as it is printed on the label (all caps 

and with dashes “-”).

Network Name 
(NMK)

The default network name (sometimes called a network password or network membership 
key (NMK)) of the PLA4231 is “HomePlugAV”. HomePlug compatible devices use the same 
network name to recognize and communicate with each other over the powerline network. 
If you change the network name of one device on the network, it will no longer be 
recognized as part of that network.

If you change the network name, make sure you change the network name for all of the 
powerline adapters that you want to be part of your powerline network.

The network name can be from 8 to 64 characters in length, using “A”~”Z”, “a”~”z”, 
“0”~”9”; spaces are not allowed.

Set NMK to this 
device

Select this to apply the NMK (entered in the field above) as the network name for the 
powerline adapter directly connected to the computer running the configuration utility.

Set NMK to all 
devices

Select this to apply the NMK (entered in the field above) as the network name for all 
powerline adapter detected by the utility. 

Save 

Click this to apply your changes. The new Network Name is applied to the selected 
powerline adapter. 

Note: You must enter the correct DAK password for the selected powerline adapter before 

you can make changes to it. 

Configuration Screen (continued)