Introduction Plaster Networks Service provides a convenient way to manage your powerline network and to diagnose potentially under performing circuits that can impact your network. For example, subscribers can remotely view the network capacity between each of the powerline adapters in the network. Through the service, a subscriber can determine if a network link is not delivering sufficient capacity (for instance, to deliver a video stream reliably), and then take corrective action to resolve the issue. In addition, the service provides a set of management and configuration features including naming adapters, changing the network password for data encryption, and adding new adapters. Plaster Networks PLN3 Powerline AV adapters provide an intelligent alternative to other network solutions available today. PLN3 adapters include a dedicated network processor that enable an entirely new range of powerline network capabilities. With this network processor, the adapter can communicate with Plaster Networks Service to provide a range of enhanced performance and management features. The user accesses these features through a standard web browser, without the requirement to install any special software. Advantages of Plaster Networks Powerline Networking Compared to other products, Plaster Networks solution offers several advantages resulting from added intelligence in the powerline adapter. Each adapter includes a dedicated network processor that enables a wide range of added features.
Plaster Networks uses a range of measures to ensure the security of your powerline network. First, the adapters transmit network traffic using 128-bit AES encryption, with an encryption key that is unique to your network. The adapters transmit network performance and diagnostic information about the powerline network to Plaster Networks Service. The adapters collect performance data (only) from your network, such as the throughput capacity between any two adapters on the powerline. Plaster Networks does not maintain a record in data form of any information accessed, sent, or received by devices attached to the powerline Ethernet adapters. Also, for security reasons any communication between the adapters and Plaster Networks Service must be initiated by the adapter. As a result, the adapters are not susceptible to intrusion from malicious attacks over the network. To gain a better understanding
of the Plaster Networks solution, please follow the steps below to
register a powerline network with Plaster Networks Service. All you need
is two or more powerline adapters, with at least one of the adapters
being a Plaster Networks PLN3 unit. Plug the adapters into any of the
power receptacles in your home or office. You may include non-PLN3
adapters in your network as long as they are HomePlug AV compatible. The router's DHCP server will automatically assign an Ethernet address required by each of the PLN3 adapters. Note: For optimum performance, do not plug the adapter into an extension cord or surge supressor. These items tend to reduce the powerline network signals sent and received by the HomePlug AV adapter. 1. Sign In From your browser, go to service.plasternetworks.com to set up your new account.
 2. Register New Account Enter the information to set up your account on the Service and check the box agreeing to Plaster Networks Terms of Service. Then click, "Create Account." You will need the e-mail and password assigned to your account the next time you log into Plaster Networks Service. The activation code is OPTIONAL and is not required to set up an account with the service.  3. My Networks Once you have created your account, you are ready to register your network. Select "Register Network" on the left side of the tab bar (displayed across the top of the screen). You can register any number of networks under your account. Note: For security reasons, Plaster Networks requires that you register your network using the same Internet connection as the adapters - for example from a PC connected through the same router as your powerline network.  Plaster Networks Service will automatically show the adapters plugged in, including both Plaster Networks PLN3 units as well as HomePlug AV adapters from other manufacturers.
 Once you have confirmed the adapters in your network, Plaster Networks Service prompts you for a new password to assign to all of the units. The HomePlug AV adapters use your unique network password to encrypt messages transmitted over the powerline network. Without a valid network password, new adapters cannot join your powerline network. The network employs 128-bit AES encryption to secure the privacy of your data. Most HomePlugAV adapters ship with a default password of "HomePlugAV", and so Plaster Networks recommends changing this password to ensure the privacy of your network. When you reset your network password through Plaster Networks Service, the service automatically assigns the new password to each of the adapters in your network - all at once. If at a later point you wish to add a new adapter to the network, Plaster Networks Service provides an easy way that allows you to reassign the new adapter's password to match that of the existing network.This password will overwrite the default password shipped on the units to ensure the security of your network and eliminates the possibility of an unauthorized party connecting to your network by plugging in an adapter configured with the default password shared by virtually all HomePlug AV adapters (HomePlugAV). The service automatically propagates this new password to all of the adapters in your network. Note: If your network contains non-PLN3 adapters, then Plaster Networks Service will skip this "Change Network Password" step. In this case, you will want to select the "Change Network Password" command from the Configuration screen (see step 7c) to update the password on all your units, both PLN3 and non-PLN3.  The bar chart on this page
shows the network throughput (capacity) from one adapter to all of the
other adapters on the network (in this case from the office router to
the bedroom and to the living room). The PLN3 adapters report this
throughput roughly three times an hour and then transmit the measured
values back to the server. To view the network throughput in the other
direction (to the office router, rather than from), you may click on the
corresponding adapter name. For instance, click on Living Room to see
the transmission capacity from the Living Room to both the Office and
Bedroom.
6. a) Dashboard: Network
Throughput Table  6. b) Dashboard: Traffic Matrix View The Traffic Matrix graph displays the actual network traffic between every node in the network in packets/second. The system collects traffic statistics multiple times per hour, and then displays the average traffic for each network link over the most recent time period for which the system has data. Another feature available from the Dashboard screen is Performance History. By accessing this link (toward the top left corner of the Dashboard screen), you can see a list of dates and times when the PLN3 adapters reported performance statistics to the server. Clicking on any of these dates displays a Network Throughput Table for that particular date/time in the past. For a graphical view of historical performance, please see section eight of this document (Reports).  6. d) Dashboard: Network Activity On this page, you can see the most recent changes or updates to your powerline network configuration. If you add or delete a node from the network, the service displays a corresponding record. In addition, if an adapter loses power or becomes unplugged without your knowledge, the service will record that the unit is no longer connected to the powerline network. You can also see if the name of an adapter has changed or if the firmware has been upgraded.  7. Configuration The Network
Configuration screen allows you to view information specific to each
adapter in your network, and to assign a unique name to each of the
adapters. In many cases, you may wish to assign a name that will help
you easily identify the location of the adapter, or the device to which
the adapter is connected. This way, you can easily identify and measure
the network links that may require more bandwidth for applications such
as streaming high definition video. To change an
adapter name, locate the adapter entry using the Plaster Networks ID
(PLNID) or the MAC address (for non-Plaster Networks adapters). The
PLNID is printed on the sides, top, and back of the PLN3 adapter.
Non-Plaster Networks adapters typically list the MAC address on the back
label of the unit. Next, enter the new name for the adapter into the
appropriate box and click "Save."  From the Network Configuration page, you can choose to view more specific details about each of the adapters in the network. The Details link directs you to the Dashboard screen for that particular adapter - displaying additional information about the adapter at the bottom of the screen including: the MAC address of the unit, the manufacturer of the unit (based on the manufacturer code included in the MAC address), and the last time that the Service detected the adapter on the powerline network ("Last Seen"). For Plaster Networks units, this page also lists the PLN software version running on the adapter and a list of the most recent dates/times that the adapter contacted the service over the Internet. If an adapter is no longer visible on your powerline network, you can easily see the last date/times that this unit was able to contact the server.   By selecting "Add New Adapter" from the top left corner of the main Configuration screen, you can join an adapter to your network by entering its PLNID into the field provided. The service will remotely update the password of the new adapter across the Internet to match the password of the other adapters in the network. To add a non-Plaster Networks adapter to your network, you will need to supply the MAC address and Device Password printed on the back of the adapter. The MAC address is in the format xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, and the Device Password has format XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (all capital letters). Once an adapter has been successfully added to your powerline network, you can change its name from the main Configuration screen.  7. c) Configuration: Change Network Password You can easily change the network password shared by all of the adapters in your network with a single command. By comparison, most other solutions require you to change the password on each unit individually. This feature of Plaster Networks Service provides a much easier, faster, and more convenient way to ensure that you maintain an optimum level of security for transmitting data over the powerline. Simply enter the new password, confirm in the box below, and click Save. You may deselect any adapter whose network password you do not wish to change; however, this action will exclude that adapter from the network.  8. Reports:
Link Performance Report         Plaster Networks, LLC 935 Hamilton Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA Phone: +1.650.329.9203 www.plasternetworks.com |
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Plaster Networks Service Tutorial |
