Introduction

Plaster Networks offers a simple way to manage your powerline network. Managing the network does not require installing any special software. All you need is a PC and a web browser. Each PLN3 unit ships with a built-in administration console accessible through a PC browser. The PLN Administration Console provides a basic set of functions to configure and manage your powerline network. This manual provides a guide for using the PLN Administration Console.

Accessing the Local Administration Console

Configuring and managing your Plaster Networks adapter through the unit’s local administration console is very easy and does not require you to install any special software on your PC. All you need to do is plug in your adapter to a wall socket, connect an Ethernet cable from your PC to any of the powerline adapters in your network, and enter the adapter’s PLNID (located on the back and sides of the unit) into the URL field of your web browser using the format http://plnXXXXXX.local, where XXXXXX is the six digit PLNID, and press return. You should now be able to see your adapter’s Administration Console, as illustrated in figure 1 below. Note: In order to initially access the PLN3 adapter’s Administration Console, the device and PC must be connected to a router or other DHCP server.

From the adapter’s web page, you can select options to check network performance, change the adapter’s name and password, and more. This accessibility allows you to configure your network environment and provide better security. The pages that follow provide additional helpful information about powerline network configuration, as well as a detailed description of the features of the Administration Console.

PLN3 Front Panel Display

The Plaster Networks PLN3 has a set of 5 LEDs to indicate various levels of functionality. Below is a brief description of the function the RST button and of each LED.

Figure 2: PLN3 Front Panel

1. RST - In order to return the unit to factory default settings, press the end of a paper clip into the RST access port for approximately three seconds. This will reconfigure the unit as follows:
   - HomePlug AV module reset to factory defaults (including network password set to HomePlugAV)
   - PLN3: IP configuration reset to use dynamic; disable ability to use public static IP address, communications enabled with Plaster Networks Service, automatic software updates enabled, administration console username/password reset to default (no login required)
2. PWR - The PWR LED indicates that the adapter is receiving power when illuminated.
3. PL - The PL LED indicates that the device is communicating with other HomePlug AV adapters as part of a powerline network.
4. * - This LED shows the device has successfully established a connection to Plaster Networks Service. Note: The Plaster Networks Service will be no longer available as of 30^th April, 2011
5. 1 - When lit, this LED indicates that port 1 of the adapter is connected to another network device via an Ethernet cable.
6. 2 – Likewise when lit, this LED indicates that port 2 of the adapter is connected to another network device via an Ethernet cable.

Setting Up Your Powerline Network

Installing your PLN powerline network is fast and easy. All units ship with a common network password of “HomePlugAV” that allows them to see one another “out of the box.” Simply plug in an adapter next to each device that you would like to connect to your home powerline network. And then using the Ethernet cable included with the unit (or any standard Ethernet cable), connect the adapter to the device.

One (and only one) of the adapters should be connected to the Internet through a router/modem.

Figure 3: Network Setup

Administration Console Features


Network Performance

You can easily view the performance of the adapters in your network by clicking on the Network Performance link which is accessible by placing your PC’s mouse over the Dashboard tab on the upper left hand side of the Administration Console and selecting Network Performance from the drop down menu. Depending on the number of adapters in your network, you should then see something very much like the figure below:

Figure 4: Network Performance Page

From this page you can view how well your adapter is exchanging data with other adapters in the HomePlug AV network. The table shows the network throughput (capacity) between each of the nodes in the powerline network as measured within the past hour. Please note that the table may not show the most recent changes that have occurred within the past few minutes. For instance if you add or remove a node from the network, the system may require several minutes before reflecting this change.

The performance numbers indicate the actual throughput value. This value represents a PHY transmission rate. The PHY rate measures the “raw” transmission rate of the network (including network overhead, error correction, and other functions). The actual Ethernet throughput (representing the net data transmission rate) will be approximately 60% of the PHY rate (depending on the powerline environment). The maximum PHY rate of a HomePlug AV network is 200Mbps. Your network may experience lower results based on the specific characteristics of your powerline environment.

In the table above, each adapter is identified by a HomePlug name as well as the MAC address of the unit. The MAC address is a 12 digit value that is hard coded into the unit and that acts as a unique network identifier to differentiate the device from other adapters in the network. Unlike the HomePlug AV name, the MAC address can never be changed.

Network Statistics

The Network Statistics view allows you to view the amount of data traffic between each node in the powerline, measured in units called packets. A packet can be described as a basic unit of communication over a digital network. The Network Statistics view can be accessed by selecting Network Statistics from the drop down menu available on the Dashboard tab.

Figure 5: Network Statistics Page

Switch Status

The Switch Status enables the viewer to check the status of the PLN3’s Ethernet ports. Ports that have no Ethernet cable connected to them show a red ‘X’ under the ‘Connected’ tab while those that have a cable are indicated with a green ‘√’. Speed and Duplex mode are also indicated.

Figure 6: Switch Status Page

Change the Name/Identifier of the Adapter

The PLN Administration Console provides the ability to set your adapter’s name to any alpha-numeric value – for instance the location of the unit (office, living room, game console, printer, etc.) You can choose any name you wish and use up to 64 characters to add distinctiveness to the adapters in your network. The default value for the name is the Plaster Networks ID of the unit. You can access this feature by selecting the Change the Name/Identifier of the Adapter link from the Configuration drop down menu.

Figure 7: Change the Name/Identifier of the Adapter Page

Change the Name/Identifier of Another Adapter

The PLN3’s Administration Console also provides the option to change the name of any other HomePlug adapter that it can see in the network. This feature is accessed via the Change the Name/Identifier of Another Adapter link from the Configuration tab drop down menu.

Figure 8: Change the Name/Identifier of Another Adapter Page

Change Network Password

The Administration Console also provides the ability to change the device’s network password. The adapter uses the network password to encrypt data sent across the powerline (using 128-bit AES). Adapters on the powerline that share the same password can send and receive data with one another. These adapters form an AV LAN. Adapters with a different network password cannot send data to any of the HomePlug AV units on this LAN.

Through the Administration Console, you can change the network password for the local unit (the one from which you are running the console) by selecting the Change Network Password link from the Configuration drop down menu. Please remember that there is an 8 character minimum.

Figure 9: Change Network Password Page

Change the Network Password of a Different Adapter

In addition to changing the network password of the adapter to which you are directly connected, the Administration Console allows you to change the network password of any other HomePlug AV adapter that is visible on the powerline. Changing a network password on a remote node allows you to add or remove that node from an existing powerline network (AV LAN). For instance, to add a node to an AV LAN, you would simply change the network password of that unit to match the password shared by the other units on the AV LAN.

To proceed, first select the unit to receive the new password. The Administration Console provides you with a pull-down list of all the adapters that are visible on the powerline. The console lists the adapters by “adapter name (adapter MAC address).” The MAC address is a unique value printed on the back of each HomePlug AV adapter. If you do not see your adapter listed, then most likely the adapter is not visible on the powerline (for instance, too far away from the console’s local PLN3).

After selecting the unit to receive the new password, enter the password value in the boxes provided. For security reasons, you will also need to provide the device password for the remote unit that will receive the new password. Like the MAC address, each HomePlug AV adapter has a unique device password printed on the back of the unit.

Figure 10: Change Network Password Of Another Adapter Page

Setting a new, random, network password with the security button.

Another method for setting the network password is to use the security button which is located to the right of LED 2 on the front of the PLN3. (See Figure 9 below) This method is not as convenient as using the PLN3 administration console or the service website as it requires physical access to the adapters but can used if one wishes. In order to set the network password using this method, please follow the steps listed below:

1)   Plug a powerline adapter into an AC outlet, and then press the security button for 10 seconds. The PWR and PL LEDs will flash after which the PWR LED will stay on and the PL LED will be off. This is randomizing the network password.

2)   Repeat step 1 for all the powerline adapters in your network.

3)   With all powerline adapters plugged into an AC outlet, press the security button on one adapter for more than 0.5 seconds, but less than 3 seconds. The PWR LED will start to flash.

Within 2 minutes, press the security button in turn on all other adapters for more than 0.5 seconds, but less than 3 seconds. The PWR LED will start to flash. The adapter is now copying the network password of the first adapter in step 3.

Within 30 seconds, both PWR and PL LEDs will come on and stay on. This indicates the adapters have the same network password and have formed a network. The network password will not be lost even if the adapters are unplugged from the AC outlet.

Adding another Adapter to the Network Using the Security Button

To add an adapter to an existing powerline network, the new adapter must have the same network password as those already in the network. Follow these simple instructions to set the new adapter’s network password.

1)   Plug the new powerline adapter into an AC outlet and then press the security button for 10 seconds. The PWR and PL LEDs will flash then the PWR LED will stay on and the PL LED will be off. This randomizes the network password.

2)   Press the security button on one of the adapters already in the network for more than 0.5 seconds, but less than 3 seconds. The PWR LED will start to flash.

3)   Within 2 minutes, press the security button on the new adapter for more than 0.5 seconds, but less than 3 seconds. The PWR LED will start to flash. The new adapter is now copying the network password of the first adapter in step 3.

Within 30 seconds both PWR and PL LEDs will come on and stay on. The new adapter is now connected to the network.

Resetting to Factory Defaults

If you should wish to reset the adapter to its default network password, press and hold the RST button for 3 seconds using a pointed object such as a paper clip. This procedure resets the network password as well as all of the adapter settings to the factory default, including the network password.

 Figure 11: PLN3 Security and Reset Buttons

Enable/Disable Software Updates

Note: Software updates will no longer be available as of 30^th April, 2011. We apologize for the discontinuation of this service.

Enable/Disable Remote Diagnostics

Change IP Address Settings of this Adapter (Static or DHCP)

This page allows you to view the current IP address of your adapter and to select how the IP address is assigned: DHCP or Static. DHCP is the default setting by which the adapter retrieves an IP address automatically from a DHCP server on the network. (such as a router) Please note that in order to initially access the PLN3's web page, it must first have received an IP address from a DHCP server.

When assigning IP addresses manually, the same network range and/or subnet must be shared by all the devices on your network – including the PLN3 adapters and any networked devices attached to adapters.

Figure 12: Change The IP Address Settings of this Adapter Page

(Note: When using the Windows XP and 2000 systems, the NETBIOS name cache can take up to 10 minutes to refresh, so after changing an adapter's IP address from a DHCP issued address to a static one or visa-versa, the adapter's webpage may be inaccessible for a short time when using the standard http://pln00xxxx.local name. This can be quickly remedied by using the nbtstat -R command from the DOS prompt to clear the cache. Simply go Start, select Run and enter  “cmd.” When the command line prompt appears enter “nbtstat –R” to clear the NETBIOS name cache. It may also be necessary to delete the Temporary Internet files either by exiting and re-entering the browser or by accessing the Tools menu and then selecting Internet Options, Browsing History, and then selecting Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.)

Change the Login for the PLN3 Administration Console

If you wish to limit access to the powerline network management functions of the PLN3 adapter, you can set a username and password for logging into the unit. Each of these values may be up to 15 characters long - numbers, letters (case sensitive), and special characters included.

When first accessing the adapter’s webpage, you will not be prompted for a login ID and password because the defaults automatically load and provide access. However once the default login of pln3 and password of password have been changed, you will then be prompted for login and password information every time you access the adapter’s web page. In order for the login ID and password change to take affect, you must first log out and re-authenticate by logging back in. At this point, you will be prompted to login with the new login ID and password.

If you change the value of the username or password, please be sure to record this information in a safe place. You can reset the username and password to factory-default values by entering "pln3" as the username and "password" as the password. You can also use the reset button on the front of the PLN3 adapter. Please note that pressing this button will reset the entire unit to factory default values (including adapter name, network password, and other PLN settings).

Figure 13: Change PLN3 Login Page

Glossary

Adapter Name: You may assign a name of your choosing to each of your adapters. This setting provides a convenient way to identify each of the adapters at your site, for instance based on the adapter location (living room, bedroom) or the device attached to the adapter (printer, PlayStation).

Device Password: The Device Password (DPW) of a HomePlug AV adapter is a sixteen-digit value that is unique to each adapter and that is used to gain secure access to the adapter. The DPW is printed on the label on the back of each HomePlug AV adapter.

DHCP: A network application protocol used by devices (DHCP clients) to obtain configuration information for operation in an IP network. This protocol reduces system administration workload, allowing devices to be added to the network with little or no manual intervention.

MAC Address: The MAC address is a unique, twelve-digit identifier assigned to every device on the network. The MAC address is commonly formatted as xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.
The address is typically assigned by the manufacturer of the device and may not be changed by the end user.

Network Name: Use this setting to help identify a specific network (AV LAN), especially if you have more than one powerline network configured at your site. The network name can be any alpha-numeric value.

Network Password (NPW): The HomePlug AV adapters use a network password to encrypt messages transmitted over the powerline network. Without a valid network password, new adapters cannot join your powerline network (AV LAN). The HomePlug AV standard implements 128-bit AES encryption to secure the privacy of your data. Most HomePlug AV adapters ship with a default password of "HomePlugAV", and so Plaster Networks recommends changing this password to ensure the privacy of your network.

Plaster Networks ID: The Plaster Networks ID (PLNID) is a six-digit value that is unique to each Plaster Networks Adapter. The PLNID is listed on a label on the back side of the adapter, as well as on the sides and top of the unit.

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