HomePlug USB Adapter User Manual (GHPU21)
Welcome Thank you for purchasing one of the most user-friendly networking devices on the market. IOGEAR’s HomePlug to USB adapters are first-class networking devices designed to network your computers at home (or in your small office). This device allows you to set up your home network via the most pervasive medium in your house – the home power lines. It is easy to set up, and it doesn’t require any additional wiring in the house. To better serve you, IOGEAR offers an array of additional USB 2.0, USB 1.
Table of Contents ○ ○ ○ 02 Technical Support ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 03 Product Specifications Requirements ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 04 Limited Warranty Introduction ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 05 Overview ○ ○ Features ○ ○ ○ Installation ○ Configuration ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Network Configuration ○ Networking Basics ○ ○ ○ ○ - Sharing Disks/Folders ○ ○ - Sharing Printers - Sharing Internet Access ○ Troubleshooting ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Overview IOGEAR’s HomePlug Powerline Network USB Adapter allows you to network your home computers through the electric power lines in the house. Setting up a home network has never been so simple, just install the driver, plug the USB end to your computer and plug the power end to your AC power outlet. That’s it, you are connected! This unit is compliant to HomePlug Powerline Specification 1.0 and USB 1.1 Specification, and offers up to 12 Mbps bandwidth while being less prone to interference.
Features • No extra wires, using the most pervasive medium in your home – power lines • Allows multiple computers to share Internet access, printers, and other resources through the power lines • Very easy and intuitive to set up and install • HomePlug Powerline Specification 1.0 compliant • USB 1.
Requirements System Requirements • Available USB port and CD-ROM drive for the Windows based computer that you plan to install this device to • Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP • Available power outlets in room • Standard home power line wiring 4
Introduction IOGEAR’s HomePlug to USB adapter allows you to network your computers via your current existing home power line. It offers a data transmission speed of up to 12 Mbps, and to reach up to 990 feet through standard power lines. Package contents: 1. HomePlug to USB adapter 2. USB Cable 3. User Manual 4. Warranty/Registration card 5.
Introduction 1. Collision LED – lights in green whenever there is collision 2. ACT LED – blinks in green when there are network activities 3. Link LED – lights up in green when plugged into a power outlet 4. USB port – connecting to the computer 5.
Installation Note: Do not place HomePlug devices under direct sunlight or near high-heat-emitting devices; Do not place HomePlug devices near water or wet surfaces to avoid electric hazards; Do not place HomePlug devices on any moving or unstable surfaces; It is recommended that you plug the HomePlug devices directly into the wall outlets, not to any power adapters, surge protectors or any device that filters signals. 1.
Installation 5. Insert the installation CD. If CD does not automatically load, run (CD Drive Letter):\setup.exe 6. Click Next.
Installation 7. Read, understand and accept the agreement and continue by clicking Next.
Installation 8. Enter a user name and organization name, and click Next to continue installation. (Username and Organization have no importance in device operation. Window might look slightly different on other platforms.
Installation 9.
Installation You may be prompted by this warning screen, ignore the warning and click “Continue Anyway”.
Installation 10. After the installation is successful, a window will come up prompting for the installation of the HomePlug to USB adapter. Go ahead plug the Homeplug USB adapter on the wall outlet, and then plug in the USB cable into both the HomePlug to USB adapter and the computer. Then click OK.
Installation 11. Click “Finish” to complete the installation.
Installation 12. Click “Yes” to restart your computer.
Configuration After restarting the computer, you can see the HomePlug utility icon. 1. Double click on the icon to start the HomePlug Configuration Utility. The utility is used to configure the HomePlug device.
Configuration 2. Once the utility starts, it will display the MAC address of the device your computer is connected to as well as the signal strength.
Configuration 3. The Network tab displays the additional HomePlug devices on the network. Click on the “Scan” button to scan for additional devices on the power line network.
Configuration 4. The Security tab displays the Network Password. The default Network Password is HomePlug. If you change the password, you will have to set up the same password for all the Homeplug devices on the network.
Configuration 5. Advanced The Advanced tab is where you can set the Network Password on all of the HomePlug devices at once. This way, you don’t have to connect to each device and set the password one by one. Network Password – Displays the Network Password. Device Password – This is where you enter the password located on the bottom of you HomePlug device. Once you enter the password and click “Add.” This will add that device to the “Remote Passwords” field.
Configuration 6. The About screen displays the version of the utility.
Configuration After the above steps, go to Network Connections, you can see that the network connection is enabled and that the ACT LED in the unit blinks.
Networking Configuration Network Terms What is a node? A node is any given device that resides or is connected onto an existing network. A computer with a network card connected to a switch is a node. The same thing applies to a Mac connected to a hub. What is a bridge? A bridge is used when connecting one side of the network with another network. Previously, connecting every computer together with the other network would mean having cables all over the place.
Networking Configuration there is a limitation of having sixteen bridges on the same Powerline network. You will have to use bridges to connect two Macintoshes, because the utility software is not compatible with Windows based computers. Can I use both in the same network? Yes. It is possible to have both nodes and bridges on a network as long as there is a limitation of 16 bridges. It is also fine to have USB nodes on the same network with Ethernet nodes.
Networking Configuration a.
Networking Configuration b.
Networking Configuration c.
Networking Configuration d. Using the Ethernet Bridge to make a sub network HomePlug-ready to communicate with the other HomePlug nodes. (Sixteen HomePlug Bridges can be used in the same network.
Networking Basics Networking Basics Prior to installing HomePlug, you may have had some ideas about using your new network. This section will help you get started on those ideas or even give you some new ones. It will go through the process of sharing files, printing from any computer on the network, or accessing the Internet on multiple computers with one connection. Note that this section is just an outline of a few networking basics and not intended to be a comprehensive guide to networking.
Networking Basics Click “Next” in the following window for the Network Setup Wizard.
Networking Basics Read and follow the instructions in the window below and then click “Next”.
Networking Basics In the following window, select among the 3 options which best describe this computer and then click “Next”. If your computer connects to a broadband router/gateway, select the second option.
Networking Basics Fill in the information in the following window as you desire and then click “Next”.
Networking Basics Enter the Workgroup name as you wish and then click “Next”. (Very important: All computers on your network should have the same Workgroup name.
Networking Basics Review the setting in the following screen, and click “Next” to continue. If you want to change any settings, you need to click “Back” and start over again.
Networking Basics Please wait while the Network Setup Wizard applies the changes and configures the computer.
Networking Basics When the configuration is done, the following screen will come up. Select one of the 4 options according to your needs.
Networking Basics In this case, the last choice was selected, click “Next”. Then click “Finish” on the next window.
Networking Basics The new setting will take effect after you restart the computer. Click “Yes” to restart the computer. Congratulations, you have completed configuring this computer! After setting up networks on all your computers on the network, you will be able to use your HomePlug network to share files, printers, and Internet connections.
Networking Basics Topic 2: Checking IP addresses Go to Start>Programs>Accessories> Command Prompt.
Networking Basics Type “ipconfig” at the prompt, then press Enter. You will see the IP address of this computer.
Networking Basics Topic 3: Assigning a Static IP Address (Note: If you use DHCP-capable gateway/router, you don’t need to assign any static IP addresses because the gateway/router will automatically assign IP addresses to the computers on the network.) Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Network Connections>Local Area Connection. Right click on Local Area Connection, and then double click on Properties. You will see a window similar to this: Select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)”, then click on Properties.
Networking Basics in the desired IP address and subnet mask (it is recommended to use the default subnet mask as shown in the following window. Subnet mask must be the same for all the computers on the network.) If you need to enter DNS address, you must enter the address of the default gateway. Click “OK”.
Networking Basics Click “Close” on the Local Area Connection Properties window. You have completed static IP address assignment.
Networking Basics Topic 4. Sharing Disks/Folders Once the network has been checked / configured, you can access other systems via "My Network Places". To allow other systems to access data on your disks / in your folders, you have to give permission to share your disks and/or folders. 1. Select the disk (or the folder) to be shared (for example in "My Computer") and rightclick on the icon of the disk to get the Context / popup-menu, select "Sharing and Security”.
Networking Basics 2. In the following window, click to select “Share this folder”. Then click on “Permission”.
Networking Basics 3. Please note that by default, all users defined on your XP Professional system will have full permissions. You can reduce the permissions (for example to allow only Read-access) and/or you could add a different group of users to have access permission (but then you should delete the group "Everyone" from this list). In the following Permission settings, make sure you are giving the right permissions.
Networking Basics 4. Click OK on the original Sharing and Security window to conclude the process.
Networking Basics 5. Once a disk or folder is shared, the icon will show it via the "holding hand". Topic 5. Share Printers You may now share any installed printers connected to this computer with other computers on your network. 1. Go to the computer that has the printer already connected to it and go Start > Control Panel > Printers and Faxes.
Networking Basics Click on the printer you want to share with others on the network and select “Share this printer”.
Networking Basics 2. In the following window, click on “Share this Printer” and type in the share name you would like. After this is done, click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
Networking Basics Now when you go to “Printers and Faxes” in the Control Panel, you will see the supporting hand underneath the printer, which means that the printer is being shared in the network. For a computer to access a Network Printer, the device driver or software for that printer must be installed and pointed to the proper location of the printer. This is done similarly to the way you installed the printer on the computer it is connected to.
Networking Basics 1. Go to a computer that is not connected to the printer and select “Start” from the Task Bar “Control Panel” then “Printers and other Hardware.
Networking Basics 2. Click on "Add a printer.
Networking Basics 3. Select the network printer option and click Next.
Networking Basics 4. Find the printer you would like to share and click Next.
Networking Basics 5. Decide if you would like to choose this printer as a default printer and click Next.
Networking Basics 6. You have now added the printer to your computer, click Finish. Now you may use the Network Printer as if it were directly connected to the computer. Make sure that the computer which is directly connected to the printer is on.
Sharing Internet Access Topic 6. Sharing Internet Access So how can the Internet connection be shared among other computers on the HomePlug network? Since neither the HomePlug Bridge nor USB adapter are capable of routing at this time, a router is necessary in order to share the Internet connection. Future versions of the HomePlug Bridge or USB adapter may feature built-in routing capabilities.
Sharing Internet Access • Also all computers that share the Internet connection must be connected to a HomePlug USB Adapter or a HomePlug Ethernet Bridge. Please note that sixteen HomePlug Bridges are allowed on one network if used as bridges (without installation of the software).
Sharing Internet Access a. Make sure that the DSL/Cable modem is connected to the Router (using the WAN port on the router.) b. Connect the HomePlug Bridge to the Router (using the Uplink port on the router.) c. Check the link light on the HomePlug Bridge. It must light up green. d. Make sure that the computers that need access to the Internet via the HomePlug network are each connected to a HomePlug Adapter or a HomePlug Bridge and reside on the same power grid.
Sharing Internet Access Checking Router Settings: Please assure that the following settings on your router are set: (The setup windows will depend on the router manufacturer's software.) A) The IP should be obtained automatically; B) DHCP must be enabled; C) Release DHCP and then Renew DHCP to reset the IP Addresses. It is recommended that you verify that IP Addresses are obtained. Once all the above steps have been completed, all HomePlug connected computers will be able to access the Internet.
Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions/Troubleshooting 1. Will HomePlug work in my house or apartment? If the house or apartment was built under U.S. building standards using copper wiring, then it will work. 2. What types of security problems will I be facing? If your house is on the same power grid as your neighbor, then there is a potential for a hacker to get in through your neighbor's house. However, this is easily remedied by activating the encryption key on the HomePlug device. 3.
Troubleshooting 4. Will HomePlug operate on different Circuit Breakers? Yes. Circuit breakers do not affect performance of HomePlug devices, however the signal will not pass through the power transformers outside your house. 5. Can Neighbors get my HomePlug signal? It is possible for your immediate (next door) neighbor to receive residual signal from your HomePlug adapter. Unlikely, but possible.
Troubleshooting 6. What OS does the HomePlug utility software fully support? Windows 98SE, ME, XP, and 2000. Windows NT and Mac are only supported by the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (Without installing the HomePlug software with default operating mode as BRIDGE, not NODE) 7. What is the Range of HomePlug? Approximately 990 feet (300 meters) in wall power lines. 8. How does 56bit-DES compare with Wireless 802.11b 128bit-WEP encryption? 56bit-DES is superior because of its DES type Encryption. Just because 802.
Getting Technical Support To help IOGEAR® customers obtain the highest level of performance from their HomePlug devices, the IOGEAR® Service Support team is available to answer your technical questions. Do not hesitate to call if you are having trouble getting your device to work correctly.
Getting Technical Support 1) What version of the OS are you using? 2) When does the problem occur? 3) Were any messages displayed on the screen when the error occurred? If so, what was the exact wording of the message? 4) What is the purchase date and serial number of the product? 5) What have you already tried to get the problem resolved? 6) Are you on a network? If so, what type of network is it? 7) What type of Computer are you using? 8) Can the problem be reproduced? If so, what are the steps necessary
Product Specifications 68
Limited Warranty Limited Warranty IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR'S LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, DISK, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT. The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to the contents or use of this documentation, and especially disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
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