TL-PA211 User Manual
TL-PA211 User Manual
FCC STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) This device may not cause harmful interference. 2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the equipment.
CE Mark Warning
This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 Connecting Mechanism.................................................................................. 2 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 2 2.2 LED Indicator .......................................................................................................... 2 2.3 Physical Interface .................................................................................................... 3 2.4 Hardware Connection Computer .......................................................................... 4 2.5 Hardware Connection Internet ............................................................................. 4 Chapter 3 Installing Management Utility......................................................................... 6 Chapter 4 Using The Management Utility ..................................................................... 10 4.1 Main ...................................................................................................................... 10 4.1.1 Rename ........................................................................................................ 12 4.1.2 Enter Password............................................................................................. 13 4.1.3 Add Device.................................................................................................... 14 4.1.4 Reset ............................................................................................................ 15 4.2 Privacy .................................................................................................................. 15 4.3 QoS ....................................................................................................................... 16 4.4 Diagnostics............................................................................................................ 17 4.5 About ..................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 5 Advance Feature: How to Use the Pair buttons ......................................... 20 5.1 Pair( Secure with 128 bits-AES) ............................................................................ 20 5.2 Set Up a Powerline AV Network with the Pair button............................................. 20 Chapter 6 Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide ........................................................... 22
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TL-PA211
Chapter 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of this outstanding Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapter. This device is an AV200 Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapter which transforms your houses existing electrical wiring into an ubiquitous networking infrastructure. Simply plug this AV200 Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapter into an ordinary AC power outlet which will easily extend your Cable/xDSL broadband connection or existing Ethernet (LAN) network to any other electrical outlet in any room of a house without the need of any new cabling. This Powerline Adapter supports up to 200Mbps data rate over the existing household power circuit. With data rates of 200Mbps, full multimedia application can easily be supported throughout the whole house in addition to Internet access. This Powerline Adapter uses the existing power lines installed in a home as a path to transmit digital data, voice, audio and video between devices. To ensure data communications security and multimedia applications, this Powerline Adapter support built-in 128-bit AES encryption and Quality of Service (QoS) features.With minimum setup, you can install and use this Powerline Adapter within minutes. The adapter adds two useful functions. 1 Existing connection with a new unassociated device added via the Pair button. 2 Reset to default setting via the Management Utility.
A. System Requirement
a) At least two AC 100V ~ 240V power outlets with standard home power wiring b) A computer with the following: Operating System with TCP/IP installed Pentium III compatible processor and above Ethernet LAN card installed with TCP/IP protocol 64 MB RAM or more 50 MB of free disk space (Minimum) CD-ROM Drive
B. Package Contents
The AV200 Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapter package contains the following items: One AV200 Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapter (There are two AV200 Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapters in Starter Kit) One CAT-5 Ethernet Cable (There are two CAT-5 Ethernet Cables in Starter Kit) One Resource CD (Utility / Manual) If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your dealer immediately.
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Chapter 2
Connecting Mechanism
2.1 Introduction
The Mini Multi-Streaming Powerline Adapter supports up to 200Mbps data rate. With this high speed connection rate, this Powerline Adapter allows you to setup a high speed home network by using your home existing electrical wiring. Simply plug this Powerline Adapter into an ordinary power outlet to extend your Cable/xDSL broadband connection or existing LAN network to any other electrical outlet in any rooms of your house. Take notes that this Powerline Adapter works in pairs. You need to plug one Powerline Adapter into a power outlet for each computer (Connect to the computer LAN card) you want to connect (Network access); you will also need another Powerline Adapter connected to your Cable/xDSL broadband (Ethernet port) in order to extend your broadband connection or Internet surfing. With clean powerline, the distance between two Powerline Adapters can reach 300 meters at lease, but the actual distance may vary due to the environment. Section below describes the Powerline Adapters LED indicators, physical interface and hardware connection mechanism.
Item
Indication
Power LED
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The Adapter has not connected to Powerline network or is in power-saving Mode. The Adapter has connected to a Powerline network. The adapter is transferring data. The Ethernet port is not connected to a device or the device is powered off. The Ethernet port is connected, but there is no data being transferred. The Ethernet port is transferring data.
5 minutes after the device connected to the adapter is powered off, the adapter will switch to Power-saving Mode automatically.
Description One 10/100Mbps Ethernet port connected to PC LAN card or broadband device Power Plug connected to any 100V ~ 240V AC power socket Pair buttons are used to secure a powerline network. To secure your network, please follow the steps below. Firstly, plug in a new adapter, and press its pair button for 3 to 8 seconds; then plug in another adapter and press its pair button for 3 to 8 seconds as well. The two buttons should be pressed within 2 minutes of each other. After that, wait about 60 seconds so that the two adapters can finish connecting.
Pair
* The provided power plug may differ from the picture due to different regional power specifications. Here we take the EU version of this product as an example.
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Note: 1. If you press the Pair button for more than 10 seconds, the Powerline Adapter will leave the network which it is associated with and its network name assumes a random value. The Power LED turns off when it disconnects from the Powerline network. For detailed information about the Pair button, please refer to Charpter 5 Advanced Feature:How to Use the Pair buttons
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3 Plug the Powerline Adapter into a wall socket next to the computer. 4 Turn on your computer. 5 Check and confirm that the Powerline Adapter are ON. Power LED, Ethernet LED, and Powerline LED on the
Note: Do not connect the Powerline adapter to an extension lead, power strip, extension cord, surge protector as these may degrade the network performance.
TL-PA211
Chapter 3
Please verify that no other Powerline Adapter or any Encryption Management Utilities are installed before installing the provided software. If other Powerline Utilities are installed, uninstall them and restart your personal computer before installing this provided software. Note: Please make sure that you have installed the WinPcap (the version of which should be beyond 4.1.1 inclusive) on your computer before installing the Management Utility. The WinPcap can be found on the provided Resource CD. Take the following procedures to properly install the provided Management Utility: Step 1: Insert the Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive, and then the following Setup Wizard will automatically pop up on your computers screen.
Step 2:
Select TL-PA211 and click Management Utility and the program installation process will carry out and copy all the necessary files to your system.
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Step 3:
After the installation, a shortcut to the TL-PA211 Powerline Utility application icon provided on the windows desktop.
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Chapter 4
After youd successfully installed the Powerline Adapter hardware and Management Utility software, you can set up or configure the devices according to your need. This Powerline Adapter Configuration Utility enables the users to identify powerline devices on the powerline network, measures data rate performance, ensures privacy and performs diagnostics by setting user defined secure powerline networks. Double click on the TL-PA211 Powerline Utility from your windows desktop, the following screen will display. This Management Utility consists of a set of five property sheets, viz., Main, Privacy, QoS, Diagnostics and About.
4.1 Main
The Main tab shows all the Powerline Adapters that are logically connected to the current computer where the Management Utility is running.
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Local Device(s) on your computer: This shows all local Powerline Ethernet Adapter found connected to the computers LAN card. In most cases, only one device will display in this panel. Click and select the local device shown on the screen then click Connect tab to manage the Powerline Ethernet Adapter. The status message will be shown above the Connect button indicates that your PC is connected to the same device. Once the chosen Powerline Ethernet Adapter is properly connected, this Management Utility will automatically scan the power line periodically for any other existing powerline devices. You can upgrade the version of firmware for the device by clicking the Upgrade Firmware button which is shown as below.
PIB: Parameter Information Block. It contains configuration values that establish device network identity, general capabilities and operational modes. NVM: None-volatile memory. It is used for upgrading the firmware. If you want to upgrade the version of firmware for the device, please select appropriate Firmware and PIB files together. New firmware versions and PIB files are posted at www.tp-link.com and can be downloaded for free. Note: The parameter information of PIB will restore to the factory defaults after resetting the PLC.
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To upgrade the device's firmware, follow these instructions: 1. 2. 3. Download PIB file and firmware upgrade file from the TP-LINK website (www.tp-link.com). Enter the path name or click Browse to select the downloaded files on the computer into the corresponding blanks. Click the OK button. Note: Do not turn off the device while the firmware is being upgraded. The device will reboot after the Upgrading has been finished. x Powerline Devices detected: This displays all the Mini Powerline Adapter found on the current logical network. x shows the number of remote Powerline Adapter discovered by this Management Utility. Network Type: Displays the type of logical network: Public or Private. Autoscan: Shows the scanning status (Default is ON). Device Name: Shows the default device name. One may redefine or change the name by clicking on the name and editing in place or by clicking the Rename button. Password: Shows the current password of the Powerline Adapter. Quality: Shows the quality of the Powerline Adapter connection. Rate (Mbps): Shows the current transmission rate of the selected Powerline Adapter. MAC Address: Shows the Powerline Adapters MAC address. Rename: Click to change the name of the selected Powerline Adapter. Enter Password: Shows the supplied Powerline Adapters password (Initially left blank). To set the Powerline Adapter password (Which is required when creating a private network), click and select the device shown in the lower panel and click on the Enter Password button. Follow the pop-up dialog box to complete your password setting. Add: Click this button to add a remote Powerline Adapter to your network that is not on the lower panel displayed list. You will advice to locate the passwords for all Powerline Adapter you wish to manage and add them to the local logical network by clicking the Add button. Follow the pop-up dialog box to complete your setting. Scan: Click the Scan button to perform an immediate search of the Powerline Adapter connected to the computer. The Management Utility will automatically perform the scanning process and update the display every few seconds by default. 4.1.1 Rename This Management Utility allows you to change the name of the listed Powerline Adapter. Click and select the Powerline Adapter you wish to change from the list, then click on the Rename tab and edit in the place to change the name.
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4.1.2 Enter Password Enter the password of the remote Powerline Adapters, and then you can set the network name of these devices on Privacy configuration homepage. The password can be found on the back of the device. Select the Powerline Adapter from the list, click the Enter Password button and then the following screen will display. Enter your Password (Take note of the password format) and click OK after setup.
Note: The Powerline Adapter device must be present on the powerline (plugged in) in order for the password to be confirmed and added to the network. If the Powerline Adapter device could not be located, a warning message will be shown.
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The following dialog box pop-up when clicking the Add button under Main configuration homepage. The dialog box allows you to enter both the selected devices name and password. Noted that the Powerline Adapter must be present on the power grid in order to activate the set password and added to the local network. Enter your Device Name and Password (Take note to the password format) and click OK after setup.
The following screen will display after the naming and password setting process, which is also the Diagnostics configuration homepage.
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This Management Utility allows you to reset the Powerline Adapter to its default settings by clicking the Reset button on the Main page.
4.2 Privacy
The Privacy configuration page provides a means for managing the local network and providing additional security for the logical network and also to select the devices that has to be included in the network. All Powerline devices are shipped using a default logical network (network name), which is normally HomePlugAV. The Privacy configuration homepage allows you to change the Network Name of the Powerline Adapter that is currently connected to this computer into a private network. Reset the private network to universal public network by clicking on the Use Default (Public Network) or entering/editing HomePlugAV under column of Private Network Name is always available. Note that every Mini Powerline Adapter on your home network MUST have the same Network Password for connectivity to be established throughout your home. Note: Changing the network name to anything other than HomePlugAV will show the network type on the Main configuration screen as Private.
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Set Local Device Only: Click this tab to change the network name of the local Mini Powerline Adapter device only. All Mini Powerline Adapter devices seen on the Main configuration homepage prior to this will be no longer present in the new network, effectively making the local devices not to communicate to the devices which were in the old logical network. Devices previously set up with the same logical network (same network name) will appear in the device list afterward selecting this option. Set All Devices: The Set All Devices button is used to change the logical network of all devices that appear on the Main configuration homepage whose Devices Password had been entered for the same logical network. A dialog window will appear to report the success of this operation. For devices whose device passwords were not entered, this operation will fail and will report a failure message.
4.3 QoS
The third tabbed window, labeled QoS for Quality of Service, is shown in Figure.
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QoS requirements are different for various data types such as streaming video or music, voice and raw data. To provide higher QoS for streaming data, priority levels can be set using tags at the beginning of data frames. Virtual Local Area Network (Vlan) 802.1p priority tags on Ethernet frames are used to specify 8 (0~7) levels of user priority. Homeplug AV powerline allows for 4 levels of Channel Access Priority CAP(0-3)). Therefore, the 8 levels of VLAN Ethernet tags must be mapped to the 4 levels of CAP priority, where CAP 3 is the highest priority and CAP 0 is the lowest. CAP 3 priority might be used for voice and network management frames, CAP 2 is used for streaming video while CAP 1 and CAP 0 are used for data. Mapping VLAN tags to CAP levels is easily done using the VLAM Priority Mapping function on the QoS tab window. Simple Application Mapping: The group allows you to choose what type of traffic with the highest user priority you will use your local HomePlug device for by pitching on one of the following three radios. Please select the radio type according to your demand. Advanced VLAN Priority Mapping: The group sets VLAN priority to CAP mapping and default priority. Note that in HomePlug, CAP 3 is the highest priority while CAP 0 is the lowest priority. The values shown in VLAN Tags Priority are the default settings for the first running.
4.4 Diagnostics
The Diagnostics homepage shows the System Information and Remote Device History of all remote devices seen over a period of time which are only readable. Click on the Diagnostics tab and the following screen will display.
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The Diagnostics information displayed can be saved to a text file. One can email the saved text file to the local supplier when theres technical support require or print the saved text file as reference during a technical support conference. The Upper Panel shows technical data concerning software and hardware present on the host computer which were used to communicate over Mini Powerline Adapter on the Powerline network. It may include the following: Operating System Platform/Version Host Network Name User Name MAC Address of all NICs (Network interface card) connected to the host Identify versions of all Driver DLLs and Libraries used (NDIS) and optionally MAC addresses of all devices connected locally to the host Click the Delete tab when theres Mini Powerline Adapter devices no longer part of the network. The Lower Panel contains a history of all remote Mini Powerline Adapter devices seen on the computer over a certain period of time. All devices that were on the powerline network are listed here along with a few other parameters. Mini Powerline Adapter devices that are active on the current logical network will show a transfer rate in the Rate column; devices on other networks, or devices that may no longer exist are shown with a ? in the Rate column. The following remote Mini Powerline Adapter devices information is available from the diagnostics screen: Device Alias Name Device MAC Address Device Password
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TL-PA211 Device Last known rate Device Last Known Network name Date device last seen on the network
The diagnostics information displayed may be saved to a text file for later use, or can be printed for reference for a technical support call. Mini Powerline Adapter devices, which are not part of the network anymore, can be deleted using the delete button. A dialog window pops up with a confirmation message if we try to delete a device whose password has been entered.
4.5 About
The About homepage shows the Management Utility software version.
AutoScan: When it is enabled (Place a check), the Management Utility will automatically scan for Mini Powerline Adapter devices on the local network every few seconds and updated the scanning information on the Main configuration homepage.
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Chapter 5
Create a Powerline network using the Pair button Step 1. Press and hold the Pair button of Powerline adapter A for 3 to 8 seconds, the Power LED will start flashing. Step 2. Press and hold the Pair button of Powerline adapter B for 3 to 8 seconds, the Power LED will start flashing. (This must be done within 120 seconds after pressing the Pair button of Powerline adapter A.) Step 3. Wait for about 60 seconds while your Powerline adapter A and B are connecting. The Power LED on both adapters will stop flashing and become solid light when the connection is made.
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Join an existing Powerline AV Network: Powerline adapter A and Powerline adapter B form a HomeplugAV Network, Powerline adapter C wants to join this network. Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Press and hold the Pair button on Powerline adapter C for 3 to 8 seconds. Press and hold the Pair button on Powerline adapter A/B for 3 to 8 seconds. (This step must be taken within 120 seconds after step 1 is finished.) Wait for about 60 seconds while your Powerline adapters are connecting. The Power LED on Powerline adapter A/B and C will stop flashing and become solid light when the connection is made.
Note: The sequence of Step 1 and Step 2 can be exchanged. Leave an existing Powerline AV Network: As the figure above shown, Powerline adapter A, B and C have formed a HomeplugAV Network. The user wants to remove one device (Powerline adapter A) from this network. Step 1. Press and hold the Pair button on Powerline adapter A for at least 10 seconds. Powerline adapter A will reset and restart. (The Power LED of Powerline adapter A will momentarily extinguish during resetting, flash during restarting then illuminate steadily.) Wait for the reset to complete.
Step 2.
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Chapter 6
The Troubleshooting Guide provides answers to common problems regarding the Mini Powerline Adapter.
1. The
Ans. Check the following: a) Make sure that the Mini Powerline Adapter is properly plugged into a power outlet. b) Make sure the power outlet is active (working) by plugging another electric device into it. c) Re-plug the Mini Powerline Adapter to the power outlet. If the Power LED is still failed to light up, contact your local dealer for technical support. 2. The Ethernet LED does not light up.
3. The
Ans. Check the following: 1. Double click to enable the Management Utility and click the Scan tab under the Main configuration homepage. The Management Utility will automatically detect all other Mini Powerline Adapters on your powerline network. 2. Try to plug a second Mini Powerline Adapter into a near by power outlet and check whether the Powerline LED lights up or not. 3. Contact your local dealer for technical support if the Powerline LED is still failed to light up after the above procedures.
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