PL-100 User’s Guide

Table 2 Utility Main Window Descriptions

LABEL

DESCRIPTION

 

 

Top Panel

This shows all local HomePlug devices found connected to the computer’s NIC

 

(Network Interface Card). In most cases, only one device will be seen. In situations

 

where there are more than one device connected, such as a USB and also an Ethernet

 

device, you may click to select the one to manage through and then click the Connect

 

button to its right. The status area above the button indicates that your PC is connected

 

to that same device. Once connected to the chosen local device, the utility will

 

automatically scan the power line periodically for any other HomePlug devices. If no

 

local HomePlug devices are discovered, the status area above the connect button will

 

indicate that accordingly.

Lower Panel

This displays all the HomePlug devices discovered on the current logical network

 

(remote devices). Displayed immediately above this panel is the number of remote

 

devices found, the type of logical network (Public or Private), and a message area

 

that reports connectivity and scan status. The following information is displayed for

 

each of the devices discovered that appear in the lower panel.

Device Name

This shows the default device name, which may be re-defined. You may change the

 

name by clicking on the name and editing in-place, or by using the rename button. An

 

icon is optionally shown with the name. A distinction in icons is made between low-

 

speed and high-speed devices (HomePlug 1.0 and Turbo). By default, the icon is

 

displayed with the name.

Rename

This allows you to rename a device.

 

 

Password

This shows current password for device.

 

 

Quality

This shows the quality of the High speed or Low speed device connection.

 

 

Rate

This shows the current transmission rate of selected device.

 

 

MAC Address

This shows the device’s MAC address.

 

 

Enter

This column shows the supplied device password (initially left blank). You may enter

Password

the password by using the Set Password button (explained below). To set the

 

Password of the device (required when creating a private network), first select the

 

device by clicking on its name in the lower panel and then click on the Enter Password

 

button. A dialog box will appear as shown below to type the password. The selected

 

device name is shown above the field for entering the password. Click OK after

 

entering the new password.

 

A confirmation box will appear if the password was entered correctly. If a device is not

 

found, you will be notified and suggestions to resolve common problems will be

 

presented.

Add Button

This is used to add a remote device to your network that is not on the displayed list in

 

the lower panel. For example, a device currently on another logical network See Figure

 

11 on page 31,can be added this way. You are advised to locate the passwords for all

 

devices you wish to manage and add them to the local logical network by clicking on

 

the Add button. A dialog box will appear as seen below. The dialog box allows you to

 

enter both a device name and the password.

Scan Button

This is used to perform an immediate search of the HomePlug devices connected to

 

the computer. By default the utility automatically scans every few seconds and updates

 

the display.

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Chapter 4 Using the Configuration Utility