ZyXEL Communications PLA-402 Introducing the PLA-400/402, 1.1 Overview, 1.1.1 Expand Your Network with the PLA-400

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Introducing the PLA-400/402

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the PLA-400 and PLA-402 HomePlug AV compliant power line adapters. It also introduces how to manage the PLA-400/ 402.

1.1 Overview

The HomePlug AV (Audio/Video) standard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical wiring. This section shows you typical applications for your PLA-400 and PLA-402 PowerLine Ethernet Adapters. See Appendix A on page 35 for detailed product specifications for each model.

1.1.1 Expand Your Network with the PLA-400

The PLA-400 plugs into an ordinary outlet to easily extend a cable or DSL broadband connection or existing Ethernet (LAN) network to any other electrical outlet in any room of a house, all without the need for any new cabling. Devices can securely communicate with each other with data transfer rates of up to 200 Mbps over the power line. The PLA-400/402s use 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information.

Figure 1 Expand Your Network with the PLA-400

Connect your PLA-400 to a modem, router or switch and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA-400 into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA-400 for Internet access. Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLA-400s into other outlets in your home and connecting other computers or network devices (for example a printer) to them.

Refer to your Quick Start Guide for hardware connection information. Refer to the Appendix C on page 49 for wall mounting instructions.

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PLA-400/402 Series User’s Guide