ZyXEL Communications PLA-491 Introducing the PLA-4xx, 1.1 Overview, 1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx

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Introducing the PLA-4xx

1.1 Overview

This chapter introduces the main applications and features of the PLA-4xx HomePlug AV compliant powerline adapter. See Appendix A on page 79 for detailed product specifications.

In this User’s Guide the electrical wiring network and coaxial cable network are both referred to as “HomePlug AV”. The HomePlug AV standard specifies how network devices communicate using standard electrical wiring.

1.2 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx

The PLA-4xx plugs into an ordinary power 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 at high data transfer rates. (See Appendix A on page 79 for speeds currently supported by the PLA-4xx.) The PLA-4xx uses 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to ensure safe transfer of information.

Figure 1 Expand Your Network with the PLA-4xx

Connect your PLA-4xx to an Internet gateway such as a modem and plug it into an ordinary power outlet in your home. Plug a second PLA-4xx into another power outlet and connect a computer to the PLA-4xx for Internet access. Your network can be further expanded by plugging additional PLA-4xxs 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 Appendix A on page 79 for wall mounting instructions.

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PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide