In the event you want to create separate powerline networks, you can create a network name for the adapter highlighted in the table above. You can find it printed on the wall-facing side of the adapter, next to where the serial number is located. It turns out that DAK stands for Data Access Key, and in order to manage powerline adapters on the network not directly connected to the laptop, this key is required. While the network seemed to work, I was now curious what the DAK Password and NMK references were on the Configuration tab. Without doing anything else, I tested my pings and they started working!įigure 54 - ZyXEL powerline configuration utility, Configuration tab At the same time, HomePlug AV packets started flying through Wireshark. After I switched it over to Ethernet, the two ZyXEL powerline adapters displayed almost immediately. On the Configuration screen, I noticed the utility was trying to read the network topology using my Wi-Fi adapter. That's not at all frustrating, right? Right. The software's focus window is shifted to the left, where its mapped clickable areas are located. To my surprise, after clicking the Advanced icon, the Configuration button output appeared. Since the main Network Info button did not appear to be helpful, and I'm a pro, I jumped straight over to the Advanced button. I decided to play around with the utility to see if there was a diagnostic option. Still, I didn't see any indicators of the powerline adapter MAC addresses. Weirder still, I could see broadcast traffic from the other test laptop via the Ethernet interface. Perplexed, I fired up Wireshark and did not see any pings transmitted. I was trying to ping from one laptop with a static IP address to another in the same room, and was not getting any response. However, the HomePlug Certified logo is absent, and I can find no documentation verifying these adapters meet the HomePlug AV2 specification.įigure 53 - ZyXEL powerline configuration utility HomePlug AV2 is clearly promoted on the product packaging, and the standard is also listed in the product's technical specifications on the ZyXEL website. Interestingly, although it's over double the size, ZyXEL's PLA5215 maxes out at 2W less than the TP-Link TL-PA6010.Īfter checking both the HomePlug AV and HomePlug AV2 search filters on the HomePlug Alliance Certified Products List, I was left scratching my head. Power consumption tops out at 4.5 watts, putting this adapter in the more power-hungry range of our comparison. Operating range is listed between 2 and 68MHz, with data rates claimed of up to 600 Mb/s (PHY). ZyXEL cites the HomePlug AV2 standard, and with the adapter having a third prong, there's the potential for MIMO to be incorporated. Inside the box, we're provided the two powerline adapters, two RJ-45 cables, a quick-start guide and a software utility disc.
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