User manual IOGEAR GHPU21

[. . . ] HomePlug USB Adapter User Manual (GHPU21) Welcome Thank you for purchasing one of the most user-friendly networking devices on the market. IOGEAR's HomePlug to USB adapters are first-class networking devices designed to network your computers at home (or in your small office). This device allows you to set up your home network via the most pervasive medium in your house ­ the home power lines. It is easy to set up, and it doesn't require any additional wiring in the house. [. . . ] It should be determined by the available connection on the computer that you plan to connect to HomePlug network. If the computer comes with a 10/100 NIC card, use the bridge; if the computer comes with a USB port, use the USB adapter. If the computer comes with both, you can decide based upon your unique situation. For Macintosh and other non-Windows based computers, a bridge is the only choice. HomePlug Network Topologies: There are various ways to connect your computers via HomePlug. If bridges are used to connect two networks together, there maybe both BUS and STAR. Using a HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (Node Mode) 26 Networking Configuration c. Using HomePlug to USB Adapter AND Ethernet Bridge (Node Mode) (Only 2 HomePlug Bridges can be used) 27 Networking Configuration d. Using the Ethernet Bridge to make a sub network HomePlug-ready to communicate with the other HomePlug nodes. (Sixteen HomePlug Bridges can be used in the same network. ) 28 Networking Basics Networking Basics Prior to installing HomePlug, you may have had some ideas about using your new network. This section will help you get started on those ideas or even give you some new ones. It will go through the process of sharing files, printing from any computer on the network, or accessing the Internet on multiple computers with one connection. Note that this section is just an outline of a few networking basics and not intended to be a comprehensive guide to networking. Topic 1: Using Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP/2000 In the following section, you will learn how to set up a network at home or at the office, using Microsoft Windows XP/2000. Right click on Local Area Connection, and then double click on Properties. You will see a window similar to this: Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)", then click on Properties. At the following window, select "Use the following IP address:", and fill 42 Networking Basics in the desired IP address and subnet mask (it is recommended to use the default subnet mask as shown in the following window. Subnet mask must be the same for all the computers on the network. ) If you need to enter DNS address, you must enter the address of the default gateway. Click "OK". 43 Networking Basics Click "Close" on the Local Area Connection Properties window. You have completed static IP address assignment. 44 Networking Basics Topic 4. Sharing Disks/Folders Once the network has been checked / configured, you can access other systems via "My Network Places". To allow other systems to access data on your disks / in your folders, you have to give permission to share your disks and/or folders. Select the disk (or the folder) to be shared (for example in "My Computer") and rightclick on the icon of the disk to get the Context / popup-menu, select "Sharing and Security". [. . . ] It is possible for your immediate (next door) neighbor to receive residual signal from your HomePlug adapter. To prevent your neighbors from hacking your network, the best thing you can do is type a different encryption password into your device when setting the encryption password. If devices do not have the same encryption password, they will not be able to communicate with each other. 64 Troubleshooting 6. Windows NT and Mac are only supported by the HomePlug Ethernet Bridge (Without installing the HomePlug software with default operating mode as BRIDGE, not NODE) 7. [. . . ]