Guide to setting up a simple Homeplug Network

[execcese]

Please use this forum to make any comments on improvements that can be made to this guide.

Guide to setting up a simple Homeplug Network

I spent many hours mouse clicking before I could get my homeplug network transferring files between my two computers (a Netgear router, a PC with WinXP Pro and an Acer 5103 notebook with Vista).
With hindsight this is how I should have done it for my network.
1. First connect the PC to the internet through an ethernet cable and ensure a web page can be opened. If it doesn't then it is up to you to get this working first. Repeat this for the Notebook (I have never had any problems disconnecting/reconnecting ethernet cables with the power on). It can take a few minutes before the connection can be used.
2. Replace the ethernet cable with two homeplugs and two ethernet cables (I plugged them in to the SAME extension and did not switch them on until after cables were connected). Check that the internet connection for the Notebook is still working.
3. If the internet is OK then you know your homeplugs are good. From then on it is really up to you to sort out the network protocol and folder/file/printer sharing permissions, because it would be the same as if you were connecting them together with ethernet cables.
4. The remainder of this guide assumes you have a router, a PC (with WinXP Pro) and a Notebook (with Vista). But it will be of benefit to anyone who has any combination of WinXP & Vista.
5. With all equipment powered-off, connect the PC into CH1 of the router. Plug one homeplug into a wall socket and connect it to Ch2 of the router. Connect the Notebook to the other homeplug in a wall socket. It should work if the homeplugs are plugged-in to the SAME mains extension.
6. Power-on and boot both computers. My network takes about 4 mins after the desktop appears before it is useable. Check that both computers can open a web page.

Note: Items marked with an * may need revisiting after the network is shown to be working correctly.
*7. For WinXP copy this command - control.exe netconnections and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK. Temporarily disable any other networks apart from the local area connection you are going to use. Do this by right clicking on them and then clicking Disable. When everything is working you can re-enable them.
[Note: After this you can get to Network Connections by right clicking on the "2 blue squares" icon (in bot RH corner of screen).]
8. Right click on Local Area Connection and click Properties. Ensure there are ticks against "Show icon..." and Notify me...".
*9. You should see a list of protocols, for Win XP (PC) you only need the following protocols:
i) Client for Microsoft Networks
ii) File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
iii) QoS Packet Scheduler
iv) Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
If you see any others remove the ticks in the boxes, you can replace the ticks after your network is working.
10. Click once on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click Properties. Ensure "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" are set in General tab and "Automatic private IP address" is set in Alternate Configuration tab. Click OK.
If you click on Configure it should show that your adapter is enabled and "working properly".
On my system I have "Enable IEEE..." and "Authenticate as computer" set in Authentication tab (don't know why).
*11. In Advanced tab click Settings. Temporarily set Firewall to Off. Later when everything is working, set to On and go to Exceptions and then Advanced tabs and set the options to what you require.
12. I wasted a lot of the time on setting up file sharing between WinXP and Vista so I recommend that you disable Simple File Sharing on WinXP. Click My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View and ensure there is no tick against "Use simple file sharing" at the bottom of the list.
[If you have Windows XP Home Edition then see: http://www.wikihow.com/Disable-Simpl...-Home-Edition]
13. Using Windows Explorer browse to any folder (or drive) you want to share. Right click on it and click Properties. Click the Sharing tab. Select "Share this folder" and click Permissions. If Everyone is not there click Add, type in Everyone and click OK. Set "Permissions for Everyone" to what you require. Click Security tab for security information.
14. Copy this command - fsmgmt.msc and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK.
Click on Shares and this will show you all the folders that are shared on your system.
15. Copy this command - sysdm.cpl and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK. In "Computer Name" tab ensure your Computer description is succinct.
Click on Change and ensure your Computer name is succinct and different to your Computer description. The Workgroup needs to be the same for both computers.
16. Do a system restart.

*17. For Vista copy this command - control.exe netconnections and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK. Temporarily disable any other networks apart from the local area connection you are going to use. Do this by right clicking on them and then clicking Disable. When everything is working you can re-enable them.
[Note: Alternative method to get to Network Connections is by right clicking on the "2 blue squares" icon (in bot RH corner of screen). Click "Network and Sharing Center" and then click "Manage network connections".]
18. Right click on Local Area Connection and click Properties.
*19. You should see a list of protocols, for Vista (Notebook) you only need the following protocols:
i) Client for Microsoft Networks
ii) File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
iii) QoS Packet Scheduler
iv) Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
If you see any others remove the ticks in the boxes, you can replace the ticks after your network is working.
20. Click once on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click Properties. Ensure "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" are set in General tab and "Automatic private IP address" is set in Alternate Configuration tab. Click OK.
If you click on Configure it should show that your adapter is "working properly".

*21. Copy this command - Firewall.cpl and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK.
Click Change settings. Temporarily set Firewall to Off. Later when everything is working, set to On and go to Exceptions and then Advanced tabs and set the options to what you require.
22. Using Windows Explorer browse to any folder (or drive) you want to share. Right click on it and click Properties. Click the Sharing tab. Select "Share this folder" and click Permissions. If Everyone is not there click Add, type in Everyone and click OK. Set "Permissions for Everyone" to what you require. Click Security tab for security information.
23. Copy this command - fsmgmt.msc and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK.
Click on Shares and this will show you all the folders that are shared on your system.
24. Copy this command - sysdm.cpl and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK. In "Computer Name" tab ensure your Computer description is succinct. Click on Change and ensure your Computer name is succinct and different to your Computer description. The Workgroup needs to be the same for both computers.
[Alternative method to get to System Properties is Control Panel/System/Change settings (on RH side of Screen).]
25. Do a system restart.

In Vista, after boot-up, network first shows with a red cross on the icon (in bot. RH corner of screen) and you must give it time to connect. On my setup after a few minutes if you hover the mouse hover the notebook icon you get "SKYnnnnn n" " Access: Local and Internet". For pc icon you get "Local Area Connection" "Speed 100.0 Mbps" "Status: Connected".

The latest software Intellon PowerPacket Utility v.3.0 build 4.0 will install wirh Vista and can be opened, but even when files can be transfered it states "Homeplug Adaptor NOT DETECTED". So
latest software will NOT work with Vista for PL-14PE homeplug. Fortunately this software is not essential to obtain file transfer between computers.

To access the shared folders in WinXP open Windows Explorer and go to My Network Places, Entire Network, Microsoft Windows Network, Workgroup name and then networked computer name. For Vista go to Network and then networked computer name.

Unfortunately I no longer have a virgin system so I do not know all the things I have changed. If your system does not work after following the above (where applicable) then have a look at the following.
a) How to troubleshoot home networking in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308007
b) How to configure file sharing in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040/
c) Read somewhere that Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) was required but I did not find it necessary. See: http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window....mspx?mfr=true (all one line)
d) Copy this command - services.msc and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK.
Have a look at any services that may affect the network. I found one named "Deny access to this computer from the network" and disabled it. [right click and then click Properties to change Startup type.]
e) I read somewhere that there is a difference in the way sharing is implemented between FAT32 and NTFS. Some of the partitions on my PC were FAT32 so I changed them so they were all NTFS. Not sure if this really matters but did it anyway.
f) For Vista in Network Sharing Center "Sharing and Discovery" check that "Network Discovery" is ON and that other options you require are ON.
g) A good web site for networking is: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
h) If you have errors to may get some useful information from the Network Setup Wizard Log. Copy this command - %SystemRoot%\nsw.log and paste it in the Start/Run command box, then click OK.

Last modified 28Jul07
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[canvey]

Many thanks for sharing this

[Louise]

ditto - thank you for the time put into this. I will make it a sticky post

[GregWard]

I bought a pair of these devices a while ago and had problems setting them up. Seeing this advice I tried again - this time succesfully. So the good news is that all went very smoothly and I was able to get a Polycom VOIP hardphone working.

I was really testing the approach on behalf of two work colleagues both of whom have wireless routers in different rooms from where they would like to install their VOIP Phones. The Solwise devices seemed like a good solution.

But there appears to be a problem if the devices are connected to different ring mains (ie so the link needs to navigate the Consumer Unit/Fusebox). There did seem to be some activity going on but the connection was either not working or very slow. Plugging the second device into another socket on the same mains ring was instantly succesful.

So it would appear that the two devices need to be on the same mains ring for best results. Could you confirm if this is the case? Or did I do something wrong? It's a pity if you can't work from one ring to another (although I could understand why this might be the case) as I believe it is UK wiring "good practise" to have seperate rings for each floor of the house.

Thanks

[shotokan101]

Seperate rings should be o.k. - problems occur when crossing different mains supplies/distribution units and a drop in performance will definitely be seen....

[pobi]

this will help my friends a lot because they have a homeplug network too and they keep on complaining so now i will just let them read those guidelines no hassle for them now.

[taighsolais]

Hi,

I wonder if you can help me with the setup of my wireless network.

I have a BT wireless router which covers most of the house fairly well. One bedroom which i was converting to an office does not receive a good signal.

i bought a Solwise PL 85PE and a Billion BiPAC 2060G thinking this could extend the network to my office.

I connected the 85PE to my router with an ethernet cable and plugged it in. I then plugged in the 2060G in the office.

When i switch on my laptop in the office it finds a 'default' network but this is not connected to the BT hub. How do I alter the settings to get these two devices to 'talk to each other'. Any help for this non techie would be very much appreciated

[shotokan101]

Not entirely sure from your text what you mean....

When you connect the laptop to this default network (wireless I presume) do you get any conectivity ?

I presume that you have carried out any necessary setup procedures on the Billion wireless device - I would expect to need to connect via ethernet to set the wireless up to enable you to connect from the laptop wirelessly?

Jim

[fazthgreat]

Great post, really helpful.
thanks!