
Once the network interface card has been chosen, the DOS window closes; this
indicates that the priority configuration is completed.
It is important to identify the PLC device with the highest priority level and to
maintain its connection to the Internet gateway or to the InternetBox.
Configuring PLC Security
The configuration of PLC security is a major aspect of the PLC network implemen-
tation enabling the securing of data exchanges between the electrical network PLC
devices. Since the PLC signal propagates beyond the house meter boundaries, any
malevolent person can intercept the data if the PLC devices are simply configured
using the default parameters of the NEK.
Several PLC networks can also be installed on the same electrical network with
security configuration by configuring various NEK on the connected HomePlug
devices.
As we saw in Chapter 9, dedicated to the configuration of HomePlug PLC
devices, the NEK key must be configured on all the PLC devices to be installed using
configuration tools such as Power Packet Utility from Intellon for HomePlug
1.0/Turbo and Power Manager from AsokaUSA for HomePlug AV.
This tool (available at the following address: http://asokausa.com/down-
loads/Power Manager1.2.0-Common.zip is used for configuring the NEK on the
various PLC devices. In order to do this, simply connect the PLC devices one by one
to the PC on which the configuration tool is installed by means of a network cable
(Ethernet or USB depending on the PLC device model).
Once the device is connected to the PC, the configuration tool runs via the
“Start” menu. The window illustrated in Figure 10.11 then opens. The device locally
connected to the PC is described in the “Devices” window pane.
The “New Network Password” field is used for modifying the network key set
by default to the HomePlug value and for assigning a specific value to it for the
domestic installation network.
228 PLC in the Home
Figure 10.10 Configuring the Ethernet board connected to the PLC device
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