Chapter 5 The Configuration Utility
PLA-4xx Series User’s Guide
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You can configure the powerline adapters on your network to give priority to network traffic
depending on its importance. When you set the priority of a powerline adapter, you set how
quickly messages FROM your powerline adapter are sent in your powerline network.
Transmissions TO your powerline adapter do not receive any priority.
For example, if you have a file server on your home network to deliver music and movie files
to computers in your home, you should set the priority of the powerline adapter connected to
this server to Medium. If video traffic is delivered too slowly, quality problems may occur.
On the other hand, a powerline adapter attached to a printer should have a low priority setting
since the slow delivery of messages will not affect the print job.
Similarly, if you want to prioritize any downloads from the Internet, set the priority on the
powerline adapter attached to your Internet gateway to High.
Allocate priority settings based on application type as follows.
The figure below shows an example powerline home network connected to the Internet.
• Device A is a printer and does not handle traffic with high importance, so the powerline
adapter connected to it can be set to low priority.
• Device B is a file server, delivering audio or movie files to other users on the network. The
powerline adapter attached to it should have a medium setting.
• Device C, a home computer which connects to the Internet, can receive a normal priority
setting as it usually sends simple requests for data. For example, when you surf the
Internet, your computer sends requests to open web pages.
• Device D is a modem attached to the Internet. It should receive a high priority setting if
you want faster downloading through your network.
• Although device E receives audio or movie files, it does not send a lot of traffic, so the
powerline adaptor attached to it can be set to a low priority.
Table 6 Priority Settings
PRIORITY LEVEL APPLICATION
High Voice Application
Medium Video and Audio
Applications
Normal Data Applications
Low Data Applications