ZyXEL Communications PLA-470 V2 - V3.0.5 Przewodnik Instalacji Pobierz pdf (Strona 95)

The NEK identifies the PLC network in the same manner as the WEP (wired

equivalent privacy) is used to protect the data of a Wi-Fi network. It also carries out

the following tasks:

•

creation of several PLC networks on the same electrical network;

•

encryption of the data flowing between the PLC devices; and

•

authentication of the devices belonging to the PLC network.

Default NEK of HomePlug PLC Networks

In HomePlug, the default NEK is equal, in ASCII, to 0x46D613E0F84A764C, which is equiv-

alent to the word HomePlug. Any HomePlug PLC device available in stores is configured

with this encryption key.

If a non-trained user tries to make its equipment work in this way without network con-

figuration notions, the price to pay is the total absence of security, insofar as all the devices

complying with this standard are capable of recovering the data exchanged over the elec-

trical network irrigating a building or a single family house.

The DEK identifies a particular PLC device. It is used for the remote configuration of

PLC devices via the electrical network of the house or business wiring.

This key is used to create an encrypted communication between the PLC device

holding the NEK and the PLC device trying to belong to the PLC network.

As we’ll see in Chapter 9, dedicated to practical PLC network configurations,

this key can prove very useful for remote device configuration from a network

administration central point.

76 Security

Figure 4.12 Access of a device to a PLC network identified by its NEK key

1 2 ... 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 ... 348 349

Brak uwag

ZyXEL Communications PLA-470 V2 - V3.0.5 Przewodnik Instalacji Strona 95