Yes, you need to press a button on one of the existing paired devices
in order to connect securely.
It's a feature of the new firmware from Intellon, the chipset supplier. Several of the Homeplug suppliers will be making this feature available over the coming 2-3 months. Also, though it's not mentioned here, there is a feature which gives some bandwidth indication - so you can see immediately if there is an issue (I'm not sure if the ODM which Solwise buys their product from - usually Aztech or Gigafast - has implemented this). Usually, with homeplug devices, deterioration in bandwidth is because you have plugged a mobile phone charger, or CCFL lamp, into the next power socket of your power strip (move it and it will improve) or you have plugged into a power strip with "protection" filter...
You don't need to set up a network key in order to use the existing devices, they will work without that - so you can use with your Xbox or Linux box, Mac, etc., but if you want to set up a key, you need to configure by using software on a PC; I believe only Devolo and LEA have software that runs on Linux and Mac at the moment, so this "pushbutton" network key is a good step forward.
BTW, unlike WiFi networks, a powerline network is very unlikely to be seen by your neighbours - as the signal is attenuated by distance and, more importantly, will not pass through the transformer at your electricity meter.
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Yes, you need to press a button on one of the existing paired devices
in order to connect securely.
It's a feature of the new firmware from Intellon, the chipset supplier. Several of the Homeplug suppliers will be making this feature available over the coming 2-3 months. Also, though it's not mentioned here, there is a feature which gives some bandwidth indication - so you can see immediately if there is an issue (I'm not sure if the ODM which Solwise buys their product from - usually Aztech or Gigafast - has implemented this). Usually, with homeplug devices, deterioration in bandwidth is because you have plugged a mobile phone charger, or CCFL lamp, into the next power socket of your power strip (move it and it will improve) or you have plugged into a power strip with "protection" filter...
You don't need to set up a network key in order to use the existing devices, they will work without that - so you can use with your Xbox or Linux box, Mac, etc., but if you want to set up a key, you need to configure by using software on a PC; I believe only Devolo and LEA have software that runs on Linux and Mac at the moment, so this "pushbutton" network key is a good step forward.
BTW, unlike WiFi networks, a powerline network is very unlikely to be seen by your neighbours - as the signal is attenuated by distance and, more importantly, will not pass through the transformer at your electricity meter.