Netgear AC1900 manual

350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, C A 95134 USA December 2014 202-11469-01 Nighthawk A C1900 WiF Range Ex t ender Model E X7000 User Manual[...]

2 Nighthawk AC1900 WiF Range Extender Suppor t Thank you f or selec ting NET GEAR products. After inst alling your device, locat e the serial number on the label of your product and use it to r egist er your product at https ://my .netge ar .com . Y ou must r egister your pr oduct befor e you can use NET GE AR telephone support . NET GEAR r ecommen[...]

3 T able of Cont ents Chapter 1 Overview Unpack Y our Ext ender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 T op P anel LEDs and Fr ont P anel USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Re ar Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

4 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Set Up an Ac cess Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Change the Extender ’ s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Set Up the Extender t o Use a St atic IP Addres s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

5 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications Factory Def ault Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 T echnical and Envir onmental Specific ations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76[...]

6 1 1. Ov er view The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering dual-band WiFi at speeds up to 1900 Mbps. The Nighthawk combines excellent range with maximum WiFi performance. It works with any standard WiFi router and is ideal for HD video streaming and gaming. Get the whole-home connecti[...]

Overview 7 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Unpack Y our Ex tender Y our box contains the following items: Extender Stand Antennas (3) Power adapter Rubber feet (4) T op P anel LEDs and Fr ont P anel USB P or t Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the extender or to monitor the extender performance. The following figure shows th[...]

Overview 8 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender The following table describes the LEDs. T able 1. Front panel LEDs LED Description • Green . The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is optimum. • Amber . The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is good. • Red . The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between [...]

Overview 9 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender R ear P anel The following figure shows the ports, buttons, antennas, and connector on the rear panel of the extender. Reset button Ethernet LAN Power connector Power On/Off WPS button button ports (5) Antennas Figure 2. Rear panel A ttach the S tand If you prefer to place the extender in the upright (vertical)[...]

Overview 10 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender A ttach the Rubber F eet If you prefer to place the extender in horizontal position, you can attach the rubber feet that come with the extender.  T o attach the rubber feet: 1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you. The red panel is the bottom. 2. In each corner , attach a rubber foo[...]

Overview 11 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender R etrieve and Display the P r oduc t Label The product label that you can retrieve from the extender contains the login URL, serial number , security PIN, MAC addresses of the radios, and other information.  T o retrieve the product label from the extender: 1. Place the extender upside down, with the red pa[...]

Overview 12 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender The extender broadcasts its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join. In its role as an access point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as broadcasting its network name (SSID). The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place. Existing WiFi Sometimes [...]

13 2 2. Get S tar t ed This chapter covers the following topics: • Install the Extender to Boost Y our WiFi Range • Install the Extender as an Access Point • Log In to the Extender After Installation • Run Smart Setup Installation[...]

Get Started 14 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Install the Ex t ender to Boost Y our WiFi Range The most common way to use the extender is to boost the range of your existing WiFi network. Y ou can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. For information about access point installat[...]

Get Started 15 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Use a W eb Br owser to C onnec t the Ex tender t o Y our WiFi Rout er Y ou can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your existing WiFi router .  T o use a web browser to connect the extender to your WiFi router: 1. On a computer , tablet, or smartphone, open the W[...]

Get Started 16 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender If your existing WiFi network is hidden, select the Manually input my wireless SSID radio button and type your WiFi network name. 7. When prompted, enter the password to connect to your WiFi network and click the NEXT button. The extender connects to your existing router ’s WiFi network. 8. Complete the f[...]

Get Started 17 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 10. Click the Next button. Y ou are prompted to log in and register your product. Choose a Location and Check the Signal S tr ength Now that the extender is connected to your WiFi router , you can move it to a location that will boost your WiFi range. The location that you choose must be within the range of[...]

Get Started 18 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 3. If the extender is not connected or the connection is poor , move the extender closer to your WiFi router and try again until the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Link Rate LED is green, or at least amber . 4. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’ s newly created WiFi [...]

Get Started 19 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your router to the Ethernet port on the extender . Ethernet Extender Ethernet LAN port WiFi router 4. T urn on your extender . Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. Press the Power button if necessary . The NETGEAR LED lights white and the Link Rate LEDs and the De[...]

Get Started 20 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 8. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button. 9. Click the ACCESS POINT button. The extender checks for an Internet connection through the router that you connected to the extender . 10. When prompted, set the network name (SSID), security option, and password for each WiFi band, and click the NEXT butt[...]

Get Started 21 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Run Smar t Setup Installation Y ou can use Smart Setup to change the extender settings. This is an easy way to connect the extender to a different router or to change the extender WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi password.  T o run Smart Setup: 1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device t[...]

Get Started 22 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender The following screen displays: 1 1. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new extended WiFi network and click the Continue button. 12. Click the Next button. The Status screen displays.[...]

23 3 3. Optimiz e Ex t ender P er f ormanc e This chapter covers the following topics: • Boost Y our Video Streaming • Adjust the WiFi Coverage[...]

Optimize Extender P erformance 24 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Boost Y our Video Str eaming Get the most out of your HD entertainment with FastLane technology . With FastLane technology , the extender connects to your router using one band and connects to your devices using another band. Because a band is dedicated to each function, performance is en[...]

Optimize Extender P erformanc e 25 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 6. Select a radio button: • Router-to-Extender in 2.4 GHz only and Extender-to-Device in 5 GHz only . • Router to Extender in 5 GHz only and Extender-to-Device in 2.4 GHz only . 7. Click the Save button. Y our changes are saved. Adjust the WiFi Cov er age Y ou can set the extender ?[...]

26 4 4. Ex t ender Netw ork Settings This chapter covers the following topics: • View Connected Devices • View W iFi Settings • Change the WiFi Network Name • T urn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network • Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios • Change the WiFi Speed • Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender ’s WiFi Network[...]

Extender Network Settings 27 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender View Connec t ed Devices Y ou can view a list of devices that are connected to the extender network.  T o view connected devices: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifiext.[...]

Ex tender Network Settings 28 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi . Change the WiFi Netw ork Name  T o change the WiFi network name: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifiext.net . 3. When prompted, enter you[...]

Extender Network Settings 29 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi . 6. In each Network Name (SSID) field, type a network name. 7. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved. T urn Off the SSID Br oadcast to Cr eat e a Hidden Network By default, the extender broadcasts its WiFi signal so that its wireless network names (SSID[...]

Ex tender Network Settings 30 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi . 6. Clear the Broadcast the Network name (SSID) check box. 7. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved. Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios By default, the extender ’s WiFi radios broadcast signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. If you disable the WiFi r[...]

Extender Network Settings 31 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi . 6. Select or clear the Enable 2.4 GHz WiFi check box. 7. Select or clear the Enable 5 GHz W iFi check box. 8. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved. Change the WiFi Speed  T o change the WiFi speed: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected [...]

Ex tender Network Settings 32 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi . 6. In each WiFi Speed menu, select a speed. 7. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved. Use WPS t o Add a Comput er t o the Ex t ender ’ s WiFi Network WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) lets you connect a computer or WiFi device to the extender’s network w[...]

Extender Network Settings 33 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Use WPS with the Push Butt on Method T o use the Push Button method to connect a WiFi device to the extender’ s WiFi network, the WiFi device that you are trying to connect must have a physical push button or a software push button.  T o use WPS to add a computer or WiFi device to the ext[...]

Ex tender Network Settings 34 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o add a computer or WiFi device to the extender’ s WiFi network: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifiext.net . 3. When prompted, enter your email address and passwo[...]

Extender Network Settings 35 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o use WiFi access control to deny access: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifiext.net . 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. 4. Click the Menu icon[...]

Ex tender Network Settings 36 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o set up an access schedule: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifiext.net . 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. 4. Click the Menu icon . The exten[...]

Extender Network Settings 37 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi Settings . The WiFi Settings screen displays. 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading to expand the IP address settings. 7. In the Device Name field, type a name. 8. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved. Set Up the Ex t ender t o Use a St atic I[...]

Ex tender Network Settings 38 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading to expand the IP address settings. By default, the Dynamically get IP Address from Router radio button is selected. 7. Select the Use Static IP Address radio button. 8. Complete the fields to specify the IP network IP addresses. 9. Click the SA [...]

39 5 5. Maint ain and Monit or the Ex t ender This chapter covers the following topics: • Change the Extender User Name and Password • T urn Password Protection Off and On • Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password • Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time • Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration • Return the Extender to I[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 40 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Change the Ex tender User Name and P asswor d Y ou can change the user name and password to log in to the extender .  T o add an extender user: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 41 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender T urn P assw or d Pr ot ec tion Off and On NETGEAR recommends that you leave password protection on to help keep your network secure. Y ou can turn password protection of f and on.  T o turn password protection off and on: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the e[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 42 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Aut omatically Adjust f or Daylight Saving Time  T o set up the extender to automatically adjust for daylight saving time: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifie[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 43 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Back Up and Manage the Ex tender C onfigur ation When the extender works correctly after initial setup, NETGEAR recommends that you back up the extender configuration settings. After you have back up the settings, if you change the extender configuration settings but are not content [...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 44 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. 4. Click the Menu icon . The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Other Settings . 6. Click the Browse button. 7. Locate and select the previously saved backup file. By default, the name of the backup file is NETGEAR[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 45 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o use the Reset button to return the extender to factory default settings: CAUTION: This process erases any settings that you configured in the extender. 1. Insert a straightened paper clip into the hole of the Reset button and hold it for about seven seconds. Reset button 2. R[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 46 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 4. Click the Menu icon . The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Other Settings . CAUTION: After you click the Erase button, do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer , or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting! 6. Click[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 47 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Firmware Update . 6. Click the Check Online button. 7. If new firmware is available, follow the onscreen prompts to download it onto your computer . Note: You might need to unzip the firmware file. 8. Click the Browse button. 9. Locate and select the new firmw[...]

Maintain and Monit or the Ex tender 48 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender The Other Settings screen displays. The LED Logo section displays the LED status as on or off. 6. Click the OFF or ON button. The NETGEAR logo LED turns off or on. R estar t the Ex t ender R emotely Y ou can log in to the extender and restart it. When the extender restarts, all compu[...]

49 6 6. Shar e a USB St or age Device This chapter describes how to access and configure a USB storage drive attached to your extender. The USB port on the extender can be used only to connect USB storage devices such as flash drives or hard drives, or a printer . Do not connect computers, USB modems, CD drives, or DVD drives to the extender USB po[...]

Share a USB S tor age Device 50 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender USB St or age Device R equirements The extender works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB drives that the extender supports, visit http://kbserver .netgear .com/readyshare . Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to[...]

Share a USB S tor age Device 51 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o access your USB device from a Mac: 1. Insert your USB device into the USB 3.0 port on the extender . If your USB device includes a power supply , you must use it when you connect the USB device to the extender . When you connect the USB device to the extender USB port, it might take[...]

Share a USB S tor age Device 52 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o map the USB device to a Windows network drive: 1. V isit www .netgear.com/readyshare . 2. In the ReadySHARE USB Storage Access pane, click the PC Utility link. The readyshareconnect.exe file is downloaded to your computer . 3. Launch readyshareconnect.exe . 4. Select the drive lette[...]

Share a USB S tor age Device 53 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Do More > USB Port . 6. Select the USB Port On or USB Port Off radio button. 7. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved. Add a Network F older on a USB Drive Y ou can add network folders on the USB storage device.  T o add a network folder: 1. On a computer or WiFi [...]

Share a USB S tor age Device 54 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender P asswor d-P rot ec t a Folder on a USB S tor age Devic e  T o password-protect a folder: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser . 2. In the address field of your browser , enter www .mywifiext.net . 3. When prompted, enter your em[...]

Share a USB S tor age Device 55 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender The extender menu displays. 5. Select Do More > USB Port . 6. Select the Share Printer radio button. 7. Follow the onscreen prompts to connect your printer to the USB port and share it. 8. Click the SA VE button. Y our settings are saved.[...]

56 7 7. Use the Ex t ender as a Media Ser ver This chapter contains the following sections: • Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings • Play Media from a USB Drive on TiV o Note: For information about how to connect the USB drive and to specify its settings, see Chapter 6, Share a USB Storage Device .[...]

Use the Extender as a Media Ser ver 57 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Specif y R eadyDLNA Media Ser ver Settings By default, the extender functions as a ReadyDLNA media server , which lets you stream music and movies from an attached USB device to DLNA/UPnP A V -compliant media players, such as Xbox360, Playstation, and NETGEAR media players.  T o s[...]

Use the Extender as a Media Ser ver 58 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 8. Click the SA VE button. Y our changes are saved. Play Media fr om a USB Drive on T iV o Y ou can set up your T iV o to access media files stored on a USB device that is connected to your extender. The T iV o must be on the same network as the extender. This feature supports the fo[...]

Use the Extender as a Media Ser ver 59 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 6. If it is not yet selected, select the Enable TiV o support check box. 7. Click the SA VE button. Y our changes are saved.  T o play videos: 1. On the T iV o, select TiV o Central > My Shows . 2. Go to the bottom of the list and select the EX7000.  T o play music or view p[...]

Use the Extender as a Media Ser ver 60 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 2. Select an item to play or watch.  T o copy TiV o files to a computer: Use a T iV o Desktop accessory , available at https://www .tivo.com/shop/accessories#streaming-software .[...]

61 8 8. Shar e a USB Print er Thr ough the Ex t ender The ReadySHARE Printer utility lets you share a USB printer that is connected to the USB port on your extender. Y ou can share this USB printer among the Windows and Mac computers on your network. This chapter contains the following sections: • Set Up ReadySHARE Printer • Use the Shared Prin[...]

Share a USB P rinter Thr ough the Ex tender 62 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Set Up R eadySHARE P rinter  T o set up ReadySHARE Printer: 1. Connect the USB printer to a USB port on the extender with a USB printer cable. 2. On each computer that will share the printer , do the following: a. Install the current USB printer driver software (available [...]

Share a USB P rinter Thr ough the Ex tender 63 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Use the Shar ed Print er After you install the ReadySHARE Printer utility , by default, when you log on to Windows, the utility starts automatically and runs in the background.  T o manually connect and print from the printer that is connected to the extender: 1. On your c[...]

Share a USB P rinter Thr ough the Ex tender 64 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender • Connected . Y our computer is connected to the printer . When your print job is done, the printer connection is released. • Manually Connected by . Only the connected computer can use the printer . • W aiting to Connect . Y our computer is not connected to the shared [...]

Share a USB P rinter Thr ough the Ex tender 65 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender 3. Click the Network Scanner button. The scanner screen displays so that you can use the USB printer for scanning. Change NE T GE AR USB Contr ol Cent er Settings Y ou can stop the NETGEAR USB Control Center from starting automatically when you log in to Windows. Y ou can als[...]

Share a USB P rinter Thr ough the Ex tender 66 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender  T o change the language: 1. Launch the NETGEAR USB Control Center . 2. Select T ools > Configuration . The Control Center - Configuration screen displays. 3. In the Language menu, select a language. 4. Click the OK button. The next time NETGEAR USB Control Center start[...]

67 9 9. F A Qs and T r oubleshooting This chapter covers the following topics: • F AQs • Cannot Connect to the Extender • Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message[...]

F A Qs and Tr oubleshooting 68 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender FA Q s This section provides answers for difficulties you might experience with the extender. The web browser setup guide keeps asking me for my network password (passphrase) or security key , and I am sure that I entered the correct password. What can I do? The extender is probably placed a[...]

F A Qs and Tr oubleshooting 69 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender For more information about how to reset the extender , see Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings on page 44. 2. Launch a web browser . 3. Enter www .mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser . The login screen displays. 4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button. The Create[...]

F A Qs and Tr oubleshooting 70 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender A login screen displays. c. Enter your email address and password and click the LOG IN button. 5. Select Settings > WiFi Settings . The WiFi Settings screen displays. 6. Scroll down and select Connected Devices . The Connected Devices section displays the MAC addresses and virtual MAC add[...]

F A Qs and Tr oubleshooting 71 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender b. T oggle the second-to-last digit of the binary code to 1 or 0. If the second-to-last digit is 1, toggle it to 0. If the second-to-last digit is 0, toggle it to 1. For example, if the binary code is 1 100/0100, the new binary code is 1 100/01 10. c. Convert the new binary code back to a he[...]

F A Qs and Tr oubleshooting 72 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender d. Replace the first two hexadecimal values in the old MAC 1 address with the new value you converted and add the new MAC 1 address to your router ’s MAC filter table. For example, if your old MAC 1 address was C4:04:15:5F:20:AD, your new MAC 1 address is C6:04:15:5F:20:AD. 12. Enable the [...]

F A Qs and Tr oubleshooting 73 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender If you use Smart Setup, and the extender does not connect to the WiFi router , does not connect to the Internet, or cannot get an IP address from the WiFi router , Smart Setup displays a message to notify you that the extender is not configured. T o run Smart Setup again, click the YES butto[...]

74 A A. F ac t ory Settings and T echnical Specifications This appendix covers the following topics: • Factory Default Settings • T echnical and Environmental Specifications[...]

Factory Settings and T echnical Specifications 75 AC1900 WiFi Range Extender F ac t ory Def ault Settings T o reset the extender to factory default settings, you can use either the Reset button on the rear panel or the Erase function. For more information, see Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings on page 44. The following table shows[...]