Cisco Linksys EA2700, Linksys EA3500, Linksys EA4500, Linksys EA6500 User Manual

User Guide

Linksys EA-Series

Contents

Linksys EA-Series

Product Overview

EA2700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

EA3500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

EA4500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

EA6500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Setting Up: Basics

How to create a home network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

What is a network? 12 How to set up a home network 12

Where to nd more help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

How to install your router

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

How to congure your router

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi 14 How to connect directly to your router 15 How to improve your wireless connection speed 15 How to change your network’s name and password 16 How to change your router’s local access password 16 How to change your router’s time zone 17

How to test your Internet connection speed . . . . . . . . . . . .17

How to connect devices to your network

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

How to connect a computer to your network 18 How to connect a USB printer 18 How to connect other devices 19 How to view device details 20

How to set up parental controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

How to set parental controls 21

How to congure your guest network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

How to back up your router conguration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

How to customize Linksys Smart Wi-Fi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Using widgets 24 Customizing the Device List 24

Using an External Drive

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

How to attach a USB drive

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

How to use secured folder access

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

How to set up authorized users and shared folders 26 How to access shared folders 27

How to set up your router as a media server . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

How to connect your UPnP device to the media server 29

How to remotely access storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Setting Up: Advanced

How to manually set up your router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

How to manually set up your Internet connection 32

How to associate a router with your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account 33 How to get the most out of your dual-band router

. . . . . . . .34

How to control access to your network

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

How to improve security using the built-in rewall 37

How to set up the DHCP server on your router. . . . . . . . . . . 38

How to set up DHCP reservation 39

How to access your network on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

How to clone a MAC address

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

How to connect to your corporate oce using a VPN

. . . . . . 41

How to optimize your router for gaming and voice

. . . . . . . . 42

Contents

Linksys EA-Series

How to enable Voice over IP on your network . . . . . . . . . . . 43

How to congure UPnP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

How to use a router as an access point

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

How to put your new router behind an existing router

. . . . . . 46

To add your router to an existing router or gateway 46 To share an Internet connection 47 To extend your network 49

How to expose a device to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Port Forwarding and Port Triggering

How to set up port forwarding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

How to set up port forwarding for a single port 51 How to set up port forwarding for multiple ports 52 How to set up port forwarding for a range of ports 52

How to set up port range triggering for online gaming . . . . . 53

Maintaining and Monitoring

How to back up and restore your router conguration. . . . . .55

How to upgrade the router’s rmware

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

How to restore factory defaults

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

How to check the status of your router

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

How to disable the Ethernet port status lights 58 How to test your Internet connection 58 How to congure and use logs 59

Troubleshooting

During setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Your router was not successfully set up 60 Windows XP Service Pack update 60

Your Internet cable is not plugged in message 61 Cannot access your router message 61

After setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

The Internet appears to be unavailable 63 Linksys Smart Wi-Fi does not open in your web browser 64 You cannot access Linksys Smart Wi-Fi 64 All other troubleshooting has been unsuccessful 64

Specications

Linksys EA2700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Linksys EA3500

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Linksys EA4500

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Linksys EA6500

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

Product Overview

EA2700

Package contents

In addition to your router, your router package includes:

• Network (Ethernet) cable

• AC power adapter

• Setup CD containing router setup software and documentation

Features

Wireless-N technology

Built with leading 802.11n technology, create a powerful home wireless network with double the capacity for surfing the Internet, streaming multimedia, and running applications simultaneously. Connect your computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, smartphones, and other Wi-Fi devices at fast transfer rates for an unrivaled experience.

The power of dual band

Double your network bandwidth with simultaneous dual-band N (2.4 and 5GHz). The dual-band feature is designed to avoid interference and optimize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.

Advanced security

Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders and Internet threats at bay with WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall to help keep your network protected.

Benefits of gigabit

Use the four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for quick file sharing (up to 10× faster than standard Ethernet) between other Gigabit-enabled devices like computers and servers.

Network ready

Connect computers, printers, scanners, and more to your wireless network and the Internet. QoS traffic prioritization technology delivers maximum speed and performance so you can enjoy fast downloads and reliable VoIP.

Easy to manage

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software helps you customize your settings and quickly add multiple devices to your network:

Separate guest network

Create a separate, password-protected network for guests.

Parental controls

Limit access time and websites with parental controls.

IPv6 enabled

Supports the latest Internet protocol technology to future-proof your network.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

Back view

Ethernet ports Wi-Fi Protected Setup button

Internet port

Power port

Power indicator

• Ethernet ports—Connect Ethernet cables (also called network cables)

to these Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports, color coded blue, and to wired Ethernet network devices on your network.

NOTE

For best performance, use CAT5E or higher rated cables on the Ethernet ports.

• Internet port—Connect an Ethernet cable (also called a network or

Internet cable) to this port, color coded yellow, and to your modem.

• Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ button—Press this button to easily configure

wireless security on Wi-Fi Protected Setup-enabled network devices. For more information, see “How to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup” on page 19.

• Power indicator—Stays on steadily while power is connected and

following a successful Wi-Fi Protected Setup connection. Flashes slowly during bootup, firmware upgrades, factory reset, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Flashes quickly when there is a Wi-Fi Protected Setup error.

• Power port—Connect the included AC power adapter to this port.

CAUTION

Use only the adapter that came with your router.

Port activity indicator

Green connectivity indicator

Yellow network

activity indicator

Network or Internet port

• Green connectivity indicator—On Ethernet ports, turns on when a

cable connects the port to another Gigabit Ethernet port. On the Internet port, turns on while connected to a modem.

• Yellow activity indicator—Flashes to indicate network activity over

that port.

Bottom view

• Reset button—Press and hold this button for 15 seconds (until the port

lights flash at the same time) to reset the router to its factory defaults. You can also restore the defaults using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. For more information, see “How to restore factory defaults” on page 56.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

EA3500

Package contents

In addition to your router, your router package includes:

• Network (Ethernet) cable

• AC power adapter

• Setup CD containing router setup software and documentation

Features

Wireless-N technology

Built with leading 802.11n technology, create a powerful home wireless network optimized for video, music, and multi-player gaming. Connect your computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, smartphones, and other Wi-Fi devices at blazingly fast transfer rates for an unrivaled experience.

The power of dual band

SpeedBoost

Higher quality antenna technology helps maintain high speeds across greater distances throughout your home.

Advanced security

Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders and Internet threats at bay with WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall to help keep your network protected.

Benefits of gigabit

Use the four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for quick file sharing (up to 10× faster than standard Ethernet) between other Gigabit-enabled devices like computers and servers.

Built-in USB port

The USB port lets you add an external USB drive to your network and share files at home or over the Internet. You can also connect a USB printer and share it across your network.

Home theater ready

Bring the ultimate entertainment experience to your home by connecting computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, media players, and more to your wireless network and the Internet. Simultaneous dual-band N and QoS traffic prioritization technology delivers maximum speed and performance so you can enjoy fast downloads, smooth video and music streaming, and reliable gaming and VoIP.

Easy to manage

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software helps you customize your settings and quickly add multiple devices to your network:

Separate guest network

Create a separate, password-protected network for guests.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

Parental controls

Limit access time and websites with parental controls.

IPv6 enabled

Supports the latest Internet protocol technology to future-proof your network.

Back view

Ethernet ports Wi-Fi Protected Setup button

Internet port

Power port

Power indicatorUSB port

• USB port—To easily share disk storage with other users on your network

or on the Internet, connect a USB drive to this port. For more information, see “Using an External Drive” on page 25. You can also connect a USB printer and share it across your network. For more information, see “How to connect a USB printer” on page 18.

• Ethernet ports—Connect Ethernet cables (also called network cables)

to these Gigabit (10/100/1000) ports, color coded blue, and to wired Ethernet network devices on your network.

NOTE

For best performance, use CAT5E or higher rated cables on the Ethernet ports.

• Internet port—Connect an Ethernet cable (also called a network or

Internet cable) to this port, color coded yellow, and to your modem.

• Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ button—Press this button to easily configure

wireless security on Wi-Fi Protected Setup-enabled network devices. For more information, see “How to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup” on page 19.

• Power indicator—Stays on steadily while power is connected and

following a Wi-Fi Protected Setup connection. Flashes slowly during bootup, firmware upgrades, factory reset, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Flashes quickly when there is a Wi-Fi Protected Setup error.

• Power port—Connect the included AC power adapter to this port.

CAUTION

Use only the adapter that came with your router.

Port activity indicators

Green connectivity indicator

Yellow network

activity indicator

Network or Internet port

• Green connectivity indicator—On Ethernet ports, turns on when a

cable connects the port to another Gigabit Ethernet port. On the Internet port, turns on while connected to a modem.

• Yellow activity indicator—Flashes to indicate network activity over

that port.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

Bottom view

• Reset button—Press and hold this button for 15 seconds (until the port

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

EA4500

Package contents

In addition to your router, your router package includes:

• Network (Ethernet) cable

• AC power adapter

• Setup CD containing router setup software and documentation

Features

Wireless-N technology

Built with leading 802.11n wireless technology, your router offers maximum speed and range to create an ultra-powerful network designed for home theater performance. Connect your computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, smartphones and other Wi-Fi devices at blazingly fast transfer rates for an unrivaled experience.

The power of dual band

SpeedBoost

Higher quality antenna technology helps maintain high speeds across greater distances throughout your home.

Advanced security

Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders and Internet threats at bay with WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall to help keep your network protected.

Benefits of gigabit

Use the four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for quick file sharing (up to 10× faster than standard Ethernet) between other Gigabit-enabled devices like computers and servers.

Built-in USB port and DLNA media server

The USB storage port lets you add an external USB drive to your network and share files at home or over the Internet. It also features a built-in DLNA media server for seamless streaming of your video and media files to an Xbox 360, PS3, or other DLNA-compatible device. You can also connect a USB printer and share it across your network.

Home theater ready

Quick to install

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software helps you easily set up your router.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

IPv6 enabled

Supports the latest Internet protocol technology to future-proof your network.

Easy to manage

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software helps you customize your settings and quickly add multiple devices to your network:

Separate guest network

Create a separate, password-protected network for guests.

Parental controls

Limit access time and websites with parental controls.

Top view

Indicator light

• Indicator light—Stays on steadily while power is connected and

following a successful Wi-Fi Protected Setup connection. Pulses slowly during bootup, firmware upgrades, factory reset, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Flashes quickly when there is a Wi-Fi Protected Setup error.

Back view

Ethernet ports

Wi-Fi Protected Setup button

Internet port Power port

Reset button

USB port

• Ethernet ports—Connect Ethernet cables (also called network cables)

to these Gigabit (10/100/1000) ports, color coded blue, and to wired Ethernet network devices on your network.

NOTE

For best performance, use CAT5E or higher rated cables on the Ethernet ports.

• Internet port—Connect an Ethernet cable (also called a network or

Internet cable) to this port, color coded yellow, and to your modem.

• Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ button—Press this button to add Wi-Fi

Protected Setup-enabled devices automatically. For more information, see “How to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup” on page 19.

• USB port—To easily share disk storage with other users on your network

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

• Reset button—Press and hold this button for 15 seconds (until the port

• Power port—Connect the included AC power adapter to this port.

CAUTION

Use only the adapter that came with your router.

Port activity indicators

Green connectivity indicator

Yellow network

activity indicator

Network or Internet port

• Green connectivity indicator—On Ethernet ports, turns on when a

cable connects the port to another Gigabit Ethernet port. On the Internet port, turns on while connected to a modem.

• Yellow network activity indicator—Flashes to indicate network activity

over that port.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

EA6500

Package contents

In addition to your router, your router package includes:

• Network (Ethernet) cable

• AC power adapter

• Setup CD containing router setup software and documentation

• SimpleTap™ card

Features

Wireless-AC technology

Built with leading 802.11ac wireless technology, your router offers maximum speed and range to create an ultra-powerful network designed for home theater performance. Connect your computers, Internet-ready TVs, game consoles, smartphones and other Wi-Fi devices at blazingly fast transfer rates for an unrivaled experience.

The power of dual band

Double your network bandwidth with simultaneous dual-band wireless-AC. The dual-band feature is designed to avoid interference and optimize throughput for smoother and faster HD video streaming, file transfers, and wireless gaming.

SpeedBoost

Higher quality antenna technology helps maintain high speeds across greater distances throughout your home.

Advanced security

Keep Wi-Fi freeloaders and Internet threats at bay with WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall to help keep your network protected.

Benefits of gigabit

Use the four Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports for quick file sharing (up to 10× faster than standard Ethernet) between other Gigabit-enabled devices like computers and servers.

Built-in USB ports and DLNA media server

The USB ports let you add an external USB drive to your network and share files at home or over the Internet. It also features a built-in DLNA media server for seamless streaming of your video and media files to an Xbox 360, PS3, or other DLNA-compatible device. You can also connect a USB printer and share it across your network.

Home theater ready

Quick to install

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software helps you easily set up your router.

IPv6 enabled

Supports the latest Internet protocol technology to future-proof your network.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

Easy to manage

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software helps you customize your settings and quickly add multiple devices to your network:

Separate guest network

Create a separate, password-protected network for guests.

Parental controls

Limit access time and websites with parental controls.

Top view

Indicator light

• Indicator light—Stays on steadily while power is connected and

following a successful Wi-Fi Protected Setup connection. Pulses slowly during bootup, during firmware upgrades, and during a Wi-Fi Protected Setup connection. Flashes quickly when there is a Wi-Fi Protected Setup error.

Back view

Ethernet ports

Wi-Fi Protected Setup button

Internet port

Power port

Reset button

USB ports

• Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ button—Press this button to easily configure

wireless security on Wi-Fi Protected Setup-enabled network devices.

• Ethernet ports—Connect Ethernet cables (also called network cables)

to these Gigabit (10/100/1000) ports, color coded blue, and to wired Ethernet network devices on your network.

NOTE

For best performance, use CAT5E or higher rated cables on the Ethernet ports.

• Internet port—Connect an Ethernet cable (also called a network or

Internet cable) to this port, color coded yellow, and to your modem.

• USB ports—To easily share disk storage with other users on your network

or on the Internet, connect a USB drive to one of these ports. You can also connect a USB printer and share it across your network.

• Reset button—Press and hold this button for 5-15 seconds (until the

port lights flash at the same time) to reset the router to its factory defaults. You can also restore the defaults using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

• Power port—Connect the included AC power adapter to this port.

CAUTION

Use only the adapter that came with your router.

Product Overview

Linksys EA-Series

Port activity indicators

Green connectivity indicator

Yellow network

activity indicator

Network or Internet port

• Green connectivity indicator—On Ethernet ports, turns on when a

cable connects the port to another Gigabit Ethernet port. On the Internet port, turns on while connected to a modem.

• Yellow network activity indicator—Flashes to indicate network activity

over that port.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

How to create a home network

What is a network?

A network is any group of devices that can communicate with each other. A home network can also include Internet access, which requires a router like this one.

A typical home network may include multiple computers, a printer, a modem, and a router. A large home network may also have a switch, additional routers, access points, and many Internet-capable media devices such as TVs, game consoles, and web cameras.

• Modem—Connects a computer or a router to your ISP (Internet Service

Provider). Your ISP may have provided one. The modem is a device that connects to a phone jack or your cable TV outlet.

• Router—Connects your wireless and wired network devices to each

other and to the modem (and to your ISP).

• Switch—Allows you to connect several wired network devices to your

home network. Your router has a built-in network switch (the Ethernet ports). If you have more wired network devices than available Ethernet ports on your router, you will need an additional switch to consolidate the wired connections.

How to set up a home network

Purchase the proper equipment. For a network that includes Internet access, you’ll need:

• Computers with an Ethernet port or wireless networking capabilities

• A modem for connecting to your ISP (typically supplied by your ISP)

• A router to connect your computers with each other and to the modem

• Internet service to your home, provided by an ISP (Internet Service

Provider)

Make sure that your modem is working. Your ISP can help you set up your modem and verify that it’s working correctly.

Set up your router. See “How to install your router” on page 13.

To connect a computer or other network device to the network, see “How to connect a computer to your network” on page 18 and “How to connect other devices” on page 19.

Where to find more help

In addition to this User Guide, you can find help at these locations:

• Linksys.com/support (documentation, downloads, FAQs, technical

support, live chat, forums)

• Linksys Smart Wi-Fi help (connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click

Help at the top of the screen)

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

How to install your router

The easiest and fastest way to install your router is to run the Setup software on the CD that came with your router or download it from the router’s support site at Linksys.com/support. Setup shows you how to connect your router to your home network, step by step.

NOTE:

If you lose your setup CD, you can download the software from

Linksys.com/support.

To install your router:

Insert the CD into your CD or DVD drive. Setup opens. If your Setup CD is not available, download the Setup program from Linksys.com/support.

Click Set up your Linksys Router. If you do not see this:

• For Windows, click Start, Computer, then double-click the CD drive

and the Setup icon.

• For Mac, double-click the CD icon on your desktop, then double-click

the Setup icon.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your router setup.

As part of the router setup process, you will be sent a verification e-mail. From your home network, click the link in the e-mail to associate your router with the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account. Make sure that the link opens in a supported web browser, such as Internet Explorer 8 or higher, Firefox 8 or higher, Google Chrome 10 or higher, and Safari 5 (for Mac) or higher.

If you cannot click the link while behind your new Linksys router, log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi while behind the router and add your router there. For more information, see “How to associate a router with your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account” on page 33.

TIP:

Print this page, then record your router and account settings in the table below as a reference. Store your notes in a safe place. Setup also saves your setup information as a file to your computer desktop.

Network Name (SSID)

Network Password

Router Password

Guest Network Name

Guest Network Password

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Username

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Password

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

How to configure your router

You can change router settings to make your network more secure or to work better with a device or game. Being able to adjust the settings while you’re away from home can help make router administration easier. You can configure your router from anywhere in the world by using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, but you can also configure your router directly from your home network.

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi may be available for your mobile device, as well. See your device’s app store for information.

Use Linksys Smart Wi-Fi to easily manage your router’s settings, such as:

• Change your router’s name and password

• Set up guest access

• Configure parental controls

• Connect devices to your network

• Test your Internet connection speed

Your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account can also be used to manage multiple Linksys routers. For more information, see “How to associate a router with your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account” on page 33.

How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

To connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi:

Open your computer’s web browser.

Go to www.linksyssmartwifi.com and log into your account.

If you can’t remember your password, click Forgot your password? and follow the on-screen instructions to recover it.

How to disable remote access

If you want to configure your router only while you are on your home network, you should disable remote access.

To disable remote access:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

Under Router Settings, click Connectivity.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

Click the Administration tab, then deselect Allow remote access to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

Click OK.

How to connect directly to your router

You can configure your router by directly accessing it on your home network instead of through the Internet-based Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

To connect to your router while you are on your home network:

Disconnect the cable from the yellow Internet port on the back of your router. If you do not have Internet access, this step is not necessary.

Open your computer’s web browser.

Go to www.linksyssmartwifi.com and log into your router using the router password you created when you installed your router. (When there is no Internet connection, this address re-routes directly to your router.)

After you finish configuring your router, reconnect the cable to the router’s Internet port.

How to improve your wireless connection speed

Follow these tips to improve your network’s wireless connection speed:

• Make sure that your router is in a good location:

• For the widest coverage area, install your router near the center of

your home, and near the ceiling, if possible.

• Avoid placing the router on or near metal objects (such as file cabinets

and metal furniture), reflective surfaces (such as glass or mirrors), or masonry walls.

• Any obstruction can weaken the wireless signal (even non-metallic

objects), so the fewer obstructions between the router and the wireless device, the better.

• Place the router in a location away from other electronics, motors, and

fluorescent lighting.

• Many environmental variables can affect the router’s performance, so

if your wireless signal is weak, place the router in several locations and test the signal strength to determine the ideal position.

• If possible, upgrade wireless network interfaces (such as wireless

network cards in computers) from older wireless standards to 802.11n. If a wirelessly networked device uses an older standard, the performance of the entire wireless network may be slower.

• If your router is a dual-band router, split your network traffic so the high-

bandwidth traffic uses the 5GHz band. For more information, see “How to get the most out of your dual-band router” on page 34.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

How to change your network’s name and password

You can change the name (SSID) and password of your network, but if you do so, all wireless devices connected to your router will lose their Internet connection until you reconnect them using the new network name and password.

To change your router’s name and password:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Under Router Settings, click Wireless.

Click the Wireless tab, then click Edit.

• To change the network name, type a new name in the Network name

(SSID) box.

• To change the network password, type a new password in the

Password box.

Click OK to apply your changes.

TIP

If you have a dual-band router, each band (2.4 GHz and the 5GHz) can have a separate network name and password.

How to change your router’s local access password

Your router’s local access password was set when you ran the router’s setup software, but you can change it at any time. You need the router password to change router settings when you don’t have an Internet connection. When you do have an Internet connection, log into your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account by following the directions under “How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi” on page

14.

To change your router’s local access password

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Click Connectivity under Router Settings.

Click the Basic tab.

Under Router Password, type the new password, then click OK.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

How to change your router’s time zone

Your router’s time zone should be set to your local time zone.

To set your router’s time zone:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Click Connectivity under Router Settings.

Click the Basic tab, then select your time zone in the Time Zone drop- down list and click OK.

How to test your Internet connection speed

NOTE

To run the speed test, you must be accessing the Internet by using the router you are testing. You cannot run the speed test remotely.

To test your Internet connection speed:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Click Speed Test under Apps. The Speed Test screen opens.

Click Begin Test. The test measures your download and upload speeds.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

NOTE

Internet connection speeds are determined by a variety of factors, including ISP account type, local and worldwide Internet traffic, and number of devices in your home that are sharing the Internet connection.

Click Restart Test to run it again, and click Show History to display the results of past tests.

How to connect devices to your network

Your Linksys router is the nerve center of your home network. Your router safely opens the Internet to your network, and all of your computers and network devices rely on your router to pass files, media, and network commands in an organized, error-free way. Whether connected wirelessly or with cables, each part of your network needs the router in order to work reliably with the other parts of your network.

How to connect a computer to your network

To connect a computer to your network:

At the computer you want to connect, enter your network’s connection information into your wireless manager.

After that computer connects to your network, log into Linksys Smart WiFi, then click Device List to confirm that your router recognizes the new computer. You can use the Device List to monitor all network-attached devices.

How to connect a USB printer

When you install a printer that requires a cable, you can:

• Follow the printer’s instructions for setting it up, then follow your

computer’s operating system instructions to share the printer with your network.

- OR -

• If your router is a Linksys EA3500, EA4500, or EA6500, you can connect a

USB printer to the router’s USB port to make the printer available to any networked computer.

When you set up a wireless printer, you need to make sure that:

• Your printer has been completely set up except for being connected to

the network.

• Your printer supports the WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption standard.

• If your wireless printer supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup, you should use

Wi-Fi Protected Setup to connect the printer to your network. See “How to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup” on page 19.

To connect a USB printer to your network through the router’s USB port:

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EA3500 EA4500 EA6500

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Click Device List, then click Add a Device.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

Under Select the type of device to add to your network, click USB Printer. The Add a USB printer screen opens.

Follow the on-screen instructions for downloading and installing the VUSB (virtual USB) software for your computer.

To connect a wireless printer to your network:

Follow the printer’s instructions to connect it to your network. Use the connection information available in Linksys Smart Wi-Fi or saved to your computer desktop.

After that printer connects to your network, log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click Device List to confirm that your router recognizes the new printer.

How to connect other devices

Many other types of wireless network devices can connect to your home network, including:

• Game consoles

• Internet-capable TVs and media players

• Digital music players

• Smart phones

Because of the wide variety of devices and methods of connecting, you must manually enter network information into the devices for a successful network connection.

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For more instructions on connecting a game console to your network, see also:

• “How to optimize your router for gaming and voice” on page 42

• “How to set up port forwarding” on page 51

• “How to set up port range triggering for online gaming” on page 53

How to manually connect a network device

To manually connect a device to your network:

Follow the device’s instructions to connect it to your network. Use the connection information available in Linksys Smart Wi-Fi or saved to your computer desktop.

After the device connects to your network, log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click Device List to confirm that your router recognizes the new device.

How to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup

To connect a device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup™:

Plug in and turn on the network device. If the device does not support Wi-Fi Protected Setup, follow its instructions for a standard network installation.

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Under Wireless, click the Wi-Fi Protected Setup tab.

Use one of the following methods to complete the setup:

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

• If the device has a Wi-Fi Protected Setup button, press that button,

then click the Wi-Fi Protected Setup button in Linksys Smart Wi-Fi or press the button on the back of your router.

• If the device has a Wi-Fi Protected Setup PIN, type that number into

the Device PIN box in Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click Register.

• If the device’s own setup asks for the router’s Wi-Fi Protected Setup

PIN, enter the number that appears under Router PIN in Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

How to view device details

You can use Linksys Smart Wi-Fi to view any network device’s network infomation.

To view network device details:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Under Apps, click Device List. The Device List screen opens.

Click the i in the lower-right corner of the device.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

Information about the device appears on the screen.

Click OK.

How to set up parental controls

With your router, you can use parental controls to:

• Set the times that Internet access is allowed.

• Block websites that you specify or based on their content.

• Set the above restrictions for specific computers.

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When someone tries to open a blocked website, a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi login page appears. To view the blocked content, you must log into your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account and change the parental control restrictions.

How to set parental controls

To set parental controls:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Under Apps, click Parental Controls. The Parental Controls screen opens.

To turn on parental controls, click the Enable parental controls button so that ON is displayed.

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It’s not necessary to set parental controls over each computer on your home network. You can set the controls on only those computers that children can access.

To select a computer to apply parental controls to, click the name of the computer in the Restrict Internet access on list.

To block Internet access on the selected computer(s), under Block Internet access:

• Click Never to allow Internet access.

• Click Always to always block Internet access.

• Click Specific Times to set the times when Internet access is allowed.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

• Click Edit to change the Internet access schedule. You can click and

drag to select or deselect a block of time.

To block specific websites:

Under Block specific sites, click Add.

Type the web address (URL) of the website to block, then click OK. You can block up to ten websites.

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It’s easier to copy and paste a web address than it is to type it in. Copy the address from your browser’s web address box, then paste it into an available box in the Block Specific Sites screen of Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

Click OK to apply your changes.

How to configure your guest network

You can use your router’s guest network to provide your guests with access to the Internet, while restricting their access to other resources on your local network. To prevent unauthorized users from using your Internet access, your guest network requires that a password be entered for Internet access. The guest network is enabled by default.

web browser - guest access login - Linksys E4200

http://mynetwork/guest/login

Enter the Guest Password for Internet Access:

Done

File Edit View Go Shortcuts Options Help

http://mynetwork/guest/login

Enter the Guest Password for Internet Access:

Guest Network

Local Network

Local Access and Guest Access Diagram

Your wireless network’s guest network and password were set when you ran the router’s setup software, but you can change them at any time.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

To set up guest access to your network:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Under Apps, click Guest Access. Your guest network, which was set up during your router installation, is displayed.

• To turn guest access on or off, click the Allow guest access button.

• The guest network name is based on your 2.4GHz network name and

is automatically generated.

• To change the guest network password, click in the box next to Guest

network password, then type the new password.

• To change the number of simultaneous guest network users you want

to allow, click the drop-down box under Total guests allowed, then click the number that you want.

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To keep your guest network secure, click Change to change the guest password when the guest no longer needs access to the account.

Click OK to apply your changes.

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The first time your guest tries to access the Internet through a web browser, they will see the Guest access screen. To continue, they must enter the password you provided in the Password field, then click LOGIN.

How to back up your router configuration

When you are done setting up your router, you should back up its settings so that you can restore them later, if necessary. For instructions, see “How to back up and restore your router configuration” on page 55.

Setting Up: Basics

Linksys EA-Series

How to customize Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

You can customize your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi home page by adding or removing widgets. Widgets are miniature versions of menus that let you change basic settings or check the status of your network.

Using widgets

To add a widget:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Open a menu, then select Show widget on the homepage in the upper- right corner.

To remove a widget:

On the home page, click the × in the upper-right corner of the widget you want to remove.

Customizing the Device List

You can change the icon and text description of each device on your network.

To change the device appearance:

In the Device List, click the device you want to change the appearance for. The device’s information screen opens.

To change the description, click Edit, type the new name, then click OK.

To change the icon, click Change, click a new icon, then click OK.

Linksys EA-Series

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EA3500 EA4500 EA6500

Overview

You can attach most USB drives (including a thumb drive or a high-capacity external drive) to the USB port on your router. You can then use the drive as networked storage, as a media server (for media-enabled devices such as a networked TV), and as an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server. You can also specify which users can access the content on the drive. (The media server feature is not available on the EA3500.) EA4500 menus shown. Menus are subject to change.

To view the status and settings of your attached drive:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Click USB Storage under Apps. The Status tab displays information such as:

• Drive capacity and use

• Secured folder access status

• Addresses for accessing shared folders, the FTP server, and media

server

How to attach a USB drive

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EA3500 EA4500 EA6500

If a USB drive is already connected to the router, and you want to attach a different drive to that USB port, you should safely disconnect the old drive first.

To safely remove a USB drive from the router:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click USB Storage under Apps.

In the Status tab, click Safely remove drive.

Disconnect the old drive from the router.

To attach a USB drive to the router:

Connect the USB drive to an available USB port on the back of your router. Your router detects the drive.

To update the USB Storage screen, you may need to click Refresh.

Using an External Drive

Linksys EA-Series

How to use secured folder access

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EA3500 EA4500 EA6500

Why would I need to use secured folder access? By default, when you connect a USB drive to your router, the entire contents of the drive are available for read and write access to anyone on your local network (no login credentials are required). However, you can also make the drive and its folders secure, so that only authorized users can access the drive’s contents.

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When Secure Folder Access is on, the entire USB drive is secured.

How to set up authorized users and shared folders

To enable access to shared folders:

Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to configure your router” on page

14.

Click USB Storage under Apps, then click the Folder Access tab.

Click the setting for Secure Folder Access to turn it on.

The Authorized users list appears.

In the Authorized users list, type a Username and Password for each new user.

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Two accounts, Admin and Guest, are already set up and cannot be deleted.

Select the permissions to give the user.

• Read Only lets the user read (open) the file.

• Read & Write lets the user read, rename, overwrite, or delete the file.

The user can also save new files to the folder.

Click Select Share. The Select Existing Share dialog box opens.

If you already have the shared folder set up:

Select the check box next to each share you want to grant access to, then click OK.

Linksys EA-Series

If you need to set up the shared folder:

Click Create new share. The Create New Share dialog box opens.

Click the button next to the folder that you want to share.

• To view subfolders, click the icon next to the folder name.

• To return to a parent folder, click the icon at the top of the list.

• To select the entire drive, select Share entire storage device.

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• The share name automatically changes to the name of

the folder you selected.

• You cannot select more than one folder for each share.

• To use a different share name, type the name in the Share name

field.

Click OK.

Select the check box next to each share you want to grant access to, then click OK.

Click Add User.

10.

In the Authorized users list, you can also:

• Click Edit to change a user’s credentials.

• Click Shares to change the shares that a user can access.

• Click Delete to delete the user account.

How to access shared folders

To access shared folders while on your network:

While in Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, click USB Storage under Apps.

In the Status tab, note the information under Folder Access. This is the address you will need to access the shared folders from a file manager.

Enter the access address into your file manager.

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You can also usually locate the folder by browsing through your computer’s file manager.

Enter your user account name and password. The drive’s contents (files and folders) appear in a window.

Use the file manager to open, copy, or view the folder’s contents.

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