Netgear C6900 User Manual

Nighthawk AC1900

WiFi Cable Modem Router

Model C6900 User Manual

January 2017

202-11720-01

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Support

Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR support resources.

Conformity

For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.

Compliance

For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

Trademarks

Chapter 1 Hardware Setup

Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

Unpack Your Modem Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Position Your Modem Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Cable Your Modem Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Cable the Modem Router in a Simple Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Cable Your Modem Router to a Router and Use Bridge Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Activate Your Internet Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast XFINITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connect to the Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Wired Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

WiFi Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Types of Logins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Access the Modem Router with NETGEAR genie App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings

Specify the Cable Connection Starting Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

View Modem Router Initialization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Manually Set Up the Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Specify an IPv6 Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Change the MTU Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet

Set Up Parental Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Block Access to Your Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Block Services from the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Set Up Security Event Email Notifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Chapter 5 Specify Network Settings

View WAN Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Set Up a Default DMZ Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Change the Modem Router’s Device Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Specify the IP Addresses that the Modem Router Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Modem Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Reserve LAN IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Improve Network Connections with Universal Plug and Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Specify Basic WiFi Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Change the WiFi Security Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Set Up a Guest Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Control the Wireless Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Use the WiFi On/Off Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Enable or Disable the Wireless Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Set Up a Wireless Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Specify WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Chapter 6 Manage Your Network

Change the admin Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

View Modem Router Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Display Internet Port Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Check the Internet Connection Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

View Logs of Modem Router Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

View Event Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Run the Ping Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Run the Traceroute Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Monitor Internet Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

View Devices Currently on the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Manage the Modem Router Configuration File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Back Up Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Restore Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Erase the Current Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

View Wireless Access Points in Your Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

View or Change the Modem Router Wireless Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Dynamic DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Specify a DNS Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Change the Dynamic DNS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Remote Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Chapter 7 Specify Internet Port Settings

Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Edit a Port Forwarding Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Delete a Port Forwarding Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

How the Modem Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule . . . . . . . . . . 78

Set Up Port Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Add a Port Triggering Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Chapter 8 Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot with the LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Power LED Is Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

LEDs Never Turn Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Internet LED Is Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Troubleshoot the Cable Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Cannot Log In to the Modem Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Changes Not Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Wireless Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Test the LAN Path to Your Modem Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Test the Path from Your Computer to a Remote Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Appendix A Supplemental Information

Factory Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

1. Hardware Setup

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Unpack Your Modem Router

• Front Panel

• Rear Panel

• Position Your Modem Router

• Cable Your Modem Router

• Activate Your Internet Service

• Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast XFINITY

For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at

http://support.netgear.com.

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Unpack Your Modem Router

Your package contains the following items.

Ethernet cable

Power adapter

Modem router

Figure 1. Package contents

Front Panel

The modem router has status LEDs and buttons on the front.

Power LED

Downstream LED Upstream LED Internet LED

2.4 GHz LED

5 GHz LED

Ethernet LED

WiFi On/Off button

WPS button / LED

Figure 2. Modem router front view

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

You can use the LEDs to verify status and connections. The following table lists and describes each LED and button on the front panel of the modem router.

LED Description

Power

Downstream

Upstream

Internet

2.4 GHz radio

• Green. Power is supplied to the modem router.

• Off. No power is supplied to the modem router.

• Solid red.

heat sources (such as a TV, DVD player, or speakers) and keep it vertical in open air.

• Solid amber. One downstream channel is locked.

• Solid green. T

• Blinking green.

• Off. No downstream channel is locked.

• Solid amber. One upstream channel is locked.

• Solid green. T

• Blinking green.

• Off. No upstream channel is locked.

• Solid green. The modem router is online.

• Blinking green.

modem termination system (CMTS).

• Slow blinking amber and green.

(For information about the traffic meter, see Monitor Internet Traffic on page 64.)

• Off.

• Green. The 2.4 GHz radio is on.

• Off. The

Thermal cutoff mode. Power off the unit, let it cool, and move it away from

wo or more downstream channels are locked.

The modem router is scanning for a downstream channel.

wo or more upstream channels are locked.

The modem router is scanning for an upstream channel.

The modem router is synchronizing with the cable provider’s cable

The modem router reached the traffic meter limit.

The modem router is offline.

2.4 GHz radio is off.

5 GHz radio

Ethernet

WiFi On/Off button with LED

WPS button with LED

• Green. The 5 GHz radio is on.

• Off. The

• Green. A device is connected to an Ethernet port and powered on. Each Ethernet port

has LEDs on the rear panel.

• Off. No device is connected to an Ethernet port.

Pressing this button for two seconds turns the WiFi radios in the modem router on and off. If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the modem router.

This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password. The WPS LED blinks during this process and then lights solid.

5 GHz radio is off.

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Rear Panel

The rear panel has the connections and button shown the following figure.

Ethernet LAN ports

Coaxial cable connector

Reset button

Power adapter input

Figure 3. Modem router rear panel

Position Your Modem Router

The modem router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your modem router. For example, the thickness and number of walls the wireless signal passes through can limit the range.

Additionally, other wireless access points in and around your home might affect your modem router’ or any other device that emits a wireless signal for network access.

Position your modem router according to the following guidelines:

• Place your modem router near the center of the area where your computers and other

• Make sure that the modem router is within reach of an

• Place the modem router in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings

s signal. Wireless access points are modem routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders,

devices operate, and within line of sight to your wireless devices.

AC power outlet and near Ethernet

cables for wired computers.

between the modem router and your other devices.

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

• Place the modem router away from electrical devices such as these:

- Ceiling fans

- Home security systems

- Microwaves

- Computers

- Base of a cordless phone

- 2.4 GHz cordless phone

• Place the modem router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, and

insulated walls such as these:

- Solid metal doors

- Aluminum studs

- Fish tanks

- Mirrors

- Brick

- Concrete

Cable Your Modem Router

The most common way to cable your modem router is the simplest, without any other routers or gateways on the same network. You can also cable the modem router to another router or gateway and log in to the modem router to specify this setting.

Cable the Modem Router in a Simple Network

The modem router comes configured to work as both a modem and a router. You can share your Internet connection without connecting the modem router to a router or gateway.

Internet

Ethernet cable

Power adapter

Figure 4. Modem router in a simple network

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

 To cable your modem router:

1. Connect a coaxial cable.

Use the coaxial cable that your cable company provides to connect the cable port on the modem router to a cable wall outlet or a line splitter.

For XFINITY cable Internet service, Comcast XFINITY recommends connecting your modem router to a cable wall outlet.

2. Connect the power adapter provided in the package to the modem router and plug the

power adapter in to an electrical outlet.

3. Press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the modem router.

The Power LED lights green.

You can log in to the modem router to view or change its settings.

Cable Your Modem Router to a Router and Use Bridge Mode

If you want to cable the modem router to a router, then you must log in to the modem router and change its Router Mode setting. Changing this setting prevents certain network conflicts that can occur when two devices on the same network perform routing functions such as network address translation (NAT) and DHCP (assigning IP addresses to devices on the network). This turns the modem router into a bridged modem

 To cable your modem router to a gateway or router:

1. Connect a coaxial cable.

Use the coaxial cable that your cable company provides to connect the cable port on the modem router to a cable wall outlet or a line splitter.

For XFINITY cable Internet service, Comcast XFINITY recommends connecting your modem router to a cable wall outlet.

2. Connect the power adapter to the modem router and plug the power adapter into an

electrical outlet.

The Power LED lights green.

3. On your computer or wireless device, find and select the WiFi network.

The WiFi network name is on the product label.

4. Join the WiFi network and enter the WiFi password.

The password is on the product label.

Your wireless device connects to the WiFi network.

5. Launch a web browser.

6. Type http://routerlogin.net or http://192.168.0.1.

A login window opens.

7. Enter the modem router user name and password.

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

The user name is admin. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

8. Select ADV

9. Select the No radio button.

With this setting, the modem router works as a bridge and obtains IP addresses from the cable Internet provider.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your change is saved.

11. Follow the instructions that came with your router or gateway to connect it to the modem

router.

ANCED > Administration > Router Mode.

Activate Your Internet Service

 To activate your Internet service:

1. Contact your Internet provider

2. Check with your cable Internet provider to confirm that this modem router is allowed on your

cable network.

This modem router might not be compatible with certain cable networks.

3. If this modem router is allowed on your cable network, inform your cable Internet provider

that you are installing a new modem router that you bought from a retail store.

4. Provide your cable Internet provider with the modem router

C6900.

For information about Comcast self-activation, see Comcast Self-Activation on page 8.

’s model number, which is

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Note: You can visit your cable Internet provider’s website and follow the

onscreen instructions to activate your Internet service.

Cable Internet Provider

Bright House Networks

Cablevision http://www.cablevision.com

Charter https://install.charter.com/

Comcast XFINITY https://www.comcast.com/activate

Cox https://activation.cox.net/selfactivation/newmodem.cox

Contact Information

support.brighthouse.com

1-866-898-9101

https://install.optimum.com/JointInstall/

Telephone number depends on your region.

Note: When you attempt to contact Cablevision online, you are

directed to the Optimum web page. Optimum is a brand name of Cablevision.

1-855-757-7328

http://www.xfinity.com/internetsetup http://www.xfinity.com/internetsupport

1-800-XFINITY (1-800-934-6489) For more information, see Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast

XFINITY on page 14.

1-888-556-1193

Mediacom https://maestro.mediacomcc.com/walledgarden/page/login.jsp

1-844-2SIMPLE (1-844-274-6753)

Time Warner Cable 1-800-892-2253

https://www.timewarnercable.com/en/support/internet/step-by-step/mo dem-activation.html

Note: Your cable Internet provider’s contact information might change. You

can also find the contact number in your monthly Internet service billing statement.

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

5. When asked, provide the modem router’s serial number and MAC address, which are on the

product label.

MAC address

Serial number

ait for your cable Internet provider to confirm that your modem router is active.

6. W

7. If you do not get an Internet connection with the modem router

, ask your cable Internet provider to look for your modem router online, then do one of the following depending on what your cable Internet provider tells you about your modem router:

• If the modem router is not visible, your cable Internet provider can give you

instructions to verify why the modem router does not connect with your high-speed Internet service.

• If the modem router is visible to your cable Internet provider

, reboot the modem

router. Check your online status again.

Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast XFINITY

If you use Comcast XFINITY, you can set up Internet service by using Comcast XFINITY’s self-activation process. If you are unable to self-activate your modem router, call Comcast XFINITY customer service. After you complete the setup, perform a speed test.

Before you start the self-activation process, make sure that your account number, account phone number nearby.

 To activate your Internet connection with Comcast XFINITY’s self-activation process:

1. Close all web browsers.

2. Launch a web browser

You are redirected to the XFINITY self-activation page. If you are not redirected to the XFINITY self-activation page, visit www.comcast.com/activate.

3. Provide your XFINITY credentials and complete the self-activation process.

This process might take up to 15 minutes, during which the modem router reboots a couple of times.

4. If you are unable to activate your modem router using the XFINITY self-activation process,

call Comcast XFINITY customer service at 1-800-XFINITY (1-800-934-6489):

, and login information (your email address or user name and password) are

Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

a. When asked, provide your account information and provide the modem router’s

model number and MAC address, which are on the product label.

b. Wait for Comcast XFINITY to confirm that your modem router is active.

c. If you do not get an Internet connection with the modem router, ask Comcast

XFINITY to look for your modem router online, and do one of the following depending on what Comcast XFINITY tells you about your modem router:

• If the modem router is not visible, Comcast XFINITY can give you instructions to

verify why the modem router does not connect with your high-speed Internet service.

• If the modem router is visible to Comcast XFINITY, reboot the modem router.

Check your online status again.

Hardware Setup

2. Connect to the Network and

Access the Modem Router

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Connect to the Network

• Types of Logins

• Log In to the Modem Router

• Access the Modem Router with NETGEAR genie App

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Connect to the Network

You can connect to the modem router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you set up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

Wired Connection

You can connect your computer to the modem router using an Ethernet cable and join the modem router’s local area network (LAN).

 To connect your computer to the modem router with an Ethernet cable:

1. Make sure that the modem router has power (its Power LED is lit).

2. Connect an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on your computer.

3. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to one of the numbered Ethernet ports.

Your computer connects to the local area network (LAN). A message might display on your computer screen to notify you that an Ethernet cable is connected.

WiFi Connection

You can connect to the modem router’s WiFi network with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or you can find and select the WiFi network.

 To use WPS to connect to the WiFi network:

1. Make sure that the modem router has power (its Power LED is lit).

2. Check the WPS instructions for your computer or wireless device.

3. Press the WPS button on the modem router.

4. Within two minutes, on your computer or WiFi device, press its WPS button or follow its

instructions for WPS connections.

Your computer or wireless device connects to the WiFi network.

 To find and select the WiFi network:

1. Make sure that the modem router has power (its Power LED is lit).

2. On your computer or wireless device, find and select the WiFi network.

The WiFi network name is on the modem router’s label.

3. Join the WiFi network and enter the WiFi password.

The password is on the modem router’s label.

Your wireless device connects to the WiFi network.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Label

The label on the modem router shows the login information, MAC address, and serial number.

Figure 5. Modem Router label

Types of Logins

Separate types of logins have different purposes. It is important that you understand the difference so that you know which login to use when.

Types of logins:

• W

iFi network key or password. Your modem router is preset with a unique wireless

network name (SSID) and password for wireless access. This information is on the modem router label.

Note: Your modem router broadcasts dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi

signals. The label shows the SSID for the 2.4 GHz signal. For information about 5 GHz WiFi settings, see Specify Basic WiFi Settings on page 47.

• Modem Router login.This logs you in to the modem router interface as admin from an

Internet browser

Log In to the Modem Router

When you connect to the network (either with WiFi or with an Ethernet cable), you can use a web browser to access the modem router to view or change its settings. The first time you access the modem router, the modem router automatically checks to see if it can connect to your Internet service.

 To log in to the modem router:

1. Launch a web browser from a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device that is

connected to the network.

2. T

ype http://routerlogin.net or http://192.168.0.1.

A login window opens.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

3. Enter the modem router user name and password.

The user name is admin.

The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The first time you log in to the modem router, you are prompted to change the admin password and set up security questions.

You must enter these settings before you can

access the Internet.

4. Enter a new password.

5. Select security questions and enter the answers.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the Next button.

The modem router connects to the Internet. The BASIC Home page displays the status of the Internet connection.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Access the Modem Router with NETGEAR genie App

The genie app is the easy dashboard for managing, monitoring, and repairing your home network. The genie app can help you with the following:

• Automatically repair common wireless network problems.

• Easily manage modem router features like Live Parental Controls, guest access, Internet

traffic meter, speed test, and more.

 To use the genie app to access the modem router:

1. Visit the NETGEAR genie web page at www.NETGEAR.com/genie.

2. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

3. Launch the genie app.

The genie app dashboard page displays:

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

3. Specify Your Internet Settings

Usually, the quickest way to set up the modem router to use your Internet connection is to allow the genie to detect the Internet connection when you first access the modem router with an Internet browser. You can also customize or specify your Internet settings.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• View Modem Router Initialization

• Manually Set Up the Internet Connection

• Specify an IPv6 Internet Connection

• Change the MTU Size

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Specify the Cable Connection Starting Frequency

The starting frequency is automatically generated. For most Internet connections, you do not need to specify this information. If you need to enter a starting frequency, contact your Internet provider.

 To change the starting frequency:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. T

ype http://routerlogin.net or http://192.168.0.1.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the modem router user name and password.

The user name is admin.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Cable Connection.

The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The page displays the status of all downstream and upstream channels.

5. In the Starting Frequency field, type a number

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

View Modem Router Initialization

You can track the initialization procedure of the modem router, and get details about the downstream and upstream cable channel. The time is displayed after the modem router is initialized.

The modem router automatically goes through the following steps in the provisioning process:

1. Scans and locks the downstream frequency and then ranges the upstream channels.

2. Obtains a W

3. Connects to the Internet.

 To view the status of the modem router initialization:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. T

ype http://routerlogin.net or http://192.168.0.1.

AN address for the modem router.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the modem router user name and password.

The user name is admin.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Cable Connection.

The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The Startup Procedure section displays the initialization progress. The page also displays the status of all downstream and upstream channels.(Y channels.) The number of downstream and upstream channels that are locked depends on the number of channels that your Internet provider uses.

Specify Your Internet Settings

ou must scroll down to view all the

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Manually Set Up the Internet Connection

In most situations, you do not need to change these settings. NETGEAR recommends that you use the default settings for DHCP because most cable Internet services provide the IP address through DHCP.

 To specify the Internet connection settings:

1. Launch an Internet browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. T

ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the modem router user name and password.

The user name is admin.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADV

ANCED > Setup > Internet.

The user name and password are case-sensitive.

Scroll to view more settings

5. If your Internet connection requires an account name or host name, type it in the Account

Name (If Required) field.

6. If your Internet connection requires a domain name, type it in the Domain Name (If

Required) field.

For the other sections in this page, the default settings usually work, but you can change them.

7. For the Internet IP

• Get Dynamically from ISP.

Address setting, select one of the following radio buttons:

Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address. Your ISP

automatically assigns these addresses.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

• Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP

address that your ISP assigned. The gateway is the ISP modem router to which your modem router connects.

8. For the Domain Name Server (DNS) Address setting, select one of the following radio

buttons:

• Get Automatically from ISP. Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers. Your

ISP automatically assigns this address.

• Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select

this option. Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter it also.

9. For the Router MAC Address setting, select one of the following radio buttons:

• Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address.

• Use Computer MAC Address. The modem router captures and uses the MAC

address of the computer that you are now using. You must use the one computer that the ISP allows.

• Use This MAC Address. Enter the MAC address that you want to use.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see Chapter 8,

Troubleshooting.

Specify an IPv6 Internet Connection

 To specify an IPv6 Internet connection:

1. Launch an Internet browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the modem router user name and password.

The user name is admin. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

If your Internet provider supports IIPV6, the System Delegated Prefix field displays IPv6 information.

5. Specify how the modem router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home

network (the LAN) by selecting one of the following radio buttons:

• Use DHCP Server.

IPv6 systems might not support the DHCv6 client function.

• Auto Config.

6. Complete the fields in the Server Settings section.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

This method passes more information to LAN devices, but some

This is the default setting.

Change the MTU Size

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest data packet a network device transmits. When one network device communicates across the Internet with another, the data packets travel through many devices along the way. If a device in the data path has a lower MTU setting than the other devices, the data packets must be split or “fragmented” to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU.

The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another one of these situations occurs:

. Leave the MTU unchanged unless

ou experience problems connecting to your ISP or other Internet service, and the

• Y

technical support of either the ISP or NETGEAR recommends changing the MTU setting. These web-based applications might require an MTU change:

- A secure website that does not open, or displays only part of a web page

- Y

ahoo email

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

- MSN portal

- America Online’

• Y

ou use VPN and have severe performance problems.

• Y

ou used a program to optimize MTU for performance reasons, and now you have

s DSL service

connectivity or performance problems.

Note: An incorrect MTU setting can cause Internet communication

problems. For example, you might not be able to access certain websites, frames within websites, secure login pages, or FTP or POP servers.

 To change the MTU size:

1. Launch an Internet browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. T

ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the modem router user name and password.

The user name is admin.

The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADV

ANCED > Setup > WAN Setup.

5. In the MTU Size field, enter a value from 64 to 1500.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your change is saved.

If you suspect an MTU problem, a common solution is to change the MTU to 1400. If you are willing to experiment, you can gradually reduce the MTU from the maximum value of 1500

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router

until the problem goes away. The following table describes common MTU sizes and applications.

Table 1. Common MTU sizes

MTU Application

1500 The largest Ethernet packet size. This setting is typical for connections that do not use

PPPoE or VPN, and is the default value for NETGEAR modem routers, adapters, and switches.

1492 Used in PPPoE environments.

1472 Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.)

1468 Used in some DHCP environments.

1460 Usable by AOL if you do not have large email attachments, for example.

Specify Your Internet Settings

+ 63 hidden pages

Netgear C6900 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

1. Hardware Setup

Unpack Your Modem Router

Front Panel

Rear Panel

Position Your Modem Router

Cable Your Modem Router

Cable the Modem Router in a Simple Network

Cable Your Modem Router to a Router and Use Bridge Mode

Activate Your Internet Service

Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast XFINITY

Connect to the Network

Wired Connection

WiFi Connection

Label

Types of Logins

Log In to the Modem Router

Access the Modem Router with NETGEAR genie App

3. Specify Your Internet Settings

Specify the Cable Connection Starting Frequency

View Modem Router Initialization

Manually Set Up the Internet Connection

Specify an IPv6 Internet Connection

Change the MTU Size