NETGEAR Ex3920 User Manual

AC750 WiF Range Extender

Model EX3920 User Manual
May 2015
202-11525-01
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
AC750 WiF Range Extender
Support
Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products.
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at
https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR
recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website.
For product updates and web support, visit http://support.netgear.com.
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
2

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Overview
Meet Your Extenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Side Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
When to Use Your Extenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
How the Extenders Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter 2 Get Started
Install the WiFi Extenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Place the Extenders and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Find the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Use an Extenders in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Log In to an Extender After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Run Smart Setup Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Boost Your Video Streaming with FastLane Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Change the WiFi Network Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Use WPS to Add a Computer to an Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Use WPS with the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Use WPS with the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Change an Extender’s Device Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Set Up an Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Use an Extender with MAC Filtering or Access Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Change the Extender User Name and Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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AC750 WiF Range Extender
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Manually Set the Extender Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Back Up the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Restart the Extender Remotely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4

1. Overview

1
The EX3920 package includes two model EX3700 WiFi Range Extenders. The extenders boost
your existing network range and speed, delivering dual-band WiFi. You can also use the extenders in access point mode as a WiFi access point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection.
This chapter covers the following topics:
Meet Your Extenders
When to Use Your Extenders
How the Extenders Work
Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the
support website at support.netgear.com.
Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made
available from time to time on products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or you can check for and download new firmware manually.
downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some
5
AC750 WiF Range Extender

Meet Your Extenders

Before you install your extenders, familiarize yourself with their LEDs, buttons, and ports.

Front Panel

Router Link LED
Power LED
WPS LED
Figure 1. Front panel LEDs

Side Panels

Power connector (varies by region)
Device Link LED
Power connector (varies by region)
Factory Reset Button
WPS button Power On/Off
button
Figure 2. Side panel buttons and port
Ethernet port
Overview
6
AC750 WiF Range Extender
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1. Front panel LEDs
LED Description
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router or
Router Link
access point:
Solid green. Best connection.
Solid amber. Good connection.
Solid red. Poor connection.
Off. No connection.
Device Device Link
Power
WPS
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a computer or WiFi device:
Solid green. Best connection.
Solid amber. Good connection.
Solid red. Poor connection.
Off. No connection.
Solid amber. The extender is booting.
Solid green. The
Off. The
Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
Blinking green. A
Off. WiFi security is not enabled
extender is powered off.
extender is powered on.
WPS connection is in progress.

When to Use Your Extenders

NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi device is in a “dead zone” where connection from the existing network is poor or nonexistent. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly from the network.

How the Extenders Work

The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFi device outside the range of the WiFi router.
Note: Each extender must connect to your router’s WiFi network. Do not
connect the extenders to another extender’s WiFi network.
The extender performs two main jobs:
The extender connects to a working WiFi network.
Overview
7
AC750 WiF Range Extender
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it functions as a network client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network.
The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices.
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.
WiFi Range Extenders
Boost the range of your existing WiFi and create a stronger signal in hard-to-reach areas
Existing WiFi
Sometimes your router does not provide the WiFi coverage that you need
Figure 3. Range extender in a home
Note: Each extender must connect to your router’s WiFi network. Do not
connect the extenders to another extender’s WiFi network.
Overview
8

2. Get Started

This chapter covers the following topics:
Install the WiFi Extenders
Use an Extenders in Access Point Mode
Log In to an Extender After Installation
Run Smart Setup Installation
2
9
AC750 WiF Range Extender

Install the WiFi Extenders

Place the extender, apply power, and connect it to your WiFi network. Each extender must connect to your router’s WiFi network. Do not connect the extenders to another extender’s WiFi network.
Note: You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a
new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. See
Extenders in Access Point Mode on page 14.

Place the Extenders and Apply Power

To place the extender and apply power:
1. Place an extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
Use an
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the side of the extender.
4. Repeat Steps 1–2 for the second extender.

Connect to an Existing WiFi Network

To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender to your existing WiFi network. You can do this in one of two ways:
Connect with WPS. For more information, see Connect with WPS on page 10.
Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect with Web
Browser Setup on page 11.
Connect with WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network name and password.
Note: WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP
security, follow the instructions in on page 11.
Connect with Web Browser Setup
Get Started
10
AC750 WiF Range Extender
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Press the WPS button on the side panel of the extender.
The WPS LED blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router.
The WPS LED on the extender lights solid green, the Router Link LED lights, and the extender connects to your existing WiFi network.
If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect with
Web Browser Setup on page 11.
3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat Steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender
to the 5 GHz band.
4. Find the new extender network name on your computer or WiFi device.
The extender creates two new extended WiFi networks. The extender’s new WiFi network names are based on your existing WiFi network name, with _2GEXT and _5GEXT at the end of the name.
For example:
Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName
New extended network names. MyNetworkName_2GEXT and
MyNetworkName_5GEXT
5. Connect your computer or WiFi devices to the new extended WiFi network.
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
6. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location closer to the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
7. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
8. Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the side of the extender.
9. Use the Router Link LED on the front panel to help you choose a spot where the
extender-to-router connection is optimal.
10. Repeat Steps 1–9 to connect the second extender.
Connect with Web Browser Setup
You can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your existing WiFi router.
To use a web browser to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
extender WiFi network.
Get Started
11
AC750 WiF Range Extender
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device Link LED lights.
2. Launch web browser
3. Enter www
.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
.
The New Extender Setup page displays.
4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account page displays. If the Create
Account page does not display, visit www.mywifiext.net.
5. Complete the fields on the Create Account page and click the NEXT button.
6. When prompted, select your country or region from the Regional Settings menu and click
the NEXT button.
7. Click the WIFI RANGE EXTENDER button.
The extender scans for WiFi networks in your area and displays a list.
8. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button.
If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4 GHz W
iFi Networks or the
5 GHz WiFi Networks check box.
Note: If you already installed an extender, do not select the extender’s WiFi
network.
Get Started
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AC750 WiF Range Extender
9. In the Password (Network Key) field, type the existing WiFi network password (also called
passphrase or security key) and click the NEXT button.
10. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your new extender WiFi network and click
the NEXT button.
11. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new
extended WiFi network. Repeat this step for all of your computers and WiFi devices.
12. Click the CONTINUE button.
A message displays confirming that the extender is connected to the new extended WiFi network.
13. Click the NEXT button.
The registration page displays.
14. Complete the registration fields and click the FINISH button to complete the setup.
If you do not want to register your extender, click the Skip Registration link. Note that you must register your extender before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.
The Status page displays.
15. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location closer to the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
16. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button.
17. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection
is optimal. The extender connects to your existing router’s WiFi network.
18. Repeat Steps 1–17 to connect the second extender.

Find the Best Location

If the WiFi signal is weak, the first time you join the extender network, the Router Link LED or Device Link LED is amber or red. If this happens, adjust the position of the extender:
If the Router Link LED is amber or red, move the extender closer to the router.
If the Device Link LED is amber or red, move the computer or WiFi device closer to the
extender.
Get Started
13
AC750 WiF Range Extender

Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device

After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired
device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. The device can then access your existing network through the extender’s WiFi connection.
Figure 4. Rear panel Ethernet LAN ports

Use an Extenders in Access Point Mode

You can use the extender as a WiFi access point, which creates a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection.
Figure 5. Extender in access point mode
Get Started
14
AC750 WiF Range Extender
To use the extender in access point mode:
1. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
2. W
ait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the side of the extender
.
3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on the extender to a router Ethernet LAN
port or a remote Ethernet LAN jack with LAN access. The extender joins the LAN and creates a WiFi hotspot.
4. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
NETGEAR_EXT (SSID) WiFi network. After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device Link LED
lights.
5. Launch a web browser and enter www
.mywifiext.net in the address field.
The New Extender Setup page displays.
6. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account page displays. If the Create
Account page does not display, visit www.mywifiext.net.
7. Complete the fields on the Create Account page and click the NEXT button.
8. When prompted, select your country or region from the Regional Settings menu and click
the NEXT button.
Get Started
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