Netgear EX6100 User Manual

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Model EX6100
User Manual

October 2015

202-11307-05

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

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

© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are
used for reference purposes only.

2

Contents

Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Extender

Chapter 2 Get Started

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Access Extender Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Run Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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 the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Use WPS With the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Use WPS With the PIN Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Change the Extender’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Chapter 4 Monitor and Maintain the Extender

Change the Extender User Name and Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Manually Set the Extender Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Return the Extender to Its Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Use the Factory Reset Button to Restore Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Erase the Settings and Return to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting

FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Cannot Join a WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Appendix A Supplemental Information

Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4

1. Get to Know Your Extender

1

The AC750 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering
dual-band WiFi. You can also use the extender 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:

• Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons

• When to Use Your Extender

• Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard

Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the

support website at www.netgear.com/support.

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. If the
features or behavior of your product does not match what is
described in this guide, you might need to update your firmware.

downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some

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AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons

The LEDs are located on the front panel. A switch, buttons, and an Ethernet port are located
on the side panel.

Router Link LED
Router Arrow LED
Client Arrow LED
Client Link LED
Power LED
WPS LED

Access Point/Extender switch

Power On/Off button
WPS button
Factory Reset button

Ethernet port

Figure 1. Extender front panel and side panel

Table 1. LEDs

LED Description

Router Link LED

Client Link LED

This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router
or access point.

• Solid green. Best connection.

• Solid amber. Good connection.

• Solid red. Poor connection.

• Off. No connection.

This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a
computer or mobile device.

• Solid green. Best connection.

• Solid amber. Good connection.

• Solid red. Poor connection.

• Off. No connection.

Get to Know Your Extender

6

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Table 1. LEDs (continued)

LED Description

Power LED • Solid amber. The extender is booting.

• Solid green. The

• Off. The

extender is powered off.

extender is powered on.

WPS LED

• Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).

• Blinking green. The

• Off. WiFi security is not enabled.

extender is making a WPS connection.

When to Use Your Extender

We recommend that you connect to the extender only when your WiFi network connection is
poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly
from the network.

How the Extender Works

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. The extender performs two main jobs:

• The extender connects to a working WiFi network.

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 Extender

Boosts the range of
your existing WiFi and
creates a stronger
signal in hard-to-reach
areas.

Figure 2. Range extender in a home

Get to Know Your Extender

7

Existing WiFi

Sometimes your

router does not

provide the WiFi
coverage that you
need.

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard

The extender supports the 802.11ac networking standard. This new standard offers better
speed, improved reliability, and more range than older WiFi networking standards. The
extender is backward compatible with earlier WiFi standards. However, to get the benefits of

802.11ac, your WiFi router must support the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard.

To learn more about the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard, visit

netgear.com/landing/80211ac/.

Figure 3. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards

Get to Know Your Extender

8

2. Get Started

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Use the Extender in Extender Mode

• Use the Extender in Access Point Mode

• Access Extender Settings

• Run Smart Setup

2

9

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Use the Extender in Extender Mode

The extender repeats signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. Place the
extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your 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 Use the

Extender in Access Point Mode on page 15.

Place the Extender and Apply Power

 To place the extender and apply power:

1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch

2. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router

Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process.

3. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.

4. Wait for the Power LED to light green.

If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the extender

to the Extender position.

.

.

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 12.

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 Connect With Web Browser Setup
on page 12.

Get Started

10

AC750 WiFi 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 or access point.

When the extender connects to your existing WiFi network, the WPS LED on the
extender lights solid green and the Router Link LED

lights. If the Router Link LED
does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect With Web Browser Setup on
page 12.

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. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is about halfway between your router

and the area with a poor router WiFi signal.

The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.

5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.

6. Use the Router Link LED

to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router

connection is optimal.

7. If the Router Link LED does not light amber or green, plug the extender into an outlet closer

to the router and try again.

Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the Router Link LED lights
amber or green.

8. On your computer or WiFi device, find and connect to the new extended WiFi network.

The extender creates two new extended WiFi networks. The extender’s new WiFi
network names are based on your existing WiFi network name, with _EXT at the end of
the name.

For example:

• Existing W

iFi network name. MyNetworkName

• New extended network names. MyNetworkName_2GEXT and

MyNetworkName_5GEXT

Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.

Get Started

11

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

9. Test the extended WiFi range by moving your computer or WiFi device to the area with a

poor router WiFi signal:

a. Leave your computer or WiFi device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and

return to the extender

.

b. Check the Client Link LED

• If the Client Link LED is solid green or amber

on the extender:

, your extended WiFi network
reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is
complete.

• If the Client Link LED is red, your extended WiFi network does not reach the area

with a poor router WiFi signal.

You must move the computer or WiFi device closer to the extender until the Client
Link LED turns solid green or amber

.

Connect With Web Browser Setup

 To connect with web browser setup:

1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the

extender WiFi network EX6100_NETGEAR_2EXT

After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Client Link LED

lights.

2. Launch a 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.

5. Complete the fields on the page and click the NEXT button.

erify that the Access Point/Extender switch is set to Extender and click the

6. V

Continue button.

Get Started

12

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

7. 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.

8. In the Password (Network Key) field, type the existing WiFi network password (also called

passphrase or security key) and click the NEXT button.

9. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your new extender WiFi network and click

the NEXT button.

Wait for the page to display a list of available extended WiFi networks, which might take
up to one minute.

10. Connect the computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network using the extender

SSID and password that you created in Step 9.

Note: To connect additional devices, repeat Step 10.

11. Make sure that your computer or WiFi device is connected before you click the Continue

button.

12. Click the Continue button.

A message displays confirming that the extender is connected and ready.

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 that is about halfway between your router

and the area with a poor router 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 and wait for the Power LED to light green.

17. Use the Router Link LED

to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router

connection is optimal.

Get Started

13

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

18. If the Router Link LED doesn’t light amber or green, plug the extender into an outlet closer

to the router and try again.

Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the Router Link LED lights
amber or green.

19. Reconnect your computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network.

20. T

est the extended WiFi range by moving your computer or WiFi device to the area with a

poor router WiFi signal:

a. Leave your computer or WiFi device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and

return to the extender

.

b. Check the Client Link LED

• If the Client Link LED is solid green or amber

on the extender:

, your extended WiFi network
reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is
complete.

• If the Client Link LED is red, your extended WiFi network does not reach the area

with a poor router WiFi signal.

You must move the computer or WiFi device closer to the extender until the Client
Link LED turns solid green or amber

.

Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices

After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a device to

the extender using an Ethernet cable. Then that device can access your existing network
through the extender-to-router WiFi connection.

Extender

WiFi router

Figure 4. Ethernet connection to the extender

Get Started

Blu-ray player

14

AC750 WiFi Range Extender

Use the Extender 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 as an access point

 To install the extender as an access point:

1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to the Access Point position.

2. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on the extender to an Ethernet LAN port

on a router or a remote Ethernet LAN jack with LAN access.

3. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.

4. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button.

5. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the

EX6100_NETGEAR_2GEXT or the EX6100_NETGEAR_5GEXT WiFi network.

Get Started

15