NETGEAR EX6120 User Manual

AC1200 Dual Band
WiFi

Range Extender

Model EX6120
User Manual

August 2015

202-11553-01

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi 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 Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Side Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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

How the Extender Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 2 Get Started

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

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

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

Find the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Log In to the 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 the 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 the Extender’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor 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

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AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

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 Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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

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

Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting

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

Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications

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

Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

4

1. Overview

1

The AC1200 Dual Band 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:

• Meet Your Extender

• When to Use Your Extender

• How the Extender Works

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 at
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

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Meet Your Extender

Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs, buttons, and port.

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. Buttons and port on the side panels

Overview

Ethernet port

6

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi 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. WPS security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).

• Blinking green. A

• Off. WPS security is not enabled.

extender is powered off.

extender is powered on.

WPS connection is being established.

When to Use Your Extender

NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi
device is in a “dead zone” where the 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 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).

Overview

7

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

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 3. Range extender in a home

Existing WiFi

Sometimes your

router does not

provide the WiFi
coverage that you
need.

Overview

8

2. Get Started

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Use the Extender in Extender Mode

• Use the Extender in Access Point Mode

• Log In to the Extender After Installation

• Run Smart Setup Installation

2

9

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Use the Extender in Extender Mode

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

Extender in Access Point Mode on page 14.

Place the Extender and Apply Power

 To place the extender and apply power:

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

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

Use the

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.

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

 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.

Get Started

10

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access point.

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 _EXT 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.

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 NETGEAR_EXT.
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.

Get Started

11

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

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.

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.

Get Started

12

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi 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. Ethernet LAN port

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 in access point mode

Get Started

14

AC1200 Dual Band WiFi 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 WiFi network.
When you join the network, the extender Device Link LED lights to show that you are

connected.

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

15