Netgear EX6200 User Guide

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Model EX6200

User Manual

January 2015

202-11298-05

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

AC1200 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

Chapter 1 Overview

Unpack Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Attach the Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Attach the Rubber Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Retrieve and Display the Product Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

How the Extender Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Chapter 2 Get Started

How to Position the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Chapter 3 Manage the Extender Network and Security Settings

Change the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Set Up Password Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Connect the Extender to a WiFi Network Without Using Smart Setup. . . . . . . 39

Connect the Extender to a Hidden WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Use WPS with the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Use WPS with the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Manage the Extender WiFi Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Configure WPA, WPA2, or WPA + WPA2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Configure WEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Change the Extender IP Address and Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Manage Advanced WiFi and WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Manage a WiFi Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Set Up and Enable the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Disable the Access List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Change a Device on the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Remove a Device from the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Set the Operating Mode to FastLane Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Run Smart Setup Again After Initial Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender

Recover the admin Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Use the Restore Factory Settings Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Erase the Extender Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

View the Status and Traffic Statistics of the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

View the Wired and WiFi Network Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Chapter 5 Share a USB Drive That Is Attached to the Extender

USB Drive Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Access a USB Drive on the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Back Up Windows Computers with ReadySHARE Vault. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Back Up Mac Computers with Time Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Use Time Machine to Back Up onto a USB Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Control Access to the USB Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Use FTP Within the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

View Network Folders on a USB Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Add a Network Folder on a USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Change a Network Folder on a USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Approve USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Safely Remove a USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Chapter 6 Use the Extender as a Media Server

Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Play Media from a USB Drive on TiVo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Chapter 7 Share a USB Printer Through the Extender

Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Use the Shared Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

View or Change the Status of a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Chapter 8 FAQs and Troubleshooting

FAQs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

You Cannot Connect to the Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

You Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Improve the Connection Between the Extender and the WiFi Router. . . . . . . 121

Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications

Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

1. Overview

This user manual is for the NETGEAR® AC1200 WiFi Range Extender, model EX6200, which is

referred to as the extender.

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Unpack Your Extender

• Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port

• Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector

• Attach the Stand

• Attach the Rubber Feet

• Retrieve and Display the Product Label

• When to Use Your Extender

• How the Extender Works

• Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard

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

Note: In this manual, the terms wireless and WiFi are interchangeable.

downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Unpack Your Extender

Your box contains the following items:

• AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

• Power adapter

• Snap-on stand

• Four rubber feet

• Installation guide

• Do More booklet

Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port

Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the extender or to monitor the extender performance. The following figure shows the extender in upright position, with the stand attached. (For information about attaching the stand, see Attach the Stand on page 10.)

2.4 GHz Link Rate LED 5 GHz Link Rate LED

Device to Extender LED

LAN LEDs (1 through 5)

USB LED

USB 3.0 port (on the front panel)

Figure 1. Top panel LEDs and front panel USB port

The following table describes the LEDs.

Overview

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Table 1. Front panel LEDs

LED Description

2.4 GHz Link Rate LED

5 GHz Link Rate LED

Green. router is optimum.

Note: If you press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender, the LED

blinks green for two minutes.

Amber. router is good.

Note: This LED also lights amber during the startup process of the extender.

After about one minute, the LED lights green or turns off, depending on the WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi network.

Red. is poor.

Off.

Green. is optimum.

Note: If you press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender, the LED

blinks green for two minutes.

Amber. is good.

Note: This LED also lights amber during the startup process of the extender.

After about one minute, the LED lights green or turns off, depending on the WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi network.

The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi

The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router

The extender and the WiFi router do not have a 2.4 GHz WiFi connection.

The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router

LAN LEDs (1 through 5)

Device to Extender LED

Red.

The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is

poor.

Off.

Off. No Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.

Amber.

Off.

The extender and the WiFi router do not have a 5 GHz WiFi connection.

Green. An Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.

Green. The extender is connected to a computer or WiFi device.

Note: If you press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender, the LED

blinks green for two minutes.

The extender is starting or is applying WiFi settings. After about one

minute, the LED turns green. During the startup process, both Link Rate LEDs also light amber. After about

one minute, these LED light green or turn of connection between the extender and the WiFi network.

Note: The Device to Extender LED blinks amber during a firmware update.

The extender is not connected to a computer or WiFi device.

f, depending on the WiFi

Overview

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Table 1. Front panel LEDs

LED Description

USB LED Solid green. A USB device is connected to the USB port.

Off. No USB device is connected to the USB port.

Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector

The following figure shows the ports, buttons, antennas, and connector on the rear panel of the extender.

Two preinstalled 5dBi antennas

Power connectorOn/Off button

WPS button

Figure 2. Rear panel

Ethernet LAN ports

Restore Factory Settings button

The antennas are preinstalled. In the unlikely situation that an antenna has loosened, you must tighten it. (A loose antenna could affect the performance of the extender.)

Overview

 To tighten an antenna:

1. Straighten the antenna.

2. T

urn the antenna clockwise until tightened.

After you have tightened the antenna, you can change its position.

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Attach the Stand

If you prefer to place the extender in upright (vertical) position, attach the stand that comes with the extender.

Although the extender functions well in either horizontal or vertical position, a horizontal

position might give a better performance.

Figure 3. Attaching the stand

Overview

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

 To attach the stand:

1. Place the stand on a flat surface.

2. Hold the extender in upright position with the left side of the extender pointing down. (The

left side has three rectangular openings.)

The top panel of the extender and the three vertical support posts of the stand must face the same direction.

3. Lower the extender onto the stand until the support posts of the stand snap into the

rectangular openings of the extender.

Attach the Rubber Feet

If you prefer to place the extender in horizontal position, you can attach the rubber feet that come with the extender.

Figure 4. Attaching the rubber feet

 To attach the rubber feet:

1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you.

bottom.)

2. In each corner

, attach a rubber foot in such a way that it covers the triangle.

Overview

(The red panel is the

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Retrieve and Display the Product Label

The product label that you can retrieve from the bottom panel of the extender contains the preset login information, serial number, security pin, MAC addresses of the radios, and other information.

 To retrieve the product label from the extender:

1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you.

(The red panel is the

bottom.)

2. Locate the label handle that has NETGEAR printed on it, and pull out the product label.

Label handle

Figure 5. Pulling out the product label

Preset login information

Figure 6. Product label

Serial number

Security pin

MAC address of the 2.4 GHz radio

MAC address of the 5 GHz radio

Overview

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

When to Use Your Extender

NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the extender only when your existing home network connection is poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly from the network.

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.

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 has two main jobs:

• The extender connects to a WiFi network that is up and running.

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 has 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 7. Range extender in a home

Existing WiFi

Sometimes your router does not provide the WiFi coverage you need.

Overview

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Support for the 801.11ac 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

http://www.netgear.com/landing/80211ac/.

Figure 8. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards

Overview

2. Get Started

This chapter covers the following topics:

• How to Position the Extender

• Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router

• Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network

• Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup

• Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

How to Position the Extender

The ideal location to place the extender is halfway between your WiFi router and your WiFi device.

Figure 9. Range extender location

The best connection is established with a clear line of sight between the extender and the WiFi router and a clear line of sight between the extender and the WiFi device that you are using. If a thick wall or other materials block this straight path, move the extender to a different location halfway between the WiFi device and the WiFi router.

Depending on the location that you decide on, either place the extender horizontally or attach the stand and place the extender vertically horizontal or vertical position, a horizontal position might give a better performance.

When you make the initial connection between the extender and the WiFi router, place the extender close to the WiFi router extender and the WiFi router, move the extender to the location where you intend to use it. (You might need to unplug the extender, plug it in again at its new location, and restart it.) Use the Link Rate LEDs on the extender to choose the location where the connection between the extender and the WiFi router is optimal. These steps are described in detail in the sections that describe how to connect the extender to a WiFi network.

. After you have established a connection between the

. Although the extender functions well in either

Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router

To connect the extender to your WiFi router and find the best location for the extender, use one of the following methods:

• WPS. Use the extender’s WPS button to establish a WiFi connection between the

extender and the WiFi router (see Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network). Use this method if your WiFi router supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).

• W

iFi. Use a computer or WiFi device to join the extender’s default WiFi network, then

launch a web browser to set up the connection between the extender and a WiFi network (see Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup). Use this method if your WiFi router does not support WPS.

• Ethernet. Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to the extender, then launch a

web browser to set up the connection between the extender and a WiFi network (see

Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup). Use this method if you have

difficulty establishing a WiFi connection to the extender.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network

The easiest way to connect the extender to a WiFi network is by using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). For this method to be successful, your WiFi router must support WPS.

If your WiFi router does not support WPS, see one of the following sections:

• Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup on page 19

• Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup on page 27

WPS lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network name and password. The WPS button is a physical button on the rear panel of the extender. might have a physical WPS button, a software WPS button, or both.

WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP security, follow the instructions in Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup on page 19.

 To connect the extender with WPS to a WiFi router and find the best location for the

extender:

Your WiFi router

1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.

Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection

to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.

2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.

3. If necessary

, press the Power button.

The Device to Extender LED and the two Link Rate LEDs light amber during the startup process.

After about one minute, these LEDs turn off.

You are now ready to connect the extender to your WiFi router.

4. Press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender.

Both Link Rate LEDs

and the Device to Extender LED blink green for two

minutes.

5. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WiFi router.

After a few seconds, the extender connects to your existing WiFi network. Because you placed the extender close to the WiFi router

, the 2.4 GHz Link Rate LED on the extender

lights green, indicating a good connection between the WiFi router and the extender.

If the 2.4 GHz Link Rate LED does not light green, try Step 4 and Step 5 again. If it still does not light green, see Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup.

6. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band (not all routers do), and you want to extend that

band, repeat Step 4 and Step 5 and check that the 5 GHz Link Rate LED lights green to confirm the connection.

7. Now that the extender is connected to the WiFi router

, move it to a location where you can

boost your WiFi range.

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

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

8. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet at the new location and restart the extender.

Unless the extender is outside the range of your WiFi router, the extender connects automatically to the WiFi router

The Link Rate LEDs help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal. The following tables describe how the LEDs show the quality of the connection.

2.4 GHz LED Status LED Color Performance

Both the Link Rate LED and the Device to Extender LED are green.

The Link Rate LED is amber and the Device to Extender LED is green.

The Link Rate LED is red.

The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.

5 GHz LED Status LED Color Performance

Both the Link Rate LED and the Device to Extender LED are green.

The Link Rate LED is amber and the Device to Extender LED is green.

The Link Rate LED is red.

The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.

and The extender provides the best performance.

and The extender provides a workable performance.

The extender provides a poor performance.

and The extender provides the best performance.

and The extender provides a workable performance.

The extender provides a poor performance.

If the Link Rate LED is off, the extender cannot connect to the WiFi router. If the Link Rate LED is red, the extender has a poor connection to the WiFi router.

9. If the extender has no connection or a poor connection, move the extender closer to your

WiFi router and try again until the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Link Rate LED is green, or at least amber.

10. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’

newly created WiFi network.

By default, the extender adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name, for example:

• Existing network name. MyNetworkName

• New extended 2.4 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT

• New extended 5 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_5GEXT

11. Select the new network and use your WiFi router password to connect.

You are now using your extended WiFi network.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Note: If your computer or mobile device cannot join the new WiFi network of

the extender, see

Improve the Connection Between the Extender and

the WiFi Router on page 121.

Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup

If your WiFi router does not support WPS, access the extender over WiFi and use the browser-based NETGEAR genie network.

The extender has a default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name (SSID) in the 2.4 GHz band so you can access it over WiFi. After you have used Smart Setup to connect the extender to an existing WiFi network, the extender changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to the name of the existing WiFi network and adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name, for example:

• Existing network name. MyNetworkName

• New extended 2.4 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT

• New extended 5 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_5GEXT

Smart Setup to connect the extender to an existing WiFi

 To access the extender over WiFi and use Smart Setup to connect the extender to an

existing WiFi network:

1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.

Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection

to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.

2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.

3. If necessary, press the Power button.

The Device to Extender LED and the two Link Rate LEDs light amber during the startup process. After about one minute, these LEDs turn off.

4. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is not connected to an Ethernet network.

If the computer or mobile device is already connected to an Ethernet network, you might not be able to connect to the extender.

5. Open a WiFi network manager on your computer or mobile device to find and connect to the

default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network of the extender.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

You can use any WiFi network utility on a computer, tablet, or smartphone to find and connect to the NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network of the extender. The following figure shows an example of a WiFi network utility.

After the connection with the computer or mobile device is established, the Device to Extender LED

lights solid green.

6. Open a web browser window from the same computer or mobile device.

The browser takes you directly to the NETGEAR genie Smart Setup start screen.

Note: If you are not automatically directed to the NETGEAR genie Smart

Setup start screen, go to www.mywifiext.net, and enter admin for the user name and password for the password.

Smart Setup searches for existing WiFi networks automatically and displays the networks in the 2.4 GHz band.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

7. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.

8. Enter the security settings for the existing 2.4 GHz network:

• If the network uses WP

A-PSK, WPA2-PSK, or a combination of these options, do the

following:

a. In the Password (network key) field, type the network passphrase (also called

a password or network key).

b. Click the Continue button.

• If the network uses WEP

, do the following:

a. From the Encryption Strength menu, select the encryption strength (64 bit or

128 bit).

b. Select the radio button that corresponds to the key that you want to use (Key 1,

Key 2, Key 3, or Key 4).

c. Next to the selected radio button, enter the network WEP key

d. Click the Continue button.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

If Smart Setup detects any networks in the 5 GHz band, it displays them.

9. Select a 5 GHz WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.

Note: If your router does not support the 5 GHz band (not all routers do) or

you want to set up the 5 GHz extender network later, click the Skip button, and go to Step 11 on page 23.

10. Enter the security settings for the existing 5 GHz network:

• If the network uses WP

A-PSK, WPA2-PSK, or a combination of these options, do the

following:

a. In the Password (network key) field, type the network passphrase (also called

a password or network key).

b. Click the Continue button.

• If the network uses WEP

, do the following:

a. From the Encryption Strength menu, select the encryption strength (64 bit or

128 bit).

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

b. Select the radio button that corresponds to the key that you want to use (Key 1,

Key 2, Key 3, or Key 4).

c. Next to the selected radio button, enter the network WEP key

d. Click the Continue button.

Smart Setup displays the network names and adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name.

11. Use the default extension names, or, in the Name (2.4GHz SSID) field, and, if you have set

up a 5 GHz network, in the Name (5GHz SSID) field, enter new network names for your extender WiFi networks, and click the Continue button.

Note: If you do not want to use the same security modes for your extender

networks as you use for your existing networks, clear the check box before you click the Continue button. You then can configure the security settings for the extender networks. However, you can also change the security settings later.

The extender applies the settings.

12. Wait a couple of minutes while the extender creates the WiFi networks.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

When the extender is ready, Smart Setup summarizes the extender networks.

13. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s

newly created 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi network.

Note: Unless you entered a new network name in Step 11, the extender

changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to the name of the WiFi network to which you connected the extender and adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name.

Note: If your computer or mobile device cannot join the new WiFi network of

the extender, see Improve the Connection Between the Extender and

the WiFi Router on page 121.

14. Select the My wireless devices are connected to the Extender network check box, and

click the Continue button.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Smart Setup describes the color of the Link Rate LED on the front of the extender. Because you placed the extender close the WiFi router, the Link Rate LED is green.

15. Click the Finish button.

A pop-up screen displays.

16. T

o bookmark the URL of the extender, click the OK button.

17. If you are prompted to enter a user name and password, type admin for the user name and

password for the password.

The NETGEAR registration screen displays. You are now online.

18. T

o register the extender, enter your information in the fields onscreen, and click the

A message displays, congratulating you that you have extended your network.

19. Close your browser

20. Now that the extender is connected to the WiFi router and you can connect a computer or

mobile device to the extender’

s WiFi network, move it to a location where you can boost

your WiFi range.

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

21. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet at the new location and restart the extender.

Unless the extender is outside the range of your WiFi router, the extender connects automatically to the WiFi router

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

The Link Rate LEDs help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal. The following tables describe how the LEDs show the quality of the connection.

2.4 GHz LED Status LED Color Performance

Both the Link Rate LED and the Device to Extender LED are green.

The Link Rate LED is amber and the Device to Extender LED is green.

The Link Rate LED is red.

The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.

5 GHz LED Status LED Color Performance

Both the Link Rate LED and the Device to Extender LED are green.

The Link Rate LED is amber and the Device to Extender LED is green.

The Link Rate LED is red.

The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.

and The extender provides the best performance.

and The extender provides a workable performance.

The extender provides a poor performance.

and The extender provides the best performance.

and The extender provides a workable performance.

The extender provides a poor performance.

If the Link Rate LED is off, the extender cannot connect to the WiFi router. If the Link Rate LED is red, the extender has a poor connection to the WiFi router.

22. If the extender has no connection or a poor connection, move the extender closer to your

WiFi router and try again until the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Link Rate LED is green, or at least amber.

23. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to reconnect to the

extender’

s WiFi network.

Note: Unless you entered a new network name in Step 11, the extender

24. Select the new network and use your WiFi router password to connect.

You are now using your extended WiFi network.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup

If your WiFi router does not support WPS, you can use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to one of the LAN ports of the extender. Then use the browser-based NETGEAR genie Smart Setup to connect the extender to an existing WiFi network.

After you have used Smart Setup to connect the extender to an existing WiFi network, the extender changes its default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name (SSID) in the 2.4 GHz band to the name of the existing WiFi network and adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name, for example:

• Existing network name. MyNetworkName

• New extended 2.4 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT

• New extended 5 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_5GEXT

Note: After you have set up the extender, you can also connect

Ethernet-enabled devices such as gaming consoles and printers to the Ethernet LAN ports of the extender. For more information, see

Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices on page 73.

 To access the extender from a computer over Ethernet and use Smart Setup to

connect the extender to an existing WiFi network:

1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.

Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection

to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.

2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.

3. If necessary, press the Power button.

The Device to Extender LED and the two Link Rate LEDs light amber during the startup process. After about one minute, these LEDs turn off.

4. Make sure that your computer is not connected to a WiFi network or Ethernet network.

If the computer is already connected to a WiFi network or Ethernet network, you might not be able to connect to the extender.

5. Connect your computer to the extender with an Ethernet cable.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

You can use any of the five Ethernet LAN ports of the extender.

CAUTION:

Do not use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender to a WiFi router. If you do so, the extender does not work because it is designed to use only a WiFi connection to a WiFi router.

6. If you have trouble connecting, try the following:

ait a couple of minutes.

• W

If you start your computer, connect the Ethernet cable to the extender, and launch your browser quickly

, the computer might still need a couple of minutes to recognize

the Ethernet LAN connection before you can connect.

• Make sure that your Ethernet cable is securely connected to the extender and the

computer

, and that the extender Device to Extender Connection LED lights.

If the LED is not lit, reconnect the Ethernet cable, and relaunch your Internet browser.

7. Open a web browser window from the same computer

The browser takes you directly to the NETGEAR genie Smart Setup start screen.

Note: If you are not automatically directed to the NETGEAR genie Smart

Setup start screen, go to www.mywifiext.net, and enter admin for the user name and password for the password.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Smart Setup searches for existing WiFi networks automatically and displays the networks in the 2.4 GHz band.

8. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.

Get Started

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

9. Enter the security settings for the existing 2.4 GHz network:

• If the network uses WP

A-PSK, WPA2-PSK, or a combination of these options, do the

following:

a. In the Password (network key) field, type the network passphrase (also called

a password or network key).

b. Click the Continue button.

• If the network uses WEP

, do the following:

a. From the Encryption Strength menu, select the encryption strength (64 bit or

128 bit).

b. Select the radio button that corresponds to the key that you want to use (Key 1,

Key 2, Key 3, or Key 4).

c. Next to the selected radio button, enter the network WEP key

d. Click the Continue button.

If Smart Setup detects any networks in the 5 GHz band, it displays them.

10. Select a 5 GHz WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.

Note: If your router does not support the 5 GHz band (not all routers do) or

you want to set up the 5 GHz extender network later, click the Skip button, and go to Step 12 on page 32.

Get Started

+ 94 hidden pages

Netgear EX6200 User Guide

AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

Table of Contents

1. Overview

Unpack Your Extender

Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port

Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector

Attach the Stand

Attach the Rubber Feet

Retrieve and Display the Product Label

When to Use Your Extender

How the Extender Works

Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard

2. Get Started

How to Position the Extender

Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router

Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network

Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup

Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup