Nighthawk X6S AC3000
Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
User Manual
Model EX8000
September 2017 202-11758-01
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band 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 Overview |
|
Unpack Your Extender............................................................................................ |
6 |
LEDs...................................................................................................................... |
7 |
Back Panel............................................................................................................. |
9 |
When to Use Your Extender................................................................................. |
10 |
How the Extender Works..................................................................................... |
10 |
Chapter 2 Get Started |
|
Install the WiFi Extender...................................................................................... |
13 |
Place the Extender and Apply Power.............................................................. |
13 |
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network.............................................................. |
13 |
Connect With WPS..................................................................................... |
13 |
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant.................................... |
15 |
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode.............................................................. |
16 |
Connect a Device to the Extender Network......................................................... |
17 |
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WiFi.................................. |
17 |
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WPS................................. |
17 |
Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device to the Extender.................................... |
18 |
Log In to the Extender After Installation............................................................... |
18 |
Run Smart Setup Installation............................................................................... |
18 |
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings |
|
Enable or Disable One WiFi Name...................................................................... |
21 |
Enable or Disable Smart Connect........................................................................ |
21 |
View Connected Devices..................................................................................... |
22 |
View WiFi Settings............................................................................................... |
23 |
Change the WiFi Network Name.......................................................................... |
24 |
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network.................................. |
25 |
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios....................................................................... |
25 |
Change the WiFi Speed....................................................................................... |
26 |
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network............................ |
27 |
Use WPS With the Push Button Method......................................................... |
27 |
Use WPS with the PIN Method....................................................................... |
28 |
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device........................................................ |
29 |
Set Up an Access Schedule................................................................................ |
30 |
Change the Extender’s Device Name.................................................................. |
31 |
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address.................................................. |
32 |
Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control..................................... |
33 |
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender |
|
Change the Extender admin User Name and Password...................................... |
35 |
Turn Password Protection Off and On.................................................................. |
35 |
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password..................................................... |
36 |
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time..................................................... |
37 |
Manually Set the Extender Clock......................................................................... |
38 |
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration............................................... |
39 |
Back Up the Configuration Settings................................................................ |
39 |
Restore the Configuration Settings................................................................. |
40 |
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings............................................. |
41 |
Use the Reset Button...................................................................................... |
41 |
Log In and Reset the Extender to Factory Settings......................................... |
41 |
Update the Extender Firmware............................................................................ |
42 |
Check for New Firmware and Update the Extender........................................ |
42 |
Manually Upload Firmware to the Extender.................................................... |
43 |
Restart the Extender Remotely............................................................................ |
44 |
Turn the NETGEAR Logo LED On or Off............................................................. |
45 |
Chapter 5 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Extender |
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USB Device Requirements.................................................................................. |
48 |
Connect a USB Storage Device to the Extender................................................. |
48 |
Access a Storage Device Connected to the Router From a Windows Computer.48 |
|
Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive................................................. |
49 |
Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Router From a Mac............. |
50 |
Turn the USB Port Off and On............................................................................. |
50 |
Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device................................................ |
51 |
Password-Protect a Folder on a USB Storage Device......................................... |
52 |
Use the Extender USB Port to Share a Printer.................................................... |
52 |
Change the Network or Device Name.................................................................. |
53 |
Chapter 6 Use the Extender as a Media Server |
|
Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings........................................................ |
56 |
Set Up the Extender to Work With TiVo............................................................... |
57 |
Chapter 7 FAQs and Troubleshooting |
|
FAQs.................................................................................................................... |
59 |
Cannot Connect to the Extender.......................................................................... |
60 |
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message.............................. |
60 |
Cannot Access mywifiext.net............................................................................... |
61 |
Find the Extender’s IP Address............................................................................ |
61 |
Chapter 8 Supplemental Information |
|
Factory Default Settings....................................................................................... |
64 |
Technical and Environmental Specifications........................................................ |
65 |
4
Overview |
1 |
|
The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering tri-band WiFi.
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Unpack Your Extender
•LEDs
•Back Panel
•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.
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Unpack Your Extender
Your package contains the following items.
Figure 1. Extender package contents
1.Nighthawk X6S X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender (Model EX8000)
2.Power adapter (varies by region)
Overview
6
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
LEDs
The following table describes the LEDs.
Figure 2. Front panel
Overview
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Table 1. LED descriptions
LED |
Description |
Link Status LED |
This LED indicates the WiFi connection between the extender and the router. |
|
• Solid white. Best connection. |
|
• Solid amber. Good connection. |
|
• Solid red. Poor connection. |
|
• Off. No connection. |
|
• Blinking white. The extender is reseting to its factory default settings. |
Maximum Throughput
LED
2.4 GHz LED
5 GHz LED
Client Link LED
•Solid white. The extender uses the 5 GHz WiFi band for backhaul.
•Off. The extender uses the 2.4 GHz WiFi band for backhaul.
•Blinking white. The extender is resetting to its factory default settings.
•Solid white. The 2.4 GHz radio is operating.
•Off. The 2.4 GHz radio is off.
•Solid white. The 5 GHz radio is operating.
•Off. The 5 GHz radio is off.
•Blinking white. The extender is resetting to its factory default settings.
•Solid white.The extender is connected to a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device.
•Off. The extender is not connected to a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device.
Overview
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued)
LED |
Description |
USB LED
•Solid white. A USB device is connected to the extender.
•Off. A USB is not connected to the extender.
Ethernet LED
•Solid white. An Ethernet device is connected to an Ethernet port.
•Off. An Ethernet device is not connected to the extender.
Back Panel
The back panel of the extender provides ports, buttons, and a DC power connector.
Figure 3. Back panel
The back panel contains the following components:
Overview
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
•WPS button. Use this button to connect WPS-enabled devices to the extender.
•Ethernet ports. Use the four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports to connect the extender to LAN devices.
•USB port. Use the USB 2.0 port to connect the extender to a USB device such as a printer.
•Power On/Off button and Power LED. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the extender. The Power LED light green when the extender is ready.
•DC power connector. Connect the power adapter that came in the product package to the DC power connector.
•Reset button. Pressing this button resets the router. If the Reset button is pressed for at least seven seconds and the Power LED blinks green, the router returns to its factory settings.
When to Use Your Extender
We recommend 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 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.
Overview
10
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Figure 4. Extender in a home
Overview
11
Get Started |
2 |
|
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Install the WiFi Extender
•Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
•Connect a Device to the Extender Network
•Log In to the Extender After Installation
•Run Smart Setup Installation
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Install the WiFi Extender
Place the extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your existing WiFi network.
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.
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 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.
Note If your router’s WiFi security is set to WPA enterprise or WPA2 enterprise, your extender can’t connect to your router. You must change your router’s WiFi security setting.
You can connect the extender in one of two ways:
•Connect with WPS. For more information, see Connect With WPS on page 13.
Note WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your router WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the instructions in
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 15.
•Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 15.
Connect With WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network name and password. For help with the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device, check the instructions or online help that came with that device. Some older equipment cannot use WPS.
Note WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your existing WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the instructions in Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 15.
Get Started
13
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1.Press the WPS button on 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 white and the Link Status LED lights.
If the Link Status LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 15.
Note If your router supports the 5 GHz band, your extender attempts to connect to the router’s 5 GHz band the first time you press the WPS button. If your extender connects to the router's 5 GHz band, the extender's Link Status LED and Maximum Throughput LED light solid white. If the LEDs don't light, follow the next step.
3.If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat Steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender to the 5 GHz band.
The Link Status LED and Maximum Throughput LED light solid white to confirm the connection.
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.Use the Link Status LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal.
6.If the Link Status LED doesn’t light amber or white, 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 Link Status LED lights amber or white.
7.Take your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the location with poor WiFi router coverage.
8.Connect your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the extended network.
Your extender uses the same WiFi network settings as your router for its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz extended networks.
For example, if your extender connects to the router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks:
•Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
•Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
•Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
•Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
Get Started
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
If your extender connects to the router’s 5 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your router’s 5 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks:
•Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
•Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
•Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
•Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
Note Since your router and extended networks share the same WiFi network name, only one WiFi network name is broadcast.
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant
You can use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect your extender to your existing WiFi router network. To use the NETGEAR installation assistant, you must launch a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
To use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1.Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet connection:
•WiFi. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to the extender, the Client LED lights solid white.
•Ethernet. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on the extender to an Ethernet port on your computer.
2.Launch web browser.
3.Enter http://www.mywifiext.net.
The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
4.Follow the prompts to connect your extender to your existing WiFi network.
5.Unplug the extender and move it to a new location about halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
6.Use the Link Status LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal.
7.If the Link Status LED doesn’t light amber or white, plug the extender into an outlet closer to the router and try again.
Get Started
15
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the Link Status LED lights amber or white.
8. Reconnect your computer or mobile device to the new extender WiFi network.
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
To use the extender in access point mode:
1.Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
2.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.
3.Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet connection:
•WiFi. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to the extender, the Client LED lights solid white.
•Ethernet. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on your computer and extender.
Note If you want to use an Ethernet connection, you must do this before you connect your extender to your modem router or router.
4.Launch a web browser and visit www.mywifiext.net.
When you join the network, the Client Link LED lights to show that you are connected. The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
5.Use an Ethernet cable to connect your router to an Ethernet port on the extender.
Get Started
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Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Note Do not connect your extender directly to your DSL or cable modem. The extender does not function as a router. If your network includes a DHCP server, you can connect the extender to a switch or hub that is connected to the DHCP server.
6.Return to the NETGEAR installation assistant and follow the prompts to finish setting up your extender as an access point.
Connect a Device to the Extender Network
After you complete the setup process, you can connect all your devices to the new extender network using a WiFi, wired, or WPS connection.
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WiFi
If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, your extender uses the the same WiFi network name and password as your router.
To connect to the extender WiFi network:
1.On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager that manages your WiFi connections.
The WiFi connection manager scans for WiFi networks in your area.
2.Find and select your extender’s WiFi network name (SSID) and enter your extender’s WiFi password.
This is the SSID and password that you set up during the installation process. If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, use your router’s SSID and password.
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WPS
For help with the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device, check the instructions or online help that came with that device. Some older equipment cannot use WPS.
To connect to the extender using a WPS connection:
1.Press the WPS button on the extender. The WPS LED blinks white.
2.Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device.
When the extender connects to your WPS-enabled device, the WPS LED lights solid white.
Get Started
17
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device to the Extender
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired device to the extender using an Ethernet cable.
Figure 6. Ethernet LAN port
Log In to the Extender After Installation
After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings.
To log in to the extender:
1.Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. When you are connected to the extender, the Client Link LED lights.
2.Log in to your extender:
•If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
•If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs:
-Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext
-Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext. local
-Android devices. http://<extender’s IP address> (for example, http://192.168.1.3)
For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61.
Run Smart Setup Installation
You can use Smart Setup to change the extender settings. This is an easy way to connect the extender to a different router or to change the extender WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi password.
To run Smart Setup:
1.Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
2.Log in to your extender:
Get Started
18
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
•If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
•If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs:
-Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext
-Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local
-Android devices. http://<extender’s IP address> (for example, http://192.168.1.3)
For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61.
A login page displays.
3.Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays.
4.Click the SMART SETUP button.
5.Follow the prompts.
Get Started
19
Extender Network Settings |
3 |
|
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Enable or Disable One WiFi Name
•Enable or Disable Smart Connect
•View Connected Devices
•View WiFi Settings
•Change the WiFi Network Name
•Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network
•Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios
•Change the WiFi Speed
•Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network
•Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device
•Set Up an Access Schedule
•Change the Extender’s Device Name
•Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address
•Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control
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