Netgear R6230 User Manual

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AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

User Manual

Model R6230

September 2017 202-11781-01

350 E. Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

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 comm unity.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

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

Unpack Your Router...............................................................................................9

LED Descriptions.................................................................................................10

Ports, Buttons, and Connectors on the Back Panel.............................................11

Router Label........................................................................................................12

Position the Router...............................................................................................12

Cable Your Router................................................................................................13

Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Router

Connect to the Network.......................................................................................16

Wired Connection............................................................................................16

WiFi Connection..............................................................................................16

WiFi Connection Using WPS...........................................................................16

Types of Logins....................................................................................................17

Use a Web Browser to Access the Router...........................................................17

Automatic Internet Setup.................................................................................17

Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App....................................................19

Change the Language.........................................................................................19

Access the Router With the NETGEAR genie App..............................................19

Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings

Use the Internet Setup Wizard.............................................................................22

Manually Set Up the Internet Connection............................................................22

Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login.............................................22

Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login.........................................23

Specify IPv6 Internet Connections.......................................................................24

Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses....................................................25

Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection...........................................25

Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection...........................................26

Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection............................................27

Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection.........................................29

Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection......................................................29

Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection....................................................30

Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection...................................................31

Change the MTU Size..........................................................................................33

Set Up a Bridge for a VLAN Tag Group................................................................34

Chapter 4 Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

Tur n On Internet Access QoS..............................................................................37

Add QoS Rules by Service..................................................................................37

Edit a QoS Rule...................................................................................................38

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Delete a QoS Rule...............................................................................................39

Delete All QoS Rule.............................................................................................39

Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug and Play..............................40

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service.....................................................................41

Chapter 5 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

USB Device Requirements..................................................................................43

Connect a USB Storage Device to the Router.....................................................43

Access a Storage Device Connected to the Router From a Windo ws Computer.44

Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive.................................................44

Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Router From a Mac.............45

Back Up Windows Computers With ReadySHARE Vault.....................................45

Back Up Mac Computers With Time Machine......................................................46

Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac................................................................46

Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data..................................................46

Use Time Machine to Back Up Onto a USB Hard Disk...................................47

Use FTP Within the Network................................................................................48

View or Change Network Folders on a Storage Device.......................................49

Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device................................................49

Edit a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device.................................................50

Approve USB Storage Device..............................................................................51

Safely Remove a USB Storage Device................................................................51

Chapter 6 Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Thr ough the Internet

Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS.....................................................................54

Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet............................................................54

Your Personal FTP Server...................................................................................55

Set Up Your Personal FTP Server...................................................................55

Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account.............................................................55

Specify a DNS Account That You Already Created.........................................56

Change the Dynamic DNS Settings................................................................57

Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet............................................58

Chapter 7 Use the Router as a Media Server

Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings........................................................60

Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Ser ver.......................................60

Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With iTunes...............................................61

Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With the Remote App...............................62

Chapter 8 Control Access to the Internet

Set Up Parental Controls.....................................................................................64

Allow or Block Access to Your Network................................................................64

Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites..................................................................65

Block Services From the Internet.........................................................................67

Delete Keywords From the Blocked List...............................................................68

Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer................................................................68

Manage Network Access Control Lists................................................................69

Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services..........................................69

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Set Up Security Event Email Notifications...........................................................70

Chapter 9 Share a USB Printer

Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer....................................................73

Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility..........................................................73

Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility................................................................73

Print Using the NETGEAR USB Control Center..................................................74

Chapter 10 Manage Your Network

Update the Router Firmware................................................................................76

Check for New Firmware and Update the Router............................................76

Manually Upload Firmware to the Router........................................................76

Change the admin Password...............................................................................77

Enable admin Password Recovery......................................................................78

Recover the admin Password..............................................................................78

View Router Status..............................................................................................79

Display Internet Port Statistics.............................................................................79

Check the Internet Connection Status.................................................................80

View and Manage Logs of Router Activity...........................................................81

View Devices Currently on the Network...............................................................82

Monitor Internet Traffictraffic metering..................................................................82

Manage the Router Configuration File.................................................................83

Back Up Settings.............................................................................................84

Erase the Current Configuration Settings........................................................84

Restore Configuration Settings.......................................................................85

Remote Access....................................................................................................85

Set Up Remote Management..........................................................................85

Use Remote Access........................................................................................86

Remotely Access Your Router Using the genie App............................................86

Chapter 11 Network Settings

View or Change WAN Settings............................................................................89

Set Up a Default DMZ Server..............................................................................90

Change the Router’s Device Name......................................................................90

Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings........................................................................91

Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns.............................................92

Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router.................................................93

Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses.................................................................94

Reserve an IP Address...................................................................................94

Edit a Reserved IP Address............................................................................95

Delete a Reserved IP Address Entry..............................................................95

Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections.........................................................96

Specify Basic WiFi Settings.................................................................................96

Change the WiFi Mbps Settings...........................................................................98

Change the WiFi Password or Security Level......................................................98

Set Up a Guest WiFi Network..............................................................................99

Control the WiFi Radios.....................................................................................100

Use the WiFi On/Off Button...........................................................................100

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Enable or Disable the WiFi Radios................................................................100

Set Up a WiFi Schedule.....................................................................................101

Specify WPS Settings........................................................................................101

Use the Router as a WiFi Access Point.............................................................102

Custom Static Routes........................................................................................103

Set Up a Static Route....................................................................................103

Edit a Static Route........................................................................................104

Delete a Static Route....................................................................................105

Chapter 12 Use VPN to Access Your Network

Set Up a VPN Connection..................................................................................107

Specify VPN Service in the Router....................................................................107

Install OpenVPN Software.................................................................................108

Install OpenVPN Software on Your Windows Computer................................108

Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer.......................................111

Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device................................................111

Install OpenVPN Software on an Android Device.........................................112

Use a VPN Tunnel on Your Windows Computer.................................................113

Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Device and Media..................................114

Use VPN to Access Your Inter net Ser vice at Home...........................................115

Set Up VPN Client Internet Access in the Router.........................................115

Block VPN Client Internet Access in the Router............................................116

Use a VPN Tunnel to Access Your Internet Service at Home........................116

Chapter 13 Customize Internet Traffic Rules for Ports

Port Forwarding to a Local Server.....................................................................119

Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server.....................................................119

Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service........................................................120

Edit a Port Forwarding Service......................................................................120

Delete a Port Forwarding Entry.....................................................................121

Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public................................121

How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule.................................122

Port Triggering....................................................................................................122

Add a Port Triggering Service........................................................................123

Enable Port Trigger ing...................................................................................124

Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat port triggering.124

Chapter 14 Troubleshooting

Quick Tips..........................................................................................................127

Sequence to Restart Your Network...............................................................127

Check Ethernet Cable Connections..............................................................127

WiFi Settings.................................................................................................127

Network Settings...........................................................................................127

Troubleshoot With the LEDs...............................................................................127

Standard LED Behavior When the Router Is Powered On............................128

Power LED Is Off or Blinking.........................................................................128

LEDs Never Turn Off.....................................................................................128

Internet or Ethernet Port LEDs Are Off.........................................................128

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

WiFi LED Is Off..............................................................................................129

You Cannot Log In to the Router........................................................................129

You Cannot Access the Internet.........................................................................129

Troubleshoot Internet Browsing.........................................................................131

Changes Are Not Saved....................................................................................131

Troubleshoot WiFi Connectivity..........................................................................131

Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility..............................................132

Test the LAN Path to Your Router..................................................................132

Test the Path From Your Computer to a Remote Device...............................133

Troubleshoot 404 Error Message When Tr ying to Log In to Plex Account.........133

Chapter 15 Supplemental Information

Factory Settings.................................................................................................135

Technical Specifications.....................................................................................136

Hardware Overview

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Unpack Your Router

• LED Descriptions

• Ports, Buttons, and Connectors on the Back Panel

• Router Label

• Position the Router

• Cable Your Router

For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the support website at

netgear.com/support.

Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time to time at

downloadcenter.netgear .com.You can check for and download new firmware manually. If the features or beha vior

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

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Unpack Your Router

The box contains the following items.

Figure 1. Package contents

Table 1. Legend

Router1. Ethernet cable2. Power adapter3.

In some regions, a CD is included in the package.

Hardware Overview

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

LED Descriptions

The following table describes the LEDs on the router.

Table 2. LED descriptions

DescriptionLED

Power LED

• Solid green.The power is on, and the router is ready.

• Blinking green. A firmware update is in progress.

• Off. Power is not supplied to the router.

Internet LED

• Solid green.The Internet connection is ready.

• Off. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.

WiFi LED

Ethernet ports 1–4 LED

• Solid green.The wireless radio is operating.

• Off.The wireless radio is off.

• Solid green. A powered-on device is connected to the Ethernet port.

• Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port.

Hardware Overview

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Table 2. LED descriptions (Continued)

DescriptionLED

USB LED

• Solid green. A USB device is connected and is ready.

• Blinking. A USB device is plugged in and is trying to connect.

• Off. No USB device is connected, or someone clicked the Safely Remove Hardware button

and it is now safe to remove the attached USB device.

WPS LED

The WPS LED blinks green during the WPS process and then lights solid green.

• Blinking for two minutes.The router's WPS button was pressed and the router is trying to

connect to a WPS-enabled device.

• Solid green.The router connected to a WPS-enabled device.

Ports, Buttons, and Connectors on the Back Panel

The back panel of the router provides ports, buttons, and a DC power connector.

Figure 2. Router back panel

In addition to the two antennas, the back panel contains the following components:

• WPS button. Use this button to connect WPS-enabled devices to the router.

• WiFi On/Off button. Pressing this button for two seconds turns the WiFi radios on and off.

• USB port. Use the USB 2.0 port to connect the router to a USB device such as a printer.

• Ethernet LAN ports. Use the four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports to connect the router to LAN

devices.

Hardware Overview

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

• Internet W AN port. Use the y ellow Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 WAN port to connect the router to a modem.

• 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.

• Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the router.

• DC power connector. Connect the power adapter that came in the product package to the DC power

connector.

Router Label

The label on the router shows the login information, WiFi netw ork name (SSID) and network key (passw ord), MAC address, and serial number.

Figure 3. Router label

Position the Router

The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating r ange of your WiFi network. Howe ver , the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of the router. For example, the thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through can limit the range.

Additionally , other WiFi access points in and around your home might aff ect your router’ s signal.WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders , and any other device that emits a WiFi signal f or network access.

Position the router according to the following guidelines:

• Place the router near the center of the area where your computers and other devices operate and within

line of sight to your WiFi devices.

• Make sure that the router is within reach of an AC power outlet and near Ethernet cables for wired

computers.

• Place the router in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings between the router

and your other devices.

• Place the router away from electrical devices such as these:

- Ceiling fans

- Home security systems

- Microwaves

Hardware Overview

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

- Computers

- Base of a cordless phone

- 2.4 GHz cordless phone

- 5 GHz cordless phone

• Place the router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated walls, and items such

as these:

- Solid metal door

- Aluminum studs

- Fish tanks

- Mirrors

- Brick

- Concrete

If you are using adjacent access points, use different radio frequency channels to reduce interference.

Cable Your Router

The following image shows how to cable your router:

Figure 4. Router cabling

To cable your router:

1. Unplug your modem’s power, leaving the modem connected to the wall jack for your Internet service.

If your modem uses a battery backup, remove the battery.

2. Plug in and turn on your modem.

If your modem uses a battery backup, put the battery back in.

3. Connect your modem to the Internet port of your router with the Ethernet cable that came with your

router.

Hardware Overview

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

4. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet.

5. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the back panel of the router.

Hardware Overview

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection.This chapter explains the ways you can connect and how to access the router and log in.

The chapter contains the following sections:

• Connect to the Network

• Types of Logins

• Use a Web Browser to Access the Router

• Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App

• Change the Language

• Access the Router With the NETGEAR genie App

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Connect to the Network

You can connect to the router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you set up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

Wired Connection

You can connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable and join the router’s local area network (LAN).

To connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable:

1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2. Connect an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on your computer.

3. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable an Ethernet port on the router.

Your computer connects to the local area network (LAN).

WiFi Connection

To find and select the WiFi network:

1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2. On your computer or WiFi device, find and select the WiFi network.

The WiFi network name is on the router’s label.

3. Join the WiFi network and enter the WiFi password.

The password is on the router’s label. Your WiFi device connects to the WiFi network.

WiFi Connection Using WPS

You can connect to the router’s WiFi network with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or you can find and select the WiFi network.

To use WPS to connect to the WiFi network:

1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2. Check the WPS instructions for your computer or WiFi device.

3. Press the WPS button on the router.

4. Within two minutes, on your computer or WiFi device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for

WPS connections. Your computer or WiFi device connects to the WiFi network.

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Types of Logins

Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand the difference so that you know which login to use when.

Several types of logins are associated with the router:

• ISP login.The login that your ISP gave you logs you in to your Internet service.Your service provider

gave you this login information in a letter or some other way. If you cannot find this login information, contact your service provider.

• WiFi network key or password.Your router is preset with a unique WiFi network name (SSID) and

password for WiFi access.This information is on the router label.

• Router login.This logs you in to the router interface from a web browser as admin.

Use a Web Browser to Access the Router

When you connect to the network (either with WiFi or with an Ethernet cable), you can use a web browser to access the router to view or change its settings.When you access the router, the software automatically checks to see if your router can connect to your Internet service.

Automatic Internet Setup

You can set up your router automatically, or you can use a web browser to access the router and set up your router manually. Before you start the setup process, get your ISP information and make sure that the computers and devices in the network are using the settings described here.

When your Internet service starts, y our Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you all the inf ormation needed to connect to the Internet. For DSL service, y ou might need the following information to set up your router:

• The ISP configuration information for your DSL account

• ISP login name and password

• Fixed or static IP address setting (special deployment by ISP; this setting is rare)

If you cannot locate this information, ask your ISP to provide it.When your Internet connection is working, you no longer need to launch the ISP login program on your computer to access the Internet.When you start an Internet application, your router automatically logs you in.

NETGEAR genie runs on any device with a web browser . Installation and basic setup takes about 15 min utes to complete.

To automatically set up your router:

1. Make sure that the router is powered on.

2. Make sure that your computer or mobile de vice is connected to the router with an Ethernet cable (wired)

or over WiFi with the preset security settings listed on the label.

If you want to change the router’ s WiFi settings , use a wired connection to avoid being

Note

disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

3. Launch a web browser.

The page that displays depends on whether you accessed the router before:

• The first time you set up the Internet connection for your router, the browser goes to

http://www.routerlogin.net and the Configuring the Internet Connection page displays.

• If you already set up the Internet connection, enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field

for your browser to start the installation process.

4. Follow the onscreen instructions.

The router connects to the Internet.

5. If the browser does not display a router page, do the following:

• Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the LAN Ethernet ports or over WiFi to the router.

• Make sure that the router is receiving power and that its Power LED is lit.

• Close and reopen the browser or clear the browser cache.

• Browse to http://www.routerlogin.net.

• If the computer is set to a static or fixed IP address (this setting is uncommon), change it to obtain

an IP address automatically from the router.

6. If the router does not connect to the Internet, do the following: a. Review y our settings. Make sure that y ou selected the correct options and typed everything correctly.

b. Contact your ISP to verify that you are using the correct configuration information. c. Read You Cannot Access the Internet on page 129. If problems persist, register your NETGEAR

product and contact NETGEAR technical support.

When the router connects to the Internet, you are prompted to download and install the free ReadySHARE Vault app.

Log In to the Router

When you first connect to your router and launch a web browser, the browser automatically displays the router’s web page. If you want to view or change settings for the router later, you can use a browser to log in to the router’s web page.

To log in to the router:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

You can also enter http://www.routerlogin.com or http://192.168.1.1.The procedures

Note

in this manual use http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The BASIC Home page displays.

Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App

With the NETGEAR Up app, you can easily install your router.The app automatically updates the router to the latest firmware, allows you to personalize your WiFi network, and even helps register your router with NETGEAR.

The NETGEAR Up app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices.

To install your router using the NETGEAR Up app:

1. Cable your router.

2. On your iOS or Android mobile device, go to the app store, search for NETGEAR Up, and download

the app.

3. On your iOS or Android mobile device, tap Settings > Wi-Fi and find and connect to your router’s WiFi

network. Your router’s WiFi network name (SSID) and network key (password) are on the router label.

4. Launch the NETGEAR Up app on your mobile device.

5. Follow the instructions that display on the app to install your router and connect to the Internet.

Change the Language

By default, the language is set to Auto.

To change the language:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. In the upper right corner, select a language from the menu.

5. When prompted, click the OK button to confirm this change.

The page refreshes with the language that you selected.

Access the RouterWith the NETGEAR genie App

The genie app is the easy dashboard for managing, monitoring, and repairing your home network.The genie app can help you with the following:

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

• Automatically repair common WiFi network problems.

• Easily manage router features like Live Parental Controls, guest access, Internet traffic meter, speed

test, and more.

To use the genie app to access the router:

1. Visit the NETGEAR genie web page at NETGEAR.com/genie.

2. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

3. Launch the genie app.

The genie app dashboard page displays.

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

Specify Your Internet Settings

Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow the genie to detect the Internet connection when you first access the router with a web browser.You can also customize or specify your Internet settings.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Use the Internet Setup Wizard

• Manually Set Up the Internet Connection

• Specify IPv6 Internet Connections

• Change the MTU Size

• Set Up a Bridge for a VLAN Tag Group

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Use the Internet Setup Wizard

You can use the Setup Wizard to detect your Internet settings and automatically set up your router.The Setup Wizard is not the same as the pages that displa y the first time you connect to your router to set it up.

To use the Setup Wizard:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup Wizard.

The Setup Wizard page displays.

5. Select the Yes radio button.

If you select the No radio button, you are taken to the Internet Setup page (see Manually Set Up the

Internet Connection on page 22).

6. Click the Next button.

The Setup Wizard searches your Internet connection for servers and protocols to determine your Internet configuration.

When the router connects to the Internet, you are prompted to download and install the free NETGEAR Desktop genie app and the free ReadySHARE Vault app.

Manually Set Up the Internet Connection

You can view or change the router’s Internet connection settings.

Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login

To specify the Internet connection settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to therouter network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

4. Select Internet.

The Internet Setup page displays.

5. In the Does your Internet connection require a login? section, leave the No radio button selected.

6. If your Internet connection requires an account name or host name, click the Edit button in the Account

Name section and enter the account name.

7. If your Internet connection requires a domain name, type it in the Domain Name (If Required) field.

For the other sections on this page, the default settings usually work, but you can change them.

8. Select an Internet IP Address radio button:

• Get Dynamically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address.Your ISP automatically

assigns these addresses.

• Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP address that

your ISP assigned.The gateway is the ISP router to which your router connects.

9. Select a Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button:

• Get Automatically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers.Your ISP

automatically assigns this address.

• Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option.

Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter it also.

10. Select a Router MAC Address radio button:

• Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address.

• Use Computer MAC Address.The router captures and uses the MAC address of the computer

that you are now using.You must use the one computer that the ISP allows.

• Use This MAC Address. Enter the MAC address that you want to use.

11. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection.

If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You Cannot Access the Internet on page 129.

Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login

To view or change the basic Internet setup:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

4. Select Internet.

The Internet Setup page displays.

5. In the Does your Internet connection require a login? section, select the Yes radio button.

6. From the Internet Service Provider menu, select the encapsulation method: PPPoE, L2TP, or PPTP.

7. In the Login field, enter the login name that your ISP gave you.

This login name is often an email address.

8. In the Password field, type the password that you use to log in to your Internet service.

9. If your ISP requires a service name, type it in the Service Name (if Required) field.

10. From the Connection Mode menu, select Always On, Dial on Demand, or Manually Connect.

11. To change the number of minutes until the Internet login times out, in the Idle Timeout (In minutes)

field, type the number of minutes. This is how long the router keeps the Internet connection active when no one on the network is using

the Internet connection. A value of 0 (zero) means never log out.

12. Select an Internet IP Address radio button:

• Get Dynamically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address.Your ISP automatically

assigns these addresses.

• Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP address that

your ISP assigned.The gateway is the ISP router to which your router connects.

13. Select a Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button:

• Get Automatically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers.Your ISP

automatically assigns this address.

• Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option.

Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter it also.

14. Select a Router MAC Address radio button:

• Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address.

• Use Computer MAC Address.The router captures and uses the MAC address of the computer

that you are now using.You must use the one computer that the ISP allows.

• Use This MAC Address. Enter the MAC address that you want to use.

15. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

16. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection.

If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You Cannot Access the Internet on page 129.

Specify IPv6 Internet Connections

You can set up an IPv6 Internet connection if the router does not detect it automatically.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

To set up an IPv6 Internet connection:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select the IPv6 connection type:

• If you are not sure, select Auto Detect so that the router detects the IPv6 type that is in use.

• If your Internet connection does not use PPPoe or DHCP, or is not fixed, but is IPv6, select Auto

Config.

Your Internet service provider (ISP) can provide this information.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses

IPv6 addresses are denoted by eight groups of hexadecimal quartets that are separated by colons.You can reduce any four-digit group of zeros within an IPv6 address to a single zero or omit it.The following errors invalidate an IPv6 address:

• More than eight groups of hexadecimal quartets

• More than four hexadecimal characters in a quartet

• More than two colons in a row

Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection

To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autodetection:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Auto Detect.

The page adjusts. The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:

• Connection Type.This field indicates the connection type that is detected.

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on WAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’ s

WAN (or Internet) interface.The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available.

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on LAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s

LAN interface.The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Av ailab le.

6. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems

might not support the DHCv6 client function.

• Auto Config.This is the default setting.

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the LAN).

7. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the

IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.

8. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:

• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.

• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection

To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autoconfiguration:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Auto Config.

The page adjusts. The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on WAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’ s

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on LAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s

6. (Optional) In the DHCP User Class (If Required) field, enter a host name.

Most people can leave this field blank, but if your ISP gave you a specific host name, enter it here.

7. (Optional) In the DHCP Domain Name (If Required) field, enter a domain name.

You can type the domain name of your IPv6 ISP. Do not enter the domain name for the IPv4 ISP here. For example, if your ISP’s mail server is mail.xxx.yyy.zzz, type xxx.yyy.zzz as the domain name. If your ISP provided a domain name, type it in this field. For example, Earthlink Cable might require a host name of home, and Comcast sometimes supplies a domain name.

8. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems

might not support the DHCv6 client function.

• Auto Config.This is the default setting.

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the LAN).

9. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the

IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.

10. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:

• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.

• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.

11. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection

The remote relay router is the router to which your router creates a 6to4 tunnel. Make sure that the IPv4 Internet connection is working before you apply the 6to4 tunnel settings for the IPv6 connection.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

To set up an IPv6 Internet connection by using a 6to4 tunnel:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select 6to4 Tunnel.

The page adjusts. The router automatically detects the information in the Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN field.This field

shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s LAN interface.The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available.

6. Select a Remote 6to4 Relay Router radio button:

• Auto.Your router uses any remote relay router that is available on the Internet.This is the default

setting.

• Static IP Address. Enter the static IPv4 address of the remote relay router.Your IPv6 ISP usually

provides this address.

7. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems

might not support the DHCPv6 client function.

• Auto Config.This is the default setting.

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the LAN).

8. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the

IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.

9. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:

• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.

• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection

In pass-through mode, the router works as a Layer 2 Ethernet switch with tw o ports (LAN and W AN Ethernet ports) for IPv6 packets.The router does not process any IPv6 header packets.

To set up a pass-through IPv6 Internet connection:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Pass Through.

The page adjusts, but no additional fields display.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection

To set up a fixed IPv6 Internet connection:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Fixed.

The page sdjusts.

6. Configure the fixed IPv6 addresses for the WAN connection:

• IPv6 Address/Prefix Length.The IPv6 address and prefix length of the router WAN interface.

• Default IPv6 Gateway.The IPv6 address of the def ault IPv6 gatewa y for the router’ s WAN interf ace.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

• Primary DNS Server.The primary DNS server that resolves IPv6 domain name records for the

router.

• Secondary DNS Server.The secondary DNS server that resolves IPv6 domain name records for

the router.

If you do not specify the DNS servers, the router uses the DNS servers that are

Note

configured for the IPv4 Internet connection on the Internet Setup page. (See Manually

Set Up the Internet Connection on page 22.)

7. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems

might not support the DHCPv6 client function.

• Auto Config.This is the default setting.

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the LAN).

8. In the IPv6 Address/Prefix Length fields, specify the static IPv6 address and prefix length of the router’ s

LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.

9. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:

• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.

• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection

To set up an IPv6 Internet connection with a DHCP server:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select DHCP.

The page adjusts.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on WAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’ s

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on LAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s

6. (Optional) In the User Class (If Required) field, enter a host name.

Most people can leave this field blank, but if your ISP gave you a specific host name, enter it here.

7. (Optional) In the Domain Name (If Required) field, enter a domain name.

8. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems

might not support the DHCv6 client function.

• Auto Config.This is the default setting.

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the LAN).

9. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the

IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.

10. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:

• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.

• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.

11. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection

To set up a PPPoE IPv6 Internet connection:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.

The IPv6 page displays.

5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select PPPoE.

The page adjusts. The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on WAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’ s

• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on LAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s

6. In the Login field, enter the login information for the ISP connection.

This is usually the name that you use in your email address. For example, if your main mail account is JerAB@ISP.com, you would type JerAB in this field. Some ISPs (like Mindspring, Earthlink, and T-DSL) require that you use your full email address when you log in. If your ISP requires your full email address, type it in this field.

7. In the Password field, enter the password for the ISP connection.

8. In the Service Name field, enter a service name.

If your ISP did not provide a service name, leave this field blank.

The default setting of the Connection Mode menu is Alwa ys On to provide a steady

Note

IPv6 connection.The router never terminates the connection. If the connection is terminated, for example, when the modem is turned off, the router attempts to reestablish the connection immediately after the PPP oE connection becomes availab le again.

9. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems

might not support the DHCv6 client function.

• Auto Config.This is the default setting.

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the LAN).

10. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the

IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.

11. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.

• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.

12. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Change the MTU Size

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest data packet a network device transmits.When one network device communicates across the Internet with another, the data pac kets tra vel through many de vices along the way. If a device in the data path uses a lo wer MTU setting than the other de vices, the data pac kets must be split or “fragmented” to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU.

The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another. Leave the MTU unchanged unless one of these situations occurs:

• You experience problems connecting to your ISP or other Internet service, and the technical support of

either the ISP or NETGEAR recommends changing the MTU setting.These web-based applications might require an MTU change:

- A secure website that does not open, or displays only part of a web page

- Yahoo email

- MSN portal

- America Online’s DSL service

• You use VPN and experience severe performance problems.

• You used a program to optimize MTU for performance reasons and now y ou are experiencing connectivity

or performance problems.

An incorrect MTU setting can cause Internet communication problems. For example,

Note

you might not be able to access certain websites, frames within websites, secure login pages, or FTP or POP servers.

To change the MTU size:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The WAN Setup page displays.

5. In the MTU Size field, enter a value from 64 to 1500.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

If you suspect an MTU problem, a common solution is to change the MTU to 1400. If you are willing to e xperiment, you can gradually reduce the MTU from the maximum v alue of 1500 until the prob lem goes away.The following table describes common MTU sizes and applications.

Table 3. Common MTU sizes

ApplicationMTU

1500

The largest Ethernet packet size.This setting is typical for connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches.

Used in PPPoE environments.1492

Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.)1472

Used in some DHCP environments.1468

Usable by AOL if you do not send or receive large email attachments, for example.1460

Used in PPTP environments or with VPN.1436

Maximum size for AOL DSL.1400

Typical value to connect to dial-up ISPs.576

Set Up a Bridge for a VLAN Tag Group

If the devices that are connected to the router’ s Ethernet LAN ports or WiFi network include an IPTV device, your ISP might require you to set up a bridge for a VLAN tag group for the router’s Internet interface.

If you are subscribed to an IPTV service, the router might require VLAN tags to distinguish between the Internet traffic and the IPTV traffic. A bridge with a VLAN tag group prev ents pac kets that are sent between the IPTV device and the router’s Internet port from being processed through the router’s Network Address Translation (NAT) service.

You can add VLAN tag groups to a bridge and assign VLAN IDs and priority values to each VLAN tag g roup .

To add a VLAN tag group and enable the bridge:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

Specify Your Internet Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VLAN / IPTV Setup.

The VLAN/IPTV Setup page displays.

5. Select the Enable VLAN Tag check box.

6. Click the Add button.

The page adjusts.

7. Specify the settings as described in the following table.

DescriptionField

Name

Select the check box for a wired LAN port or WiFi port. If your device is connected to an Ethernet port on the router, select the LAN port check box that corresponds

to the Ethernet port on the router to which the device is connected. If your de vice is connected to your router’ s WiFi network, select the WiFi check box that corresponds to the router’s WiFi network to which the device is connected.

You must select at least one LAN port or WiFi port.You can select more than one port.

Enter a name for the VLAN tag group. The name can be up to 10 characters.

Enter a value from 1 to 4094.VLAN ID Enter a value from 0 to 7.Priority

8. Click the Apply button.

The VLAN tag group is added.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

You can use Quality of Service (QoS) to assign high priority to Internet streaming, applications, and services. We recommend that you enab le this feature only if you use streaming Internet.When QoS assigns a high priority

to streaming video, it also assigns lower priority to the rest of your Internet traffic.That means other tasks like downloading content from the Internet take longer.

• Turn On Internet Access QoS

• Add QoS Rules by Service

• Edit a QoS Rule

• Delete a QoS Rule

• Delete All QoS Rule

• Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug and Play

• Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Turn On Internet Access QoS

To turn on Internet access QoS:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup.

The QoS Setup page displays.

5. Select the Turn Internet Access QoS On check box.

6. Select the Turn Bandwidth Control On check box.

7. Specify the bandwidth settings:

• Uplink bandwidth Maximum. If you know the bandwidth of your Internet connection, select this

radio button and enter bandwidth in the Uplink bandwidth Maximum field.

• Automatically chec k Internet Uplink bandwidth.We recommend that y ou use Speedtest to detect

your Internet bandwidth. To use Speedtest, do the following:

a. For more accurate Speedtest results, mak e sure that no other devices are accessing the Internet. b. Select the Automatically check Internet Uplink bandwidth radio button. c. Click the Check button.

Speedtest determines your Internet bandwidth.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved. A link displays on the bottom of the page to view bandwidth utilization. Clicking the link displays the

Attached Devices page.

Add QoS Rules by Service

To enable Dynamic QoS:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup.

The QoS Setup page displays.

5. Select the Turn Internet Access QoS On check box.

6. Select the Add Rules QoS by Service radio button.

The page adjusts.

7. In the Applications menu, select an application or service.

8. In the Priority menu, select the priority for the rule.

The priority selections correspond to the queues in the QoS rules table.

9. Click the Add button.

The service displays in the QoS rules table.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Edit a QoS Rule

To edit a QoS rule:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup.

The QoS Setup page displays.

5. Select the QoS by Service radio button.

6. In the QoS rules table, click the application or service to select it.

7. In the Priority menu, select the priority for the rule.

Click the Edit button. The page adjusts.

8. In the Priority menu, select a priority level.

9. Click the Apply button.

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Your settings are saved.

Delete a QoS Rule

To delete a QoS rule:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup.

The QoS Setup page displays.

5. Select the QoS by Service radio button.

6. In the QoS rules table, click the application or service to select it.

7. Click the Delete button.

The rule is deleted.

Delete All QoS Rule

To delete all QoS rules:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup.

The QoS Setup page displays.

5. Select the QoS by Service radio button.

6. Click the Delete All button.

The rules are deleted.

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug and Play

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) helps devices such as Internet appliances and computers access the network and connect to other devices as needed. UPnP devices can automatically discover the services from other registered UPnP devices on the network.

If you use applications such as multiplay er gaming, peer-to-peer connections, or real-time communications such as instant messaging or remote assistance (a feature in Windows XP), enable UPnP.

To enable Universal Plug and Play:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > UPnP.

The UPnP page displays.

5. Select the Turn UPnP On check box.

By default, this check box is selected. UPnP for automatic device configuration can be enabled or disabled. If the T urn UPnP On chec k box is cleared, the router does not allow an y device to automatically control router resources, such as port forwarding.

6. Type the advertisement period in minutes.

The advertisement period specifies how often the router broadcasts its UPnP information.This value can range from 1 to 1440 minutes.The default period is 30 minutes. Shorter durations ensure that control points receive current device status at the expense of more network traffic. Longer durations can compromise the freshness of the device status but can significantly reduce network traffic.

7. Type the advertisement time to live in hops.

The time to live for the advertisement is measured in hops (steps) for each UPnP packet sent. Hops are the steps a packet takes betw een routers.The number of hops can range from 1 to 255.The default value for the advertisement time to live is 4 hops, which should be fine for most home networks. If you notice that some devices are not being updated or reached correctly, it might be necessary to increase this value.

8. Click the Apply button.

The UPnP Portmap Table displays the IP address of each UPnP device that is accessing the router and which ports (internal and external) that device opened.The UPnP Portmap Table also displays what type of port is open and whether that port is still active for each IP address.

To refresh the information in the UPnP Portmap Table, click the Refresh button.

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS) prioritizes WiFi voice and video traffic over the WiFi link. WMM QoS is automatically enabled for the router.

WMM QoS prioritizes WiFi data packets from different applications based on four access categories: voice, video, best effort, and background. For an application to receive the benefits of WMM QoS, WMM must be enabled for both it and the client running that application. Legacy applications that do not support WMM and applications that do not require QoS are assigned to the best effort category, which receives a lower priority than voice and video.

We recommend that you do not disable the WMM settings. If you disable the WMM

Note

settings for 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, the maximum link rate your router can reach is 54 Mbps.

To disable the WMM settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup.

The Quality of Service page displays.

5. Clear the Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (2.4 GHz b/g/n) check box.

6. Clear the Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5 GHz a/n/ac) check box.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

This chapter describes how to access and manage storage devices attached to your router. ReadySHARE lets you access and share USB storage devices connected to the router . (If your storage device uses special drivers, it is not compatible.)

The USB ports on the router can be used only to connect USB storage devices like flash

Note

drives or hard drives or a printer. Do not connect computers, USB modems, CD drives, or DVD drives to the router USB port.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• USB Device Requirements

• Connect a USB Storage Device to the Router

• Access a Storage Device Connected to the Router From a Windows Computer

• Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive

• Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Router From a Mac

• Back Up Windows Computers With ReadySHARE Vault

• Back Up Mac Computers With Time Machine

• Use FTP Within the Network

• View or Change Network Folders on a Storage Device

• Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device

• Edit a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device

• Approve USB Storage Device

• Safely Remove a USB Storage Device

For more information about ReadySHARE features, visit netgear.com/readyshare.

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

USB Device Requirements

The router works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the router supports, visit

kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18985/~/readyshare-usb-drives-compatibility-list.

Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to load the drivers onto the computer before the computer can access the USB storage device. Such USB storage devices do not work with the router.

The router supports the following file system types for full read/write access:

• FAT16

• FAT32

• NTFS

• NTFS with compression format enabled

• Ext2

• Ext3

• Ext4

• HFS

• HFS+

Connect a USB Storage Device to the Router

ReadySHARE lets you access and share USB storage devices that are connected to the appropriate router port. (If your USB storage device uses special drivers, it is not compatible.)

To connect a USB device:

1. Insert your USB storage device into a USB port on the router.

2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it.

You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router. When you connect the USB storage device to the router USB port, it might take up to two minutes bef ore

it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Access a Storage Device Connected to the Router From a Windows Computer

To access the USB storage device from a Windows computer:

1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router.

If your USB storage device uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the USB storage device to the router.

When you connect the USB storage device to the router’s port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

2. Select Start > Run.

3. Enter \\readyshare in the dialog box.

4. Click the OK button.

A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device.

Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive

To map the USB storage device to a Windows network drive:

1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on the router.

If your USB storage device uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the device to the router.

When you connect the USB storage device to the router’s port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

2. Select Start > Run.

3. Enter \\readyshare in the dialog box.

4. Click the OK button.

A window automatically opens and displays the USB storage device.

5. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive.

6. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder.

7. Click the Finish button.

The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified.

8. T o connect to the USB stor age device as a different user , select the Connect using different credentials

check box, click the Finish button, and do the following:

a. Type the user name and password. b. Click the OK button.

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AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified.

Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Router From a Mac

From a computer or de vice on the network, you can access a storage de vice that is connected to the router.

To access the device from a Mac:

1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router.

If your USB storage device uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the USB storage device to the router.

2. On a Mac that is connected to the network, select Go > Connect to Server.

3. In the Server Address field, enter smb://readyshare.

4. When prompted, select the Guest radio button.

If you set up access control on the router and you allowed your Mac to access the network, select the Registered User radio button and enter admin for the name and pass wor d for the pass word. F or more information about access control, see View Devices Currently on the Network on page 82.

5. Click the Connect button.

A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device.

Back Up Windows Computers With ReadySHARE Vault

Your router comes with free backup software for all the Windows computers in your home. Connect a USB hard disk drive (HDD) to the router for centralized, continuous, and automatic backup.

The following operating systems support ReadySHARE Vault:

• Windows 7

• Windows 8

• Windows 8.1

• Windows 10

To back up your Windows computer:

1. Connect a USB HDD storage device to a USB port on the router.

2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it.

You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

When you connect the USB storage device to the router's USB port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

3. Download ReadySHARE Vault from netgear.com/readyshare and install it on each Windows computer.

4. Launch ReadySHARE Vault.

5. Use the dashboard or the Backup tab to set up and run your backup.

Back Up Mac Computers With Time Machine

You can use Time Machine to back up your Mac computers onto a USB hard drive that is connected to one of the router’s USB ports.You can access the connected storage device from your Mac with a wired or WiFi connection to your router.

Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac

We recommend that you use a ne w USB HDD or f ormat your old USB HDD to do the Time Machine backup for the first time. Use a b lank partition to prevent some issues during backup using Time Machine.The router supports GUID or MBR partitions.

To format your USB hard disk drive and specify partitions:

1. Physically connect the USB hard drive to your router.

2. On your Mac, go to Spotlight (or the magnifying glass) at the top right of the page and search for Disk

Utility.

3. Open the Disk Utility, select your USB HDD, click the Erase tab, and click the Erase button.

4. Click the Partition tab.

5. In the Partition Layout menu, set the number of partitions that you want to use.

6. Click the Options button.

The Partition schemes display.

7. Select the GUID Partition Table or Master Boot Record radio button.

8. In the Format menu, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

9. Click the OK button.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data

Before you bac k up a large amount of data with Time Machine , NETGEAR recommends that y ou f ollow this procedure.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

To prepare to back up a large amount of data:

1. Upgrade the operating system of the Mac computer.

2. Verify and repair the backup disk and the local disk.

3. Verify and repair the permissions on the local disk.

4. Set Energy Saver: a. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.

The System Preferences window displays.

b. Select Energy Saver.

The Energy Saver page displays.

c. Click the Power Adapter tab. d. Select the Wake for Wi-Fi network access check box. e. Click the back arrow to save the changes and exit the screen.

5. Modify your security settings: a. From the System Preferences window, select Security & Privacy.

The Security & Privacy page displays.

b. Click the Advanced button at the bottom of the page.

If the Advanced button is grayed out, click the lock icon so that you can change the settings.

c. Clear the Log out after minutes of inactivity check box. d. Click the OK button.

Your settings are saved.

Use Time Machine to Back Up Onto a USB Hard Disk

You can use Time Machine to back up your Mac computers onto a USB hard disk drive (HDD) that is connected to one of the router’s USB ports.

To back up your Mac onto a USB hard disk drive:

1. Prepare your USB device with a compatible format and partitions.

For more information, see Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac on page 46.

2. If you plan to back up a large amount of data, see Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data on page

46.

3. Connect your USB HDD to a USB port on the router.

If your USB HDD uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the USB HDD to the router. When you connect the USB HDD to the router, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for

sharing. By default, the USB HDD is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

4. On a Mac computer that is connected to the network, launch Finder and select Go > Connect to Server.

The Connect to Server window displays.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

5. Type smb://routerlogin.net and click the Connect button.

6. When prompted, select the Registered User radio button.

7. Enter admin for the name and password for the password and click the Connect button.

A list of USB devices connected to your router displays.

8. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.

The System Preferences window displays.

9. Select Time Machine.

The Time Machine window displays.

10. Click the Select Backup Disk button and select your USB HDD from the list.

11. Click the Use Disk button.

If you do not see the USB partition that you want in the Time Machine disk list, go to

Note

Mac Finder and click that USB partition. It displays in the Time Machine list.

12. When prompted, select the Registered User radio button.

13. Enter admin for the name and password for the password and click the Connect button.

When the setup is complete, the Mac automatically schedules a full backup.You can back up immediately if you want.

Use FTP Within the Network

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you send and receive large files faster.

To set up FTP access:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE Storage.

The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.

5. Select the FTP check box.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

View or Change Network Folders on a Storage Device

You can view or change the network folders on a storage device connected to the router.

To view or change network folders:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE Storage.

The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.

5. Scroll down to the Available Networks Folder section and adjust the following settings:

• Share Name. If only one USB device is connected, the default share name is USB_Storage.

You can click the name or you can type it in the address field of your web browser. If Not Shared is shown, the default share was deleted and no other share for the root folder exists. Click the link to change this setting.

• Read Access and Write Access. Show the permissions and access controls on the network folder .

All–no password (the def ault) allows all users to access the network f older .The pass word f or admin is the same one that you use to log in to the router.

• Folder Name. Full path of the network folder.

• Volume Name.Volume name from the storage device.

• Total Space and Free Space. Show the current utilization of the storage device.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device

You can add network folders on a USB storage device connected to a router USB port.

To add a network folder:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

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AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE Storage.

The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.

5. In the Available Network Folders section, select the USB storage device.

6. Click the Create Network Folder button.

The Add Folder window opens. If this window does not open, your web browser might be blocking pop-ups. If it is, change the browser

settings to allow pop-ups.

7. Complete the fields.

The user name (account name) for All–no passw ord is guest.The password for admin is the same one that is used to log in to the router. By default, it is password.

8. Click the Apply button.

The folder is added on the USB storage device.

Edit a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device

You can edit network folders on a USB storage devices connected to a router USB port.

To edit a network folder:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE Storage.

The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.

5. In the Available Network Folders section, select the USB storage device.

6. Click the Edit button.

The Edit Network Folder window opens.

7. Change the settings in the fields as needed.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Approve USB Storage Device

For more security, you can set up the router to share only USB devices that you approve.

To approve USB devices:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > USB Settings.

The USB Settings page displays. By default the Enable any USB Device connection to the USB port radio button is selected.This setting

lets you connect and access all your USB devices.

5. In the Enable any USB Device connected to the USB port section, select the No radio button.

6. Click the Approved Devices button.

The approved and available USB devices display.

7. In the Available USB Devices list, select the device that you want to approve.

8. Click the Add button.

The USB device is added to the Approved USB Devices list.

9. Select the Allow only approved devices check box.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

11. To work with another USB storage device, first click the Safely Remove USB Device button for the

currently connected USB storage device. Connect the other USB device, and repeat this process.

Safely Remove a USB Storage Device

Before you physically disconnect a USB storage device from the router USB port, log in to the router and take the USB storage device offline.

To remove a USB storage device safely:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE Storage.

The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.

5. In the Available Network Folders sections, select the USB storage device.

6. Click the Safely Remove USB Device button.

This takes the device offline.

7. Physically disconnect the USB storage device.

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access USB devices attached to the router’s USB ports when you’re not home.

This chapter includes the following sections:

• Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS

• Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet

• Your Personal FTP Server

• Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS

Internet service providers (ISPs) assign numbers called IP addresses to identify each Internet account. Most ISPs use dynamically assigned IP addresses.This means that the IP address can change at any time.You can use the IP address to access your network remotely , b ut most people don’t know what their IP addresses are or when this number changes.

To make it easier to connect, you can get a free account with a Dynamic DNS service that lets you use a domain name to access your home network.To use this account, you must set up the router to use Dynamic DNS.Then the router notifies the Dynamic DNS service provider whenever its IP address changes.When you access your Dynamic DNS account, the service finds the current IP address of your home network and automatically connects you.

If your ISP assigns a private WAN IP address (such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x), the Dynamic DNS service does not work because private addresses are not routed on the Internet.

Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet

To set up FTP access:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > Advanced Settings.

The ReadySHARE Advanced Settings page displays.

5. Select the FTP (via Internet) check box.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

7. To limit access to the admin user, select a device in the Available Network Folder's section.

If only one device is connected, it is automatically selected.

8. Click the Edit button.

The Edit page displays.

9. In the Read Access list, select admin.

10. In the Write Access list, select admin.

11. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Your Personal FTP Server

With your customized free URL, you can use FTP to access your network when you aren’t home through Dynamic DNS.To set up your FTP server, you must register f or a NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account and specify the account settings. See Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account on page 55.

You can access your network through the Internet when you’re not home

The router supports only basic DDNS, and the login and password might not be secure.

Note

You can use DDNS with a VPN tunnel for a secure connection.

Set Up Your Personal FTP Server

To set up your personal account and use FTP:

1. Get your NETGEAR Dynamic DNS domain name.

For more information, see Your Personal FTP Server on page 55.

2. Make sure that your Internet connection is working.

Your router must use a direct Internet connection. It cannot connect to a different router to access the Internet.

3. Connect a storage device to the router.

4. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it.

You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router. When you connect the USB storage device to the router USB port, it might take up to two minutes bef ore

it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

5. Set up FTP access in the router.

See Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet on page 54.

6. On a remote computer with Internet access, you can use FTP to access your router using

ftp://yourname.mynetgear.com.

Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account

To set up Dynamic DNS and register for a free NETGEAR account:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.

The Dynamic DNS page displays.

5. Select the Use a Dynamic DNS Service check box.

6. From the Service Provider menu, select NETGEAR.

You can select another service provider.

7. Select the No radio button.

8. In the Host Name field, type the name that you want to use for your URL.

The host name is sometimes called the domain name.Your free URL includes the host name that you specify and ends with mynetgear.com. For example, specify MyName.mynetgear.com.

9. In the Email field, type the email address for your account.

10. In the Password (6-32 characters) field, type the password for your account.

11. Click the Register button.

12. Follow the onscreen instructions to register for your NETGEAR Dynamic DNS service.

Specify a DNS Account That You Already Created

If you already created a Dynamic DNS account with NETGEAR, No-IP, or Dyn, you can set up the router to use your account.

To set up Dynamic DNS if you already created an account:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.

The Dynamic DNS page displays.

5. Select the Use a Dynamic DNS Service check box.

6. From the Service Provider menu, select your provider.

7. Select the Yes radio button.

The page adjusts and displays the Show Status, Cancel, and Apply buttons.

8. In the Host Name field, type the host name (sometimes called the domain name) for your account.

9. For a No-IP or Dyn account, in the User Name field, type the user name for your account.

10. For a NETGEAR account at No-IP, in the Email field, type the email address for your account.

11. In the Password (6-32 characters) field, type the password for your DDNS account.

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

12. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

13. To verify that your Dynamic DNS service is enabled in the router, click the Show Status button.

A message displays the Dynamic DNS status.

Change the Dynamic DNS Settings

You can change the settings for your Dynamic DNS account.

To change your settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.

The Dynamic DNS page displays.

5. Change your DDNS account settings as necessary.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

You can access USB storage devices through the Internet when you’re not home.

To access devices from a remote computer:

1. Launch a web browser on a computer that is not on your home network.

2. Connect to your home router:

• To connect with Dynamic DNS, type the DNS name.

To use a Dynamic DNS account, you must enter the account information on the Dynamic DNS page. See Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS on page 54.

• To connect without Dynamic DNS, type the router’s Internet port IP address.

You can view the router’s Internet IP address on the BASIC Home page.

You can use FTP to share files on a USB device connected to the router.

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

Use the Router as a Media Server

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings

• Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings

By default, the router acts as a ReadyDLNA media server, which lets you view movies and photos on DLNA/UPnP AV-compliant media players, such as Xbox360, Playstation, and NETGEAR media players.

To specify media server settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > Media Server.

The Media Server Settings screen displays.

5. Specify the settings:

• Enable Media Server. Select this check box to enable this device to act as a media server.

• Enable iTunes Server (Music Only). Select this check box if you want to play music from a USB

device that is connected to your router with iTunes on your Windo ws or Mac computer using Home Sharing..

• Media Server Device Name. Click the Edit button to change the router's media server name.

If you change the media server name, you have the option to change the

Note

ReadySHARE storage folder access path to the new name or keep the access path as \\readyshare.

• Content Scan.The router automatically scans for media files whenev er new files are added to y our

ReadySHARE USB storage device. Only shared folder set as "All – no password" in Read Access can be scanned for media files.You can click the Rescan media files button if you want to scan for new media files immediately.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server

iTunes server lets you play music from a USB device that is connected to a USB port on your router with iTunes on your Windows or Mac computer or with the Apple Remote app on your iPhone or iPad.You can

Use the Router as a Media Server

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

also use the Apple Remote app from an iPhone or iPad to pla y music on any AirPla y de vices, such as Apple TV or AirPlay-supported receivers.

Supported music file formats are MP3, AAC, and FLAC.The maximum number of music files supported is 10,000.

Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With iTunes

You can play music from a USB device that is connected to your router with iTunes on your Windows or Mac computer using Home Sharing.To set up Home Sharing, you need an Apple account and the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.

To set up therouter’s iTunes server to play music on iTunes:

1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router.

2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it.

You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router. When you connect the USB storage device to the router’s USB port, it might take up to two minutes

before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

3. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

4. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

5. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

6. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > Media Server.

The Media Server (Settings) page displays.

7. Select the Enable iTunes Server (Music Only) check box.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

9. On your Windows or Mac computer, launch iTunes.

10. Select File > Home Sharing > Turn On Home Sharing.

The Home Sharing page displays.

11. Enter your Apple ID email address and password.

12. Click the Turn On Home Sharing button.

When Home Sharing is enabled, a Home Sharing icon displays in iTunes.

13.

Click the Home Sharing icon and from the menu, select the router. The music that is on the USB device that is connected to the router displays in iTunes.

Use the Router as a Media Server

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With the Remote App

You can play music from a USB device that is connected to your router on your iPhone or iPad using the Apple Remote app.

To set up the router’s iTunes server to play music on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router.

2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it.

You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router. When you connect the USB storage device to the router’s USB port, it might take up to two minutes

before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).

3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your router’s WiFi network.

4. Download the Remote app from the Apple App Store.

Launch the Remote app from your iPhone or iPad.

6. In the Remote app, click the Add a Device button.

The passcode displays in the Remote app.

7. Specify the passcode in the router to set up your iTunes server. a. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to y our router's network.

b. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

c. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

d. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > Media Server.

The Media Server (Settings) page displays.

e. Select the Enable iTunes Server (Music Only) check box. f. Click the Apply button. g. Enter the passcode. h. Click the Allow Control button.

Your settings are saved. Your iPhone or iPad pairs with the router and the iTunes Server is ready.The router displays in the

Remote app.

8. In the Remote app, tap the router your iPhone or iPad is connected to.

The music that is on the USB device that is connected to the router displays in the app.

Use the Router as a Media Server

Control Access to the Internet

The router comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your home network from unwanted intrusions from the Internet.

This chapter includes the following sections:

• Set Up Parental Controls

• Allow or Block Access to Your Network

• Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites

• Manage Network Access Control Lists

• Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services

• Set Up Security Event Email Notifications

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Set Up Parental Controls

To set up Parental Controls, you must download the NETGEAR genie app on your mobile device. For more information about the NETGEAR genie app, visit NETGEAR.com/genie.

After you set up and enable Parental Controls, you can change the web filtering level for each device on the network through the network map page on the genie app.

To set up Parental Controls:

1. Connect your mobile device to your router’s WiFi network.

2. Launch the app store on your mobile device and download the NETGEAR genie app.

3. Launch the NETGEAR genie app.

The dashboard displays.

4. Tap Parental Controls.

The Parental Controls page displays.

5. To log in to your OpenDNS account, tap the LOGIN button, enter your OpenDNS user name, and tap

the LOGIN button. Parental Controls is automatically enabled.

6. To create an OpenDNS account, tap CREATE ACCOUNT, fill in the fields, tap the SIGN UP button.

Your account is created and Parental Controls is automatically enabled. For more information about how to setup Parental Controls using the NETGEAR genie app, see the

genie Mobile App User Manual, which is available at downloadcenter.netgear.com/.

Allow or Block Access to Your Network

You can use access control to block or allow access to your network.

To set up access control:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control.

The Access Control page displays.

5. Select the Turn on Access Control check box.

You must select this check box before you can specify an access rule and use the Allow and Block buttons.When this check box is cleared, all devices are allowed to connect, even if a device is in the blocked list.

Control Access to the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

6. Select an access rule:

• Allow all new devices to connect.With this setting, if you add a new device, it can access your

network.You don’t need to enter its MAC address on this page.We recommend that you leave this radio button selected.

• Block all new devices from connecting.With this setting, if you add a new device, before it can

access your network, you must enter its MAC address for an Ethernet connection and its MAC address for a WiFi connection in the allowed list.

The access rule does not affect previously blocked or allowed de vices . It applies only to devices joining your network in the future after you apply these settings.

7. To view allowed or blocked devices that are not connected, click one of the following links:

• View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network

• View list of blocked devices not currently connected to the network

The list displays.

8. To allow the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device you’re currently using to continue to access the

network, select the check box next to your computer or device, and click the Allow button.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites

You can use keywords to block certain Internet sites from your network.You can use blocking all the time or based on a schedule.

To block Internet sites:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.

The Block Sites page displays.

5. Select a keyword blocking option:

• Per Schedule.Turn on ke yword blocking according to a schedule that y ou set. For more information,

see Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services on page 69.

• Always.Turn on keyword blocking all the time, independent of the Schedule page.

6. In the Type keyword or domain name here field, enter a keyword or domain that you want to block.

For example:

Control Access to the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

• Specify XXX to block http://www.badstuff.com/xxx.html.

• Specify .com if you want to allow only sites with domain suffixes such as .edu or .gov.

• Enter a period (.) to block all Internet browsing access.

7. Click the Add Keyword button.

The keyword is added to the keyword list.The keyword list supports up to 32 entries.

8. Click the Apply button.

Keyword blocking takes effect.

Control Access to the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Block Services From the Internet

You can block Internet services on your network based on the type of service.You can block the services all the time or based on a schedule.

To block services:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Services.

The Block Services page displays.

5. Specify when to block the services:

• To block the services all the time, select the Always radio button.

• To block the services based on a schedule, select the Per Schedule radio button.

For information about how to specify the schedule, see Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and

Services on page 69.

6. Click the Add button.

The Block Services Setup page displays.

7. To add a service that is in the Service Type menu, select the application or service.

The settings for this service automatically display in the fields.

8. To add a service or application that is not in the menu, select User Defined, and do the following: a. If you know that the application uses either TCP or UDP, select the appropriate protocol. Otherwise,

select TCP/UDP (both).

b. Enter the starting port and ending port numbers.

If the service uses a single port number, enter that number in both fields.To find out which port numbers the service or application uses, you can contact the publisher of the application, ask user groups or newsgroups, or search on the Internet.

9. Select a filtering option:

• Only This IP Address. Block services for a single computer.

• IP Address Range. Bloc k services for a r ange of computers with consecutiv e IP addresses on y our

network.

• All lP Addresses. Block services for all computers on your network.

10. Click the Add button.

Your settings are saved.

Control Access to the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Delete Keywords From the Blocked List

To delete keywords from the list:

1. Launch a web browser from a WiFi-enab led computer or mobile device that is connected to the netw ork.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is admin.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.

The Block Sites page displays.

5. Do one of the following:

• To delete a single word, select it and click the Delete Keyword button.

The keyword is removed from the list.

• To delete all keywords on the list, click the Clear List button.

All keywords are removed from the list.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer

You can exempt one trusted computer from blocking.The computer that you exempt must be assigned a fixed IP address.You can use the reserved IP address feature to specify the IP address. See Manage

Reserved LAN IP Addresses on page 94.

To specify a trusted computer:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.

The Block Sites page displays.

5. Scroll down and select the Allow trusted IP address to visit blocked sites check box.

Control Access to the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

6. In the Trusted IP Address field, enter the IP address of the trusted computer.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Manage Network Access Control Lists

You can use access control to block or allow access to your network.

To manage devices that are allowed or blocked:

1. Launch a web browser from a WiFi-enab led computer or mobile device that is connected to the netw ork.

2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control.

The Access Control page displays.

5. Select the Turn on Access Control radio button.

6. Click the View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network link.

The list displays.

7. Select the check box for a device.

8. Use the Add button, Edit button, and Remove from the list button as needed.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your changes take effect.

Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services

When you schedule blocking, the same schedule is used to b lock sites and to bloc k services. F or information about how to specify what you want the router to block, see Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites on page 65 and Block Services From the Internet on page 67.

To schedule blocking:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

Control Access to the Internet

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Schedule.

The Schedule page displays.

5. Specify when to block keywords and services:

• Days to Block. Select the check box for each day that you want to block the keywords, or select

the Every Day check box, which automatically selects the check boxes for all days.

• Time of Day to Block. Select a start and end time in 24-hour format, or select the All Day check

box for 24-hour blocking.

6. Select your time zone from the menu.

7. If you live in a region that observes daylight saving time, select the Automatically adjust for daylight

savings time check box.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Set Up Security Event Email Notifications

The router can email you its logs of router activity. The log records router activity and security events such as attempts to access blocked sites or services.

To set up email notifications:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > E-mail.

The E-mail page displays.

5. Select the Turn E-mail Notification On check box.

6. In the Primary E-mail Address field, enter the email address you want to send alerts and logs to.

7. In the Y our Outgoing Mail Server field, enter the name of y our ISP outgoing (SMTP) mail server (such

as mail.myISP.com). You might be able to find this information in the configuration window of your email program. If you leave

this field blank, log and alert messages are not sent.

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AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

8. In the Outgoing Mail Server Port Number section, select the Auto Detection port number or the

Specific Port Number radio button:

You might be able to find this information in the configuration window of your email program. If you leave this field blank, log and alert messages are not sent.

9. In the Send to This E-mail Address field, type the email address to which logs and alerts are to be

sent. This email address is also used for the From address. If this field is blank, log and alert messages are

not sent.

10. If your outgoing email server requires authentication, select the My Mail Server requires authentication

check box, and do the following:

a. In the User Name field, type the user name for the outgoing email server. b. In the Password field, type the password for the outgoing email server.

11. To send alerts when someone attempts to visit a blocked site, select the Send Alerts Immediately

check box. Email alerts are sent immediately when someone attempts to visit a blocked site.

12. To send logs based on a schedule, specify these settings: a. From Send logs according to this schedule menu, select the schedule type.

b. From the Day menu, select the day. c. From the Time menu, select the time, and select the am or pm radio button.

13. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved. Logs are sent automatically according to the schedule that you set. If the log fills before the specified

time, it is sent. After the log is sent, it is cleared from the router memory. If the router cannot email the log and the log buffer fills, the router overwrites the log.

Control Access to the Internet

Share a USB Printer

The ReadySHARE Printer utility lets you share a USB printer that is connected to the USB port on your router. You can share this USB printer among the Windows and Mac computers on your network.

For more information about the features a v ailab le in the NETGEAR USB Control Center , see the ReadySHARE Printer User Manual, which is available at http://downloadcenter.netgear.com.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer

• Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

• Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

• Print Using the NETGEAR USB Control Center

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer

Some USB printer manufacturers (for example, HP and Lexmark) request that you do not connect the USB cable until the installation software prompts you to do so.

To install the driver and cable the printer:

1. On each computer on your network that shares the USB printer, install the driver software for the USB

printer. If you cannot locate the printer driver, contact the printer manufacturer.

2. Use a USB printer cable to connect the USB printer to a router USB port.

Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

The utility works on Windows and Mac computers.

To download the utility:

1. Visit NETGEAR.com/readyshare.

2. Click the PRINT - Learn how you can print wirelessly from many devices link.

3. Click one of the following links to download the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file:

• Download PC installer and get started.This is the utility for Windows computers.

• Download the genie App and get started.This is the utility for smartphones and tablets.

4. Follow the onscreen instructions to download the ReadySHARE Printer utility.

Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

You must install the ReadySHARE Printer utility on each computer that will share the printer. After y ou install it, the utility displays as NETGEAR USB Control Center on your computer. For more information about how to use the NETGEAR USB Control Center, visit

https://www.netgear.com/support/product/ReadySHARE_USB_Printer.aspx.

To install the utility:

1. If necessary, unzip the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file.

2. Double-click the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file that you downloaded.

The InstallShield Wizard opens.

3. Follow the prompts to install NETGEAR USB Control Center.

After the InstallShield Wizard completes the installation, the NETGEAR USB Control Center prompts you to select a language.

4. Select a language from the menu and click the OK button.

The NETGEAR USb Control Center opens.

Share a USB Printer

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Some firewall software, such as Comodo, blocks NETGEAR USB Control Center from accessing the USB printer. If you do not see the USB printer displa yed onscreen, you can disab le the firewall temporarily to allow the utility to work.

5. Select the printer and click the Connect button.

The printer status changes to Manually connected by Mycomputer. Now only the computer that y ou are using can use this printer.

6. Click the Disconnect button.

The status changes to Available. Now all computers on the network can use the printer.

7. To exit the utility, select System > Exit.

Print Using the NETGEAR USB Control Center

For each computer, after you click the Connect and Disconnect buttons once, the utility automatically manages the printing queue and handling. By default, the utility starts automatically whenever you log on to Windows and runs in the background.

To print a document using the NETGEAR USB Control Center:

Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays.

2. Select a printer and click the Connect button.

The printer status changes to Manually connected by Mycomputer. Now only the computer that y ou are using can use this printer.

3. Use the print feature in your application to print your document.

The NETGEAR USB Control Center automatically connects your computer to the USB printer and prints the document. If another computer is already connected to the printer, your print job goes into a queue to wait to be printed.

4. If your document does not print, use the NETGEAR USB Control Center to check the printer status.

5. To release the printer so that all computers on the network can use it, click the Disconnect button.

The status changes to Available. Now any computers on the network can use the printer.

6. To exit the utility, select System > Exit.

Share a USB Printer

Manage Your Network

This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network. The chapter includes the following sections:

• Update the Router Firmware

• Change the admin Password

• Enable admin Password Recovery

• Recover the admin Password

• View Router Status

• Display Internet Port Statistics

• Check the Internet Connection Status

• View and Manage Logs of Router Activity

• View Devices Currently on the Network

• Monitor Internet Traffictraffic metering

• Manage the Router Configuration File

• Remote Access

• Remotely Access Your Router Using the genie App

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Update the Router Firmware

You can log in to the router and check if new firmware is available, or you can manually load a specific firmware version to your router.

Check for New Firmware and Update the Router

The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory.You might see a message at the top of the router pages when new firmware is available.You can respond to that message to update the firmware or you can check to see if new firmware is available and update your product.

We recommend that you connect a computer to the router using an Ethernet

Note

connection to update the firmware.

To check for new firmware and update your router:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Click the Check button.

The router finds new firmware information if any is av ailab le and displa ys a message asking if y ou want to download and install it.

5. Click the Yes button.

The router locates and downloads the firmware and begins the update.

WARNING:

To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the update. For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page. Do not turn off the router.

When the upload is complete, your router restarts.The update process typically takes about one minute. Read the new firmware release notes to find out if you must reconfigure the router after updating.

Manually Upload Firmware to the Router

If you want to upload a specific firmware version, or your router fails to update its firmware automatically, follow these instructions.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

We recommend that you connect a computer to the router using an Ethernet

Note

connection to upload the firmware.

To manually upload a firmware file to your router:

1. Download the firmware for your router from the NETGEAR Download Center, save it to your desktop,

and unzip the file if needed.

The correct firmware file uses an .img or .chk extension.Note

2. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

3. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

4. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

5. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Router Update.

The Router Update page displays.

6. Click the Browse button.

7. Find and select the saved firmware on your computer.

Do not interrupt this process as it might cause corruption, which will make your router

Note

unusable.Your router reboots after the firmware is uploaded. If your router does not reboot, check the Router Status page to confirm whether the new firmware version uploaded.

Change the admin Password

You can change the default password that is used to log in to the router with the user name admin.This password is not the one that you use for WiFi access.

Be sure to change the password f or the user name admin to a secure pass w ord.The

Note

ideal password contains no dictionary words from any language and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols . It can be up to 30 characters.

To change the admin user name and enable password recovery:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password.

The Set Password page displays.

5. Type the old password in the Old Password field.

6. Type the new password in the Set Password and Repeat New Password fields.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Enable admin Password Recovery

The router admin password is used to log in to your router web interface.We recommend that you enable password recovery if you change the router admin password.Then you can recover the password if it is forgotten.This recovery process is supported in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome browsers but not in the Safari browser.

To enable password recovery:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password.

The Set Password page displays.

5. Select the Enable Password Recovery check box.

6. Select two security questions and provide answers to them.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Recover the admin Password

If you set up the password recovery feature, you can recover your router admin password.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

To recover your router admin password:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Click the Cancel button.

If password recovery is enabled, you are prompted to enter the serial number of the router. The serial number is on the label on the router.

4. Enter the serial number of the router.

5. Click the Continue button.

A window opens requesting the answers to your security questions.

6. Enter the saved answers to your security questions.

7. Click the Continue button.

A window opens and displays your recovered password.

8. Click the Login again button.

A login window opens.

9. With your recovered password, log in to the router.

View Router Status

To view the router status and usage information:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Click the ADVANCED tab.

The ADVANCED Home page displays the router status.

Display Internet Port Statistics

To display Internet port statistics:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Click the ADVANCED tab.

The ADVANCED Home page displays.

5. In the Internet Port pane, click the Show Statistics button.

The Show Statistics window opens and displays following information:

• System Up Time.The time elapsed since the router was last restarted.

• Port.The statistics for the WAN (Internet) port, LAN (Ethernet) ports, and WLANs. For each port,

the screen displays the following information:

- Status.The link status of the port.

- TxPkts.The number of packets transmitted on this port since reset or manual clear.

- RxPkts.The number of packets received on this port since reset or manual clear.

- Collisions.The number of collisions on this port since reset or manual clear.

- Tx B/s.The current transmission (outbound) bandwidth used on the WAN and LAN ports.

- Rx B/s.The current reception (inbound) bandwidth used on the WAN and LAN ports.

- Up Time.The time elapsed since this port acquired the link.

- Poll Interval.The interval at which the statistics are updated on this page.

6. To change the polling frequency, enter a time in seconds in the Poll Interval field and click the Set

Interval button. To stop the polling entirely, click the Stop button.

Check the Internet Connection Status

To check the Internet connection status if the router is connected to a WAN Ethernet connection:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

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AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

4. Click the ADVANCED tab.

The ADVANCED Home page displays.

5. In the Internet Port pane, click the Connection Status button.

The Connection Status window opens and displays the following information :

• IP Address.The IP address that is assigned to the router.

• Subnet Mask.The subnet mask that is assigned to the router.

• Default Gateway.The IP address for the default gateway that the router communicates with.

• DHCP Server.The IP address for the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server that provides

the TCP/IP configuration for all the computers that are connected to the router.

• DNS Server.The IP address of the Domain Name Service server that provides translation of network

names to IP addresses.

• Lease Obtained.The date and time when the lease was obtained.

• Lease Expires.The date and time that the lease expires.

6. To return the status of all items to 0, click the Release button.

7. To refresh the screen, click the Renew button.

8. To exit the screen, click the Close Window button.

View and Manage Logs of Router Activity

The log is a detailed record of the websites you accessed or attempted to access and other router actions. Up to 256 entries are stored in the log.

To view and manage logs:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Logs.

The Logs page displays and shows the following information:

• Action.The action that occurred, such as whether Internet access was blocked or allowed.

• Source IP.The IP address of the initiating device for this log entry.

• Target address.The name or IP address of the website or news group visited or to which access

was attempted.

• Date and time.The date and time the log entry was recorded.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

5. To customize the logs, scroll down and clear or select the check boxes in the Include in Log section.

6. To refresh the log screen, click the Refresh button.

7. To clear the log entries, click the Clear Log button.

8. To email the log immediately, click the Send Log button.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

View Devices Currently on the Network

You can view all computers or devices that are currently connected to your network.

To view devices on the network:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Attached Devices.

The following information is displayed:

• Connection Type.Wired or the WiFi band for the connection.

• Device Name. If the device name is known, it is shown here.

• IP Address.The IP address that the router assigned to this device when it joined the network.This

number can change if a device is disconnected and rejoins the network.

• MAC Address.The unique MAC address for each device does not change.The MAC address is

typically shown on the product label.

5. To update this page, click the Refresh button.

Monitor Internet Traffic

Traffic metering allows you to monitor the volume of Internet traffic that passes through the router Internet port.You can set limits for traffic volume.

To monitor Internet traffic:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Traffic Meter.

The Traffic Meter page displays.

5. Select the Enable Traffic Meter check box.

6. To control the volume of Internet traffic, use either the traffic volume control feature or the connection

time control feature:

• Select the Traffic volume control by radio button and then select one of the following options:

• No Limit. No restriction is applied when the traffic limit is reached.

• Download only.The restriction is applied to incoming traffic only.

• Both Directions.The restriction is applied to both incoming and outgoing traffic.

• Select the Connection time control radio button and enter the allowed hours in the Monthly limit

field.

7. If your ISP charges for e xtra data volume when y ou make a new connection, enter the e xtra data v olume

in MB in the Round up data volume for each connection by field.

8. In the Traffic Counter section, set the traffic counter to begin at a specific time and date.

To start the traffic counter immediately, click the Restart Counter Now button.

9. In the Traffic Control section, specify whether the router should issue a warning message before the

monthly limit of Mbytes or hours is reached. By default, the value is 0 and no warning message is issued.You can select one of the following to

occur when the limit is attained:

• The Internet LED blinks white or amber.

• The Internet connection is disconnected and disabled.

10. Click the Apply button.

The Internet Traffic Statistics section helps you to monitor the data traffic.

11. To update the Traffic Statistics section, click the Refresh button.

12. To display more information about the data traffic on your router and to change the poll interval, click

the Traffic Status button.

Manage the Router Configuration File

The configuration settings of the router are stored within the router in a configuration file.You can back up (save) this file to your computer, restore it, or reset it to the factory default settings.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Back Up Settings

To back up the router’s configuration settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings.

The Backup Settings page displays.

5. Click the Back Up button.

6. Follow the direction of your browser to save the file.

A copy of the current settings is saved in the location that you specified.

Erase the Current Configuration Settings

You can erase the current configuration and restore the factory default settings.You might want to do this if you move the router to a different network.

To erase the configuration settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings.

The Backup Settings page displays.

5. Click the Erase button.

The factory default settings are restored.The user name is admin, the password is password, and the LAN IP address is 192.168.1.1. DHCP is enabled.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Restore Configuration Settings

To restore configuration settings that you backed up:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings.

The Backup Settings page displays.

5. Click the Browse button to find and select the .cfg file.

6. Click the Restore button.

The file is uploaded to the router and the router reboots.

WARNING:

Do not interrupt the reboot process.

Remote Access

You can access your router over the Internet to view or change its settings.You must know the router’s WAN IP address to use this feature.

Be sure to change the password for the user name admin to a secure password.The

Note

ideal password contains no dictionary words from any language and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols . It can be up to 30 char acters. See Change

the admin Password on page 77.

Set Up Remote Management

To set up remote management:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Remote Management.

The Remote Management page displays.

5. Select the Turn Remote Management On check box.

6. In the Allow Remote Access By section, specify the external IP addresses to be allowed to access the

router’s remote management.

For enhanced security, restrict access to as few external IP addresses as practical.Note

Select one of the following:

• Only This Computer. Allow access from a single IP address on the Internet. Enter the IP address

to be allowed access.

• IP Address Range. Allow access from a range of IP addresses on the Internet. Enter a beginning

IP address and an ending IP address to define the allowed range.

• Everyone. Allow access from any IP address on the Internet.

7. Specify the port number for accessing the web management interface.

Normal web browser access uses the standard HTTP service port 80. For greater security, enter a custom port number for the remote web management interface. Choose a number from 1024 to 65535, but do not use the number of any common service port.The default is 8443, which is a common alternate for HTTP.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Use Remote Access

To use remote access:

1. Launch a web browser on a computer that is not on your home network.

2. Type your router’s WAN IP address into your browser’s address or location field followed by a colon (:)

and the custom port number. For example, if your external address is 134.177.0.123 and you use port number 8443, enter

http://134.177.0.123:8443 in your browser.

Remotely Access Your Router Using the genie App

You can use the genie app to remotely access your router and change its settings. Before you can use remote access with the genie app, you must update your router’s firmware and download the latest genie app for your computer or mobile device. Remote access with the genie app is supported for Windows computers, iOS mobile devices, and Android mobile devices.

For more information about how to update y our router’ s firmware, see Chec k f or Ne w Firmware and Update

the Router on page 76.

Manage Your Network

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

To download the latest genie app for your computer or mobile device, visit NETGEAR.com/genie. For more information about how to set up remote access using the genie app, see the genie app user manual, which is available at downloadcenter.netgear.com/.

Manage Your Network

Network Settings

The router comes ready for WiFi, Ethernet, and USB connections.You can customize the router’s network settings.We recommend that you install the router and connect it to the Internet before you change its network settings.

This chapter includes the following sections:

• View or Change WAN Settings

• Set Up a Default DMZ Server

• Change the Router’s Device Name

• Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings

• Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns

• Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router

• Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses

• Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections

• Specify Basic WiFi Settings

• Change the WiFi Mbps Settings

• Change the WiFi Password or Security Level

• Set Up a Guest WiFi Network

• Control the WiFi Radios

• Set Up a WiFi Schedule

• Specify WPS Settings

• Use the Router as a WiFi Access Point

• Custom Static Routes

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

View or Change WAN Settings

You can view or configure wide area network (WAN) settings for the Internet port.You can set up a DMZ (demilitarized zone) server, change the maxim um transmit unit (MTU) size, and enab le the router to respond to a ping to its WAN (Internet) port.

To view or change the WAN settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup.

The WAN Setup page displays. The following settings display:

• Disable Port Scan and DoS Protection. DoS protection protects y our LAN against denial of service

attacks such as Syn flood, Smurf Attack, Ping of Death, and many others. Select this check box only in special circumstances.

• Default DMZ Server.This feature is sometimes helpful when you are playing online games or

videoconferencing, but it mak es the firewall security less effectiv e. See Set Up a Def ault DMZ Server on page 90.

• Respond to Ping on Internet Port.This feature allows your router to be discovered. Use this

feature only as a diagnostic tool or for a specific reason.

• MTU Size (in bytes).The normal MTU (maximum transmit unit) value for most Ethernet networks

is 1500 bytes, or 1492 bytes for PPPoE connections. Change the MTU only if you are sure that it is necessary for your ISP connection. See Change the MTU Size on page 33.

• NAT Filtering. Network Address Translation (NAT) determines how the router processes inbound

traffic. Secured NA T protects computers on the LAN from attac ks from the Internet but might prev ent some Internet games, point-to-point applications, or multimedia applications from working. Open NAT provides a much less secured firewall but allows almost all Internet applications to work.

• Disable IGMP Proxying. IGMP proxying allows a computer on the local area network (LAN) to

receive the multicast traffic it is interested in from the Internet. If you do not need this feature, you can select this check box to disable it.

• VPN Passthrough.VPN connects two secure networks ov er the Internet.The router supports VPN

passthrough for IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP.

5. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Set Up a Default DMZ Server

The default DMZ server feature is helpful when you are using some online games and videoconferencing applications that are incompatible with Network Address Translation (NAT).The router is programmed to recognize some of these applications and to work correctly with them, but other applications might not function well. In some cases, one local computer can run the application correctly if the IP address for that computer is entered as the default DMZ server.

WARNING:

DMZ servers pose a security risk. A computer designated as the default DMZ server loses much of the protection of the firewall and is e xposed to exploits from the Internet. If compromised, the DMZ server computer can be used to attack other computers on your network.

The router usually detects and discards incoming traffic from the Internet that is not a response to one of your local computers or a service that you configured on the Port Forwarding/Port Triggering page. Instead of discarding this traffic, you can specify that the router f orwards the traffic to one computer on y our network. This computer is called the default DMZ server.

To set up a default DMZ server:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup.

The WAN Setup page displays.

5. Select the Default DMZ Server check box.

6. Type the IP address.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Change the Router’s Device Name

The router’s def ault device name is based on its model number , such as R9000.This device name displa ys in the file manager when you browse your network.

To change the router's device name:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. In the Device Name field, type a new name.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings

The router is preconfigured to use private IP addresses on the LAN side and to act as a DHCP server.The router’s default LAN IP configuration is as follows:

• LAN IP address. 192.168.1.1

• Subnet mask. 255.255.255.0

These addresses are part of the designated private address range for use in private networks and are suitable for most applications. If your network requires a different IP addressing scheme, you can change these settings.

You might want to change these settings if you need a specific IP subnet that one or more devices on the network use, or if you use competing subnets with the same IP scheme.

To change the LAN TCP/IP settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. In the IP Address field, type the IP address.

6. In the IP Subnet Mask, type the subnet mask of the router.

The IP address and subnet mask identify which addresses are local to a specific device and which must be reached through a gateway or router.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

7. Change the RIP settings.

Router Information Protocol (RIP) allows a router to exchange routing information with other routers.

a. Select the RIP direction:

• Both.The router broadcasts its routing table periodically and incorporates information that it

receives.

• Out Only.The router broadcasts its routing table periodically.

• In Only.The router incorporates the RIP information that it receives.

b. Select the RIP version:

• Disabled.This is the default setting.

• RIP-1.This format is universally supported. It is adequate for most networks, unless you are

using an unusual network setup.

• RIP-2.This format carries more information. Both RIP-2B and RIP-2M send the routing data in

RIP-2 format. RIP-2B uses subnet broadcasting. RIP-2M uses multicasting.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved. If you changed the LAN IP address of the router, you are disconnected when this change takes effect.

9. To reconnect, close your browser, relaunch it, and log in to the router.

Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns

By default, the router acts as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.The router assigns IP, DNS server, and default gateway addresses to all computers connected to the LAN.The assigned default gateway address is the LAN address of the router.

These addresses must be part of the same IP address subnet as the router’s LAN IP address. Using the default addressing scheme, define a range between 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.254, although y ou can sav e part of the range for devices with fixed addresses.

To specify the pool of IP addresses that the router assigns:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. Make sure that the Use Router as DHCP Server check box is selected.

6. Specify the range of IP addresses that the router assigns: a. In the Starting IP Address field, type the lowest number in the range.

This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router.

b. In the Ending IP Address field, type the number at the end of the range of IP addresses.

This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

The router delivers the following parameters to any LAN device that requests DHCP:

• An IP address from the range that you define

• Subnet mask

• Gateway IP address (the router’s LAN IP address)

• DNS server IP address (the router’s LAN IP address)

Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router

By default, the router acts as a DHCP server.The router assigns IP, DNS server, and default gateway addresses to all computers connected to the LAN.The assigned default gatew ay address is the LAN address of the router.

You can use another device on your network as the DHCP server or specify the network settings of all your computers.

To disable the DHCP server feature in the router:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. Clear the Use Router as DHCP Server check box.

6. Click the Apply button.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Your settings are saved.

7. (Optional) If this service is disabled and no other DHCP server is on your network, set your computer

IP addresses manually so that the computers can access the router.

Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses

When you specify a reserved IP address for a computer on the LAN, that computer always receives the same IP address each time it accesses the router’s DHCP server . Assign reserved IP addresses to computers or servers that require permanent IP settings.

Reserve an IP Address

To reserve an IP address:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. In the Address Reservation section, click the Add button.

6. In the IP Address field, type the IP address to assign to the computer or server.

Choose an IP address from the router’s LAN subnet, such as 192.168.1.x.

7. Type the MAC address of the computer or server.

If the computer is already on your network, you can copy its MAC address from the

Tip

Attached Devices page and paste it here.

8. Click the Apply button.

The reserved address is entered into the table.

The reserved address is not assigned until the next time the computer contacts the router’s DHCP server. Reboot the computer, or access its IP configuration and force a DHCP release and renew.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Edit a Reserved IP Address

To edit a reserved address entry:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. Select the radio button next to the reserved address.

6. Click the Edit button.

7. Change the settings.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

Delete a Reserved IP Address Entry

To delete a reserved address entry:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.

The LAN Setup page displays.

5. Select the radio button next to the reserved address.

6. Click the Delete button.

The address is removed.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections

The WPS Wizard helps you add a WPS-enabled device to your WiFi network without typing the WiFi password.

To use the WPS Wizard:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > WPS Wizard.

A note explaining WPS displays.

5. Click the Next button.

The WPS page displays.

6. Select a setup method:

• Push button. Click the WPS button on this screen.

• PIN Number.The page adjusts. Enter the client security PIN and click the Next button.

7. Within two minutes, go to the WPS-enabled device and use its WPS software to connect to the WiFi

network. The WPS process automatically sets up yourr WPS-enabled device with the network password when

it connects.The router WPS page displays a confirmation message.

Specify Basic WiFi Settings

The router comes with preset security.This means that the WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and security option (encryption protocol) are preset in the factory.You can find the preset SSID and password on the label on the router.

The preset SSID and password are uniquely generated for every device to protect

Note

and maximize your WiFi security.

If you change your preset security settings, make a note of the new settings and store it in a safe place where you can easily find it.

If your computer is connected with WiFi when y ou change the SSID or other WiFi security settings, you are disconnected when you click the Apply b utton.To avoid this problem, use a computer with a wired connection to access the router.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

To specify basic WiFi settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays. You can specify the settings for the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band. Your router might display information that is different from this example.

5. From the Region menu, select your region.

In some locations, you cannot change this setting.

6. To control the SSID broadcast, select or clear the Enable SSID Broadcast check box.

When this check box is selected, the router broadcasts its network name (SSID) so that it displa ys when you scan for local WiFi networks on your computer or WiFi device.

7. To change the network name (SSID), type a new name in the Name (SSID) field.

The name can be up to 32 characters long and it is case-sensitive.The default SSID is randomly generated and is on the label on the touer. If you change the name, make sure to write down the new name and keep it in a safe place.

8. To change the WiFi channel, select a number from the Channel menu.

In some regions, not all channels are available. Do not change the channel unless you experience interference (shown by lost connections or slo w data transfers). If this happens, experiment with different channels to see which is the best.

When you use multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different channels to reduce interference.The recommended channel spacing between adjacent access points is four channels (for example, use Channels 1 and 5, or 6 and 10).

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved. If you connected wirelessly to the network and you changed the SSID, you are disconnected from the

network.

10. Make sure that you can connect wirelessly to the network with its new settings.

If you cannot connect wirelessly, check the following:

• Is your computer or mobile device connected to another WiFi network in your area? Some WiFi

devices automatically connect to the first open network without WiFi security that they discover.

• Is your computer or mobile device trying to connect to your network with its old settings (before you

changed the settings)? If so, update the WiFi network selection in your computer or mobile device to match the current settings for your network.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

Change the WiFi Mbps Settings

The data rate for high-speed transmissions is commonly identified as megabits per second (Mbps). By default, the router is set to operate with up to 300 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz WiFi band and up to 867 Mbps

in the 5 GHz WiFi band.You can select slower settings.

To change the WiFi Mbps settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network.

2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. For the 2.4 GHz WiFi band, in the Wireless Network (2.4 GHz b/g/n) section, select a setting from the

Mode menu.

6. For the 5 GHz WiFi band, select a setting from the Mode menu.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Change the WiFi Password or Security Level

The WiFi password is different from the admin password that you use to log in to the router. Your router comes with preset WPA2 or WPA security. We recommend that you use the preset security,

but you can change the settings.We recommend that you do not disable the preset security.

To change the WPA settings:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

5. Under Security Options, select a WPA option.

The WPA2 options use the newest standard for the strongest security. WPA2-PSK (AES) is the default setting.

The Passphrase field displays.

6. In the Passphrase field, enter the network key (password).

It is a text string from 8 to 63 characters.

7. Write down the new password and keep it in a secure place for future reference.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Set Up a Guest WiFi Network

Guest networks allow visitors at your home to use the Internet without using your WiFi security key.You can add a guest network for the 2.4 GHz WiFi band and the 5.0 GHz WiFi band.

To set up a guest network:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select Guest Network.

The Guest Network Settings page displays.

5. Scroll to the section of the page for the guest WiFi network that you want to set up.

The default guest WiFi network names (SSIDs) are as follows:

• NETGEAR-Guest is for the 2.4 GHz WiFi band.

• NETGEAR-5G-Guest is for the 5 GHz WiFi band.

6. Leave the Enable SSID Broadcast check box selected.

Allowing the router to broadcast its WiFi network name (SSID) mak es it easier to find y our network and connect to it. If you clear this check box, that creates a hidden network.

7. Give the guest network a name.

The guest network name is case-sensitive and can be up to 32 characters.Y ou then man ually configure the WiFi-enabled devices in your network to use the guest network name in addition to the main SSID.

8. Select a security option.

Network Settings

AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas

The WPA2 options use the newest standard for the strongest security. WPA2 is the default setting.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Control the WiFi Radios

The router’s internal WiFi radios broadcast signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ranges. By default, they are on so that you can connect over WiFi to the router.When the WiFi radios are off, y ou can still use an Ethernet cable for a LAN connection to the router.

You can turn the WiFi radios on and off with the WiFi On/Off button on the router, or you can log in to the router and enable or disable the WiFi radios. If you are close to the router, it might be easier to press its WiFi On/Off button. If you are away from the router or already logged in it might be easier to enable or disable them.

Use the WiFi On/Off Button

To turn the WiFi radios off and on with the WiFi On/Off button:

Press the WiFi On/Off button on the top of the router for two seconds. If you turned off the WiFi radios, the WiFi On/Off LED, the WPS LED, and the LEDs on the active antennas turn off. If you turned on the WiFi radios, the WiFi On/Off LED, the WPS LED,and the LEDs on the active antennas light.

Enable or Disable the WiFi Radios

If you used the WiFi On/Off button to turn off the WiFi radios , you can’t log in to the router to turn them back on.You must press the WiFi On/Off button again for two seconds to turn the WiFi radios back on.

To enable or disable the WiFi radios:

1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.

A login window opens.

3. Enter the router admin user name and password.

The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The BASIC Home page displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings.

5. Clearing these check boxes turns off the WiFi feature of the router for each band.

6. Clearing these check boxes turns off the WiFi feature of the router for each band.

7. Click the Apply button.

Network Settings

100

Netgear R6230 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Hardware Overview

Unpack Your Router

LED Descriptions

Ports, Buttons, and Connectors on the Back Panel

Router Label

Position the Router

Cable Your Router

Connect to the Network and Access the Router

Connect to the Network

Wired Connection

WiFi Connection

WiFi Connection Using WPS

Types of Logins

Use a Web Browser to Access the Router

Automatic Internet Setup

Log In to the Router

Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App

Change the Language

Access the RouterWith the NETGEAR genie App

Specify Your Internet Settings

Use the Internet Setup Wizard

Manually Set Up the Internet Connection

Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login

Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login

Specify IPv6 Internet Connections

Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses

Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection

Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection

Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection

Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection

Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection

Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection

Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection

Change the MTU Size

Set Up a Bridge for a VLAN Tag Group

Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS

Turn On Internet Access QoS

Add QoS Rules by Service

Edit a QoS Rule

Delete a QoS Rule

Delete All QoS Rule

Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug and Play

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service

Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

USB Device Requirements

Connect a USB Storage Device to the Router

Access a Storage Device Connected to the Router From a Windows Computer

Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive

Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Router From a Mac

Back Up Windows Computers With ReadySHARE Vault

Back Up Mac Computers With Time Machine

Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac

Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data

Use Time Machine to Back Up Onto a USB Hard Disk

Use FTP Within the Network

View or Change Network Folders on a Storage Device

Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device

Edit a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device

Approve USB Storage Device

Safely Remove a USB Storage Device

Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS

Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet

Your Personal FTP Server

Set Up Your Personal FTP Server

Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account

Specify a DNS Account That You Already Created

Change the Dynamic DNS Settings

Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet

Use the Router as a Media Server

Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings

Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server

Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With iTunes

Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With the Remote App

Control Access to the Internet