NETGEAR R7500 User Manual
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Model R7500
User Manual
January 2015
202-11384-05
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Support
Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products.
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at
https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR
recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit
http://support.netgear.com.
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are
used for reference purposes only.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
2
Contents
Chapter 1 Hardware Setup
Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Router
Unpack Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Top View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Attach the Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
USB Ports on the Left Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
eSATA Port on the Right Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connect an eSATA Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Position Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cable Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Connect to the Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Wired Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
WiFi Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Types of Logins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Use a Web Browser to Access the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
NETGEAR genie Automatic Internet Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Log In to the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Change the Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Access the Router with NETGEAR genie Apps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings
Use the Internet Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Manually Set Up the Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Specify IPv6 Internet Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Change the MTU Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
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Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Chapter 4 Optimize Performance
Use Dynamic QoS to Optimize Internet Traffic Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Enable Dynamic QoS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Enable or Disable the Automatic QoS Database Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Manually Update the Dynamic QoS Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Participate in Dynamic QoS Analytics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Improve Network Connections with Universal Plug and Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Chapter 5 Control Access to the Internet
Set Up Parental Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Allow or Block Access to Your Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Manage Network Access Control Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Delete Keywords from the Blocked List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Block Services from the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Set Up Security Event Email Notifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Chapter 6 Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router
Connect an eSATA Device to the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
USB Device Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Connect a USB Device to the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Access an Storage Device Connected to the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Back Up Windows Computers with ReadySHARE Vault. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Back Up Mac Computers with Time Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Use Time Machine to Back Up onto a Storage Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Control Access to a Storage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Use FTP Within the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
View Network Folders on a Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Add a Network Folder on a Storage Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Edit a Network Folder on a Storage Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Approve USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Safely Remove a USB Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Chapter 7 Access Storage Devices Through the Internet
Access Storage Devices Through the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Access Storage Devices Through the Internet with FTP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Dynamic DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Your Personal FTP Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
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Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Specify a DNS Account That You Already Created. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Change the Dynamic DNS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Set Up Your Personal FTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter 8 Use the Router as a Media Server
Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Play Music from a Storage Device with iTunes Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Play Media from a USB Device on TiVo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Chapter 9 Share a USB Printer
Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Use the Shared Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
View or Change the Status of a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Chapter 10 Manage Your Network
Update the Router Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Change the admin Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Recover the admin Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
View Router Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Display Internet Port Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Check the Internet Connection Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
View and Manage Logs of Router Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Monitor Internet Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Custom Static Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Set Up a Static Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Edit a Static Route. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Delete a Static Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
View Devices Currently on the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Manage the Router Configuration File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Back Up Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Restore Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Erase the Current Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Remote Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Chapter 11 Network Settings
Disable LED Blinking or Turn off LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
View WAN Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Set Up a Default DMZ Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Change the Router’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
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Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Reserve an IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Edit a Reserved IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Delete a Reserved IP Address Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Specify Basic WiFi Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Change the WiFi Mbps Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Change the WiFi Password or Security Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Set Up a Guest WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Enable a Video Guest WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Control the Wireless Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Use the WiFi On/Off Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Enable or Disable the Wireless Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Set Up a Wireless Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Specify WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Use the Router as a Wireless Access Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Use the Router in Bridge Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Chapter 12 Use VPN to Access Your Network
Set Up a VPN Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Specify VPN Service in the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Install OpenVPN Software on Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Use a VPN Tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Device and Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Use VPN to Access Your Internet Service at Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Set Up VPN Client Internet Access in the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Block VPN Client Internet Access in the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Use a VPN Tunnel to Access Your Internet Service at Home . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Chapter 13 Specify Internet Port Settings
Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Edit a Port Forwarding Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Delete a Port Forwarding Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Set Up Port Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Add a Port Triggering Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Enable Port Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Chapter 14 Troubleshooting
Quick Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Sequence to Restart Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
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Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Check Ethernet Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Wireless Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Troubleshoot with the LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Standard LED Behavior When the Router Is Powered On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Power LED Is Off or Blinking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Power LED Stays Amber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
LEDs Never Turn Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Internet or Ethernet Port LEDs Are Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
WiFi LED Is Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Cannot Log In to the Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Cannot Access the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Troubleshoot PPPoE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Troubleshoot Internet Browsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Changes Not Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Wireless Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Test the LAN Path to Your Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Test the Path from Your Computer to a Remote Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
7
1. Hardware Setup
1
The Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router with four high-performance antennas and
quad-stream X4 architecture combines four WiFi streams to deliver WiFi connection speeds up
to 1.73 Gbps, and a combined speed of 2.33 Gbps.
• 600 Mbps WiFi speed on the 2.4 GHz band
• 1.73 Gbps on the 5 GHz band
Nighthawk X4 is ideal for homes with a high volume of network and Internet traffic from gaming
and streaming. With dynamic QoS, the router optimizes performance based on the application
and the device, and automatically performs cloud updates to optimize the most popular
applications and services.
Nighthawk X4 also provides fast central storage, backup, and streaming to every device in your
home with two USB 3.0 ports (10 times faster than USB 2.0) and an eSATA port. Sharing content
across your network is easy, whether you’re accessing stored photos and music to printing
wirelessly. Stream your stored media files on any device anywhere on the network. Share your
music with AirPlay-compatible devices from a USB hard drive connected to the router. Use the
free NETGEAR ReadySHARE Vault app to back up your Windows computers to a USB hard
drive connected to Nighthawk X4.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Unpack Your Router
• Top View
• Rear Panel
• Attach the Antennas
• USB Ports on the Left Panel
• eSATA Port on the Right Panel
• Position Your Router
• Cable Your Router
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at
http://support.netgear.com.
8
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Unpack Your Router
Your package contains the following items.
AC2350Smart WiFi Router
Antennas (4)
Figure 1. Package contents
Ethernet cable
Power adapter
Top View
The status LEDs and buttons are located on the top of the router.
WiFi On/Off
button
WPS button
Figure 2. Router LEDs and buttons
LEDs
Hardware Setup
9
Table 1. LED and button descriptions
LED Description
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Power
Internet
2.4 GHz WiFi
5 GHz WiFi
USB 3.0 port 1
and USB 3.0
port 2
eSATA
• Solid amber. The router is starting.
• Blinking amber. The
• Solid white. The
• Blinking white. The
• Off. Power is not supplied to the router.
• Solid white. The Internet connection is ready.
• Solid amber.
• Off. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.
• Solid white. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
• Blinking. The
• Off.
• Solid white. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
• Blinking. The
• Off. The
• Solid white. A USB device is connected and is ready.
• Blinking.
• Off. No USB device is connected, or someone clicked the Safely Remove Hardware
• Solid white. An eSATA device is connected and is ready.
• Blinking.
• Off. No eSA
The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB device.
The router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem.
router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
5 GHz WiFi radio is off.
A USB device is plugged in and is trying to connect.
An eSATA device is plugged in and is trying to connect.
TA device is connected.
firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed.
router is ready.
firmware is corrupted.
Ethernet ports
1–4
WiFi On/Off
button with LED
WPS button with
LED
The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for 100
Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections.
• Solid.
• Blinking.
• Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios on and off.
If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned off and you
cannot use WiFi to connect to the router.
This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password. The
WPS LED blinks white during this process and then lights solid white.
A powered-on device is connected to the Ethernet port.
The port is sending or receiving traffic.
You can use the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel of the router to turn the LEDs on the
top of the router on or off. See Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch on
page 11.
Hardware Setup
10
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Rear Panel
The rear panel connections and buttons are shown in the following figure.
LED On/Off
switch
Figure 3. Router rear panel
Reset
button
Gigabit Ethernet
Internet PowerPower
portLAN ports 1–4 connector On/Off
Pressing the Reset button restores the factory settings. See Factory Settings on page 168.
Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch
To turn the LEDs on or off using the LED On/Off switch:
Slide the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel to the On or Of
f position.
LED On/Off
switch
The Power LED stays lit even if the LED On/Off switch is in the Off position.
Hardware Setup
11
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Attach the Antennas
To attach the antennas:
1. T
o determine where to attach the antennas, match the labels on the antennas with the
labels on the router.
2. Align the antennas with the antenna posts on the router.
3. Attach the antennas on the threaded antenna posts.
4. Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance.
NETGEAR recommends that you position all of the antennas vertically, as shown.
USB Ports on the Left Panel
Two 3.0 USB ports are located on the left panel.
Figure 4. USB ports
Hardware Setup
12
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
eSATA Port on the Right Panel
An eSATA port is located on the right panel.
Figure 5. eSATA port
Connect an eSATA Device
To connect an eSATA device:
Use an eSATA cable to connect your device to the eSATA port on the side of the router
as shown.
Hardware Setup
13
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Position Your Router
The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your
wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can
vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. For example, the
thickness and number of walls the wireless signal passes through can limit the range.
Additionally, other wireless access points in and around your home might affect your router’s
signal. Wireless access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other
device that emits a wireless signal for network access.
Position your router according to the following guidelines:
• Place your router near the center of the area where your computers and other devices
operate, and within line of sight to your wireless 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
- Computers
- Base of a cordless phone
- 2.4 GHz cordless phone
• Place the router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, and insulated
walls such as these:
- Solid metal doors
- Aluminum studs
- Fish tanks
- Mirrors
- Brick
- Concrete
Hardware Setup
14
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Cable Your Router
The following image shows how to cable your router:
DSL or cable
Router
Ethernet cable
Ethernet cable
Modem
Power adapter
Figure 6. 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 yellow Ethernet cable that
came with your router.
4. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet.
5. Slide the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel to the On position.
6. Press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the router.
Hardware Setup
15
2. 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.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Connect to the Network
• Types of Logins
• Use a Web Browser to Access the Router
• Change the Language
• Access the Router with NETGEAR genie Apps
2
16
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
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 to one of the numbered Ethernet ports.
Your computer connects to the local area network (LAN). A message might display on
your computer screen to notify you that an Ethernet cable is connected.
WiFi Connection
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 wireless 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 wireless device connects to the WiFi network.
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 wireless 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 wireless device connects to the WiFi network.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
17
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Label
The label on the router shows the login information, WiFi network name and network key
(password), MAC address, and serial number.
Figure 7. Router label
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.
Types of logins:
• ISP login.
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.
• W
iFi network key or password. Your router is preset with a unique wireless network
name (SSID) and password for wireless access. This information is on the router label.
• Router login.
The login that your ISP gave you logs you in to your Internet service. Your
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. The first time you access the
router, NETGEAR genie automatically checks to see if your router can connect to your
Internet service.
NETGEAR genie Automatic Internet Setup
You can set up your router with the NETGEAR genie automatically, or you can use the genie
menus and screens to 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.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
18
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you all
the information needed to connect to the Internet. For DSL service, you 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 minutes to complete.
To use NETGEAR genie to set up your router:
1. T
urn the router on by pressing the On/Off button.
2. Make sure that your computer or wireless device is connected to the router with an Ethernet
cable (wired) or wirelessly with the preset security settings listed on the label.
Note: If you want to change the router’s WiFi settings, use a wired connection
to avoid being disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.
3. Launch a web browser
.
The screen 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 NETGEAR genie screen displays.
• If you already used the NETGEAR genie, type http://www.routerlogin.net in the
address field for your browser to display the NETGEAR genie screen.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.
NETGEAR genie guides you through connecting the router to the Internet.
5. If the browser cannot display the web page, do the following:
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
19
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
• Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the four LAN Ethernet ports or
wirelessly to the router.
• Make sure that the router is receiving power and that its Power LED is lit white.
• 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 your settings. Make sure that you selected the correct options and typed
everything correctly.
b. Contact your ISP to verify that you have the correct configuration information.
c. Read Chapter 14, Troubleshooting. If problems persist, register your NETGEAR
product and contact NETGEAR technical support.
Log In to the Router
When you first set up your router, NETGEAR genie automatically starts when you launch a
web browser on a computer that is connected to the router. If you want to view or change
settings for the router, you can use genie again.
To log in to the router:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
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 screen displays.
Change the Language
By default, the language is set to Auto.
To change the language:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
3. Enter the router user name and password.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
20
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and
password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home screen displays.
4. In the upper right corner, select a language from the list.
5. When prompted, click the OK button to confirm this change.
The screen refreshes with the language that you selected.
Access the Router with NETGEAR genie Apps
The genie app is the easy dashboard for managing, monitoring, and repairing your home
network. The genie app can help you with the following:
• Automatically repair common wireless 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 www.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 screen displays.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
21
3. Specify Your Internet Settings
3
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
22
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
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 genie screens that display 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 wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. T
ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
3. Enter the router user name and password.
The user name is admin.
password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home screen displays.
4. Select ADV
5. Select the Yes radio button.
If you select No, you are taken to the Internet Setup screen (see Manually Set Up the
Internet Connection on page 24).
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 V
ANCED > Setup Wizard.
The default password is password. The user name and
ault app.
Specify Your Internet Settings
23
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
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 wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. T
ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
3. Enter the router user name and password.
The user name is admin.
password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home screen displays.
4. Select Internet.
The default password is password. The user name and
Scroll to
view more
settings
5. For the Does your Internet connection require a login? setting, leave the No radio button
selected.
6. If your Internet connection requires an account name or host name, type it in the Account
Name (If Required) field.
Specify Your Internet Settings
24
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
7. If your Internet connection requires a domain name, type it in the Domain Name (If
Required) field.
For the other sections in this screen, 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 Chapter 14,
Troubleshooting.
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 wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
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 screen displays.
Specify Your Internet Settings
25
4. Select Internet.
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Scroll to
view more
settings
5. In the Does your Internet connection require a login? setting, select the Yes radio button.
The screen adjusts.
6. In the Internet Service Provider list, select the encapsulation method: PPPoE, PPTP, or
L2TP.
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. In the Connection Mode list, select Always
11. T
o change the number of minutes until the Internet login times out, in the Idle Timeout (In
On, Dial on Demand, or Manually Connect.
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:
Specify Your Internet Settings
26
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
• 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 Chapter 14,
Troubleshooting.
Specify IPv6 Internet Connections
You can set up an IPv6 Internet connection if genie does not detect it automatically.
To set up an IPv6 Internet connection:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
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 screen displays.
4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.
The Basic Settings screen displays.
5. In the Internet Connection Type list, select the IPv6 connection type:
• If your ISP did not provide details, select IPv6 Tunnel.
• 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 not fixed, but is IPv6,
select Auto Config.
Specify Your Internet Settings
27
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Your Internet service provider (ISP) can provide this information. For more information
about IPv6 Internet connection, see the following sections.
- Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection on page 28
- Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection on page 30
- Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection on page 31
- Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection on page 33
- Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection on page 33
- Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection on page 35
- Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection on page 36
6. Click the Apply button.
Your changes take effect.
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 auto detection:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
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 screen displays.
4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.
The IPv6 screen displays.
5. In the Internet Connection Type list, select Auto Detect.
Specify Your Internet Settings
28
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
The screen adjusts:
The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:
• Connection T
• Router
’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired
ype. This field indicates the connection type that is detected.
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 Address 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 Available.
6. Select
• Use DHCP Server.
an IP Address Assignment radio button:
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
network (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. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Specify Your Internet Settings
29
Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router
Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection
To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through auto configuration:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the
network.
2. T
ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.
A login screen displays.
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 screen displays.
4. Select ADV
ANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6.
The IPv6 screen displays.
5. In the Internet Connection T
The screen adjusts:
ype list, select Auto Config.
The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:
• Router
’s IPv6 Address 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 Address 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 Available.
6. (Optional) In the DHCP User Class (If Required) field, enter a host name.
Specify Your Internet Settings
30
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