NETGEAR R7500 User Manual

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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

Compliance

For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Hardware Setup

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Cable Your Router

The following image shows how to cable your router:

DSL or cable

Router

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Router

’s IPv6 Address on LAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired

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

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 network (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. 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.

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

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 6to4 Tunnel.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The screen 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. Configure the remote 6to4 relay router settings by selecting one of the following radio

buttons:

• 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

• Use DHCP Server.

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).

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. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection

In pass-through mode, the router works as a Layer 2 Ethernet switch with two ports (LAN and WAN 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 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 Pass Through.

The screen 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 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 Fixed.

Specify Your Internet Settings

The screen adjusts:

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 default IPv6 gateway for the router’s

WAN interface.

• 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.

Note: If you do not specify the DNS servers, the router uses the DNS servers

that are configured for the IPv4 Internet connection on the Internet Setup screen. (See Manually Set Up the Internet Connection on page 24.)

7. Select an IP

• Use DHCP Server.

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).

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. Click the Apply button.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 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 DHCP.

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

• Router

’s IPv6 Address on LAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired

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

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 network (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. 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 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 PPPoE.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The screen adjusts:

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

• Router

’s IPv6 Address on LAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired

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.

Note: The default setting of the Connection Mode field is Always On to

provide a steady 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 PPPoE connection becomes available again.

9. Select

an IP Address Assignment radio button:

• Use DHCP Server.

IPv6 systems might not support the DHCv6 client function.

• Auto Config.

This method passes more information to LAN devices but some

This is the default setting.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (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. 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 packets travel through many devices along the way. If a device in the data path uses a lower MTU setting than the other devices, the data packets 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 you are

experiencing connectivity or performance problems.

Note: An incorrect MTU setting can cause Internet communication

problems. For example, 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 wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 > Setup > WAN Setup.

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 experiment, you can gradually reduce the MTU from the maximum value of 1500 until the problem goes away applications.

Table 2. Common MTU sizes

MTU Application

1500 The largest Ethernet packet size. This setting is typical for connections that do not use

1492 Used in PPPoE environments.

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

1468 Used in some DHCP environments.

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

1436 Used in PPTP environments or with VPN.

1400 Maximum size for AOL DSL.

576 Typical value to connect to dial-up ISPs.

PPPoE or VPN and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches.

. The following table describes common MTU sizes and

Specify Your Internet Settings

4. Optimize Performance

You can set up the router to optimize performance for applications such as Internet gaming, high

definition video streaming, and VoIP communication. By default, the router uses Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS).

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Use Dynamic QoS to Optimize Internet Traffic Management

• Improve Network Connections with Universal Plug and Play

• Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Use Dynamic QoS to Optimize Internet Traffic Management

Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) helps improve your router’s Internet traffic management capabilities through better application and device identification, bandwidth allocation, and traffic prioritization techniques. Dynamic QoS resolves traffic congestion when the Internet bandwidth is limited and different demands compete for bandwidth.

If your Internet download and upload speed is 250 Mbps or less and you like gaming and streaming video, then you can benefit from enabling Dynamic QoS.

Note: If you use a gigabit Internet connection, or your Internet download and

upload speed is 300 Mbps or faster, then you don’t need to use Dynamic QoS.

(

s (

)

Figure 8. Dynamic QoS optimizes Internet traffic by prioritizing competing demands

Note: If you use a gigabit Internet connection (300 Mbps throughput or

faster), then you don’t need to use QoS.

Enable Dynamic QoS

Because not everyone uses Dynamic QoS, it is disabled by default.

Optimize Performance

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

 To enable Dynamic QoS:

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 Dynamic QoS.

5. Select the Enable Dynamic QoS check box.

6. Specify your Internet bandwidth.

You must specify your Internet bandwidth so that Dynamic QoS can perform bandwidth allocation and traf

fic prioritization.

To allow Speedtest to detect your Internet bandwidth (recommended):

a. For more accurate Speedtest results, make sure that no other devices are accessing

the Internet.

b. Click the Speedtest button.

Speedtest determines your Internet bandwidth.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

A link displays on the bottom of the screen to view bandwidth utilization. Clicking the link displays the

Attached Devices screen. For more information, see View Devices Currently

on the Network on page 110.

Optimize Performance

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Enable or Disable the Automatic QoS Database Update

The router uses a QoS database of the most popular applications and services to implement Dynamic QoS. By default, the router automatically updates this database. You can turn off this feature and manually update the database.

 To enable or disable the automatic Dynamic QoS database update:

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 Dynamic QoS.

If you are using Dynamic QoS, the Enable Dynamic QoS check box is selected.

The default password is password. The user name and

5. Select or clear the Automatically update performance optimization database check box.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Manually Update the Dynamic QoS Database

The router uses a QoS database of the most popular applications and services to implement Dynamic QoS. By default, the router automatically updates this database when you enable Dynamic QoS, but if you turned off the automatic update feature, you can manually update the database.

Optimize Performance

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

 To manually update the Dynamic QoS database:

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 Dynamic QoS.

If you are using Dynamic QoS, the Enable Dynamic QoS check box is selected.

5. Click the Update Now button.

The router checks for the newest version of the database and downloads it.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

Participate in Dynamic QoS Analytics

NETGEAR uses a QoS database of the most popular applications and services to implement Dynamic QoS. As new applications and services become popular, NETGEAR updates this database and automatically updates your router if you enabled Dynamic QoS. You can opt in to share aggregate QoS information to help improve the Dynamic QoS feature.

 To opt in to participate in Dynamic QoS analytics:

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.

Optimize Performance

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

4. Select Dynamic QoS.

5. Make sure that you have enabled Dynamic QoS.

For more information about enabling Dynamic QoS, see Enable Dynamic QoS on page 41.

6. Select the Help improve the Dynamic QoS feature by sharing analytics with NETGEAR

check box.

A pop-up screen displays detailed information about sharing analytics. The Ye button is selected by default.

7. After you have read the information, click the Submit button.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

s radio

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 multiplayer 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 wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. T

ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

Optimize Performance

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 > UPnP.

The UPnP screen 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 Turn UPnP On check box is cleared, the router does not allow any 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 between 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.

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service

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

WMM QoS prioritizes wireless 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

Optimize Performance

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

require QoS are assigned to the best effort category, which receives a lower priority than voice and video.

 To disable WMM QoS:

1. Launch an Internet 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 > Setup > QoS Setup.

The QoS screen displays.

5. Click the WMM tab.

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

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

8. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

Optimize Performance

5. 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

• Block Services from the Internet

• Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services

• Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer

• Set Up Security Event Email Notifications

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Set Up Parental Controls

The first time that you select Parental Controls from the BASIC Home screen, your browser goes to the Live Parental Controls website, where you can learn more about Live Parental Controls and download the application.

 To set up Live Parental Controls:

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 Parental Controls.

If your Internet connection is working, the browser automatically goes online and displays the Live Parental Controls web page.

5. Click either the W

6. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the NETGEAR Live Parental

Controls management utility

indows Users or Mac Users button.

The default password is password. The user name and

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

After installation, Live Parental Controls automatically starts.

7. Click the Next button.

8. Read the note, and click the Next button again to proceed.

Because Live Parental Controls uses free OpenDNS accounts, you are prompted to log in or create a free account.

9. Select the radio button that applies to you:

• If you already created an OpenDNS account, leave the Ye

s radio button selected.

• If you did not yet create an OpenDNS account, select the No radio button.

10. Click the Next button.

If you are creating an account, the Create a free OpenDNS account screen displays.

11. Complete the fields and click the Next button.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

After you log on or create your account, the filtering level screen displays:

12. Select a radio button for a filtering level and click the Next button.

The Setup is complete screen displays.

13. Click the T

Parental controls are now set up for the router. The dashboard shows Parental Controls as Enabled.

ake me to the status screen button.

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 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.

The default password is password. The user name and

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control.

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.

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 in this screen.

NETGEAR recommends 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 devices. It applies only to devices joining your network in the future after you apply these settings.

o view allowed or blocked devices that are not connected, click the following links:

7. T

iew list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network

• V

iew list of blocked devices not currently connected to the network

The list displays.

8. T

o allow the computer or 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 changes take effect.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 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 > Security > Access Control.

5. Click the View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network link.

The list displays.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

6. Select the check box for a device.

7. Use the Add button, Edit button, and Remove from the List button as needed.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your changes take effect.

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 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 a keyword blocking option:

• Per Schedule.

Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services on page 57.)

• Always.

ANCED > Security > Block Sites.

Turn on keyword blocking according to a schedule that you set. (See

Turn on keyword blocking all the time, independent of the Schedule screen.

The default password is password. The user name and

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

For example:

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

• 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.

Delete Keywords from the Blocked List

 To delete keywords from the list:

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

network.

2. Type http://routerlogin.net or http://routerlogin.com.

A login screen displays.

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 screen displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.

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 changes are saved.

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 wireless device that is connected to the

network.

2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 > Security > Block Services.

5. Specify when to block the services:

o block the services all the time, select the Always radio button.

• T

o 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 57.

6. Click the Add button.

The Block Services Setup screen displays:

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

The settings for this service automatically display in the fields.

8. T

o add a service or application that is not the list, select User Defined.

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.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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. Block services for a range of computers with consecutive IP

addresses on your network.

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

10. Click the Add button.

Your changes are saved.

Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services

When you schedule blocking, the same schedule is used to block sites and to block services. For information about how to specify what you want the router to block, see

Block Internet Sites on page 54 and Block Services from the Internet on page 55.

Use Keywords to

 To schedule blocking:

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.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Schedule.

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.

ime of Day to Block. Select a start and end time in 24-hour format, or select All

• T

Day for 24-hour blocking.

6. Select your time zone from the list.

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.

Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer

You can exempt one trusted computer from blocking. The computer 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 122.

 To specify a trusted computer:

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.

Control Access to the Internet

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. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.

5. Scroll down and select the Allow trusted IP address to visit blocked sites check box.

6. In the Trusted IP Address field, enter the IP address of the trusted computer.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 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 Turn Email Notification On check box.

6. In the Y

server (such as mail.myISP.com).

ANCED > Security > E-mail.

our Outgoing Mail Server field, enter the name of your ISP outgoing (SMTP) mail

The default password is password. The user name and

You might be able to find this information in the configuration screen of your email program. If you leave this field blank, log and alert messages are not sent.

7. In the Send to This E-mail

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.

8. If your outgoing email server requires authentication, select the My Mail Server requires

authentication check box.

Address field, type the email address to which logs and alerts

Control Access to the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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.

c. (Optional) in the Outgoing Mail Server Port Number field, enter a port number.

9. (Optional) Select the Send Alerts Immediately check box.

Email alerts are sent immediately when someone attempts to visit a blocked site.

10. To send logs based on a schedule, specify these settings:

• From Send logs according to this schedule list, select the schedule type.

• From the Day list, select the day.

• From the Time list, select the time, and select the am or pm radio button.

11. 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

6. Share 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 storage devices, such as a USB or eSATA storage device, connected to the router. (If your storage device has special drivers, it is not compatible.)

Note: The USB ports on the router can be used only to connect USB

storage devices like flash 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:

• Connect an eSATA Device to the Router

• USB Device Requirements

• Connect a USB Device to the Router

• Access an Storage Device Connected to the Router

• Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive

• Back Up Windows Computers with ReadySHARE Vault

• Back Up Mac Computers with Time Machine

• Control Access to a Storage Device

• Use FTP Within the Network

• View Network Folders on a Device

• Add a Network Folder on a Storage Device

• Edit a Network Folder on a Storage Device

• Approve USB Devices

• Safely Remove a USB Device

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

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Connect an eSATA Device to the Router

You can connect an eSATA device to the eSATA port located on the right side of the router.

Figure 9. eSATA port

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

http://kbserver.netgear.com/readyshare.

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

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

• FAT16

• F

AT32

• NTFS

• NTFS with compression format enabled

• Ext2

• Ext3

• Ext4

• HFS

• HFS+

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Connect a USB Device to the Router

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

Figure 10. Two 3.0 USB ports are located on the side of the router

 To connect a USB device:

1. Insert your USB storage drive into a USB port on the side panel of the router

2. If your USB device uses a power supply

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

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

, connect it.

Access an Storage Device Connected to the Router

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

 To access the device from a Mac:

1. Connect a USB or eSA

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

When you connect the 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)

TA storage device to the appropriate port on the router.

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

Server.

The Connect to Server screen displays.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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

4. Click the Connect button.

5. 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 password for the password. For more information about access control, see

Block Access to Your Network on page 51.

6. Click the Connect button.

A screen automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the device.

 To access the device from a Windows computer:

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

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

Allow or

2. Select Start > Run.

3. Enter \\readyshare in the dialog box.

4. Click the OK button.

A screen automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the device.

Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive

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

1. Visit www.netgear.com/readyshare.

2. In the ReadySHARE USB Storage Access pane, click the PC Utility link.

The readyshareconnect.exe file is downloaded to your computer.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

3. Launch readyshareconnect.exe.

4. Select the drive letter to map to the network folder.

5. T

o connect to the device as a different user, select the Connect using different

credentials check box and do the following:

a. T

ype the user name and password.

b. Click the OK button.

6. Click the Finish button.

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

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) or an eSATA storage device to the router for centralized, continuous, and automatic backup.

The following operating systems support ReadySHARE Vault:

• Windows XP SP3

• Windows 7

• Windows 8

• Windows 8.1

 To back up your Windows computer:

1. Connect a USB HDD or eSA

2. Download ReadySHARE V

Windows computer.

3. Launch ReadySHARE V

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

TA storage device to the appropriate port on the router.

ault from www.netgear.com/readyshare and install it on each

ault.

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Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 or an eSATA storage device connected to the router eSATA port. You can access the connected storage device from your Mac with a wired or wireless connection to your router.

Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac

NETGEAR recommends that you use a new USB HDD or format your old USB disk to do the Time Machine backup for the first time. Use a blank 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 Mac.

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

search for Disk Utility.

3. To format your USB device, open the Disk Utility, click the Erase tab, and click the Erase

button.

4. Click the Partition tab.

5. Click Partition Layout and set the number of partitions that you want to use.

6. Click the Options button.

The Partition options display.

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

8. For the format, 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 back up a large amount of data with Time Machine, NETGEAR recommends that you follow this procedure.

 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.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The System Preferences screen displays.

b. Select Energy Saver.

The Energy Saver screen 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 Apple menu, select System Preferences.

The System Preferences screen displays.

b. Select Security & Privacy.

The Security & Privacy screen displays.

c. Click the Advanced button at the bottom of the screen.

d. Leave the Log out after minutes of inactivity check box cleared.

e. Click the OK button.

Your changes are saved.

Use Time Machine to Back Up onto a Storage Device

You can use Time Machine to back up your Mac computers onto a USB hard disk drive that is connected to one of the router’s USB ports or an eSATA storage device that is connected to the router eSATA port.

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

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

See Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac on page 67.

If you plan to back up a large amount of data, see Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of

Data on page 67.

2. Insert your USB storage drive into a USB port on the router.

Note: If your USB device uses a power supply, you must use it when you

connect the USB device to the router.

3. On your Mac computer, select Go > Connect to Server.

4. Type afp://routerlogin.net.

5. When prompted to enter your name and password, select the Guest radio button.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

6. Click the Connect button.

A list of connected devices displays. This list includes the name admin when you log in as admin.

7. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.

8. Open Time Machine.

9. Click the Select Backup Disk button and select your USB device from the list.

10. Click the Use for Backup button.

Note: If you do not see the USB partition that you want in the Time Machine

disk list, go to Mac finder and click that USB partition. It displays in the Time Machine list.

11. When prompted to enter your name and password, select the Guest radio button 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.

Control Access to a Storage Device

You can specify the device name, workgroups, and network folders for storage devices connected to the router USB ports and eSATA port.

 To specify the storage device access settings:

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.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

4. Select ADVANCED > ReadySHARE > Advanced Settings.

5. Specify access to the storage device:

• Network Device Name.

router.

• W

orkgroup. If you are using a Windows workgroup rather than a domain, the

workgroup name is displayed here. The name works only in an operating system that supports NetBIOS, such as Microsoft Windows.

• Access Method. Select the check boxes for the access methods that you want:

- Network Neighborhood/MacShare. Enabled by default.

- HTTP. Enabled by default.

http://readyshare.routerlogin.net/shares to access the storage device.

- HTTP (via Internet). Disabled by default. If you enable this feature, remote users

can type http://<public IP address/shares> (for example, http://1.1.10.102/shares) or a URL domain name to access the device over the Internet. supports file uploading only.

This is the name used to access the device connected to the

You can type

This feature

- FTP. Disabled by default.

- FTP (via Internet). Disabled by default. If you select this check box, remote users

can access the device through FTP over the Internet. downloading and uploading of files.

6. If you changed the settings, click the Apply button.

Your change is saved.

Use FTP Within the Network

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

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

This feature supports both

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

 To set up FTP access:

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 FTP check box.

6. Click the Apply button.

ANCED > ReadySHARE > Advanced Settings.

The default password is password. The user name and

Your changes are saved.

View Network Folders on a Device

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

 To view network folders:

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.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

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. Select ADV

5. Scroll down to the Available Networks Folder section of the screen and adjust the following

settings:

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

USB_Storage.

ANCED > ReadySHARE > Advanced Settings.

The default share name for an eSATA device is External_Disk.

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

• Folder Name. Full path of the network folder

• V

• T

Access and Write Access. Show the permissions and access controls on the

network folder. All–no password (the default) allows all users to access the network folder. The password for admin is the same one that you use to log in to the router.

olume Name. Volume name from the storage device.

otal Space and Free Space. Show the current utilization of the storage device.

Add a Network Folder on a Storage Device

You can add network folders on a storage device connected to the router USB ports and eSATA port.

 To add a network folder:

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

network.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 ADV

ANCED > ReadySHARE > Advanced Settings.

5. Select a device.

6. Click the Create Network Folder button.

If this screen does not display, your web browser might be blocking pop-ups. If it is, change the browser settings to allow pop-ups.

7. Complete the fields.

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Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The user name (account name) for All–no password 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 storage device.

Edit a Network Folder on a Storage Device

You can edit network folders on storage devices connected to the router USB ports and eSATA port.

 To edit a network folder:

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

ANCED > ReadySHARE> Advanced Settings.

The default password is password. The user name and

5. Click the Edit button.

The Edit Network Folder screen displays.

6. Change the settings in the fields as needed.

7. Click the Apply button.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Your changes are saved.

Approve USB Devices

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 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

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. Select the No radio button.

6. Click the Approved Devices button.

ANCED > Advanced Setup > USB Settings.

The default password is password. The user name and

The approved and available USB devices display.

7. In the

8. Click the Add button.

9. Select the Allow only approved devices check box.

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

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

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

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

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

Safely Remove a USB Device

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

 To remove a USB disk drive safely:

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 USB Storage > Basic Settings.

The USB Settings screen displays.

5. Click the Safely Remove USB Device button.

This takes the device offline.

6. Physically disconnect the USB device.

Share Storage Devices Attached to the Router

7. Access Storage Devices Through

the Internet

With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access an eSATA drive attached to the router’s eSATA port and USB hard drives attached to the router’s USB ports when you’re not home. This chapter includes the following sections:

• Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

• Dynamic DNS

• Your Personal FTP Server

• Set Up Your Personal FTP Server

For information about how to connect the device and specify its settings, see Chapter 6, Share

Storage Devices Attached to the Router.

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

You can access eSATA and USB 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 in the Dynamic DNS screen. See

• 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 screen.

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

Dynamic DNS on page 79.

Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet

 To set up FTP access:

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 > ReadySHARE > Advanced Settings.

The ReadySHARE Advanced Settings screen displays.

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

6. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

7. To limit access to the admin user, click the Edit button.

8. In the Read Access list, select admin.

9. In the Write Access list, select admin.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet with FTP

You must first set up FTP through Internet access as described in Set Up FTP Access

Through the Internet on page 78.

 To access a USB device with FTP from a remote computer:

1. To download, launch a web browser.

2. To upload, use an FTP client such as filezilla.

3. Type ftp:// and the Internet port IP address in the address field of the browser.

For example, type ftp://10.1.65.4.

If you are using Dynamic DNS, type the DNS name.

For example, type ftp://MyName.mynetgear.com.

4. When prompted, log in:

• To log in as admin, in the user name field, enter admin and in the password field,

type the same password that you use to log in to the router.

• To log in as guest, in the user name field, enter guest.

The guest user name does not need a password. To restrict access to the USB device, you can specify that only the admin user can access it. See

a Storage Device on page 69.

The files and folders that your account can access on this USB device display. For example, you might see share/partition1/directory1.

Control Access to

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, but 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.

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 for a NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account and specify the account settings. See Set Up a New

Dynamic DNS Account on page 80.

FTP Directory: FTP://‘custom name’.mynetgear.com

FTP Directory:

FTP://‘custom name’.mynetgear.com

FTP Directory: FTP://

‘ custom name’.mynetgear.com

FTP Directory: FTP://

‘

custom name’.mynetgear.com

Figure 11. You can access your network through the Internet when you’re not home

Note: The router supports only basic DDNS, and the login and password

might not be secure. You can use DDNS with a VPN tunnel for a secure connection. For more information about VPN, see Chapter 12,

Use VPN to Access Your Network.

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 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 default password is password. The user name and

The BASIC Home screen displays.

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.

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

6. In the Service Provider list, select NETGEAR.

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 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.

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.

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

6. In the Service Provider list, select your provider

7. Select the Ye

s radio button.

The screen 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.

12. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

13. T

o 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

 To change your 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.

The default password is password. The user name and

password are case-sensitive.

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The BASIC Home screen displays.

4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.

The Dynamic DNS screen displays.

5. Change your DDNS account settings as necessary.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

Set Up Your Personal FTP Server

 To set up your personal account and use FTP:

1. Get your NETGEAR Dynamic DNS domain name.

See Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet on page 78.

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.

You can connect an eSATA device to the eSATA port and you can connect USB hard disk drives to the USB ports on the router.

4. Set up FTP access in the router.

See Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet on page 78.

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

ftp://yourname.mynetgear.com.

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

8. Use the Router as a Media Server

The router comes set up to work as a ReadyDLNA media server. You can set up the router to

play music from iTunes Server and media from TiVo.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings

• Play Music from a Storage Device with iTunes Server

• Play Media from a USB Device on TiVo

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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 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 > ReadySHARE > ReadySHARE Storage > Media Server.

The Media Server Settings screen displays.

5. Specify the settings:

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

media server.

• Enable TiVo support. Select this check box if you want to play ReadyNAS media on

your TiVo device. See the

• Media Server Device Name. Specify the name of the media server.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

Play Media from a USB Device on TiVo on page 87.

Use the Router as a Media Server

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Play Music from a Storage Device with iTunes Server

iTunes Server lets you play music with your Windows or Mac iTunes app from a storage device that is connected to the router. You can also use the Apple Remote app from an iPhone or iPad to play music on any AirPlay devices, such as Apple TV or AirPlay-supported receivers.

Figure 12. Play music on a USB device with iTunes

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

 To specify iTunes server settings:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, find and connect to the WiFi network.

2. Launch the Remote app.

3. Click the Add a Device button.

A passcode displays.

4. Specify the passcode in the router:

a. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the

network.

b. T

ype http://www.routerlogin.net or http://www.routerlogin.com.

A login screen displays.

c. Enter the router user name and password.

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

The default password is password. The user name and

The BASIC Home screen displays.

Use the Router as a Media Server

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

d. Select ADVANCED > ReadySHARE Storage > Media Server.

e. Make sure that the Enable iTunes Media Server (Music Only) check box is

selected.

f. Enter the passcode.

g. Click the Allow Control button.

h. Click the Apply button.

Your changes are saved.

On your iPhone or iPad, the ReadySHARE music library displays in the Remote app. You can play this music on

AirPlay devices.

Play Media from a USB Device on TiVo

You can set up your TiVo to access media files stored on a USB device that is connected to your router. The TiVo must be on the same network as the router. This feature supports the following file formats:

ideo. See and play mpeg1, and mpeg2 files.

• V

• Music. See and play MP3 files.

• Pictures. V

You can use the TiVo (Series 2 and up) Home Media Option to play photos and music on your Windows or Mac computer in your

 To set up the router to work with TiVo:

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.

iew images in jpg format.

TiVo user interface.

A login screen displays.

3. Enter the router user name and password.

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

The default password is password. The user name and

Use the Router as a Media Server

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The BASIC Home screen displays.

4. Select ADV

ANCED > ReadySHARE Storage > Media Server.

The Media Server Settings screen displays.

5. Make sure that the Enable T

iVo support check box is selected.

6. If you changed the setting, click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

 To play videos:

1. On the

TiVo, select TiVo Central > My Shows.

2. Go to the bottom of the list and select the R7500.

 To play music or view photos:

1. On the

TiVo, select TiVo Central > Music, Photos, & Showcases.

Use the Router as a Media Server

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

2. Select an item to play or watch.

 To copy TiVo files to a computer:

Use the TiVo Desktop accessory, available at

https://www3.tivo.com/store/accessories-software.do.

Use the Router as a Media Server

9. 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.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer

• Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

• Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

• Use the Shared Printer

• View or Change the Status of a Printer

• Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer

• Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

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

software for the USB printer.

If the printer driver is not installed, 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.

, install the driver

 To download the utility:

1. V

isit www.netgear.com/readyshare.

Share a USB Printer

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

2. In the ReadySHARE Printer pane, click the PC Utility or Mac Utility link.

3. Follow the onscreen instructions to download the file.

Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility

You must install the ReadySHARE Printer utility on each computer that will share the printer.

After you install it, the utility displays as NETGEAR USB Control Center on your computer.

 To install the utility:

1. Double-click the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file that you downloaded.

The InstallShield wizard displays.

2. Follow the wizard instructions to install NETGEAR USB Control Center.

After the InstallShield Wizard completes the installation, the NETGEAR USB Control Center prompts you to select a language:

3. Select a language from the list and click the OK button.

Share a USB Printer

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

The NETGEAR USB Control Center displays the main screen.

Some firewall software, such as Comodo, blocks NETGEAR USB Control Center from accessing the USB printer. If you do not see the USB printer displayed in the screen, you can disable the firewall temporarily to allow the utility to work.

4. Select the printer and click the Connect button.

The printer status changes to Manually connected by Mycomputer. Now computer can use the printer.

5. Click the Disconnect button.

The status changes to Available. Now all computers on the network can use the printer.

6. T

o exit the utility, select System > Exit.

, only your

Use the Shared Printer

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 manually connect and print:

1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon .

The main screen displays.

2. Click the Connect button.

The printer status changes to Manually connected by Mycomputer. Now only the computer you are using can use this printer

3. Use the print feature in your application to print your document.

4. T

o release the printer so that all computers on the network can use it, click the Disconnect

button.

Share a USB Printer

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

 To print and release the printer to any computer on the network:

1. T

o print your document, use the print feature in your application.

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.

2. If your document does not print, use the NETGEAR USB Control Center to check the status.

See View or Change the Status of a Printer on page 94.

View or Change the Status of a Printer

 To view or change the status:

1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon .

The main screen displays.

The Status column shows the status for each device:

• A

vailable. No print jobs are in progress. You can use the USB printer from any

computer in the network.

• Connected.

your print job is done.

• Manually Connected by. Only the connected computer can use the printer

• W

aiting to Connect. Your computer is not connected to the shared printer yet.

2. T

o print from your computer when the status shows Manually connected by another

computer, click the Disconnect button.

The printer is released from the connection and the status changes to Available.

3. T

o print from your computer when the status shows Waiting to Connect:

a. Click the Connect button.

The printer status changes to Manually connected by Mycomputer. Now computer can use the printer.

b. To allow the printer to be shared, click the Disconnect button.

The printer is released from the connection and the status changes to Available.

Your computer is connected to the printer and will be released when

, only your

Share a USB Printer

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer

If your USB printer supports scanning, you can also use the USB printer for scanning. For example, the USB printer displayed in the Windows Printers and Faxes window is ready for print jobs.

 To use the scan feature of a multifunction USB printer:

1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon

The main screen displays.

2. Make sure that the printer status shows as Available.

3. C

lick the Network Scanner button.

The scanner screen displays so that you can use the USB printer for scanning.

Share a USB Printer

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings

You can stop the NETGEAR USB Control Center from starting automatically when you log in to Windows. You can also change the language and specify the time-out to release the printer connection.

 To turn off automatic NETGEAR USB Control Center startup:

1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon .

The main screen displays.

2. Select Tools > Configuration.

3. Clear the Automatically execute when logging on W

4. Click the OK button.

Your change is saved.

 To change the language:

indows check box.

1. Select T

2. In the Language list, select a language.

3. Click the OK button.

The next time NETGEAR USB Control Center starts, the language changes.

ools > Configuration.

Share a USB Printer

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

 To specify the time-out:

1. Select Tools > Configuration.

2. In the Timeout field, type the number of minutes.

The time-out is the number of minutes that a computer holds its connection to the printer when the connection isn’t being used.

3. Click the OK button.

Your change is saved.

Share a USB Printer

10. Manage Your Network

This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and

home network.

This chapter includes the following sections:

• Update the Router Firmware

• Change the admin Password

• Recover the admin Password

• View Router Status

• View and Manage Logs of Router Activity

• Monitor Internet Traffic

• Custom Static Routes

• View Devices Currently on the Network

• Manage the Router Configuration File

• Remote Management

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Update the Router Firmware

The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory. You might see a message at the top of the genie screens 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.

 To check for new firmware and update your 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.

4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Firmware Update.

The Router Update screen displays.

5. Click the Check button.

The router finds new firmware information if any is available and displays a message asking if you want to download and install it.

6. 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 upgrade. 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 upgrade process typically takes about one minute. Read the new firmware release notes to find out if you need to reconfigure the router after upgrading.

Manage Your Network

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Change the admin Password

This feature let you 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.

Note: Be sure to change the password for the user name admin to a secure

password. The 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 set the password for the user name admin:

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. Type the old password, and type the new password twice.

6. T

o be able to recover the password, select the Enable Password Recovery check box.

NETGEAR recommends that you enable password recovery.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your changes take effect.

ANCED > Administration > Set Password.

The default password is password. The user name and

Recover the admin Password

NETGEAR recommends that you enable password recovery if you change the password for the router user name admin. Then you can recover the password if it is forgotten. This

Manage Your Network

100

NETGEAR R7500 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Nighthawk X4 AC2350 Smart WiFi Router

Contents

1. Hardware Setup

Unpack Your Router

Top View

Rear Panel

Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch

Attach the Antennas

USB Ports on the Left Panel

eSATA Port on the Right Panel

Connect an eSATA Device

Position Your Router

Cable Your Router

Connect to the Network

Wired Connection

WiFi Connection

Label

Types of Logins

Use a Web Browser to Access the Router

NETGEAR genie Automatic Internet Setup

Log In to the Router

Change the Language

Access the Router with NETGEAR genie Apps

3. 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

4. Optimize Performance

Use Dynamic QoS to Optimize Internet Traffic Management

Enable Dynamic QoS

Enable or Disable the Automatic QoS Database Update

Manually Update the Dynamic QoS Database

Participate in Dynamic QoS Analytics

Improve Network Connections with Universal Plug and Play

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service

5. Control Access to the Internet

Set Up Parental Controls

Allow or Block Access to Your Network

Manage Network Access Control Lists

Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites

Delete Keywords from the Blocked List

Block Services from the Internet

Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services

Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer

Set Up Security Event Email Notifications

Connect an eSATA Device to the Router

USB Device Requirements

Connect a USB Device to the Router

Access an Storage Device Connected to the Router

Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Drive

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 Storage Device

Control Access to a Storage Device

Use FTP Within the Network

View Network Folders on a Device

Add a Network Folder on a Storage Device

Edit a Network Folder on a Storage Device

Approve USB Devices

Safely Remove a USB Device

• Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Access Storage Devices Through the Internet

Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet