Netgear WAC124 User Manual

User Manual

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router

Model WAC124

NETGEAR, Inc.

350 E. Plumeria DriveDecember 2018 San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-11885-02

AC2000 802.11ac

Support

Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit https://www.netgear.com/support/ to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR support resources.

Compliance and Conformity

For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

Do not use this device outdoors. If you connect cables or devices that are outdoors to this device, see http://kb.netgear.com/000057103 for safety and warranty information.

Trademarks

Revision History

Number

CommentsPublish DatePublication Part

First publication.December 2018202-11885-02

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview of the Access Point/Router

Top panel with LEDs...........................................................................12

Back panel with ports, buttons, and a power connector...............13

Position the antennas for best WiFi performance..........................14

Access point/router label..................................................................14

Chapter 2 Install and Access the Access Point/Router in Your Network

Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in

for the first time...................................................................................17

Update the access point/router firmware if you cannot complete

the initial log-in process.....................................................................21

About router mode............................................................................22

Use the access point/router in router mode...................................23

Internet.................................................................................................26

Internet.................................................................................................28

Use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app to discover the access

point/router.........................................................................................29

Find the IP address of the access point/router...............................29

Change the language........................................................................31

Change the local login admin password.........................................32

Set up password recovery for the local login admin user name...33 Connect a wired or WiFi device to the access point/router’s network

after installation...................................................................................34

Connect to the access point/router through an Ethernet

cable................................................................................................34

Use Wi-Fi Protected Setup to join the WiFi network of the access

point/router....................................................................................35

Manually join the WiFi network of the access point/router......36

Chapter 3 Specify the Access Point/Router Internet Settings Manually

Use the Internet Setup Wizard..........................................................38

Access point mode: Specify a fixed LAN IP address......................39

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Router mode: Manually set up the access point/router Internet

connection...........................................................................................40

Router mode: Specify a dynamic or fixed WAN IP address Internet

connection without a login...........................................................40

Router mode: Specify a PPPoE Internet connection that uses a

Router mode: Specify a PPTP or L2TP Internet connection that

uses a login.....................................................................................44

Router mode: Specify an IPv6 Internet connection........................46

Router mode: Requirements for entering IPv6 addresses.......47

Router mode: Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet

connection......................................................................................47

Router mode: Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet

connection......................................................................................49

Router mode: Set up an IPv6 6to4 tunnel Internet connection.51

Router mode: Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection..............52

Router mode: Set up an IPv6 passthrough Internet

connection......................................................................................54

Router mode: Set up an IPv6 fixed Internet connection...........55

Router mode: Set up an IPv6 DHCP Internet connection.........57

Router mode: Set up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet connection........58

Chapter 4 Manage the Basic WiFi and Radio Features

Set up or change an open or secure WiFi network........................62

Configure WPA and WPA2 Enterprise WiFi security.....................65

Disable or enable a WiFi network....................................................67

Hide or broadcast the SSID for a WiFi network..............................68

Enable or disable the WiFi radios.....................................................69

Use WPS to add a device to the WiFi network................................70

Use WPS with the push button method......................................70

Use WPS with the PIN method.....................................................72

Chapter 5 Manage the Firewall and Security

Router mode: Manage the basic firewall settings..........................75

Router mode: Manage port scan protection and denial of service

protection........................................................................................75

Router mode: Set up a default DMZ server................................76

Router mode: Manage IGMP proxying.......................................77

Router mode: Manage NAT filtering...........................................78

Router mode: Manage the SIP application-level gateway........79

Router mode: Manage VPN pass-through..................................80

Allow or block device access to your network................................81

Enable and manage network access control..............................81

Manage network access control lists...........................................82

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Add or remove a device from the allowed list...........................83

Add or remove a device from the blocked list...........................84

Router mode: Specify keywords and domains to block Internet

sites.......................................................................................................85

Router mode: Set up keyword and domain blocking...............85

Router mode: Specify a trusted device.......................................87

Router mode: Remove a keyword or domain from the blocked

list.....................................................................................................88

Router mode: Remove all keywords and domains from the

blocked list......................................................................................89

Router mode: Block specific services and applications from the

Internet.................................................................................................89

Router mode: Add a service blocking rule for a predefined service

or application..................................................................................90

Router mode: Add a service blocking rule for a custom service

or application..................................................................................91

Router mode: Change a service blocking rule..........................93

Router mode: Remove a service blocking rule..........................94

Router mode: Set up a schedule for blocking................................95

Set up security event email notifications.........................................96

Chapter 6 Optimize Performance

Optimize traffic with the default QoS rules...................................100

Manage default and custom QoS rules.........................................101

Add a custom QoS rule for a service or application...............101

Add a custom QoS rule for a device.........................................102

Change a QoS rule or change the priority for a rule...............103

Remove a QoS rule......................................................................104

Remove all QoS rules..................................................................105

Manage uplink bandwidth control.................................................106

Manage WiFi Multimedia (WMM) for a radio...............................107

Improve network connections with Universal Plug and Play......108

Chapter 7 Manage the Network Settings

Router mode: Manage the LAN IP address settings....................112

Router mode: Change the access point/router network device

name..............................................................................................112

Router mode: Change the LAN IP address and subnet

settings..........................................................................................113

Router mode: Manage the DHCP server address pool..........114

Router mode: Disable the DHCP server...................................116

Router mode: Manage the Router Information Protocol

settings..........................................................................................117

Router mode: Manage reserved LAN IP addresses.....................118

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Router mode: Reserve a LAN IP Address.................................118

Router mode: Change a reserved LAN IP address.................119

Router mode: Remove a reserved LAN IP address entry.......120

Add and manage IPv4 static routes...............................................121

Add an IPv4 static route..............................................................122

Change an IPv4 static route........................................................123

Remove an IPv4 static route.......................................................124

Router mode: Enable an IPTV bridge for a port group or VLAN tag

group.................................................................................................125

Router mode: Enable an IPTV bridge for a port group..........125

Router mode: Enable an IPTV bridge for a VLAN tag group..126

Router mode: Change the MTU size..............................................128

Chapter 8 Maintain and Monitor the Access Point/Router

Update the firmware of the access point/router..........................132

Let the access point/router check for new firmware and update

the firmware..................................................................................132

Check for new firmware manually and update the access

point/router manually.................................................................133

Manage the configuration file of the access point/router...........135

Back up the access point/router configuration file.................135

Restore the access point/router configuration settings..........136

Recover the local login admin password......................................137

Return the access point/router to its factory default settings.....138

Use the Reset button...................................................................138

Erase the settings to factory default settings...........................139

Manage the time settings................................................................140

Manually set the time zone and adjust the daylight saving

time................................................................................................140

Change the NTP server...............................................................141

Manage the activity log...................................................................142

Specify which activities the access point/router logs..............142

View, send, or clear the logs......................................................143

View the status and statistics of the access point/router.............144

Access point mode: View information about the access

point/router, LAN port, and WiFi settings................................144

Router mode: View information about the access point/router,

Internet port, and WiFi settings.................................................147

Check the Internet connection status........................................150

Display Internet port statistics....................................................152

View devices currently on the access point/router network...153

Router mode: Monitor and meter Internet traffic.........................155

Router mode: Start the traffic meter without traffic restrictions.155

Router mode: Restrict Internet traffic by volume.....................156

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Router mode: Restrict Internet traffic by connection time.....158

Router mode: View the Internet traffic volume and statistics..159

Router mode: Unblock the traffic meter after the traffic limit is

reached.........................................................................................160

Router mode: Manage and use remote access............................161

Router mode: Set up remote management for the access

point/router..................................................................................161

Router mode: Use remote access..............................................163

Change the system mode to router mode or back to access point

mode..................................................................................................163

Disable LED blinking or turn off LEDs............................................165

Chapter 9 Share a USB Storage Device Attached to the Access Point/Router

USB device requirements................................................................167

Connect a USB storage device to the access point/router.........167

Access a USB storage device that is connected to the access

point/router.......................................................................................168

Access a USB storage device from a Windows-based

computer......................................................................................168

Access a USB storage device from a Mac.................................168

Map a USB storage device to a Windows network drive............169

Back up a Windows-based computer with ReadySHARE Vault...170

Back up a Mac with Time Machine.................................................171

Set up a USB hard disk drive on a Mac.....................................171

Prepare to back up a large amount of data..............................172

Use Time Machine to back up onto a USB hard disk drive....172

Manage access to a USB storage device.......................................174

Enable FTP access within the access point/router network........176

View and manage network folders on a USB storage device.....178

View network folders on a USB storage device.......................178

Add a network folder on a USB storage device.......................179

Change a network folder on a USB storage device................180

Router mode: Approve a USB storage device.............................181

Safely remove a USB storage device.............................................182

Chapter 10 Use the Access Point/Router as a Media Server

Specify ReadyDLNA media server settings...................................185

Play music from a storage device with iTunes server..................186

Set up the access point/router’s iTunes server with iTunes....186

Set up the access point/router’s iTunes server with the Remote

app.................................................................................................188

Set up the access point/router to work with TiVo........................190

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Chapter 11 Router Mode: Manage Dynamic DNS and FTP Access Through the Internet

Router mode: Set up and manage Dynamic DNS.......................192

Router mode: Set up a new Dynamic DNS account................192

Router mode: Specify a DNS account that you already

created..........................................................................................193

Router mode: Change the Dynamic DNS settings..................194

Router mode: Use DDNS with FTP to access your network........195

Router mode: Overview of the steps to set up an FTP server with

DDNS.............................................................................................195

Router mode: Set up FTP access through the Internet on the

access point/router......................................................................196

Router mode: Use FTP to access a storage device over the

Internet..........................................................................................197

Chapter 12 Router Mode: Set up VPN Connections with OpenVPN

Router mode: Enable and configure OpenVPN and VPN client access

on the access point/router..............................................................200

Router mode: Install OpenVPN client software on a remote

client...................................................................................................201

Router mode: Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN

configuration files on a Windows-based computer................202

Router mode: Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN

configuration files on a Mac.......................................................203

Router mode: Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN

configuration files on an iOS device.........................................204

Router mode: Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN

configuration files on an Android device.................................205

Router mode: Set up an OpenVPN connection...........................207

Router mode: Manage VPN access to your network or Internet

service at your office or home....................................................207

Router mode: Use a VPN tunnel to access your Internet service

at your office or home.................................................................208

Chapter 13 Manage the Advanced WiFi and Radio Features

Add a WiFi schedule for a radio.....................................................210

Change the channel for a radio......................................................211

Change the WiFi throughput mode for a radio band.................212

Change the transmission output power for a radio.....................214

Manage advanced WiFi and broadcast settings..........................215

Manage the WPS settings...............................................................216

Specify how the access point/router manages WiFi clients........218

Manage Implicit Beamforming..................................................218

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Manage MU-MIMO......................................................................219

Manage Airtime Fairness............................................................220

Set Up a WiFi bridge between the access/point router and another

device.................................................................................................221

Chapter 14 Router Mode: Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering

Router mode: Manage port forwarding to a local server for services

and applications...............................................................................225

Router mode: Forward incoming traffic for a default service or

application....................................................................................225

Router mode: Add a port forwarding rule for a custom service

or application...............................................................................226

Router mode: Change a port forwarding rule.........................228

Router mode: Remove a port forwarding rule.........................229

Router mode application example: Make a local web server

public.............................................................................................230

Router mode: How the access/point router implements a port

forwarding rule.............................................................................230

Router mode: Manage port triggering for services and

applications.......................................................................................231

Router mode: Add a port triggering rule.................................232

Router mode: Change a port triggering rule...........................233

Router mode: Remove a port triggering rule..........................234

Router mode: Specify the time-out for port triggering...........235

Router mode: Disable port triggering......................................236

Router mode application example: Port triggering for Internet

Relay Chat.....................................................................................237

Chapter 15 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

Reboot the access point/router from its local browser interface.240

Quick tips...........................................................................................241

Router mode: Sequence to restart your access point/router

network.........................................................................................241

Check the Ethernet cable connections.....................................241

Check the WiFi settings of your computer or mobile device..241

Check the DHCP network settings of your computer or mobile

device............................................................................................242

Standard LED behavior when the access point/router is powered

on........................................................................................................242

Troubleshoot with the LEDs............................................................243

Power LED is off...........................................................................243

Power LED stays blinking green................................................243

Access point mode: Internet LED is off.....................................244

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Router mode: Internet LED is off...............................................244

WiFi LED Is Off.............................................................................245

You cannot log in to the access point/router...............................245

Access point mode: You cannot log in to the access

point/router..................................................................................245

Router mode: You cannot log in to the access point/router...247

Router mode: You cannot access the Internet.............................248

Router mode: Check the Internet WAN IP address.................248

Router mode: Check or manually start the PPPoE connection.250

Troubleshoot Internet browsing.....................................................251

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity...............................................252

Changes are not saved....................................................................253

Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility of your

computer...........................................................................................253

Test the LAN path from your computer to the access

point/router..................................................................................253

Router mode: Test the path from your computer to a remote

device............................................................................................254

Appendix A Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications

Factory default settings...................................................................257

Technical specifications...................................................................259

Appendix B Position and Wall-Mount the Access Point/Router

Position the access point/router.....................................................262

Wall-mount the access point/router..............................................263

Hardware Overview of the Access Point/Router

The NETGEAR AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router Model WAC124, in this manual referred to as the access point/router, supports dual-band concurrent operation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with combined throughput of 2000 Mbps (300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 1700 Mbps at 5 GHz). The access point/router is designed to function in a small office network or home network.

You can use the access point/router in access point mode with its router features disabled, connected to an existing router in your network. You can also use the access point/router in router mode with its router features enabled, directly connected to an Internet modem.

The chapter contains the following sections:

• Top panel with LEDs

• Back panel with ports, buttons, and a power connector

• Position the antennas for best WiFi performance

• Access point/router label

Important: By default, the access point/router is in access point mode with its DHCP client enabled and must get an IP address from another router in your network. For the

initial log-in process, also called single sign-on (SSO), the access point/router must connect to the Internet and you must log in with a MyNETGEAR account. (You can create an account during the log-in process.) After you complete the initial log-in process, you can change the mode to router mode and also change the settings offline.

Note: For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear.com/support/.

Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time to time at netgear.com/support/download/. You can check for and download new

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

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Top panel with LEDs

The four status LEDs are located on the top panel of the access point/router. From left to right, the top panel contains the Power LED, Internet LED, WiFi LED, and USB LED.

Figure 1. Top panel with LEDs

Table 1. LED descriptions

DescriptionLED

Power

Internet

Solid green. The access point/router is ready.

Solid green temporarily, blinking green temporarily, and finally solid green. The

access point/router is starting or was reset to factory default settings and is restarting. For more information about resetting the access point/router to factory default settings, see Return the access point/router to its factory default settings on page 138.

Blinking green. The access point/router is starting or upgrading firmware. If the Power LED is blinking green at any other time, see Power LED stays blinking green on page

243.

Off. Power is not supplied to the access point/router.

Solid green or blinking green. An Internet connection is established.

Off. No Internet connection is established. For more information, see Access point

mode: Internet LED is off on page 244 (access point mode is the default system mode) or Router mode: Internet LED is off on page 244.

Access Point/Router

User Manual12Hardware Overview of the

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued)

DescriptionLED

WiFi

USB

Solid green. One or both WiFi radios are operating.

Blinking green. One or both WiFi radios are sending or receiving traffic.

Blinking green slowly. Someone pressed the WPS button.

Off. Both WiFi radios are off. For more information, see WiFi LED Is Off on page 245.

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

Off. No USB device is connected.

Back panel with ports, buttons, and a power connector

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

Figure 2. Access point/router back panel

Access Point/Router

User Manual13Hardware Overview of the

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Viewed from left to right, the back panel contains the following components:

USB 2.0 port. One USB 2.0 port to connect a storage device or printer to the access

• point/router.

LAN ports 4 through 1. Four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports numbered LAN4

• through LAN1 to connect the access point/router to Ethernet devices such as a computer and a switch.

Internet port. One Internet (WAN) port to connect the access point/router to a

• router, network switch, or network hub in your network (see Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17). This port must provide the Internet connection to the access point/router. If you want to use the access point/router in router mode, do not connect this port to an Internet modem until after you complete the initial log-in process (see Use the access point/router in router mode on page 23).

WPS button. Press the WPS button to join the access point/router’s WiFi network

• without typing the WiFi password. For more information, see Use WPS to add a device to the WiFi network on page 70.

Reset button. Press the Reset button to reset the access point/router to factory

• default settings. For more information, see Use the Reset button on page 138.

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

• access point/router.

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

• to the DC power connector.

Position the antennas for best WiFi performance

You can swivel the three access point/router antennas in any direction. For best WiFi performance, we recommend that you experiment with various antenna positions. For example, you could position the center antenna vertically and aim the other two antennas outward at 45-degree angles.

Access point/router label

The access point/router label on the bottom panel of the access point/router shows the default login information, default WiFi network name (SSID), default WiFi passphrase, serial number and MAC address of the access point/router, and other information.

User Manual14Hardware Overview of the

Access Point/Router

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Figure 3. Access point/router label

Access Point/Router

User Manual15Hardware Overview of the

Install and Access the Access Point/Router in Your Network

This chapter describes how you can install and access the access point/router in your network and go through the initial log-in process, also referred to as single sign-on (SSO). By default, the access point/router is in access point mode. You can also change the mode to router mode.

The chapter contains the following sections:

• Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time

• Update the access point/router firmware if you cannot complete the initial log-in process

• About router mode

• Use the access point/router in router mode

• Log in to the access point/router when it is connected to the Internet

• Log in to the access point/router when it is not connected to the Internet

• Use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app to discover the access point/router

• Find the IP address of the access point/router

• Change the language

• Change the local login admin password

• Set up password recovery for the local login admin user name

• Connect a wired or WiFi device to the access point/router’s network after installation

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time

By default, the access point/router is in access point mode and functions as a WiFi access point and LAN switch for Internet access. Basically, in access point mode, the access point/router functions as a bridge between your existing router and the access point/router’s LAN and WiFi clients. The access point/router, LAN clients, and WiFi clients receive an IP address from or through your existing router.

Note: For the initial log-in process, do not directly connect the access point/router to an Internet modem.

For the initial log-in process, also referred to as single sign-on (SSO), the following are required:

The access point/router must be in its default access point mode.

•

The access point/router must be connected to the Internet through an existing router

• in your network.

You must log in with a MyNETGEAR account. If you do not have a MyNETGEAR

• account, you must create one during the initial log-in process.

If you want, after you complete the initial log-in process, you can change the mode to router mode and connect the access point/router to an Internet modem (see Use the access point/router in router mode on page 23). Certain features are supported only in router mode, for example, routing services such as NAT and the DHCP server.

The easiest way to set up and start using the access point/router is to connect it to your router, either directly, or through a switch or hub (almost any router functions as a DHCP server). If your network includes an independent DHCP server, connect the access point/router to a switch or hub that is connected to the DHCP server. When you log in to the access point/router, you connect to the local browser–based management interface, in this manual referred to as the local browser interface.

Point/Router in Your Network

User Manual17Install and Access the Access

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Figure 4. Connect the access point/router to another router in your network

To connect the access point/router to a router and log in to the local browser interface for the first time:

1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the yellow Internet (WAN) port on the access point/router.

Connect the other end of the cable to a LAN port on your router (or switch or hub that is connected to a DHCP server).

3. Power on the access point/router and check to see that the LEDs light.

DescriptionLED

Power

Internet

The Power LED lights solid green, then blinks green, and then lights solid green again

when the startup procedure is finished. This process takes about 90 seconds. If the

Power LED does not light at all, press the Power On/Off button on the back panel.

The Internet LED blinks green or lights solid green when the Internet connection is

established.

The WiFi LED lights solid green.WiFi

Important: Be sure that the access point/router is connected to the Internet before you continue. (The Internet LED must blink green or light solid green.)

Connect over WiFi. On a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, find and

•

connect to the access point/router’s WiFi network. The default SSID is NETGEAR-1. The default passphrase is sharedsecret.

Point/Router in Your Network

User Manual18Install and Access the Access

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Connect over Ethernet to the same network. Using an Ethernet cable, connect

•

the LAN port on your computer to the same router that the access point/router is connected to. You can connect your computer either directly or through a switch or hub to the router.

Connect over Ethernet directly to the access point/router. Using an Ethernet

•

cable, connect the LAN port on your computer directly to any of the four LANs port on the access point/router.

Launch a web browser and enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. The Sign-In page displays.

Note: If the Sign-In page does not display, see Access point mode: You cannot log in to the access point/router on page 245.

If the Sign-In page displays the ! A new firmware upgrade is available. Click here to get it. button, do the following:

Click the ! A new firmware upgrade is available. Click here to get it. button. The access point/router finds the new firmware information and displays a message asking if you want to download and install it.

Click the Yes button. The access point/router locates and downloads the firmware and begins the update. The Firmware Upgrade Assistant page displays while the firmware of the access point/router is being updated. During the update, do not turn off the power or press the Reset button. The update process takes about three minutes, after which the access point/router restarts.

If the Sign-In page does not display, launch a web browser and enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field.

Depending on whether you already own a MyNETGEAR account, do one of the following:

You already own a MyNETGEAR account. Do the following:

•

Click the Login button. The NETGEAR Account Login page displays.

Enter your registered email address and password and click the LOG IN button.

Point/Router in Your Network

User Manual19Install and Access the Access

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

You do not yet own a free MyNETGEAR account. Do the following:

•

Click the Create button. The Create NETGEAR Account page displays.

b. Set up a new account.

c. Log in with your MyNETGEAR registered email address and password.

Note: If the NETGEAR Account Login page or Create NETGEAR Account page does not display, if you cannot sign in to your existing MyNETGEAR account or create a new MyNETGEAR account, or if you encounter any other problem that prevents you from completing the initial log-in process, you first might need to reset the access point/router to factory default settings and then update the firmware (see Update the access point/router firmware if you cannot complete the initial log-in process on page 21. After you do so, if you still encounter problems, see Troubleshoot Internet browsing on page 251.

After you successfully log in to your MyNETGEAR account, the access point/router is registered with NETGEAR.

The BASIC Home page of the access point/router displays. You can now change the settings of the access point/router.

If new firmware is available, the BASIC Home page displays the ! A new firmware update available, Click here to get it. button. For information about how to update the firmware, see Step 9.

Whether or not new firmware is available, do the following: a.

Select ADVANCED. The ADVANCED Home page of the access point/router displays. The LAN Port pane shows the IP address that is now assigned to the access point/router.

Write down the LAN IP address of the access point/router for later use. You must use this IP address if you plan to connect to the same network as the access point/router but not directly to the access point/router network. If you are directly connected to the access point/router network, you can use http://www.routerlogin.net.

If new firmware is available, do the following to update the firmware: a.

Select BASIC. The BASIC Home page displays again.

Point/Router in Your Network

User Manual20Install and Access the Access

AC2000 802.11ac Wireless Access Point/Router WAC124

Update the access point/router firmware if you cannot complete the initial log-in process

During the initial log-in process, if the NETGEAR Account Login page or Create NETGEAR Account page does not display, if you cannot sign in to your existing MyNETGEAR account or create a new MyNETGEAR account, or if you encounter any other problem that prevents you from completing the initial log-in process, you first might need to reset the access point/router to factory default settings. Then, without logging in to your existing MyNETGEAR account or creating a new MyNETGEAR account, you can update the access point/router firmware (if new firmware is available).

After you update the firmware, you can log in to your existing MyNETGEAR account or create a new MyNETGEAR account and complete the initial log-in process.

To reset the access point/router to factory default settings and update the firmware if you cannot complete the initial log-in process:

1. Be sure that the access point/router is still connected to the Internet.

Note: If you did not change the connection setup of the access point/router as described in Step 1 through Step 4 of Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17, the access point/router is still connected to the Internet.

Reset the access point/router to factory default settings by doing the following: a.

On the back of the access point/router, locate the Reset button.

Using a straightened paper clip, press and hold the recessed Reset button until the Power LED lights yellow, which takes about five seconds.

Release the Reset button.

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The Power LED starts blinking yellow and the configuration is reset to factory default settings. When the reset is complete, the access point/router reboots and connects to the NETGEAR server to detect if new firmware is available. The entire process of resetting, rebooting, and detecting firmware takes about three minutes.

Caution: After the access point/router reboots, wait at least one more minute.

If you log in too early, the access point/router might not yet have completed the firmware detection process.

Launch a web browser and enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. The Sign-In page displays.

If the Sign-In page now displays the ! A new firmware upgrade is available. Click here to get it. button, do the following:

If the Sign-In page does not display, launch a web browser and enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field.

Continue with Step 7 of Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17 and complete the initial log-in process.

About router mode

By default, the access point/router is in access point mode and functions as a WiFi access point and LAN switch for Internet access. After initial log-in, you can change the mode of the access point/router to router mode, connect the access point/router directly to an Internet modem such as a cable or DSL modem, and log back in to the access point/router.

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Important: Only after you complete the initial log-in process in access point mode (see

Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17), can you change the system mode to router mode and connect the access point/router to an Internet modem.

The following features are supported in router mode (and are disabled in access point mode):

Internet settings, including an IP address issued through dynamic DHCP (the default

• setting), a manually specified static IP address, an IP address issued through PPPoE,

L2TP, or PPTP, and various ways to implement an IPv6 address.

WAN settings, including routing services such as NAT.

•

LAN settings, including a DHCP server.

•

Internet security settings, including the option to block sites and services, and the

• option to set up port forwarding and port triggering rules.

VPN service.

•

Remote management.

•

Advanced USB settings.

•

Internet traffic meter.

•

VLAN or bridge tag group for an IPVT device.

•

Note: If the access point/router is in router mode, you can always reach the local browser

interface by entering http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field of your browser.

For information about changing the system mode of the access point/router from access point mode to router mode, see Use the access point/router in router mode on page 23 or, after initial setup, Change the system mode to router mode or back to access point mode on page 163.

Use the access point/router in router mode

When you set up the access point/router in router mode, the following applies:

If the WAN type of your Internet modem is dynamic DHCP, the access point/router

• automatically receives an IP address from your Internet service provider (ISP).

If the WAN type is PPPoE, L2TP, or PPTP, you must manually set up the Internet

• connection.

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Note: If you are not sure what the WAN type of your modem is, contact your ISP before

you start the following procedure.

Figure 5. Connect the access point/router in router mode to your Internet modem

To change to router mode, connect the access point/router directly to an Internet modem, and log back in to the local browser interface:

If you did not do so yet, follow the steps in Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17.

Note: Only after you complete the initial log-in process in access point mode, can you change the mode to router mode and connect the access point/router to an Internet modem.

The BASIC Home page displays.

Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Access Point. The Wireless Access Point page displays.

Clear the Enable Access Point Mode check box.

Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved and the access point/router restarts in router mode.

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

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

Disconnect the Ethernet cable that is connected to the yellow Internet port of the router and connect it directly to your modem.

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

8. Plug in and turn on the modem.

Connect over WiFi. On a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, find and

•

connect to the access point/router’s WiFi network. The default SSID is NETGEAR-1. The default passphrase is sharedsecret.

Connect over Ethernet directly to the access point/router. Using an Ethernet

•

cable, connect the LAN port on your computer directly to any of the four LANs port on the access point/router.

10. Depending on how the access point/router receives a WAN IP address, log back in to the router by doing the following:

The WAN type of the modem is dynamic DHCP. If the access point/router can

•

connect to the Internet, the access point/router automatically receives an IP address through the modem. The Internet LED lights solid green when the access point/router is connected to the Internet. Do the following:

Launch a web browser and enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. The Sign-In page displays. You are prompted to sign in with your NETGEAR account.

Click the Login button. The NETGEAR Account Login page displays.

Enter your registered email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The BASIC Home page displays. You can now change the router settings and other settings of the access point/router.

The WAN type of the modem is PPPoE, L2TP, or PPTP. The router cannot

•

automatically connect to the Internet and receive an IP address through the modem. Do the following:

Launch a web browser and enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. The Sign-In page displays. You are prompted to sign in with the local login credentials.

If you did not yet change the default password, enter admin as the user name and password as the password. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

Click the Login button. The BASIC Home page displays.

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Select ADVANCED > Setup Wizard. The Setup Wizard page displays.

Click the Next button.

f. During the Internet connection setup process, follow the prompts and provide

the required PPPoE, L2TP, or PPTP information. The Internet LED lights solid green when the access point/router is connected to the Internet.

When you are prompted, change your admin password for local login and set up password recovery. The BASIC Home page displays. You can now change the router settings and other settings of the access point/router.

11.

Clear the cache of your browser. In router mode, the access point/router functions with a different IP address than in

access point mode. Clearing the cache of your browser might prevent website connectivity problems.

If you experience connectivity problems, see one of the following sections:

Router mode: You cannot log in to the access point/router on page 247

•

Router mode: Manually set up the access point/router Internet connection on

•

page 40

Router mode: You cannot access the Internet on page 248

•

Troubleshoot Internet browsing on page 251

•

Log in to the access point/router when it is connected to the Internet

If the access point/router is connected to the Internet, you must use the registered email address and password for your NETGEAR account.

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Note: You can log in even if the access point/router is not connected to the Internet.

In such as situation, you must use the local login admin user name and default password (see Log in to the access point/router when it is not connected to the Internet on page

28).

To log in to the access point/router when it is connected to the Internet:

Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected either directly to the access point/router network or to the same network as the access point/router.

A direct connection to the access point/router network, which is the most common type of setup, can be through WiFi or over Ethernet:

WiFi. A connection from a computer or mobile device to a WiFi network on the

•

access point/router.

Ethernet. A connection from a computer over an Ethernet cable to one of the

•

LAN ports on the access point/router, either with or without a switch or hub between the computer and the access point/router.

Do one of the following:

Directly connected. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field.

•

Connected to the same network but not directly connected. Enter the IP

•

address that was assigned to the access point/router by your existing router during the setup process. If you do no know the IP address, see Find the IP address of the access point/router on page 29.

The Sign-In page displays. You are prompted to sign in with your NETGEAR account.

Click the Login button. The NETGEAR Account Login page displays.

Enter your registered email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The BASIC Home page of the local browser interface displays. You can now change

the settings of the access point/router.

The BASIC Home page displays a dashboard that lets you see the status of your access point/router at a glance.

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Log in to the access point/router when it is not connected to the Internet

After you connected to the access point/router and logged in for the first time (see Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17), you can log in again, even if the access point/router is not connected to the Internet. In such a situation, use the local login admin user name and default password, which are different from the registered email address and password for your NETGEAR account.

Note: Use the registered email address and password for your NETGEAR account only when the access point/router is connected to the Internet (see Log in to the access

point/router when it is connected to the Internet on page 26).

To log in to the access point/router when it is not connected to the Internet:

Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected either directly to the access point/router network or to the same network as the access point/router.

A direct connection to the access point/router network, which is the most common type of setup, can be through WiFi or over Ethernet:

WiFi. A connection from a computer or mobile device to a WiFi network on the

•

access point/router.

Ethernet. A connection from a computer over an Ethernet cable to one of the

•

LAN ports on the access point/router, either with or without a switch or hub between the computer and the access point/router.

2. Enter the IP address that was assigned to the access point/router by your existing router during the setup process.

If you do no know the IP address, see Find the IP address of the access point/router on page 29.

The Sign-In page displays. Because the access point/router is not connected to the Internet, you are prompted to sign in with the local login credentials.

If you did not yet change the default password, enter admin as the user name and password as the password.

The user name and password are case-sensitive.

For information about how to change the password for local login, see Change the local login admin password on page 32.

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Click the Login button. The BASIC Home page of the local browser interface displays. You can now change

the settings of the access point/router.

The BASIC Home page displays a dashboard that lets you see the status of your access point/router at a glance.

Use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app to discover the access point/router

The NETGEAR Insight mobile app lets you discover the access point/router in your network.

Note: Although you can use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app to register the access point/router, the access point/router is already registered automatically after the initial

log-in process.

To use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app to discover the access point/router in your network:

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

2. Connect your mobile device to the access point/router WiFi network.

3. Open the NETGEAR Insight mobile app.

Select LOG IN to log in to your existing NETGEAR account, which is the same account that you logged into or created during the initial log-in process.

After you log in to your account, the IP address of the access point/router displays in the device list.

Write down the IP address for future use.

Find the IP address of the access point/router

Under the following circumstances, you cannot use http://www.routerlogin.net to log in to the access point/router:

Your computer or mobile device is not directly connected to the access point/router

• network but to the same network as the access point/router.

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Your computer or mobile device is directly connected to the access point/router,

• but the access point/router is not connected to the Internet.

Your network includes another NETGEAR device that is also accessible by using

•

http://www.routerlogin.net. In such a situation, if you use

http://www.routerlogin.net, you might log in to the access point/router or you

might log in to the other NETGEAR device, depending on your network situation.

In these situations, to log in to the local browser interface of the access point/router, use the IP address that was assigned to the access point/router by your existing router during the setup process (see Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time on page 17).

If you do not know the IP address that was assigned to the access point/router, use one of the following options to find the IP address of the access point/router:

Only if the access point/router is connected to the Internet, do one of the following:

•

Option 1. Temporarily connect directly and log in. Temporarily connect a computer or mobile device directly through an Ethernet cable or over WiFi to the access point/router and do the following:

Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is directly connected to the access point/router network.

Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field.

Click the Login button. The NETGEAR Account Login page displays.

Enter your registered email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The BASIC Home page displays.

Select ADVANCED. The ADVANCED Home page displays

In the LAN Port pane, click the Connection Status button. The IP Address field displays the IP address that is assigned to the access point/router.

Option 2. Temporarily connect directly and ping the access point/router.

Temporarily connect a computer or mobile device directly through an Ethernet cable or over WiFi to the access point/router and send a ping to http://www.routerlogin.net. How to send a ping depends on your computer or mobile device. On your computer or mobile device, the field with the ping results displays the IP address that is assigned to the access point/router.

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Netgear WAC124 User Manual

Contents

Hardware Overview of the Access Point/Router

Top panel with LEDs

Back panel with ports, buttons, and a power connector

Position the antennas for best WiFi performance

Access point/router label

Install and Access the Access Point/Router in Your Network

Connect the access point/router to your existing router and log in for the first time

Update the access point/router firmware if you cannot complete the initial log-in process

About router mode

Use the access point/router in router mode

Log in to the access point/router when it is connected to the Internet

Log in to the access point/router when it is not connected to the Internet

Use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app to discover the access point/router

Find the IP address of the access point/router