Netgear WAC505 operation manual

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud

Wireless Access Point

User Manual

Model WAC505

September 2017 202-11757-01

350 E. Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Support

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

Conformity

For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.

Compliance

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

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

Trademarks

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview of the Access Point
Related Documentation.........................................................................................	8
Unpack the Access Point.......................................................................................	8
Top Panel With LEDs.............................................................................................	8
Back Panel...........................................................................................................	10
Product Label.......................................................................................................	11
Chapter 2 Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial
Configuration
Position Your Access Point...................................................................................	13
Set Up and Connect the Access Point to Your Network.......................................	14
Set Up the Access Point With a PoE Network Connection..............................	14
Set Up the Access Point With a Non-PoE Network Connection......................	15
Connect to the Access Point for Initial Configuration...........................................	15
Connect Over WiFi Using an iOS or Android Mobile Device...........................	16
Connect Over WiFi Using a WiFi-Enabled Computer or Mobile Device..........	17
Connect Over Ethernet Using a Computer Connected to the Same Network..20
Connect Over Ethernet Using a Directly Connected Computer......................	24
Log In to the Access Point After Initial Setup to View or Change Settings...........	28
Chapter 3 Manage the Basic WiFi and Radio Features
Set Up and Manage WiFi Networks.....................................................................	30
Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network........................................................	30
View or Change the Settings of a WiFi Network..............................................	34
Disable or Enable a WiFi Network...................................................................	35
Remove a WiFi Network..................................................................................	35
Enable or Disable Client Separation for a WiFi Network.................................	36
Hide or Broadcast the SSID for a WiFi Network..............................................	36
Enable or Disable Radio Resource Management for a WiFi Network.............	37
Enable or Disable Band Steering for a WiFi Network......................................	38
Change the RSSI Threshold for a WiFi Network.............................................	39
Change the VLAN ID for a WiFi Network.........................................................	40
Select a MAC ACL for a WiFi Network............................................................	40
Set Bandwidth Rate Limits for a WiFi Network................................................	41
Register the Access Point With Facebook Wi-Fi.............................................	42
Set Up a Captive Portal for a WiFi Network....................................................	43
Unregister the Access Point From Facebook Wi-Fi.........................................	46
Manage the Basic Radio Features.......................................................................	47
Manage the Basic Settings for the Radios......................................................	47
Turn a Radio On or Off....................................................................................	50
Change the WiFi Mode for a Radio.................................................................	51
Change the MCS Index and Data Rate for a Radio........................................	52

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Change the Channel Width for a Radio...........................................................	52
Change the Output Power for a Radio............................................................	53
Change the Guard Interval for a Radio...........................................................	54
Change the Channel for a Radio.....................................................................	55
Set Up a WiFi On/Off Schedule for the Radios...............................................	55
Manage Quality of Service for a WiFi Radio...................................................	56
Chapter 4 Manage the Advanced WiFi and Radio Features
Manage the Advanced Radio Features................................................................	59
Manage the Advanced WiFi Settings for the Radios.......................................	59
Manage the Maximum Number of Clients for a Radio....................................	61
Manage the Broadcast and Multicast Settings for a Radio.............................	62
Manage Load Balancing for the Radios..........................................................	63
Set Up a WiFi Bridge Between Access Points.....................................................	63
Chapter 5 Manage Access and Security
Block Specific URLs and Keywords for Internet Access......................................	68
Manage Local MAC Access Control Lists............................................................	69
Manually Set Up a MAC Access Control List..................................................	69
Import an Existing MAC Access Control List...................................................	71
Manage User Accounts........................................................................................	73
Add a User Account........................................................................................	73
Change the Settings for a User Account.........................................................	74
Remove a User Account.................................................................................	75
Manage Neighbor AP Detection..........................................................................	75
Enable Neighbor Access Points Detection and Move Access Points to the Known
AP List.............................................................................................................	76
Import an Existing Neighbor Access Point List in the Known AP List.............	78
Set Up RADIUS Servers......................................................................................	80
Chapter 6 Manage the Local Area Network and IP Settings
Disable the DHCP Client and Specify a Fixed IP Address...................................	83
Enable the DHCP Client......................................................................................	84
Set the 802.1Q VLAN and Management VLAN...................................................	85
Enable or Disable Spanning Tree Protocol...........................................................	87
Enable or Disable Network Integrity Check..........................................................	87
Enable or Disable IGMP Snooping......................................................................	88
Enable or Disable Ethernet LLDP........................................................................	89
Enable or Disable UPnP......................................................................................	89
Chapter 7 Manage and Maintain the Access Point
Change the Management Mode to Insight or Standalone Mode.........................	92
Change the Country or Region of Operation.......................................................	93
Change the Admin User Account Password........................................................	94
Change the System Name...................................................................................	94
Specify a Custom NTP Server.............................................................................	95
Set the Time Zone................................................................................................	96
Manage the Syslog Settings................................................................................	97

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Upgrade the Firmware of the Access Point..........................................................	97
Check for New Firmware and Upgrade the Access Point................................	98
Manually Download Firmware and Upgrade the Access Point........................	99
Use a TFTP Server to Upgrade the Access Point.........................................	100
Use an FTP Server to Upgrade the Access Point.........................................	101
Manage the Configuration File of the Access Point...........................................	102
Back Up the Access Point Configuration.......................................................	102
Restore the Access Point Configuration........................................................	102
Reboot the Access Point From the Local Browser Interface..............................	103
Return the Access Point to Its Factory Default Settings....................................	104
Use the Reset Button....................................................................................	104
Use the Local Browser Interface...................................................................	105
Enable or Disable Telnet....................................................................................	106
Enable or Disable Secure Shell.........................................................................	106
Enable SNMP and Manage the SNMP Settings................................................	107
Manage the LEDs..............................................................................................	108
Chapter 8 Monitor the Access Point and the Network
View the Access Point Internet, IP, and System Settings...................................	111
View the WiFi Radio Settings.............................................................................	113
View Unknown and Known Neighbor Access Points.........................................	115
View Client Distribution, Connected Clients, and Client Trends.........................	116
View WiFi and Ethernet Traffic, Traffic Statistics, and Channel Utilization..........	119
View, Save, Download, or Clear the Logs..........................................................	120
View a WiFi Bridge Connection..........................................................................	122
View Alarms and Notifications...........................................................................	122
Chapter 9 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Capture WiFi Packets.........................................................................................	125
Quick Tips for Troubleshooting...........................................................................	127
Troubleshoot With the LEDs...............................................................................	128
Power LED Is Off...........................................................................................	128
Power LED Remains Solid Amber.................................................................	129
Power LED Is Blinking Amber Continuously..................................................	129
Power LED Is Alternating Green and Amber.................................................	129
Activity LED Is Off.........................................................................................	129
2.4G or 5G WLAN LED Is Off........................................................................	130
LAN LED Is Off While a Switch Is Connected...............................................	130
Troubleshoot the WiFi Connectivity....................................................................	131
Troubleshoot Internet Browsing.........................................................................	131
You Cannot Log In to the Access Point Over a LAN Connection.......................	132
Changes Are Not Saved....................................................................................	132
Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility..............................................	132
Test the LAN Path to Your Access Point........................................................	133
Test the Path From Your Computer to a Remote Device...............................	133
Appendix A Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Settings.................................................................................................	136

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Technical Specifications.....................................................................................

139

Hardware Overview of the Access Point 1

The NETGEAR Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point (WAC505) 802.11 Wave 2 AC1200, in this manual referred to as the access point, supports dual-band concurrent operation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with combined throughput of 1.2 Gbps (300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps at 5 GHz).The access point supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) so that you can connected it to a PoE switch in an existing network. (An optional DC power adapter lets you connect the access point to a regular switch.)

The access point supports the NETGEAR Insight app, which lets you set up and manage the access point from your iOS or Android mobile device. However, this user manual describes local browser–based management interface, in this manual referred to as the local browser interface. For information about the NETGEAR Insight app, see the NETGEAR knowledge base articles at netgear.com/support.

This chapter contains the following sections:

•Related Documentation

•Unpack the Access Point

•Top Panel With LEDs

•Back Panel

•Product Label

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 downloadcenter.netgear.com. 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 guide, you might need to update your firmware.

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Unpack the Access Point

The package contains the access point, installation guide, ceiling and wall installation kit, and mounting installation guide. Because the access point supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), a power adapter is not included in the product package but is available as an option.

Top Panel With LEDs

The status LEDs are located on the top panel of the access point.

Figure 1. Status LEDs

Hardware Overview of the Access Point

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Table 1. LED descriptions

LED	Description
Power LED	Off. No power is supplied to the access point.
	Solid green. Power is supplied to the access point and the access point is ready.
	Solid amber. During startup, the Power LED lights solid amber. If after five minutes the amber
	light remains on, a boot error occurred.
	Blinking amber temporarily. The access point is upgrading firmware.
	Blinking amber continuously. The access point did not receive an IP address from a DHCP
	server.
	Alternating green and amber. The access point is receiving insufficient PoE power.
Activity LED	Off. No link with the network is detected.
	Solid green. A link with the network is detected.
	Blinking green. Network traffic is detected.
	Solid blue. The management mode is Insight but the switch is not connected to the cloud server.
LAN LED	Off. Either no powered-on Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port, or, if a powered-on Ethernet
	device is connected, no Ethernet link is detected.
	Solid amber. A 10 or 100 Mbps Ethernet link is detected on the LAN port.
	Solid green. A 1000 Mbps Ethernet link is detected on the LAN port.
2.4G WLAN LED	Off. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
	Solid green. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is on.
	Solid blue. One or more WLAN clients are connected to the 2.4 GHz WiFi radio.
	Blinking blue. Traffic is detected on the 2.4 GHz WiFi radio.
5G WLAN LED	Off. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off.
	Solid green. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is on.
	Solid blue. One or more WLAN clients are connected to the 5 GHz WiFi radio.
	Blinking blue. Traffic is detected on the 5 GHz WiFi radio.

Note For information about troubleshooting with the LEDs, see Troubleshoot With the LEDs on page 128.

Hardware Overview of the Access Point

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Back Panel

The back panel of the access point provides the DC power connector, LAN port, and Reset button.

Figure 2. Access point back panel

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

•DC power connector. If you do not use a PoE connection, connect an optional power adapter to the DC power connector.

•LAN port. One Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN port that supports PoE. Use the LAN port to connect the access point to a switch or PoE switch that is connected to a network router, which, in turn, must be connected to the Internet, for example, through an Internet modem. You can also use the LAN port to connect the access point to a computer for initial configuration.

•Reset button. Press the Reset button for about 2 seconds to reboot the access point or for more than 10 seconds to reset the access point to factory default settings. If you added the access point to a network on the Insight app before, you must first use the NETGEAR Insight app to remove the access point from your network before the factory default settings function of the Reset button is available. For more information, see Use the Reset Button on page 104.

For more information about the LAN port connection, see Set Up and Connect the Access Point to Your Network on page 14.

Hardware Overview of the Access Point

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Product Label

The product label on the bottom panel of the access point shows the serial number, MAC address, default WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and default login information of the access point.

Figure 3. Access point label

Hardware Overview of the Access Point

Install the Access Point in Your Network	2
and Access It for Initial Configuration

This chapter describes how you can install and access the access point in your network.

The chapter contains the following sections:

•Position Your Access Point

•Set Up and Connect the Access Point to Your Network

•Connect to the Access Point for Initial Configuration

•Log In to the Access Point After Initial Setup to View or Change Settings

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Position Your Access Point

Before you install your access point as described in the mounting installation guide, consider how you will position the access point.

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

Additionally, other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your access point’s signal. WiFi access points can be routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other devices that emit WiFi signals for network access.

Position your access point according to the following guidelines:

•Place your access point near the center of the area where your computers and other devices operate and within line of sight to your WiFi devices.

•If you use a power adapter, make sure that the access point is within reach of an AC power outlet.

•Place the access point in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings between the access point and your other devices.

•Place the access point away from electrical devices such as these:

-Ceiling fans

-Home security systems

-Microwaves

-Computers

-Base of a cordless phone

-2.4 GHz cordless phone

-5.8 GHz cordless phone

•Place the access point away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated walls, and items such as these:

-Solid metal door

-Aluminum studs

-Fish tanks

-Mirrors

-Brick

-Concrete

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

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Set Up and Connect the Access Point to Your Network

The access point is intended to function as a WiFi access point in your existing network. The following sections describe how you can connect the access point to your network:

•Set Up the Access Point With a PoE Network Connection on page 14

•Set Up the Access Point With a Non-PoE Network Connection on page 15

To set up your access point, follow the procedure in one of these sections.

Set Up the Access Point With a PoE Network Connection

You can connect the access point to a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch in your network and let WiFi clients connect to the access point and access your network and the Internet. The switch must be connected to a network router, which, in turn, must be connected to the Internet, for example, through an Internet modem. If you use a PoE connection, the access point does not require a power adapter.

Figure 4. Set up the access point with a PoE connection to your network

To set up the access point with a PoE connection to your network:

1.Connect an Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the access point.

2.Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to a PoE port on a PoE switch that is connected to your network and to the Internet.

The Power LED of the access point lights solid amber. After about one minute, if the access point is connected to a DHCP server, the Power LED turns solid green and the access point is ready for you to perform the initial configuration.

For information about accessing the access point for initial configuration, see Connect to the Access Point for Initial Configuration on page 15.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Set Up the Access Point With a Non-PoE Network Connection

You can connect the access point to a switch in your network and let WiFi clients connect to the access point and access your network and the Internet. The switch must be connected to a network router, which, in turn, must be connected to the Internet, for example, through an Internet modem. If you use a regular switch, that is, a non–Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch, the access point requires a power adapter, which is an option that you can purchase.

Figure 5. Set up the access point with a connection to your network

To set up the access point with a non-PoE connection to your network:

1.Connect an Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the access point.

2.Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to a switch that is connected to your network and to the Internet.

3.Connect the power adapter to the access point and plug it into an electrical outlet.

For information about accessing the access point for initial configuration, see Connect to the Access Point for Initial Configuration on page 15.

Connect to the Access Point for Initial Configuration

After you set up the access point, you can use several methods to connect to it for initial configuration.

You can either connect to the access point by using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device or by using the local browser interface. These two types of access are mutually exclusive.

The NETGEAR Insight app provides ease of access but lets you configure a limited number of features. The local browser interface lets you configure all features that are available on the access point.

For information about how you can connect to the access point by using the NETGEAR Insight app, see

Connect Over WiFi Using an iOS or Android Mobile Device on page 16.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

The following sections describe how you can connect to the access point by using the local browser interface (follow the procedure in one of these sections):

•Connect Over WiFi Using a WiFi-Enabled Computer or Mobile Device on page 17

•Connect Over Ethernet Using a Computer Connected to the Same Network on page 20

•Connect Over Ethernet Using a Directly Connected Computer on page 24

Note If your network does not include a DHCP server (or a router that functions as a DHCP server) and you do not perform the initial configuration of the access point as described in one of these sections, you can connect only two clients to the access point and the access point can provide an IP address to only two clients. To prevent this situation, make sure that you perform the initial configuration of the access point.

Connect Over WiFi Using an iOS or Android Mobile Device

You can install the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device and set up the access point (and perform many other tasks as well).

For information about the NETGEAR Insight app, see the NETGEAR knowledge base articles at netgear.com/support.

To connect to the access point over WiFi using an iOS or Android mobile device:

1. On your mobile device, go to the app store, search for NETGEAR Insight, and download the app.

2.Open the NETGEAR Insight app and log in to your existing NETGEAR account or create a new account to log in with.

3.Follow the prompts in the NETGEAR Insight app to discover and register the access point on the network so that you can configure and manage the access point.

Note If the access point is not connected to the Internet, you can still use the NETGEAR Insight app to configure the access point by connecting to the access point’s default SSID. The default SSID is on the access point label on the bottom of the access point and is shown in the format NETGEARxxxxxx-SETUP, where xxxxxx is the last six hexadecimal digits of the access point’s MAC address. The default password is sharedsecret.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Connect Over WiFi Using a WiFi-Enabled Computer or Mobile Device

This section describes how to connect to the access point for the first time over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device (without using the NETGEAR Insight app).

To connect to the access point over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device:

1.From your computer or mobile device, connect over WiFi to the access point’s default WiFi network.

The default SSID is on the access point label on the bottom of the access point and is shown in the format NETGEARxxxxxx-SETUP, where xxxxxx is the last six hexadecimal digits of the access point’s MAC address. The default password is sharedsecret.

2.On the computer or mobile device, open a web browser and, in the address bar, enter www.routerlogin.net (or www.aplogin.net).

Note You can use www.routerlogin.net (and www.aplogin.net) only during initial setup of the access point.

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

In the address bar, www.routerlogin.net (or www.aplogin.net) is replaced by the IP address that is assigned to the access point by the DHCP server in your network.

3.Write down the IP address of the access point.

4.Select the Standalone radio button.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

5. Click the Apply button.

Note After you save the basic settings that are shown on the page, the Day Zero Easy Setup page no longer displays when you log in. Instead, a login window opens. After you log in, the Dashboard page displays.

6. Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

Setting	Description
Country/Region	From the menu, select the country and region in which the access point is operating.
	Note Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device
	is operating. You are responsible for complying with the local,
	regional, and national regulations that are set for channels, power
	levels, and frequency ranges.
	Note It might not be legal to operate the access point in a region other
	than the regions listed in the menu. If your country or region is
	not listed, check with your local government agency.
Time Zone	From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the access
	point is operating.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

(Continued)

Setting	Description
DHCP Client	By default, the DHCP client of the access point allows the access point to receive
	an IP address from a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) in
	your network.
	To set up the access point with a static (fixed) IP address, do the following:
	a. Select the Disable radio button.
	Additional fields display.
	b. Specify the IP address, IP subnet mask, IP address of the default gateway,
	and IP address of the DNS server.
AP Name	As an option, enter a new system name for the access point. The name must
	contain alphanumeric characters, must contain at least one alphabetical character,
	cannot be longer than 15 characters, and can contain hyphens but cannot start
	or end with a hyphen.
	By default, the system name is Netgearxxxxxx, in which xxxxxx represents the
	last six hexadecimal digits of the access point’s MAC address.
AP Login New Password	Enter a new admin password with a minimum of 6 characters and a maximum of
	32 characters.
	The ideal password contains no English dictionary words and contains uppercase
	and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, do not include quotation
	marks (") in the password.
	Write down and save the password for future use.
	Note The admin password is the password that you use to log in to
	the access point’s local browser interface. It is not the password
	that you use for WiFi access.
Confirm New Password	Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password
	field.
SSID	You cannot use the default SSID for regular operation (the default SSID is for
	setup only). Enter a new name with a maximum of 32 characters. You can use a
	combination of alphanumeric and special characters, except for quotation marks
	(") and a backslash (\).

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

(Continued)

Setting	Description
Authentication Type	From the menu, select one of the following authentication types for the WiFi
	network:
	• Open. Authentication is not required and data encryption is not supported.
	This setting does not provide any security and is not appropriate for most
	situations.
	• WPA2-PSK.This option allows only WiFi clients that support WPA2 to connect
	to the SSID. Select this option if all WiFi clients are capable of supporting
	WPA2. This option uses AES encryption.
	• WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK. This option allows both WPA and WPA2 WiFi clients
	to connect to the SSID.This option uses TKIP and AES encryption. Broadcast
	packets use TKIP. For unicast (that is, point-to-point) transmissions, WPA
	clients use TKIP and WPA2 clients use AES.
	Note For information about setting up WPA2 Enterprise security, see
	Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network on page 30.
Passphrase	Unless you select Open from the Authentication Type menu, enter a new
	passphrase (network key or WiFi password) for the WiFi network.

7.Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and you are disconnected from the access point. If you changed the default country, the access point restarts.

8.Reconnect over WiFi to the access point’s WiFi network using the new SSID and passphrase that you just defined on the Day Zero Easy Setup page.

9.In the web browser, enter the access point IP address that you wrote down in Step 3. If you assigned a static IP address to the access point, enter that IP address.

A login window opens.

10.Enter the access point user name and password.

The default user name is admin. The password is the one that you just defined on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The Dashboard page displays. You can now customize the access point settings for your network environment.

Connect Over Ethernet Using a Computer Connected to the Same Network

The following procedure assumes that your network includes a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) and that the access point and the computer are on the same network. By default, the access

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

point functions as a DHCP client. If you want to set up the access point with a static (fixed) IP address, see

Connect Over Ethernet Using a Directly Connected Computer on page 24.

To connect to the access point using a computer that is connected to the same network as the access point:

1.To determine the IP address that the DHCP server assigned to the access point, access the DHCP server or use an IP network scanner.

2.On the computer, open a web browser and, in the address bar, enter the IP address that is assigned to the access point.

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

3.Select the Standalone radio button.

4.Click the Apply button.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

5. Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

Setting	Description
Country/Region	From the menu, select the country and region in which the access point is operating.
	Note Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device
	is operating. You are responsible for complying with the local,
	regional, and national regulations that are set for channels, power
	levels, and frequency ranges.
	Note It might not be legal to operate the access point in a region other
	than the regions listed in the menu. If your country or region is
	not listed, check with your local government agency.
Time Zone	From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the access
	point is operating.
DHCP Client	By default, the DHCP client of the access point allows the access point to receive
	an IP address from a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) in
	your network.
	To set up the access point with a static (fixed) IP address, do the following:
	a. Select the Disable radio button.
	Additional fields display.
	b. Specify the IP address, IP subnet mask, IP address of the default gateway,
	and IP address of the DNS server.
AP Name	As an option, enter a new system name for the access point. The name must
	contain alphanumeric characters, must contain at least one alphabetical character,
	cannot be longer than 15 characters, and can contain hyphens but cannot start
	or end with a hyphen.
	By default, the system name is Netgearxxxxxx, in which xxxxxx represents the
	last six hexadecimal digits of the access point’s MAC address.
AP Login New Password	Enter a new admin password with a minimum of 6 characters and a maximum of
	32 characters.
	The ideal password contains no English dictionary words and contains uppercase
	and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, do not include quotation
	marks (") in the password.
	Note The admin password is the password that you use to log in to
	the access point’s local browser interface. It is not the password
	that you use for WiFi access.
Confirm New Password	Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password
	field.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

(Continued)

Setting	Description
SSID	You cannot use the default SSID for regular operation (the default SSID is for
	setup only). Enter a new name with a maximum of 32 characters. You can use a
	combination of alphanumeric and special characters, except for quotation marks
	(") and a backslash (\).
Authentication Type	From the menu, select one of the following authentication types for the WiFi
	network:
	• Open. Authentication is not required and data encryption is not supported.
	This setting does not provide any security and is not appropriate for most
	situations.
	• WPA2-PSK.This option allows only WiFi clients that support WPA2 to connect
	to the SSID. Select this option if all WiFi clients are capable of supporting
	WPA2. This option uses AES encryption.
	• WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK. This option allows both WPA and WPA2 WiFi clients
	to connect to the SSID.This option uses TKIP and AES encryption. Broadcast
	packets use TKIP. For unicast (that is, point-to-point) transmissions, WPA
	clients use TKIP and WPA2 clients use AES.
	Note For information about setting up WPA2 Enterprise security, see
	Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network on page 30.
Passphrase	Unless you select Open from the Authentication Type menu, enter a new
	passphrase (network key or WiFi password) for the WiFi network.

6.Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.

If you changed the default country, the access point restarts.

Note Do not close the page!

After a short period, the Dashboard page displays automatically. If the Dashboard page does not display, for example, because you assigned a static IP address, see the next step.

You can now customize the access point settings for your network environment.

7. If the Dashboard does not display automatically, do the following:

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

a.Take one of the following actions:

•If you assigned a static IP address to the access point, enter that IP address in the address bar of the web browser.

•If you did not assign a static IP address, reenter the IP address that is displayed in the address bar of the web browser. If that does not work, write down the IP address, close the web browser, reopen the web browser, and then reenter the IP address in the address bar of the web browser.

•If you did not assign a static IP address and you closed the page so that you cannot see the IP address of the access point, use an IP scanner tool, use a network discovery tool, or access the DHCP server to discover the IP address of the access point in your network. Then, open a browser and enter the IP address in the address bar of the web browser.

A login window opens.

b.Enter the access point user name and password.

The default user name is admin. The password is the one that you just defined on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The Dashboard page displays. You can now customize the access point settings for your network environment.

Connect Over Ethernet Using a Directly Connected Computer

If your network does not include a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server), you can use a computer that is connected through an Ethernet cable to the LAN port of the access point.

To connect to the access point using a computer that is connected to the LAN port of the access point:

1.Record the IP address and subnet mask of your computer so that you can reinstate these IP address settings later.

2.Temporarily change the IP address on your computer to 192.168.0.210 with 255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask.

(You can actually use any IP address in the 192.168.0.2–192.168.0.254 range, with the exception of IP address 192.168.0.100, which is the default IP address of the access point.)

For more information about changing the IP address on your computer, see the help or documentation for your computer.

3.Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the LAN port on the access point.

4.On the computer, open a web browser and enter 192.168.0.100 in the address bar.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

5.Select the Standalone radio button.

6.Click the Apply button.

7. Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Setting	Description
Country/Region	From the menu, select the country and region in which the access point is operating.
	Note Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device
	is operating. You are responsible for complying with the local,
	regional, and national regulations that are set for channels, power
	levels, and frequency ranges.
	Note It might not be legal to operate the access point in a region other
	than the regions listed in the menu. If your country or region is
	not listed, check with your local government agency.
Time Zone	From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the access
	point is operating.
DHCP Client	By default, the DHCP client of the access point allows the access point to receive
	an IP address from a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) in
	your network.
	To set up the access point with a static (fixed) IP address, do the following:
	a. Select the Disable radio button.
	Additional fields display.
	b. Specify the IP address, IP subnet mask, IP address of the default gateway,
	and IP address of the DNS server.
AP Name	As an option, enter a new system name for the access point. The name must
	contain alphanumeric characters, must contain at least one alphabetical character,
	cannot be longer than 15 characters, and can contain hyphens but cannot start
	or end with a hyphen.
	By default, the system name is Netgearxxxxxx, in which xxxxxx represents the
	last six hexadecimal digits of the access point’s MAC address.
AP Login New Password	Enter a new admin password with a minimum of 6 characters and a maximum of
	32 characters.
	The ideal password contains no English dictionary words and contains uppercase
	and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, do not include quotation
	marks (") in the password.
	Write down and save the password for future use.
	Note The admin password is the password that you use to log in to
	the access point’s local browser interface. It is not the password
	that you use for WiFi access.
Confirm New Password	Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password
	field.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

(Continued)

Setting	Description
SSID	You cannot use the default SSID for regular operation (the default SSID is for
	setup only). Enter a new name with a maximum of 32 characters. You can use a
	combination of alphanumeric and special characters, except for quotation marks
	(") and a backslash (\).
Authentication Type	From the menu, select one of the following authentication types for the WiFi
	network:
	• Open. Authentication is not required and data encryption is not supported.
	This setting does not provide any security and is not appropriate for most
	situations.
	• WPA2-PSK.This option allows only WiFi clients that support WPA2 to connect
	to the SSID. Select this option if all WiFi clients are capable of supporting
	WPA2. This option uses AES encryption.
	• WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK. This option allows both WPA and WPA2 WiFi clients
	to connect to the SSID.This option uses TKIP and AES encryption. Broadcast
	packets use TKIP. For unicast (that is, point-to-point) transmissions, WPA
	clients use TKIP and WPA2 clients use AES.
	Note For information about setting up WPA2 Enterprise security, see
	Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network on page 30.
Passphrase	Unless you select Open from the Authentication Type menu, enter a new
	passphrase (network key or WiFi password) for the WiFi network.

8.Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and you are disconnected from the access point. If you changed the default country, the access point restarts.

9.After a few minutes, if the login window does not open automatically, enter 192.168.0.100 in the address bar of your browser.

If you changed the IP address (that is, you specified a static IP address), enter the new IP address. A login window opens.

10.Enter the access point user name and password.

The default user name is admin. The password is the one that you just defined on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

The Dashboard page displays. You can now customize the access point settings for your network environment.

11.After you complete the setup process, or both the setup and customization process, you can change the computer back to its original IP address settings.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Log In to the Access Point After Initial Setup to View or Change Settings

After you set up the access point, you can view or change the settings for the access point.

To log in to the access point’s local browser interface:

1.Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the access point or to the access point directly through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2.Enter the IP address that is assigned to the access point. A login window opens.

3.Enter the access point user name and password.

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

The Dashboard page displays. The following figure shows part of the Dashboard page.

The Dashboard page displays various panes that let you see the status of your access point at a glance. For more information about the Dashboard page and its various panes, see Monitor the Access Point and the Network on page 110.

Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Manage the Basic WiFi and Radio	3
Features

This chapter describes how you can manage the basic WiFi and radio settings of the access point. For information about the advanced WiFi and radio settings, see Manage the Advanced WiFi and Radio Features on page 58.

Tip If you want to change the settings of the access point’s WiFi network, use a wired connection to avoid being disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.

The chapter includes the following sections:

•Set Up and Manage WiFi Networks

•Manage the Basic Radio Features

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point WAC505 User Manual

Set Up and Manage WiFi Networks

The access point supports eight WiFi networks (four for each radio), each with its own unique WiFi settings. The following sections describe how you can set up and manage WiFi networks on the access point:

•Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network on page 30

•View or Change the Settings of a WiFi Network on page 34

•Disable or Enable a WiFi Network on page 35

•Remove a WiFi Network on page 35

•Enable or Disable Client Separation for a WiFi Network on page 36

•Hide or Broadcast the SSID for a WiFi Network on page 36

•Enable or Disable Radio Resource Management for a WiFi Network on page 37

•Enable or Disable Band Steering for a WiFi Network on page 38

•Change the RSSI Threshold for a WiFi Network on page 39

•Change the VLAN ID for a WiFi Network on page 40

•Select a MAC ACL for a WiFi Network on page 40

•Set Bandwidth Rate Limits for a WiFi Network on page 41

•Set Up a Captive Portal for a WiFi Network on page 43

Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network

The access point provides one default SSID that is enabled by default and that broadcasts on the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. This is the SSID that you were required to rename when you logged in to the access point for the first time. You can add more SSIDs: The access point supports four SSIDs for each radio for a total of eight SSIDs. (If you enable four SSIDs on both radios, the maximum number of SSIDs is reached.)

SSID stand for service set identifier, which is the WiFi network name. When you create a new SSID, you are actually defining the settings for a new virtual access point (VAP). That means that the access point supports up to eight VAPs.

The access point can simultaneously support the 2.4 GHz band for 802.11b/g/n WiFi devices and the 5 GHz band for 802.11a/n/ac WiFi devices.

If you plan to use WPA2 Enterprise security for your WiFi network, first set up RADIUS servers (see Set Up RADIUS Servers on page 80).

To set up a WiFi network:

1.Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the access point or to the access point directly through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2.Enter the IP address that is assigned to the access point. A login window opens.

3.Enter the access point user name and password.

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

Manage the Basic WiFi and Radio Features

+ 111 hidden pages

Netgear WAC505 operation manual

Contents

Hardware Overview of the Access Point 1

Related Documentation

Unpack the Access Point

Top Panel With LEDs

Back Panel

Product Label

Position Your Access Point

Set Up and Connect the Access Point to Your Network

Set Up the Access Point With a PoE Network Connection

Set Up the Access Point With a Non-PoE Network Connection

Connect to the Access Point for Initial Configuration

Connect Over WiFi Using an iOS or Android Mobile Device

Connect Over WiFi Using a WiFi-Enabled Computer or Mobile Device

Connect Over Ethernet Using a Computer Connected to the Same Network

Connect Over Ethernet Using a Directly Connected Computer

Log In to the Access Point After Initial Setup to View or Change Settings

Set Up and Manage WiFi Networks

Set Up an Open or Secure WiFi Network