Netgear WAC540 User Manual

User Manual

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 802.11ac Wave 2 Tri Radio

Model WAC540

NETGEAR, Inc.

350 E. Plumeria DriveMarch 2019 San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-11795-01

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

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.March 2019202-11795-01

Chapter 1 Hardware Overview

About NETGEAR Insight......................................................................8

Related documentation.......................................................................8

Unpack the access point......................................................................8

Top panel with LEDs.............................................................................9

Back panel...........................................................................................11

Product label.......................................................................................12

Safety instructions and warnings......................................................13

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

Position your access point.................................................................17

Set up and connect the access point to your network...................18

Set up the access point with a PoE network connection..........18

Set up the access point with a non-PoE network connection...19

Connect to the access point for initial configuration.....................20

Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight Mobile App on

an iOS or Android mobile device................................................21

Connect over the Internet using the NETGEAR Insight Cloud

Portal................................................................................................21

Connect over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile

device..............................................................................................22

Connect over Ethernet using a computer connected to the same

network............................................................................................26

Connect over Ethernet using a directly connected computer..29 Log in to the access point after initial setup to view or change

settings.................................................................................................33

Chapter 3 Manage the Basic WiFi and Radio Features

Set up and manage WiFi networks..................................................36

Set up an open or secure WiFi network......................................36

View or change the settings of a WiFi network..........................42

Disable or enable a WiFi network or set up a WiFi activity

schedule..........................................................................................43

Remove a WiFi network.................................................................44

Enable or disable client isolation for a WiFi network................45

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Hide or broadcast the SSID for a WiFi network..........................46

Enable or disable band steering with 802.11k RRM and 802.11v

WiFi network management..........................................................47

Change the VLAN ID for a WiFi network.....................................48

Enable or disable PMF for a WiFi network..................................49

Enable or disable URL tracking for a WiFi network...................49

Select a MAC ACL for a WiFi network.........................................50

Set bandwidth rate limits for a WiFi network..............................52

Set up a captive portal for a WiFi network..................................55

Unregister the access point from Facebook Wi-Fi....................58

Manage the basic radio features......................................................59

Manage the basic settings for the radios....................................59

Turn a radio on or off.....................................................................63

Change the WiFi mode for a radio..............................................63

Change the MCS index and data rate for a radio......................65

Change the channel width for a radio.........................................66

Change the output power for a radio.........................................67

Change the guard interval for a radio.........................................68

Change the channel for a radio...................................................69

Manage Quality of Service for a WiFi radio................................69

Chapter 4 Manage the Advanced WiFi and Radio Features

Manage the advanced radio features..............................................73

Manage the advanced WiFi settings for the radios...................73

Manage the maximum number of clients for a radio................76

Manage the broadcast and multicast settings for a radio........77

Manage load balancing for the radios........................................78

Manage Airtime Fairness for the radios......................................80

Set a data volume limit for the access point....................................81

Set up a WiFi bridge between access points..................................84

Chapter 5 Manage Access and Security

Block specific URLs and keywords for Internet access..................90

Manage local MAC access control lists............................................91

Manually set up a MAC access control List.................................92

Import an existing MAC access control list.................................95

Manage user accounts.......................................................................98

Add a user account........................................................................98

Change the settings for a user account......................................99

Remove a user account...............................................................100

Manage neighbor AP detection.....................................................101

Enable neighbor access point detection and move access points

to the Known AP List....................................................................101

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Import an existing neighbor access point list in the Known AP

List..................................................................................................104

Set up RADIUS servers.....................................................................106

Chapter 6 Manage the Local Area Network and IP Settings

Disable the DHCP client and specify a fixed IP address..............109

Enable the DHCP client...................................................................110

Set the 802.1Q VLAN and management VLAN............................111

Enable or disable Spanning Tree Protocol...................................113

Enable or disable the network integrity check function..............114

Enable or disable IGMP snooping.................................................114

Enable or disable Ethernet LLDP....................................................115

Enable or disable UPnP...................................................................116

Manage the link aggregation capability........................................117

Chapter 7 Manage and Maintain the Access Point

Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight or

Web-browser....................................................................................120

Change the country or region of operation..................................121

Change the admin user account password..................................122

Change the system name................................................................123

Specify a custom NTP server...........................................................124

Set the time zone..............................................................................125

Manage the syslog settings.............................................................126

Manage the firmware of the access point.....................................127

Check for new firmware and upgrade the access point.........127

Manually download firmware and upgrade the access point.128

Revert to the backup firmware...................................................130

Use an SFTP server to upgrade the access point....................131

Manage the configuration file of the access point.......................132

Back up the access point configuration....................................132

Restore the access point configuration.....................................133

Reboot the access point from the local browser interface.........134

Schedule the access point to reboot.............................................135

Return the access point to its factory default settings.................135

Use the Reset button...................................................................136

Use the local browser interface..................................................137

Enable or disable Telnet..................................................................138

Enable or disable Secure Shell.......................................................139

Enable SNMP and manage the SNMP settings............................139

Manage the LEDs.............................................................................141

Chapter 8 Monitor the Access Point and the Network

View the access point Internet, IP, and system settings..............143

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

View the WiFi radio settings............................................................146

View unknown and known neighbor access points.....................149

View client distribution, connected clients, and client trends....150

View WiFi and Ethernet traffic, traffic statistics, and channel

utilization...........................................................................................154

View or download tracked URLs.....................................................156

View, save, download, or clear the logs........................................158

View a WiFi bridge connection.......................................................159

View the data volume consumption..............................................160

View Air Time Fairness client distribution.....................................161

View alarms and notifications.........................................................163

Chapter 9 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

Capture WiFi and Ethernet packets...............................................165

Perform a ping test...........................................................................167

Check the Internet speed................................................................168

Quick tips for troubleshooting.......................................................169

Troubleshoot with the LEDs............................................................170

Power/Cloud LED is off...............................................................171

Power/Cloud LED remains solid amber...................................171

Power/Cloud LED is blinking amber slowly, continuously.....172

The access point functions as a PoE PD and the Power/Cloud

LED remains solid amber............................................................172

Power/Cloud LED does not light blue in the NETGEAR Insight

management mode.....................................................................173

2.4, 5H, or 5L WLAN LED Is Off..................................................173

A LAN LED is off while a switch or LAN device is connected..174

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity...............................................174

Troubleshoot Internet browsing.....................................................175

You cannot log in to the access point over a LAN connection....176

Changes are not saved....................................................................176

Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility........................177

Test the LAN path to your access point....................................177

Test the path from your computer to a remote device...........178

Appendix A Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications

Factory settings.................................................................................180

Technical specifications...................................................................183

Hardware Overview

The NETGEAR Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point (WAC540) AC3000

802.11ac Wave 2 Tri Radio, in this manual referred to as the access point, supports three radios with tri-band concurrent operation at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz low band, and 5 GHz high band.

The access point can provide a combined throughput of 3000 Mbps (400 Mbps at

2.4 GHz, 867 Mbps at 5 GHz low band, and 1733 Mbps at 5 GHz high band). The access point can function as a Power over Ethernet plus (PoE+) powered device (PD) so that you can connect it to a PoE+ switch in an existing network and let it operate without a power adapter. With a power adapter, you can connect the access point to a regular switch. A second Ethernet LAN port supports a link aggregation (LAG) connection.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• About NETGEAR Insight

• Related documentation

• Unpack the access point

• Top panel with LEDs

• Back panel

• Product label

• Safety instructions and warnings

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.

Note: In this user manual, WiFi network means the same as SSID (service set identifier or WiFi network name) or VAP (virtual access point). That is, in this user manual, when we refer to a WiFi network we mean an individual SSID or VAP.

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

About NETGEAR Insight

The access point supports the NETGEAR Insight mobile app, which lets you set up and manage the access point from your iOS or Android mobile device and connects to the Insight cloud-based management platform. For Insight Premium or Insight Pro subscribers, the access point also supports the Insight Cloud Portal, which is the website that provides access to the Insight cloud-based management platform. However, this user manual describes the local browser–based management interface, in this manual referred to as the local browser interface. For more information about NETGEAR Insight, visit insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR knowledge base at netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

If you install the access point as a NETGEAR Insight managed device, the settings for features that you can manage through the Insight mobile app and Insight Cloud Portal are masked out in the local browser interface. However, using the local browser interface, you can still manage the settings for certain features that are not yet supported in Insight. For more information, visit the NETGEAR knowledge base at netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx and search for What is Hybrid Management Mode.

Unpack the access point

The package includes the following items:

Access point model WAC540 or WAC540PA

•

Ceiling and wall-mount kit

•

Installation guide

•

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Ceiling and wall-mount guide

•

DC power adapter (model WAC540PA only, sold separately for model WAC540)

•

Other than a power adapter, model WAC540 and model WAC540PA are identical. Each model can function as a PoE+ PD connected to a PoE+ switch so that you can use the access point without a power adapter.

Top panel with LEDs

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

Figure 1. Top panel with LEDs

Table 1. LED descriptions

DescriptionLED

Power/Cloud LED

LAN 1 LED

Off. No power is supplied to the access point. Solid green. The access point functions either as a standalone access point or as an Insight

discovered access point that is not connected to the Insight cloud-based management platform. Solid blue. The access point functions in Insight mode and is connected to the Insight cloud-based management platform. Solid amber. During startup, the Power/Cloud LED lights solid amber. If after five minutes the amber light remains, either a boot error occurred, or, if the access point functions as a PoE+ PD device, it might not be receiving power at the required 802.3at (PoE+) level.

Blinking amber quickly, temporarily. The access point is upgrading firmware. Blinking amber slowly, continuously. The access point did not receive an IP address from a

DHCP server.

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 green. A 1000 Mbps Ethernet link is detected on the LAN port. Blinking green. 1000 Mbps traffic activity is detected on the LAN port. Solid amber. A 10 or 100 Mbps Ethernet link is detected on the LAN port. Blinking amber. 10 or 100 Mbps traffic activity is detected on the LAN port.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued)

DescriptionLED

LAN 2 LED

2.4G WLAN LED

5H WLAN LED

5L WLAN 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.

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.

Off. The 5 GHz high band WiFi radio is off. Solid green. The 5 GHz high band WiFi radio is on. Solid blue. One or more WLAN clients are connected to the 5 GHz high band WiFi radio. Blinking blue. Traffic is detected on the 5 GHz high band WiFi radio.

Off. The 5 GHz low band WiFi radio is off. Solid green. The 5 GHz low band WiFi radio is on. Solid blue. One or more WLAN clients are connected to the 5 GHz low band WiFi radio. Blinking blue. Traffic is detected on the 5 GHz low band WiFi radio.

Note: For information about troubleshooting with the LEDs, see Troubleshoot with the

LEDs on page 170.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Back panel

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

Figure 2. Access point back panel

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

1. 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 NETGEAR Insight network location, you must first use the Insight mobile app or Insight Cloud Portal to remove the access point from your Insight network location before the factory default settings function of the Reset button is available. For more information, see Use the Reset button on page 136.

2. LAN 2 port. One Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN port. Use the LAN 2 port to connect

the access point to the same switch as the LAN 1 port for a link aggregation (LAG) connection. The switch must be capable of supporting a LAG connection, which you must configure on the switch. By default, LAG capability is supported on the access point. If you manually disable LAG capability, the LAN 2 port is also disabled. For more information, see Manage the link aggregation capability on page 117.

Note: If you want to connect a switch to the LAN 2 port instead of the LAN 1 port, use a power adapter, do not use a LAG connection, and do not manually disable the LAG capability. However, if you connect a switch to the LAN 1 port, you can use the LAN 2 port only for a LAG connection, not for any other type of connection.

User Manual11Hardware Overview

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

3. LAN 1 port. One Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN port that can accept PoE+ power. Use

the LAN 1 port to connect the access point to a switch or PoE+ switch that is connected to a network router with an Internet connection. You can also use the LAN 1 port to connect the access point to a computer for initial configuration. If you use PoE power, the access point requires 802.3at (PoE+) input. For optimal functioning, make sure that you use an 802.3at (PoE+) switch and not an 802.3af (PoE) switch.

Note: The LAN 1 port is a PoE+ PD port that you can connect to a PoE+ switch or non-PoE switch. The LAN 2 port is a non-PoE port that you can connect to a non-PoE switch. You must connect either the LAN 1 port or, if you use a power adapter, the LAN 2 port to a switch for a network connection.

4. DC power connector. If you do not use a PoE connection, connect a power adapter

to the DC power connector. The access point requires 12V, 2.5A input. Model WAC540 comes without a power adapter but you can order a power adapter as an option. Model WAC540PA comes with a power adapter.

For more information about the LAN port connection, see Set up and connect the access point to your network on page 18.

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. Product label

User Manual12Hardware Overview

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Safety instructions and warnings

Use the following safety guidelines to ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your system from potential damage.

To reduce the risk of bodily injury, electrical shock, fire, and damage to the equipment, observe the following precautions:

This product is designed for indoor use only in a temperature-controlled and

• humidity-controlled environment. For more information, see the environmental specifications in the appendix or the data sheet. Any device that is located outdoors and connected to this product must be properly grounded and surge protected. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in damage to your NETGEAR product, which might not be covered by NETGEAR’s warranty, to the extent permissible by applicable law.

Observe and follow service markings:

•

- Do not service any product except as explained in your system documentation.

Some devices should never be opened.

If applicable to your device, opening or removing covers that are marked with the triangular symbol with a lightning bolt can expose you to electrical shock. We recommend that only a trained technician services components inside these compartments.

If any of the following conditions occur, unplug the product from the electrical outlet

• and replace the part or contact your trained service provider:

- Depending on your device, the power adapter, power adapter cable, power

cable, extension cable, or plug is damaged.

An object fell into the product.

- The product was exposed to water.

- The product was dropped or damaged.

The product does not operate correctly when you follow the operating instructions.

Keep your system away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block cooling

• vents.

Do not spill food or liquids on your system components, and never operate the

• product in a wet environment. If the system gets wet, see the appropriate section in your troubleshooting guide, or contact your trained service provider.

User Manual13Hardware Overview

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Do not push any objects into the openings of your system. Doing so can cause fire

• or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

Use the product only with approved equipment.

•

If applicable to your device, allow the product to cool before removing covers or

• touching internal components.

Operate the product only from the type of external power source indicated on the

• electrical ratings label. If you are not sure of the type of power source required, consult your service provider or local power company.

To avoid damaging your system, if your device uses a power supply with a voltage

• selector, be sure that the selector is set to match the power at your location:

115V, 60 Hz in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries such as South Korea and Taiwan

- 100V, 50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100V, 60 Hz in western Japan

230V, 50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East

Be sure that attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the power available

• in your location.

Depending on your device, use only a supplied power adapter or approved power

• cable:

If your device uses a power adapter:

If you were not provided with a power adapter, contact your local NETGEAR reseller.

The power adapter must be rated for the product and for the voltage and current marked on the product electrical ratings label.

If your device uses a power cable:

If you were not provided with a power cable for your system or for any AC-powered option intended for your system, purchase a power cable approved for your country.

The power cable must be rated for the product and for the voltage and current marked on the product electrical ratings label. The voltage and current rating of the cable must be greater than the ratings marked on the product.

To help prevent electric shock, plug the system and peripheral power cables into

• properly grounded electrical outlets.

If applicable to your device, the peripheral power cables are equipped with

• three-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or

remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a three-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Observe extension cable and power strip ratings. Make sure that the total ampere

• rating of all products plugged into the extension cable or power strip does not

exceed 80 percent of the ampere ratings limit for the extension cable or power strip.

To help protect your system from sudden, transient increases and decreases in

• electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

Position system cables, power adapter cables, or power cables carefully. Route

• cables so that they cannot be stepped on or tripped over. Be sure that nothing rests on any cables.

Do not modify power adapters, power adapter cables, power cables or plugs. Consult

• a licensed electrician or your power company for site modifications.

Always follow your local and national wiring rules.

•

User Manual15Hardware Overview

Install the Access Point in Your Network 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 AC3000 WAC540 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 and 5.8 GHz cordless phones

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

Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

User Manual17Install the Access Point in Your

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

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

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 18

•

Set up the access point with a non-PoE network connection on page 19

•

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 plus (PoE+) switch in your network. The switch must be connected to a network router that is connected to the Internet. If you use a PoE+ connection, the access point does not require a power adapter.

WiFi clients can connect to the access point and access your network and the Internet.

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

Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

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Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

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

1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the LAN 1 port on the access point. This is the LAN port next to the DC power connector.

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 access point requires 802.3at (PoE+) input. For optimal functioning, make sure that you use an 802.3at (PoE+) switch and not an 802.3af (PoE) switch.

The Power/Cloud LED lights solid amber. After about one minute, if the access point is connected to a DHCP server, the Power/Cloud 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 20.

Set up the access point with a non-PoE network connection

You can connect the access point to a regular switch, that is, a non–Power over Ethernet switch in your network. The switch must be connected to a network router that is connected to the Internet. If you use a regular switch, the access point requires a power adapter, which is an option that you can purchase for model WAC540. (Model WAC540PA comes with a A DC power adapter.)

WiFi clients can connect to the access point and access your network and the Internet.

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 1 port on the access point.

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

User Manual19Install the Access Point in Your Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

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 20.

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 connect to the access point by using the NETGEAR Insight mobile app on an iOS or Android mobile device, by accessing the Insight Cloud Portal, or by using the local browser interface. You cannot use Insight access with the local browser interface. These types of access are mutually exclusive.

The Insight mobile app and the Insight Cloud Portal provide ease of access and let you configure most features that are available on the access point. The local browser interface lets you configure all features that are available on the access point.

If you use the Insight mobile app or the Insight Cloud Portal to connect to the access point, see one of the following sections:

Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight Mobile App on an iOS or Android

•

mobile device on page 21

Connect over the Internet using the NETGEAR Insight Cloud Portal on page 21

•

If you use the local browser interface to connect to the access point, follow the procedure in one of these sections:

Connect over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device on page 22

•

Connect over Ethernet using a computer connected to the same network on page

•

Connect over Ethernet using a directly connected computer on page 29

•

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.

Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

User Manual20Install the Access Point in Your

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight Mobile App on an iOS or Android mobile device

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

For more information about the Insight mobile app, visit insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR knowledge base at netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

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

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

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

account to log in with.

3. Follow the prompts in the Insight mobile 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 connected to the Internet, you can use the Insight mobile app to configure the access point by connecting to its 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.

Connect over the Internet using the NETGEAR Insight Cloud Portal

The Insight Cloud Portal is available for Insight Premium or Insight Pro subscribers. To use the NETGEAR Insight Cloud Portal to configure and manage the access point, the access point must already be connected to the Internet.

For more information about the Insight Cloud Portal and the configuration and management options that are available through the Insight Cloud Portal, visit insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR knowledge base at netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

Network and Access It for Initial Configuration

User Manual21Install the Access Point in Your

Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual

To connect to the access point over the Internet through the Insight Cloud Portal:

1. Visit insight.netgear.com.

The NETGEAR Account Login page displays.

2. Enter your Insight email address and password.

If you do not own an Insight account, you can create one.

3. Click the NETGEAR LOG IN button.

You can now add the access point to an Insight network location so that you configure and manage the access point.

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 mobile app).

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

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.

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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.

Write down the IP address of the access point.

4. Select the Web-browser radio 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.

Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

DescriptionSetting

Country/Region

Time Zone

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.

From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the access point

is operating.

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

DHCP Client

AP Name

AP Login New

Password

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.

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.

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.) 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.

Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password field.Confirm New

Password

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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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

Authentication

Type

Passphrase

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 Personal. 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.

WPA2 Personal Mixed. 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.

After you complete the setup process, you can set up WPA2 Enterprise security with

RADIUS servers. For more information, see Set up an open or secure WiFi network on

page 36.

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 and you are disconnected from the access point.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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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 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 29.

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 Web-browser radio button.

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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.

Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

DescriptionSetting

Country/Region

Time Zone

DHCP Client

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.

From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the access point

is operating.

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

AP Login New

Password

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.

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.) 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.

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User Manual27Install the Access Point in Your