Netgear WN2000RPTv3 User Guide
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
User Manual
December 2013
202-11333-01
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Support
Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products.
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at
https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR
recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit
http://support.netgear.com.
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.
Contact your Internet service provider for technical support.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and Connect with Innovation are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Information is subject to change without notice.
© NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
2
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Unpack Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front Panel LEDs and Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
How the Extender Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 2 Get Started
How to Position the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use the Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 3 Manage the Extender Network and Security Settings
Log In to the Extender After Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Change the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Connect the Extender to a WiFi Network Without
Using the NETGEAR genie Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Connect the Extender to a Hidden WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Use WPS to Add a WiFi Device to the Extender’s WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Use WPS with the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Use WPS with the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Manage the Extender WiFi Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Configure WPA, WPA2, or WPA + WPA2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Configure WEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Change the Extender IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Manage Advanced WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Manage a WiFi Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Set Up and Enable the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Disable the Access List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Change a Device on the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Remove a Device from the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Run the Setup Wizard Again After Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Back Up the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Use the Factory Reset Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Erase the Extender Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Upgrade the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
View the Status and Traffic Statistics of the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
View the Wired and WiFi Network Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
You Cannot Connect to the Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
You Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
e the Connection Between the Extender and the WiFi Router . . . . . . . 66
Improv
Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
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1. Overview
This user manual is for the NETGEAR® N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT, which is
referred to as the extender.
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Unpack Your Extender
• Front Panel LEDs and Button
• Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector
• When to Use Your Extender
• How the Extender Works
Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the
support website at support.netgear.com.
1
Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made
available from time to time on downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some
products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or
you can check for and download new firmware manually. If the
features or behavior of your product do not match what is described in
this guide, you might need to update your firmware.
Note: In this manual, the terms wireless and WiFi are interchangeable.
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Unpack Your Extender
Your box contains the following items:
• N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
• Power adapter
• Installation guide
Front Panel LEDs and Button
Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the extender or to monitor the
extender performance.
Link Rate LED
Extender Status LED
Device to Extender Connection LED
WPS button and LED
Figure 1. Front panel LEDs and Button
The LEDs and button are described in the following table.
Overview
6
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Table 1. Front panel LEDs and button
LEDs and Button Description
Green. The WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is
optimum.
Link Rate LED
Off. The extender and the WiFi router do not have a WiFi connection.
Extender Status LED Green
Amber. The extender starts. After about one minute, the LED lights green.
Off. The extender is off.
Device to Extender
Connection LED
Off. The extender is not connected to a computer or WiFi device.
WPS button and
LED
Blinking Green. A WPS connection is in progress.
Amber. The WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is good.
Red
. The WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is poor.
Green
WPS button lets you make the following connections:
The
• Connect the extender to a WiFi router or access point.
• If the extender is already connected to a WiFi network, connect a WiFi
device to the WiFi network of the extender.
Solid Green. WiFi security is enabled (WPS or WP
the extender.
. The extender is on.
. The extender is connected to a computer or WiFi device.
A2) for the WiFi network of
Off. WiFi security is not enabled for the WiFi network of the extender.
Overview
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector
The following figure shows the ports, buttons, and connector on the rear panel of the
extender. The rear panel also shows the default access information, MAC address, and serial
number of the extender.
Restore Factory Settings button
Ethernet LAN ports
Power connector
On/Off button
Figure 2. Rear panel
When to Use Your Extender
NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the extender only when your existing home
network connection is poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than
traffic routed directly from the network.
NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi
device is in a “dead zone” where connection from the existing network is poor or nonexistent.
Overview
8
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
How the Extender Works
The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFi
device outside the range of the WiFi router. The extender has two main jobs:
1. The extender connects to a WiFi network.
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it functions as a network
client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network.
2. The extender acts as
an access point for WiFi devices.
The extender has its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join. In its role as an access
point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as broadcasting its network
name (SSID).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place.
WiFi device
outside the
range of the
WiFi router
Extender
WiFi router
WiFi router
The extender is halfway
between the WiFi router
and the WiFi device
Figure 3. Range extender in a home
Overview
9
2. Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
• How to Position the Extender
• Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router
• Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network
• Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard
• Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use the Setup Wizard
2
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
How to Position the Extender
The ideal location to place the extender is halfway between your WiFi router and your WiFi
device.
Figure 4. Range extender location
The best connection is established with a clear line of sight between the extender and the
WiFi router and a clear line of sight between the extender and the WiFi device that you are
using. If a thick wall or other materials block this straight path, move the extender to a
different location halfway between the WiFi device and the WiFi router.
When you make the initial connection between the extender and the WiFi router, place the
extender close to the WiFi router.
extender and the WiFi router, move the extender to the location where you intend to use it.
(You might need to unplug the extender, replug it at its new location, and restart it.) Use the
Link Rate LEDs on the extender to choose the location where the connection between the
extender and the WiFi router is optimal. These steps are described in detail in the following
sections.
After you have established a connection between the
Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router
To connect the extender to your WiFi router and find the best location, use one of the
following methods:
• WPS. Use the extender’s WPS button to establish a WiFi connection between the
extender and the WiFi router (see Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network).
Use this method if your WiFi router supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).
• WiFi. Use a computer or WiFi device to join the extender’
launch a web browser to set up the connection between the extender and a WiFi network
(see Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard). Use this method if your
WiFi router does not support WPS.
• Ethernet. Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to the extender, then launch a
web browser to set up the connection between the extender and a WiFi network (see
Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use the Setup Wizard). Use this method if you
have difficulty establishing a WiFi connection to the extender.
s default WiFi network, then
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network
The easiest way to connect the extender to a WiFi network is by using Wi-Fi Protected Setup
(WPS). For this method to be successful, your WiFi router must support WPS.
If your WiFi router does not support WPS, see one of the following sections:
• Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard on page 14
• Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use the Setup Wizard on page 19
WPS lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network name and password.
The WPS button is a physical button on the front panel of the extender. For more information
about the WPS button and LED of the extender, see Front Panel LEDs and Button on page 6.
Your WiFi router might have a physical WPS button, a software WPS button, or both.
WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP security, follow the
instructions in Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard on page 14.
To connect the extender with WPS to a WiFi router:
1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.
Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection
to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. If necessary, press the Power
The Status LED
lights green.
button.
You are now ready to connect the extender to your WiFi router.
4. Press the WPS button on the extender.
5. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WiFi router
.
After a few seconds, the extender connects to your existing WiFi network. Because you
placed the extender close to the WiFi router, the Link Rate LED on the extender
lights green, indicating a good connection between the WiFi router and the extender.
If the Link Rate LED does not light green, try
Step 4 and Step 5 again. If it still does not
light green, see Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard.
6. Now that the extender is connected to the WiFi router, move it to a location where you can
boost your WiFi range.
The location you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
7. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet at the new location and restart the extender.
Unless the extender is outside the range of your WiFi router
automatically to the WiFi router
.
Get Started
12
, the extender connects
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
The Link Rate LED help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is
optimal. The following tables describe how the LEDs show the quality of the connection.
LED Status LED Color Performance
Both the Link Rate LED and the Device
to Extender Connection LED are green.
The Link Rate LED is amber and the
Device to Extender Connection LED is
green.
The Link Rate LED is red. The extender provides a poor performance.
The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.
and The extender provides the best performance.
and The extender provides a workable performance.
If the Link Rate LED is off, the extender cannot connect to the WiFi router . If the Link Rate
LED is red, the extender has a poor connection to the WiFi router
8. If the extender has no connection or
a poor connection, move the extender closer to your
.
WiFi router and try again until the Link Rate LED is green, or at least amber.
9. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s
newly created WiFi network.
The extender’s default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name
(SSID) changes to the name of your existing WiFi network, with _EXT at the end of the
name, for example:
• Existing network name. MyNetworkName
• New extender network name. MyNetworkName_EXT
10. Select the new network and use your WiFi router password to connect.
You are now using your extended WiFi network.
Note: If your computer or mobile device cannot join the new WiFi network of
the extender, see You Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an
Error Message on page 65.
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
Access the Extender over WiFi and Use the Setup Wizard
If your WiFi router does not support WPS, access the extender over WiFi and use the
®
browser-based NETGEAR genie
network.
The extender has a default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name (SSID) so you can access it
over WiFi. After you have used the Setup Wizard to connect the extender to an existing WiFi
network, the extender changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to the name of the
existing WiFi network and adds _EXT at the end of the name, for example:
• Existing network name. MyNetworkName
• New extender network name. MyNetworkName_EXT
Access the extender over WiFi and use the Setup Wizard to connect the extender to an
existing WiFi network:
1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.
Setup Wizard to connect the extender to an existing WiFi
Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection
to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. If necessary, press the Power
The Status LED
lights green.
button.
4. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is not connected to a WiFi network or
Ethernet network.
If the computer or mobile device is already connected to a network, you might not be able
to connect to the extender.
5. Open a WiFi network manager on your computer or mobile device to find and connect to the
NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network o
f the extender.
You can use any WiFi network utility on a computer, tablet, or smartphone to find and
connect to the NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network of the extender. The following figure shows
an example of a WiFi network utility
.
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
After the connection with the computer or mobile device is established, the Device to
Extender Connection LED lights solid green.
6. Open a web browser window from the same computer or mobile device.
The browser takes you directly to the NETGEAR genie Setup Wizard start screen.
Note: If you are not automatically directed to NETGEAR genie Setup Wizard
start screen, go to www.mywifiext.net, and enter admin for the user
name and password for the password.
7. Under Do you want NETGEAR Genie to help?, select the Yes radio button, and click the
button.
Next
NETGEAR genie searches for WiFi networks automatically.
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
8. Select a WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.
9. Type the network passphrase (also called a password or network key) in the PassPhrase
field, and click the Continue button.
10. Use the default extension name, or, in the 2.4GHz Network Name (SSID)
field, enter a new
network name for your extender WiFi network, and click the Continue button.
Get Started
16
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
The extender applies the settings.
11. Wait about two minutes while the extender creates the WiFi network.
12. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s
newly created
WiFi network.
Note: Unless you entered a new network name in Step 10, the extender
changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to the name of the
WiFi network to which you connected the extender and adds _EXT at
the end of the name.
Note: If your computer or mobile device cannot join the new WiFi network of
the extender, see You Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an
Error Message on page 65.
13. Select the My wireless devices are connected to the Extender network check box, and
click the Continue button.
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
The next screen that displays describes the color of the Link Rate LED, which
corresponds to the color of the LED on the front of the extender. Because you placed the
extender close the WiFi router, the Link Rate LED is green.
14. Click the Finish button.
A pop-up screen displays.
15. To bookmark the URL of the extender, click the OK button.
A NETGEAR website displays.
You are now online.
16. Now that the extender is connected to the WiFi router and you can connect a computer or
mobile device to the extender’s WiFi network, move it to a location where you can boost
your WiFi range.
The location you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
17. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet at the new location and restart the extender.
Unless the extender is outside the range of your WiFi router
automatically to the WiFi router
.
, the extender connects
The Link Rate LEDs help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is
optimal. The following tables describe how the LEDs show the quality of the connection.
LED Status LED Color Performance
Both the Link Rate LED and the Device
to Extender Connection LED are green.
The Link Rate LED is amber and the
Device to Extender Connection LED is
green.
The Link Rate LED is red. The extender provides a poor performance.
and The extender provides the best performance.
and The extender provides a workable performance.
The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.
If the Link Rate LED is of
LED is red, the extender has a poor connection to the WiFi router
18. If the extender has no connection or
f, the extender cannot connect to the WiFi router. If the Link Rate
.
a poor connection, move the extender closer to your
WiFi router and try again until the Link Rate LED is green, or at least amber.
Get Started
18
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
19. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to reconnect to the
extender’s WiFi network.
Note: Unless you entered a new network name in Step 10, the extender
changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to the name of the
WiFi network to which you connected the extender and adds _EXT at
the end of the name.
20. Select the new network and use your WiFi router password to connect.
You are now using your extended WiFi network.
Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use the Setup Wizard
If your WiFi router does not support WPS, you can use an Ethernet cable to connect your
computer to one of the LAN ports of the extender. Then use the browser-based NETGEAR
®
genie
Setup Wizard to connect the extender to an existing WiFi network.
After you have used the Setup Wizard to connect the extender to an existing WiFi network,
the extender changes its default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name (SSID) to the name of
the existing WiFi network and adds _EXT at the end of the name, for example:
• Existing network name. MyNetworkName
• New extender network name. MyNetworkName_EXT
Note: After you have set up the extender, you can also connect
Ethernet-enabled devices such as gaming consoles and printers to
the Ethernet LAN ports of the extender. For more information, see
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices on page 51.
Access the extender over Ethernet and use the Setup Wizard to connect the extender
to an existing WiFi network:
1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.
Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection
to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. If necessary, press the
Power button.
The Status LED
4. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is not connected to a WiFi network or
Ethernet network.
lights green.
Get Started
19
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
If the computer or mobile device is already connected to a network, you might not be able
to connect to the extender.
5. Connect your computer to the extender with an Ethernet cable. You can use any of the four
Ethernet LAN ports of the extender.
CAUTION:
Do not use Ethernet cable to connect the extender to a WiFi router. If you
do so, the extender does not work because it is designed to use only a
WiFi connection to a WiFi router.
6. If you have trouble connecting, try the following:
ait a couple of minutes.
• W
If you start your computer
, connect the Ethernet cable to the extender, and launch
your browser quickly, the computer might still need a couple of minutes to recognize
the Ethernet LAN connection before you can connect.
• Make sure that your Ethernet cable is securely connected to the extender and the
computer, and that the extender Device to Extender Connection LED lights.
If the LED is not lit, reconnect the Ethernet cable, and relaunch your Internet browser.
7. Open a web browser window from the same computer or mobile device.
The browser takes you directly to the NETGEAR genie Setup Wizard start screen.
Note: If you are not automatically directed to NETGEAR genie Setup Wizard
start screen, go to www.mywifiext.net, and enter admin for the user
name and password for the password.
Get Started
20
N300 WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT
8. Under Do you want NETGEAR Genie to help?, select the Yes radio button, and click the
Next button.
NETGEAR genie searches for WiFi networks automatically.
9. Select a WiFi network
o extend, and click the Continue button.
t
10. Type the network passphrase (also called a password or network key) in the PassPhrase
field, and click the Continue button.
Get Started
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