Netgear WN3100RPv2 User Guide
N300 WiFi Range Extender
Model WN3100RPv2
User Manual
February 2015
202-11455-01
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
N300 WiFi Range Extender
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.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are
used for reference purposes only.
2
Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 2 Get Started
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
Meet Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
How the Extender Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Place the Extender and Apply Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Find the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Log In to the Extender After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Run Smart Setup Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Adjust the WiFi Coverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Change the WiFi Network Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Use WPS with the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Use WPS with the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Specify WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Change the Extender User Name and Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Manually Set the Extender Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
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N300 WiFi Range Extender
Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Use the Factory Reset Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Log In and Reset the Extender to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Restart the Extender Remotely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Extend a Network with MAC Filtering or Access Control Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
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1. Overview
The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering dual-band
WiFi. You can also use the extender in access point mode as a WiFi access point and create a
new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection.
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Meet Your Extender
• 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
products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or
you can check for and download new firmware manually.
downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some
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N300 WiFi Range Extender
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs, buttons, and port.
ClientRouter
Arrow
LED
Router Link
LED
Power LED
WPS LED
Arrow
LED
Client Link
LED
Ethernet port
WPS
button
Factory
Reset
button
Device
On/Off
switch
Pass-through power socket
(varies by region)
Figure 1. LEDs and USB port
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1. Front panel LEDs
LED Description
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router or
Router Link
Client Link
access point.
• Solid green. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a computer or WiFi
device.
• Solid green. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
Power connector
(varies by region)
Overview
6
N300 WiFi Range Extender
Table 1. Front panel LEDs (continued)
LED Description
Power • Solid amber. The extender is booting.
• Solid green. The
• Off. The
extender is powered off.
extender is powered on.
WPS
• Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
• Blinking green. A
• Off. WiFi security is not enabled.
WPS connection is being established.
Note: If the Router Arrow LED or Client Arrow LED blinks,
see Find the Best Location on page 13. If no arrow LEDs light, the
extender is in a good location.
When to Use Your Extender
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.
Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly from
the network.
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 performs two main jobs:
• The extender connects to a working 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.
• The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices.
The extender broadcasts 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.
Overview
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N300 WiFi Range Extender
WiFi Range
Extender
Boosts the range of your
existing WiFi and creates
a stronger signal in
hard-to-reach areas.
Figure 2. Range extender in a home
Existing WiFi
Sometimes your router
does not provide the WiFi
coverage that you need.
Overview
8
2. Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Use the Extender in Extender Mode
• Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
• Log In to the Extender After Installation
• Run Smart Setup Installation
2
9
N300 WiFi Range Extender
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
Place the extender, apply power, and connect it to your WiFi network.
Note: You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a
new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. See Use the
Extender in Access Point Mode on page 14.
Place the Extender and Apply Power
To place the extender and apply power:
1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. W
ait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
If the Power LED does not light, slide the Device On/Off switch on the side of the
extender to the On position.
.
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender to your existing
WiFi network. You can do this in one of two ways:
• Connect with WPS. For more information, see Connect with WPS.
• Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect with Web
Browser Setup on page 11.
Connect with WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network
name and password.
Note: WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP
security, follow the instructions in Connect with Web Browser Setup
on page 11.
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Press the WPS button your router or access point.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your extender
Get Started
10
.
N300 WiFi Range Extender
The WPS LED lights solid green, the Router Link LED lights, and the extender
connects to your existing WiFi network.
If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect with
Web Browser Setup on page 11.
3. Find the new extender network name on your computer or WiFi device.
The extender’s wireless network name (SSID) changes to your existing WiFi network
name, with _EXT at the end of the name, for example:
• Existing W
iFi network name. MyNetworkName
• New extended network name. MyNetworkName_EXT
4. Connect your computer or WiFi devices to the new extended WiFi network.
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
5. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location closer to the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.
6. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
7. W
ait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green. If the Power LED does not
light, slide the Device On/Off switch on the side of the extender to the On position.
8. Use the Router Link LED on the front panel to help you choose a spot where the
extender-to-router connection is optimal.
Connect with Web Browser Setup
You can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your
existing WiFi router.
To use a web browser to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network (SSID).
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Client Link LED
lights solid green.
2. Open a web browser window from the same computer or WiFi device.
The browser takes you directly to the extender login screen. If you are not automatically
directed to login screen, enter www
.mywifiext.net in the address field.
The login screen displays.
3. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account screen displays. If the
Create Account screen does not display, go to www.mywifiext.net.
4. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button.
5. When prompted, select your country or region from the Regional Settings menu and click
the NEXT button.
6. Click the WIFI RANGE EXTENDER button.
The extender scans for WiFi signals and finds the WiFi networks in your area and
displays a list.
7. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button.
If your existing WiFi network is hidden, select the Manually input my wireless SSID
radio button and type your WiFi network name.
You are prompted to enter the password for the WiFi network that you selected.
8. T
ype the WiFi network password (also called passphrase or security key) in the Password
(Network Key) field and click the NEXT button.
9. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your new extender WiFi network and click
the NEXT button.
The extender connects to your existing WiFi network. You are prompted to connect your
computers and WiFi devices to the extender network.
10. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new
extended WiFi network.
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender
Repeat this step for all of your computers and WiFi devices.
11. Click the CONTINUE button.
A message displays confirming that the extender is connected to the new extended WiFi
network.
12. Click the NEXT button.
The registration screen displays.
13. Complete the registration fields and click the FINISH button to complete the setup.
If you do not want to register your extender, click the Skip Registration link. Note that
you must register your extender before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.
The Status screen displays.
14. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location closer to the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
15. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green. If the Power LED does not
light, slide the Device On/Off switch to the On position.
16. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection
is optimal.
The extender connects to your existing router’s WiFi network.
Find the Best Location
If the WiFi signal is weak, the first time you join the extender network, an arrow LED blinks for
two minutes. If this happens, adjust the position of the extender.
• If the Router Arrow LED blinks, move the extender closer to the router.
• If the Client
extender.
If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location.
Arrow LED blinks, move the computer or WiFi device closer to the
Get Started
13
N300 WiFi Range Extender
Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired
device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. The device can then access your existing
network through the extender’s WiFi connection.
Figure 3. Rear panel Ethernet LAN port
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
You use the extender as a WiFi access point, which creates a new WiFi hotpsot by using a
wired Ethernet connection.
Figure 4. Extender in access point mode
Get Started
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N300 WiFi Range Extender
To use the extender in access point mode:
1. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
2. W
ait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
If the Power LED does not light, slide the Device On/Off switch on the side of the
extender to the On position.
3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender to the router Ethernet LAN port or the remote
Ethernet LAN jack with LAN access.
The extender joins the LAN and creates a WiFi hotspot.
4. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
NETGEAR_EXT (SSID) WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Client Link LED
lights.
5. Launch a web browser and enter www
.mywifiext.net in the address field.
A login screen displays.
6. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account screen displays. If the
Create
Account screen does not display, visit www.mywifiext.net.
7. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button.
You are prompted to select your region.
8. Select your country or region from the Regional Settings menu and click the NEXT button.
Get Started
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