Netgear WNR3500v2 Quick Start Manual

Wireless Router Setup Manual

NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria Drive Santa Jose, CA 95134 USA
February 2009 208-10337-01 v1.0
©2008 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are trademarks of NETGEAR. Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

Contents

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router................................................................................1
Unpacking Your New Router ................. ... .... ... ... ....................................................... ... ... ..1
Hardware Features ............................................................................................................3
Front Panel ..................................................................................................................3
Back Panel ..................................................................................................................4
Router Label ................................................................................................................4
Positioning Your Wireless Router ......................................................................................5
Installing Your Wireless Router ..........................................................................................5
Updating Your Router Firmware ......... ...... .........................................................................6
Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard...................................................................9
Using the Smart Wizard .....................................................................................................9
Accessing Your Router After Installation .........................................................................10
Manually Installing Your Router .........................................................................................13
Connecting Your Wireless Router ....................................................................................14
Verifying Your Connection ...............................................................................................18
Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access ........................ ... .... ... ...................................19
Configuring Your Wireless Network...................................................................................23
Specifying Wireless Settings ................. ... .... ... ....................................................... ... ... ...23
Setting Your SSID and Wireless Security Manually .................................................. 24
Using Push 'N' Connect (WPS) to Configure Your Wireless Network .......................25
Testing Basic Wireless Connectivity ................................................................................30
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................31
Basic Setup Checklist ......................................................................................................31
Checking Basic Router Functions ...................................................................................32
Troubleshooting Login Problems .....................................................................................34
Checking the Internet Service Connection ......................................................................35
iii
Obtaining an Internet IP Address ....................................................................................35
Troubleshooting PPPoE ............................................................................................36
Troubleshooting Internet Browsing ...........................................................................37
Using the Ping Utility to Troubleshoot ..............................................................................37
Testing the Path from Your Computer to Your Router .................................. .... ... ... ...37
Testing the Path from a Computer to the Internet .....................................................38
Technical Specifications .....................................................................................................41
Default Configuration Settings .........................................................................................41
Restoring the Default Password and Configuration Settings .............. .... ... ... ... ....... ... ... ...42
Technical Specifications ...................................................................................................43
Related Documents..............................................................................................................45
Registration and Certifications............................................................................................47
iv

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

Congratulations on your purchase of a NETGEAR® high-speed wireless router, the RangeMax™ Wireless-N Gigabit Router Model WNR3500v2.
Before you begin installing your router, check the package contents (see “Unpacking Your New
Router” on page 1). Become familiar with the front and back panels of your router—especially the
status lights—and the important information on the router label (see “Hardware Features” on
page 3). Then, read the section on “Positioning Your Wireless Router” on page 5 to ensure that
you have selected the best location to install your router.

Unpacking Your New Router

Your product package should contain the following items:
The Wireless-N Router
A snap-on stand for your wireless router
An AC power adapter (varies by region)
A yellow Ethernet cable
•The Resource CD, which includes: The Smart Wizard (Autorun.exe)
A PDF version of this manual
A link to the online User Manual
After your router is installed and you have Internet access, you can access
the online User Manual by clicking Documentation on the main menu.
Warranty and Support Information cards
If any of the package contents are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 1
To prepare your router for installation:
Carefully peel off the protective film covering both sides of your router (see Figure 1).
1.
Figure 1
2. Set up your wireless router by inserting the tabs of the stand (supplied with your router) into
the slots on the bottom of your router as shown in Figure 2. Then, remove the protective film covering the status light panel of the router.
Figure 2
3. Place your router in a suitable area for installation (near an AC power outlet and accessible to
the Ethernet cables for your wired computers).
2 Getting to Know Your Wire less Router
To ensure proper heat dissipation and for router stability, it is important that you
Power
On – Amber The router is performing the power-on self-test diagnostic. On – Green The power is on and the router is ready. Blink – Amber A software update is in progress. Blink – Green The firmware is corrupt. See “Checking Basic Router
Functions” on page 32 to restore your firmware.
Off Power is not being supplied to the router.
Internet
On – Amber No IP address acquired. On – Green The wireless router has acquired an Internet address. Blink – Green Data is being communicated with the Internet. Off No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.
Wireless
On – Blue The wireless interface is enabled. Blink – Blue Data is being communicated over the wireless network. Off The wireless interface is turned off.
LAN (Ports 1–4)
On – Green The local port is connected to a 1000 Mbps device. Blink – Green Data is being transmitted at 1000 Mbps. On – Amber The local port is connected to a 10/100 Mbps device. Blink – Amber Data is being transmitted at 10/100 Mbps. Off No link is detected on this port.
WPS button/light
Blink – Green Indicates WPS activity; the device is in the 2 minute interval
to synchronize security or there is a WPS error.
On – Green Security set to WEP, WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK.
connect the stand and place your router in an upright position.

Hardware Features

Before you install and connect your router, take a moment to become familiar with important information on the label, and with the front and back panels of the router—especially the status lights on the front panel.

Front Panel

The router front panel, shown in Figure 3, contains status lights. (For more information on interpreting the status lights, see “Verifying Your Connection” on page 18 and “Checking Basic
Router Functions” on page 32.)
Figure 3
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 3

Back Panel

1. Restore factory settings button. Press for approximately 5 seconds to reset the router to the factory default settings.
2. Four Local Area Network (LAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the router to your local computers.
3. Internet/Wide Area Network (WAN) Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable or DSL modem.
4. Power on/off push-button.
5. AC power adapter outlet for connecting the power adapter.
The router back panel contains port connections described in Figure 4.
Figure 4

Router Label

The label on the back of the wireless router shows the router’s MAC address, serial number, security PIN, power on/off button, and factory default access login information.
The ports on the router are color-coded to distinguish your Internet port from the other four ports that connect to the wired computer(s) on your Local Area Network (LAN).
Figure 5
4 Getting to Know Your Wire less Router

Positioning Your Wireless Router

The wireless router lets you access your network from virtually anywhere within the operating range of your wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. For example, the thickness and number of walls the wireless signal must pass through might limit the range. For best results, place your router:
Near the center of the area where your computers and other devices will operate, preferably within line of sight to your wireless devices.
Accessible to an AC power outlet and near Ethernet cables for wired computers.
In an elevated location such as a high shelf, keeping the number of walls and ceilings between the wireless router and your other devices to a minimum.
Away from electrical devices which are potential sources of interference, such as ceiling fans, home security systems, microwaves, or the base for a cordless phone.
Away from any large metal surfaces, such as a solid metal door or aluminum studs. Large expanses of other materials such as glass, insulated walls, fish tanks, mirrors, brick, and concrete can also affect your wireless signal.
Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.
Warning: Do not install this device on top of any other electrical equipment or install
any other equipment on top of this device. Keep this device away from any heat sources such as direct sunlight, heaters, radiators, or other A/V receivers or devices that emit heat.

Installing Your Wireless Router

To help you set up your router and get on the Internet quickly, the Resource CD contains a Smart
Wizard™. The Smart Wizard walks you through the steps required to connect your router, modem, and PC(s); configure your wireless settings; and enable wireless security for your network. When
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 5
you have finished, you will be Internet ready! If you have a Macintosh or Linux system, you need to use the manual installation method (see “Manually Installing Your Router” on page 13).
NETGEAR does not recommend or support adding a NETGEAR router behind another router, or replacing a gateway with a a NETGEAR router.
You can set up your wireless router using one of two methods:
Smart Wizard Setup: The Smart Wizard setup is available on your Resource CD. See
“Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard” on page 9 to use the Smart Wizard.
This is the easiest option. The wizard guides you through the setup process. It automates
many of the steps and verifies that the steps have been successfully completed.
Smart Wizard requires a PC running Microsoft Windows.
Before running the Smart Wizard on a corporate PC to set up your home router, check with your company’s network support staff. Corporate network settings or Virtual Private Network (VPN) client software might conflict with the default settings of a home router. If you are unsure about whether there might be a conflict, use a different computer.
Manual Setup: If you cannot or prefer not to use the Smart Wizard, see “Manually Installing
Your Router” on page 13. For example, if you are connecting to a Mac, are using a Linux
operating system, or are technically knowledgeable, select this option. If you choose to use this option and install your router manually, for best results, install and set up your router in this order:
1. Install and connect your wireless router to your network (see “Connecting Your Wireless
Router” on page 14).
2. Set up your wireless router for Internet access (see “Setting Up Your Router for Internet
Access” on page 19).
3. Configure your wireless network and select wireless security settings to protect your wireless network (see “Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 23).

Updating Your Router Firmware

NETGEAR is always improving the operability and features included with your router. To make it easy for you to receive the best, most up-to-date features of your router, NETGEAR provides a variety of methods for updating your product.
6 Getting to Know Your Wire less Router
The Smart Wizard lets you check for and install updates as part of the setup activity (see
“Using the Smart Wizard” on page 9).
The router includes an update feature that lets you check for and install updates. You must log in to the router to use this feature see “Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access” on
page 19, or the online User Manual).
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 7
8 Getting to Know Your Wire less Router
Installing Your Router

Using the Smart Wizard

The Smart Wizard setup procedure should take about 15 minutes to complete. Before using the Smart Wizard, ensure that:
You are using a PC with Windows Vista, Windows 2000, or Windows XP with Service Pack 2, and with a wired Ethernet connection, not a wireless connection.
You have an Internet service connection through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You have the configuration information provided by your ISP.
Using the Smart Wizard
The NETGEAR Smart Wizard takes you through the procedure to connect your router, modem, and PC(s). It then helps you to configure your wireless settings and enable wireless security for your network. steps. At each step in the setup process, the Smart Wizard checks to ensure that the steps you perform are successfully completed.
The Smart Wizard guides you through the setup process by automating many of the
To set up your router using the Smart Wizard:
Insert the Resource CD into your Windows PC. The CD will automatically start and detect the
1.
language you are using on your PC. Select a different language option, if you prefer.
If the CD does not automatically start, browse the CD and double-click on .
2. In the CD’s menu, click Setup to start the Smart Wizard.
3. When the Smart Wizard prompts you about updates, click Yes to check for updates for your
router, or No, to update later (for more information, see “Setting Up Your Router for Internet
Access” on page 19, or the online User Manual).
4. Follow the remaining instructions and prompts.

Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard 9

The Smart Wizard guides you through installing your router, connecting your router to the Internet, configuring your wireless network settings, and selecting the optimum security protection for your network. If you choose not to select a security option during installation, you can always access the router’s user interface later to select a security option (see
“Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 23).
To ensure optimum performance of your high-speed wireless router, the wireless adapter card for each computer in your network should support the
same technology as your router. For more information, see the online User Manual.
At the close of installation, the Smart Wizard places a Router_Setup.html file on your
computer’s desktop so that you can view the router settings. It also places the Router Login
shortcut on the desktop for you to access the router’s main menu.
You are now connected to the Internet.
Figure 6
To set up additional wireless computers in your network to access the router and connect to the Internet, see “Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 23.

Accessing Your Router After Installation

The Smart Wizard only appears when you first install the router or when the router is in its factory default state (for example, if you have reset the router to its default factory settings). If you want to change the settings after installing and configuring your router using the Smart Wizard, you must
10 Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard
open a browser window and log in to the router. You will also be prompted to check for new router firmware. For more information, see “Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 23.
Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard 11
12 Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard
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