Netgear XR500 User Manual
XR500 Nighthawk
Pro Gaming Router
User Manual
Model XR500
April 2018
202-11808-03
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product.You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your
product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals , and join our comm unity.We recommend that
you use only official NETGEAR support resources.
Conformity
For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. An y non-NETGEAR
trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
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Contents
Chapter 1 Hardware Setup
Unpack Your Router.............................................................................................10
LEDs, Buttons, and Ports on the Front Panel, Top Panel, and Left Side Panel....11
Rear Panel...........................................................................................................13
Attach the Antennas.............................................................................................14
Router Label........................................................................................................15
Position Your Router.............................................................................................15
Cable Your Router................................................................................................17
Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch.......................................17
Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Router
Connect to the Network.......................................................................................20
Wired Connection............................................................................................20
WiFi Connection..............................................................................................20
WiFi Connection Using WPS...........................................................................20
Types of Logins....................................................................................................21
Use a Web Browser to Access the Router...........................................................21
Automatic Internet Setup.................................................................................21
Log In to the Router........................................................................................22
Change the Language.....................................................................................23
Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App....................................................23
Access the Router With the NETGEAR genie App..............................................24
Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings
Use the Internet Setup Wizard.............................................................................26
Manually Set Up the Internet Connection............................................................26
Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login.............................................26
Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login.........................................27
Specify IPv6 Internet Connections.......................................................................29
Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses....................................................29
Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection...........................................30
Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection...........................................31
Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection............................................32
Set Up an IPv6 6rd Internet Connection.........................................................33
Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection.........................................35
Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection......................................................35
Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection....................................................36
Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection...................................................38
Change the MTU Size..........................................................................................39
Chapter 4 Customize Quality of Service Settings and Optimize Gaming
Improve Response Time by Using the Geo Filter................................................43
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Configure and Use the Geo Filter....................................................................43
Ping a Device and Allow or Deny the Device a Connection............................45
Add a Device to the Geo Filter........................................................................45
Remove a Device From the Geo Filter............................................................46
Manage the General Geo Filter Map Settings.................................................47
Manage Bandwidth Allocation..............................................................................48
Prevent Network Congestion With Anti-Bufferbloat.........................................48
Disable Anti-Bufferbloat...................................................................................49
Allocate Bandwidth to Devices........................................................................50
Reset the Bandwidth Distribution....................................................................52
Manage Traffic Prioritization.................................................................................52
Prioritize Traffic for a Device and View Prioritization Information.....................52
Add a Device for Traffic Prioritization...............................................................53
Stop Traffic Prioritization for a Device..............................................................54
Disable Automatic Traffic Prioritization............................................................55
Chapter 5 Monitor Devices and the Network and View Router Information
View and Manage Devices Currently on the Network..........................................57
View Network Usage Information.........................................................................58
View Router System Information..........................................................................59
Customize the Dashboard...................................................................................61
Chapter 6 Control Access to the Internet
Block Access to Internet Sites.............................................................................64
Add Keywords and Block Access to Specific Inter net Sites............................64
Delete Keywords From the Blocked List..........................................................65
Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer............................................................65
Block Services and Applications With Simple Outbound Firewall Rules..............66
Block a Service or Application From Accessing the Internet...........................66
Change an Outbound Firewall Rule for a Service or Application....................67
Remove an Outbound Firewall Rule for a Service or Application....................68
Set Up a Schedule for Keyword Blocking and Outbound Firewall Rules.............68
Set Up Email Notifications for Security Events and Log Messages.....................69
Chapter 7 Manage the Router’s Network Settings
View or Change WAN Settings............................................................................72
Set Up a Default DMZ Server..............................................................................73
Change the Router’s Device Name......................................................................73
Change the Router’s LAN IP Address and RIP Settings......................................74
Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns.............................................75
Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router.................................................76
Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses.................................................................77
Reserve a LAN IP Address.............................................................................77
Change a Reserved IP Address......................................................................78
Delete a Reserved IP Address Entry..............................................................78
Set Up a Bridge to Your ISP’s Network Using a Port Group or VLAN Tag Group..79
Set Up a Bridge to Your ISP’s Network Using a Port Group............................79
Set Up a Bridge to Your ISP’s Network Using a VLAN Tag Group...................80
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Set Up an IPTV Port to Lease an Intranet Port...............................................81
Manage Custom Static Routes............................................................................82
Set Up a Static Route......................................................................................83
Change a Static Route....................................................................................83
Delete a Static Route......................................................................................84
Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug and Play..............................84
Chapter 8 Manage the Router’s WiFi Settings
Specify Basic WiFi Settings.................................................................................87
Change the WiFi Password or Security Level......................................................89
Change the WiFi Mbps Mode for Download and Upload Speeds........................90
Set Up a Guest WiFi Network..............................................................................90
Configure WPA/WPA2 Enter prise WiFi Security..................................................91
Configure WEP Legacy WiFi Secur ity..................................................................93
Control the WiFi Radios.......................................................................................94
Use the WiFi On/Off Button.............................................................................94
Enable or Disable the WiFi Radios..................................................................95
Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections.........................................................95
Set Up a WiFi Schedule.......................................................................................96
Specify WPS Settings..........................................................................................97
Manage Implicit Beamforming.............................................................................97
Manage Mu-MIMO...............................................................................................98
Manage HT160 for 160 MHz WiFi Support..........................................................99
Disable Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service........................................................99
Use the Router as a WiFi Access Point Only.....................................................100
Chapter 9 Maintain the Router
Update the Router Firmware..............................................................................103
Check for New Firmware and Update the Router..........................................103
Manually Upload Firmware to the Router......................................................104
Change the admin Password.............................................................................105
Enable admin Password Recovery....................................................................106
Recover the admin Password............................................................................106
Manage the Router Configuration File...............................................................107
Back Up the Configuration Settings..............................................................107
Restore the Configuration Settings...............................................................108
Erase the Current Configuration Settings......................................................108
Manage Remote Access....................................................................................109
Set Up Remote Management........................................................................109
Use Remote Access......................................................................................110
Remotely Access Your Router Using the genie App..........................................110
Monitor and Meter Internet Traffic......................................................................110
Start the Traffic Meter Without Traffic Volume Restrictions............................110
Restrict Internet Traffic by Volume.................................................................111
Restrict Internet Traffic by Connection Time..................................................112
View the Internet Traffic Volume and Statistics..............................................113
Unblock the Traffic Meter After the Traffic Limit Is Reached..........................114
View and Manage the Router Activity Log.........................................................114
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Display Internet Port Statistics...........................................................................116
Check the Internet Connection Status, View Details, and Release and Renew the
Connection.........................................................................................................116
Restart the Router From Its Web Interface........................................................117
View Router Notifications...................................................................................118
Disable or Enable LED Blinking or Tur n Off LEDs.............................................118
Chapter 10 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router
USB Device Requirements................................................................................121
Connect a USB Storage Device to the Router...................................................121
Access a Storage Device Connected to the Router From a Windows-Based
Computer...........................................................................................................121
Map a USB Device to a Windows Network Dr ive...............................................122
Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Router From a Mac...........123
Back Up Windows-Based Computers With ReadySHARE Vault.......................123
Back Up Mac Computers With Time Machine....................................................124
Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac..............................................................124
Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data................................................125
Use Time Machine to Back Up Onto a USB Hard Disk.................................125
Manage Access to a USB Storage Device.........................................................126
Use FTP Within the Network..............................................................................128
Manage Network Folders on a USB Storage Device.........................................128
View Network Folders on a USB Storage Device..........................................128
Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device..........................................129
Change a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device....................................130
Approve USB Devices........................................................................................130
Safely Remove a USB Storage Device..............................................................131
Chapter 11 Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the
Internet
Set Up Your Personal FTP Server......................................................................133
Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS...................................................................133
Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account...........................................................134
Specify a DNS Account That You Already Created.......................................134
Change the Dynamic DNS Settings..............................................................135
Access USB Storage Devices Through the Inter net..........................................136
Access USB Storage Devices From a Remote Computer............................136
Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet.....................................................136
Use FTP to Access Storage Devices Through the Inter net...........................137
Chapter 12 Use the Router as a Media Server
Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings......................................................139
Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server.....................................139
Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With iTunes.............................................140
Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With the Remote App.............................141
Set Up the Router to Wor k With TiVo.................................................................142
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Chapter 13 Share a USB Printer
Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer..................................................144
Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility........................................................144
Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility..............................................................144
Print Using the NETGEAR USB Control Center................................................145
View or Change the Status of a Printer..............................................................146
Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer........................................146
Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings.............................................147
Turn Off Automatic Startup for NETGEAR USB Control Center....................147
Change the Language for the NETGEAR USB Control Center....................147
Specify the USB Control Center Time-Out....................................................148
Chapter 14 Use VPN to Access Your Network
Set Up a VPN Connection..................................................................................150
Specify VPN Service in the Router....................................................................150
Install OpenVPN Software.................................................................................151
Install OpenVPN Software on a Windows-Based Computer.........................151
Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer.......................................153
Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device................................................154
Install OpenVPN Software on an Android Device.........................................155
Use a VPN Tunnel on a Windows-Based Computer..........................................155
Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Storage Device and Media From a
Windows-Based Computer................................................................................156
Use VPN to Access Your Inter net Service at Home...........................................156
Allow VPN Client Internet Access in the Router............................................157
Block VPN Client Internet Access in the Router............................................157
Use a VPN Tunnel to Access Your Internet Service at Home........................158
Chapter 15 Use VPN to Access An External Network
Set Up a VPN Client Connection.......................................................................160
Enable the VPN Client in the Router and Connect to a VPN Server..................160
Disconnect the Router From the VPN Ser ver....................................................162
Chapter 16 Manage and Customize Internet Traffic Rules for Ports
Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server for Services and Applications........164
Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server.....................................................164
Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service or Application.................................165
Change a Port Forwarding Service or Application........................................166
Remove a Port Forwarding Service or Application........................................166
Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public................................167
How the Router Implements a Port Forwarding Rule....................................167
Manage Port Triggering for Services and Applications......................................167
Add a Port Triggering Service or Application.................................................168
Enable Port Triggering and Specify the Time-Out Value................................169
Change a Port Triggering Service or Application...........................................169
Remove a Por t Triggering Ser vice or Application..........................................170
Disable Por t Trigger ing..................................................................................171
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Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat........................171
Chapter 17 Troubleshooting
Quick Tips..........................................................................................................174
Sequence to Restart Your Network...............................................................174
Check Ethernet Cable Connections..............................................................174
Check the Network Settings..........................................................................174
Check the WiFi Settings................................................................................174
Troubleshoot With the LEDs...............................................................................174
Standard LED Behavior When the Router Is Powered On............................175
Power LED Is Off or Blinking.........................................................................175
LEDs Never Turn Off.....................................................................................175
Internet or Ethernet Port LEDs Are Off.........................................................175
WiFi LEDs Are Off.........................................................................................176
You Cannot Log In to the Router........................................................................176
You Cannot Access the Internet.........................................................................176
Troubleshoot Internet Browsing.........................................................................178
Changes Are Not Saved....................................................................................178
Troubleshoot WiFi Connectivity..........................................................................178
Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility..............................................179
Test the Path From a Windows-Based Computer to a Remote Device.........179
Test the LAN Path to Your Router..................................................................180
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Settings.................................................................................................182
Technical Specifications.....................................................................................184
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Hardware Setup
This user manual is for the NETGEAR XR500 Nighthawk® Pro Gaming Router.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Unpack Your Router
• LEDs, Buttons, and Ports on the Front Panel, Top Panel, and Left Side Panel
• Rear Panel
• Attach the Antennas
• Router Label
• Position Your Router
• Cable Your Router
• Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch
For more information about the topics cov ered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear .com/support.
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XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
Unpack Your Router
Your package contains the XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router, the four antennas, the power adapter,
and an Ethernet cable.
Figure 1. Package contents
Hardware Setup
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XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
LEDs, Buttons, and Ports on the Front Panel,Top Panel, and Left Side Panel
The status LEDs are located on the front panel, two buttons with LEDs are located on the top panel, and
two USB 3.0 ports are located on the left side panel of the router.
Figure 2. Front view
Table 1. LED descriptions
DescriptionLED and Button
Power LED
Internet LED
Solid amber.The router is starting.
Blinking amber.The firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed.
Solid white.The router is ready.
Solid amber.The firmware is corrupted.
Off. Power is not supplied to the router.
Solid white.The Internet connection is ready.
Solid amber.The router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem.
Off. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.
Hardware Setup
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Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued)
DescriptionLED and Button
2.4 GHz WiFi LED
5 GHz WiFi LED
Guest WiFi LED
USB 3.0 port 1 LED and USB
3.0 port 2 LED
Ethernet LEDs for ports 1–4
Solid white.The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
Blinking white.The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
Off.The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
Solid white.The 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
Blinking white.The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
Off.The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off.
Solid white.The guest WiFi network is operating.
Blinking white.The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
Off.The guest WiFi radio is off in both the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band.
Solid white. A USB device is connected and is ready.
Blinking white. A USB device is plugged in and is trying to connect.
Off. No USB de vice is connected, or someone clicked the Safel y Remove Hard ware
button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB device.
The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and
amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections.
Solid white.The router detected a 1 Gbps link with a powered-on device.
Blinking white.The port is sending or receiving traffic at 1 Gbps.
Solid amber.The router detected a 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps link with a powered-on
device.
Blinking amber.The port is sending or receiving traffic at 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps.
Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
WiFi/On/Off button and LED
WPS button and LED
If the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel is mov ed to the Off position, all the LEDs
Note
except the Power LED are turned off.
Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios on
and off.
If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned
off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the router.
This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi
password.The WPS LED blinks white during this process and then lights solid
white.
Hardware Setup
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Rear Panel
The following figure shows the rear panel connectors and buttons.
Figure 3. Rear panel
Viewed from left to right, the rear panel contains the following components:
• LED On/Off switch. If this switch is in the Off position, all the router’s LEDs, including the LEDs on the
four active antennas, but not the Power LED, are turned off.
• Reset button. Pressing the Reset button resets the router.
If you press the Reset button for up to 30 seconds or until the Power LED starts blinking amber, the
router returns to its factory settings. For information about the factory settings, see Factory Settings on
page 182.
• One antenna connector.
• Ethernet ports. F our Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports named Eth4 to Eth1. Use these ports to connect
the router to LAN devices.
• Internet port. One yello w Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 W AN port to connect the router to an Internet modem
such as a cable modem or DLS modem.
• One antenna connector.
• DC power connector. Connect the power adapter that came in the product package to the DC power
connector.
• Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the router.
Hardware Setup
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Attach the Antennas
The router comes with four antennas. Attach two antennas to the rear panel and attach one antenna to each
side panel.
Figure 4. Attach the antennas and position them for best WiFi performance
To attach the antennas:
1. Align the antennas with the antenna posts on the router.
2. Attach the antennas on the threaded antenna posts.
3. Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance.
We recommend that you position all of the antennas as shown in the previous figure. Position the
antennas on the rear panel vertically and position the antennas on the side panels at a 45 degree angle.
Hardware Setup
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Router Label
The router label on the top panel of the router shows the login information, WiFi Network Name (SSID),
network key (password), serial number, and MAC address.
Figure 5. Router label
Figure 6. Location of the router label
Position Your Router
The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating r ange of your WiFi network. Howe ver ,
the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can vary significantly depending on the physical
placement of your router.
To take full advantage of the 11ad advanced feature, your router must be placed within 20 feet and within
line of sight of the 11ad enabled device that you are connecting to it.
Hardware Setup
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In addition, position your router according to the following guidelines:
• Place your router near the center of the area where your computers and other devices operate, and
within line of sight to your WiFi devices.
• Make sure that the router is within reach of an AC power outlet and near Ethernet cables for wired
computers.
• Place the router in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings between the router
and your other devices.
• Place the router away from electrical devices such as these:
- Ceiling fans
- Home security systems
- Microwaves
- Computers
- Base of a cordless phone
- 2.4 GHz cordless phone
- 5 GHz cordless phone
• Place the router 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
The following factors might limit the range of your WiFi:
• The thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through.
• Other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your router’s signal.
WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range e xtenders, and any other de vice that emits a WiFi
signal for network access.
Hardware Setup
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Cable Your Router
Power on your router and connect it to a modem.
Figure 7. Cable your router
To cable your router:
1. Unplug your modem, remove and reinsert the backup battery if it uses one, and then plug the modem
back in.
2. Use the Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the yellow Internet port on the router.
If your Internet connection does not require a modem, connect your main Ethernet
Note
cable to the yellow Internet port on the router.
3. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet.
4. Press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the router.
The router’s Power LED lights solid white when the router is ready.
Turn the LEDs On or Off Using the LED On/Off Switch
You can turn off the router LEDs using the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel of the router. Note that the
Power LED stays lit even if the LED On/Off switch is in the Off position.
You can also log in to the router to disable or enable LED blinking or turn off the LEDs
Note
(see Disable or Enable LED Blinking or Turn Off LEDs on page 118).
Hardware Setup
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XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
To turn the LEDs on or off using the LED On/Off switch:
Move the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel to the On or Off position.
Hardware Setup
18
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection.This chapter describes the
ways you can connect and how to access the router and log in.
The chapter contains the following sections:
• Connect to the Network
• Types of Logins
• Use a Web Browser to Access the Router
• Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App
• Access the Router With the NETGEAR genie App
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Connect to the Network
You can connect to the router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you set up your computer to
use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
Wired Connection
You can connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable and join the router’s local area netw ork
(LAN).The router provides four Ethernet ports.
To connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable:
1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).
2. Connect an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on your computer.
3. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable an Ethernet port on the router.
Your computer connects to the local area network (LAN).
WiFi Connection
To find and select the WiFi network:
1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).
2. On your computer or mobile device, find and select the WiFi network.
The WiFi network name is on the router label.
3. Join the WiFi network and enter the WiFi password.
The password is on the router label.
Your WiFi mobile connects to the WiFi network.
WiFi Connection Using WPS
You can connect to the router’s WiFi network with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or you can find and select
the WiFi network.
To use WPS to connect to the WiFi network:
1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).
2. Check the WPS instructions for your computer or mobile device.
3. Press the WPS button on the router.
4. Within two minutes, on your computer or mobile device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions
for WPS connections.
Your computer or mobile device connects to the WiFi network.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
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Types of Logins
Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand the difference so that
you know which login to use when.
Several types of logins are associated with the router:
• ISP login.The login that your ISP gave you logs you in to your Internet service.Your service provider
gave you this login information in a letter or some other way. If you cannot find this login information,
contact your service provider.
• WiFi network key or password.Your router is preset with a unique WiFi network name (SSID) and
password for WiFi access.This information is on the router label.
• Router login.This logs you in to the router web interface from a web browser as admin.
Use a Web Browser to Access the Router
When you connect to the network (either with WiFi or with an Ethernet cable), you can use a web browser
to access the router to view or change its settings.When you access the router, the software automatically
checks to see if your router can connect to your Internet service.
Automatic Internet Setup
You can set up your router automatically, or you can use a web browser to access the router and set up
your router manually. Before you start the setup process, get your ISP information and make sure that the
computers and devices in the network are using the settings described here.
When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you all the inf ormation
needed to connect to the Internet. For DSL service, y ou might need the following information to set up your
router:
• The ISP configuration information for your DSL account
• ISP login name and password
• Fixed or static IP address setting (special deployment by ISP; this setting is rare)
If you cannot locate this information, ask your ISP to provide it.When your Internet connection is working,
you no longer need to launch the ISP login program on your computer to access the Internet.When you
start an Internet application, your router automatically logs you in.
The NETGEAR installation assistant runs on any device with a web browser. Installation and basic setup
takes about 15 minutes to complete.
To automatically set up your router:
1. Make sure that the router is powered on.
2. Make sure that your computer or mobile de vice is connected to the router with an Ethernet cable (wired)
or over WiFi with the preset security settings listed on the label.
If you want to change the router’ s WiFi settings , use a wired connection to avoid being
Note
disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
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XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
3. Launch a web browser.
The page that displays depends on whether you accessed the router before:
• The first time you set up the Internet connection for your router, the browser goes to
http://www.routerlogin.net and the Configuring the Internet Connection page displays.
• If you already set up the Internet connection, enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field
for your browser to start the installation process.
4. Follow the instructions on the page.
The router connects to the Internet.
During the setup process, you are required to change the default router password.
Note
The ideal secure password contains no dictionary words from any language and
contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols .The password can
be up to 30 characters.
5. If the browser does not display a router page, do the following:
• Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the LAN Ethernet ports or over WiFi to the router.
• Make sure that the router is receiving power and that its Power LED is lit.
• Close and reopen the browser or clear the browser cache.
• Browse to http://www.routerlogin.net.
• If the computer is set to a static or fixed IP address (this setting is uncommon), change it to obtain
an IP address automatically from the router.
6. If the router does not connect to the Internet, do the following:
a. Review y our settings. Make sure that y ou selected the correct options and typed everything correctly.
b. Contact your ISP to verify that you are using the correct configuration information.
c. Read You Cannot Access the Internet on page 176. If problems persist, register your NETGEAR
product and contact NETGEAR Technical Support.
When the router connects to the Internet, you are prompted to download and install the free ReadySHARE
Vault®app.
Log In to the Router
After you automatically set up your router (see A utomatic Internet Setup on page 21), the next time that you
connect to your router and launch a web browser , the browser automatically displa ys the router web interface .
If you want to view or change settings for the router later, you can use a browser to log in to the router web
interface.
To log in to the router:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
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XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
You can also enter http://www.routerlogin.com or http://192.168.1.1.The procedures
Note
in this manual use http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The router admin user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that
you logged in.The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays. By default, the Dashboard shows the following panes:
• Internet Status
• Wireless Status
• Guest Wireless Status
• Network Overview
• CPU Usage
• Installed R-Apps
For information about these panes, see View Router System Information on page 59.
For information about how y ou can change the panes that are shown on the Dashboard, see Customize
the Dashboard on page 61.
Change the Language
By default, the language is set to Auto.
To change the language:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router user name and password.
The user name is admin.The default password is password.The user name and password are
case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays.
4. In the upper right corner, click the globe icon and select a language from the Language menu.
The page refreshes with the language that you selected.
Install the Router With the NETGEAR Up App
With the NETGEAR Up app, you can easily install your router. The app automatically updates the router to
the latest firmware, allows you to personalize your WiFi network, and even helps register your router with
NETGEAR.
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The NETGEAR Up app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices.
To install your router using the NETGEAR Up app:
1. Cable your router.
For more information, see Cable Your Router on page 17.
2. On your iOS or Android mobile device, go to the app store, search for NETGEAR Up, and download
the app.
3. On your iOS or Android mobile device, tap Settings > Wi-Fi and find and connect to your router’s WiFi
network.
Your router’s WiFi network name (SSID) and network key (password) are on the router label.
4. Launch the NETGEAR Up app on your mobile device.
5. Follow the instructions that display on the app to install your router and connect to the Internet.
Access the Router With the NETGEAR genie App
The genie app is the easy dashboard for managing, monitoring, and repairing your home network.The genie
app can help you with the following:
• Automatically repair common WiFi network problems.
• Easily manage router features like guest access, Internet traffic meter, speed test, and more.
To use the genie app to access the router:
1. Visit the NETGEAR genie web page at netgear.com/genie.
2. Follow the instructions on the page to install the app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
3. Launch the genie app.
The genie app dashboard displays.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router
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Specify Your Internet Settings
Usually , the quic k est wa y to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow the installation assistant
to detect the Internet connection when you first access the router with a web browser (see Automatic Internet
Setup on page 21).You can also customize or specify your Internet settings.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Use the Internet Setup Wizard
• Manually Set Up the Internet Connection
• Specify IPv6 Internet Connections
• Change the MTU Size
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Use the Internet Setup Wizard
You can use the Setup Wizard to detect your Internet settings and automatically set up your router.The
Setup Wizard is not the same as the pages that displa y the first time you connect to your router to set it up.
To use the Setup Wizard:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays.
4. Select Settings > Setup > Setup Wizard.
The Setup Wizard page displays.
5. Select the Yes radio button.
If you select the No radio button, after you click the Next button, you are taken to the Internet Setup
page (see Manually Set Up the Internet Connection on page 26).
6. Click the Next button.
The Setup Wizard searches your Internet connection for servers and protocols to determine your Internet
configuration.
When the router connects to the Internet, you are prompted to download and install the free NETGEAR
Desktop genie app and the free ReadySHARE Vault app.
Manually Set Up the Internet Connection
You can view or change the router’s Internet connection settings.
Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login
To specify the Internet connection settings:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to therouter network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays.
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4. Select Settings > Internet Setup.
The Internet Setup page displays.
5. In the Does your Internet connection require a login? section, leave the No radio button selected.
6. If your Internet connection requires an account name or host name, click the Edit button in the Account
Name section and enter the account name.
7. If your Internet connection requires a domain name, type it in the Domain Name (If Required) field.
For the other sections on this page, the default settings usually work, but you can change them.
8. Select an Internet IP Address radio button:
• Get Dynamically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address.Your ISP automatically
assigns these addresses.
• Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP address that
your ISP assigned.The gateway is the ISP router to which your router connects.
9. Select a Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button:
• Get Automatically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers.Your ISP
automatically assigns this address.
• Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option.
Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is
available, enter it also.
10. Select a Router MAC Address radio button:
• Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address.
• Use Computer MAC Address.The router captures and uses the MAC address of the computer
that you are now using.You must use the one computer that the ISP allows.
• Use This MAC Address. Enter the MAC address that you want to use.
11. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection.
If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You Cannot Access the Internet on
page 176.
Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login
To view or change the basic Internet setup:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays.
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4. Select Settings > Internet Setup.
The Internet Setup page displays.
5. In the Does your Internet connection require a login? section, select the Yes radio button.
6. From the Internet Service Provider menu, select the encapsulation method: PPPoE, L2TP, or PPTP.
7. In the Login field, enter the login name that your ISP gave you.
This login name is often an email address.
8. In the Password field, type the password that you use to log in to your Internet service.
9. If your ISP requires a service name, type it in the Service Name (if Required) field.
10. From the Connection Mode menu, select Always On, Dial on Demand, or Manually Connect.
11. To change the number of minutes until the Internet login times out, in the Idle Timeout (In minutes)
field, type the number of minutes.
This period is how long the router keeps the Internet connection active when no one on the network is
using the Internet connection. A value of 0 (zero) means never log out.
12. Select an Internet IP Address radio button:
• Get Dynamically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address.Your ISP automatically
assigns these addresses.
• Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP address that
your ISP assigned.The gateway is the ISP router to which your router connects.
13. Select a Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button:
• Get Automatically from ISP.Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers.Your ISP
automatically assigns this address.
• Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option.
Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is
available, enter it also.
14. Select a Router MAC Address radio button:
• Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address.
• Use Computer MAC Address.The router captures and uses the MAC address of the computer
that you are now using.You must use the one computer that the ISP allows.
• Use This MAC Address. Enter the MAC address that you want to use.
15. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
16. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection.
If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You Cannot Access the Internet on
page 176.
Specify Your Internet Settings
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Specify IPv6 Internet Connections
You can set up an IPv6 Internet connection if the router does not detect it automatically.
To set up an IPv6 Internet connection:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays.
4. Select Settings > Advanced Settings > IPv6.
The IPv6 page displays.
5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select the IPv6 connection type:
• If you are not sure, select Auto Detect so that the router detects the IPv6 type that is in use.
For more information, see Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection on page 30.
• If your Internet connection does not use PPPoE or DHCP, or is not fixed, but is IPv6, select Auto
Config.
For more information, see Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection on page 31.
For information about the other IPv6 connection types that the router supports, see the following sections:
• Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection on page 32
• Set Up an IPv6 6rd Internet Connection on page 33
• Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection on page 35
• Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection on page 35
• Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection on page 36
• Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection on page 38
6. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses
IPv6 addresses are denoted by eight groups of hexadecimal quartets that are separated by colons.You
can reduce any four-digit group of zeros within an IPv6 address to a single zero or omit it.The following
errors invalidate an IPv6 address:
• More than eight groups of hexadecimal quartets
• More than four hexadecimal characters in a quartet
• More than two colons in a row
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Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection
To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autodetection:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin.The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The Dashboard displays.
4. Select Settings > Advanced Settings > IPv6.
The IPv6 page displays.
5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Auto Detect.
The page adjusts.
The router automatically detects the information in the following fields:
• Connection Type.This field indicates the connection type that is detected.
• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on WAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’ s
WAN (or Internet) interface.The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also
indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays
Not Available.
• Router’s IPv6 Ad dress on LAN.This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’ s
LAN interface.The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also indicated by
the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available.
6. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button:
• Use DHCP Server.This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems
might not support the DHCv6 client function.
• Auto Config.This is the default setting.
This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home netw ork (the
LAN).
7. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the
IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface.
If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address.
8. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button:
• Secured. In secured mode , which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP pack ets.
• Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only.
9. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Specify Your Internet Settings
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