Netgear orporated 12200195 User Manual
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
User Manual
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
July 2012
202-11003-01
v1.0
This manual is for certification purposes only.
The art, screen captures, and descriptions
might vary from the actual device.
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
©2012 NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated
into any language in any form or by any means without the written permission of NETGEAR, Inc.
Technical Support
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. To register your product, get the latest product updates, or get support online,
visit us at
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at
http://support.netgear.com.
http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/984.
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, ReadyNAS, ProSafe, Smart Wizard, Auto Uplink, X-RAID2, and NeoTV are
trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Vista are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or
trademarks of their respective holders.
Statement of Conditions
To improve 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.
2
Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 2 Powerline Utility
Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
LED and Feature Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
How the Powerline AV 500 Access Point Fits in Your Network . . . . . . . . . .7
Set Up the Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Set Up a New Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Add the Powerline Access Point to an Existing Powerline Network . . . . . 9
Set Up the Access Point Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Method A: Use the Powerline Utility for Wireless Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Method B: Use the WPS Button for Wireless Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Join the Powerline Access Point Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Powerline Network Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Set the Encryption Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Install the Powerline Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Powerline Utility Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Security Icon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Change the Name of a Powerline Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Turn LEDs Off or On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Set the Powerline Encryption Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Reset a Device to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Add a Device to the Powerline Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Set Up Quality of Service (QoS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Advanced Wireless Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting
Basic Functioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
LEDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
If You Do Not See All Your Devices with the Powerline Utility . . . . . . . . . .29
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Appendix B Notification of Compliance
Index
3
1. Getting Started
This chapter describes your Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001), and how your
adapters can fit into a home network. It also explains the security features and how to customize
the encryption key for added security. For more information about the topics covered in this
manual, visit the support website at http://support.netgear.com.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Hardware Features
• How the Powerline AV 500 Access Point Fits in Your Network
• Set Up the Powerline Network
• Powerline Network Security
• Set Up the Access Point Wireless Network
• Join the Access Point Wireless Network
• Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
• Use the Security Button to Set the Encryption Key
• Set the Encryption Key
1
4
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
Hardware Features
The package includes a Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001), a Resource CD, and
an Ethernet cable.
Ethernet cable
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point
Figure 1. Package contents
The following illustration shows the front and side panels of the XWN5001:
LEDs
Ethernet
port
On/Off
button
Figure 2. Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
Reset
button
Security
button
Getting Started
5
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
LED and Feature Descriptions
The following table describes the status LEDs on the Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point.
Table 1. LED descriptions
Item Description
Power
LED
Powerline LED
Ethernet LED
Buttons
• Solid green. The electrical power is on.
• Blinking green.The adapter is in the process of restarting or setting up security.
• Amber. Power saving mode. The unit enters power saving mode if the Ethernet port is not
linked for more than 10 minutes.
• Off. There is no electrical power, or power has been turned off through the Powerline
Utility.
• Solid. The adapter is connected to a Powerline network.
• Blinking. The adapter is sending or receiving data.
• Off. The adapter has not found any other compatible Powerline devices using the same
encryption key, or has been turned off through the Powerline Utility.
The Pick A Plug feature lets you pick the electrical outlet with the strongest link rate, indicated
by the color displayed by the LED:
Green. Link rate > 80 Mbps
(Best) - Good for HD video
• Solid. The Ethernet port is linked, but there is no activity.
• Blinking. There is traffic on the Ethernet port.
• Off. There is no Ethernet connection, or it has been turned off through the Powerline
Utility.
Amber. Link rate > 50, < 80
Mbps
(Better) - Good for SD Video
Red. Link rate < 50 Mbps
(Good) - Good for data
Three buttons are located on the side of the Access Point:
• Reset. Press the Reset button for 1 second, and then release it to return the Powerline
adapter to its factory default settings.
• Security. After you plug in your new AV adapters, press the Security button for 2
seconds on both of the AV adapters. You have to press both buttons within 2 minutes.
The Security button does not work in power saving mode. The unit enters power saving
mode if the Ethernet port is idle (not linked) for more than 10 minutes.
• On/Off. This button is used for wireless setup with WPS. See Method B: Use the WPS
Button for Wireless Setup on page 12.
Ethernet Port
Plug one end of the Ethernet cable that comes with the Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point
(XWN5001) into this port and the other end either into your router, or into the computer or
another peripheral device.
Getting Started
6
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
Product Label
The product label shows unique details specific to your adapter. The product label is located
on the back of the adapter. The label contains the following information.
• Model number
• MAC address
• Device password
• Serial number
How the Powerline AV 500 Access Point Fits in Your Network
You can use one or more Powerline 500 WiFi Access Points to extend your home network
anywhere in your house using your electrical power lines.
A Powerline network consists of two or more compatible Powerline devices that
communicate with each other. One of the Powerline devices is connected with an Ethernet
cable to your router so that the Powerline network is linked to your local area network (LAN).
That way each Powerline device can communicate with the router and use its Internet
connection.
The following illustration shows an existing Powerline network with one Powerline device in
Room 1, a second Powerline device in Room 2, and an XWN5001 Powerline access point in
Room 3:
Room 1
Powerline
Room 2
Room 3
Powerline
Figure 3. Powerline access point connected to the Powerline network and wireless network
Getting Started
7
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
To form a Powerline network you need at least two compatible Powerline devices (including
the Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point).
For best performance, plan the location of your Powerline devices:
• Use an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a wall switch to avoid someone
unknowingly turning off the power to the outlet.
• Do not plug in Powerline products to a power strip, extension cord, or surge protector as
this might prevent them from working correctly or reduce the network performance.
• Avoid plugging Powerline products into electrical outlets located near an appliance that
uses a lot of power, such as a washer or dryer, or a refrigerator. This could potentially
prevent the adapters from working correctly, or reduce network performance.
Set Up the Powerline Network
You can set up a Powerline network that includes the Access Point, or you can add the Access
Point to an existing Powerline network.
Set Up a New Powerline Network
Different Powerline adapter models can share the network. All NETGEAR Powerline AV
products (models XAV101, XAV1004, XAV2001, XAV2501, and XAVN2001) are compatible.
To set up a new Powerline network:
1. Make sure that your home router is up and running and that Ethernet wired connections
are working.
2. Install the first Powerline adapter based on the
installation instructions that came in the package.
Plug a compatible NETGEAR Powerline adapter
(sold separately) into a wall outlet near your
router, and connect it to the LAN port on your
router using an Ethernet cable.
3. For convenience during setup, plug the Access
Point into a wall outlet near your router.
Getting Started
8
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
4. Connect a computer to the Access Point for
initial setup.
Use the supplied Ethernet cable to connect
the Access Point to an Ethernet port on a
computer.
The Powerline devices attempt to detect
each other and form a Powerline network.
This could take a few minutes.
5. Plug any additional Powerline devices you
are using into power outlets near the other
computers and devices to be included in
your Powerline network.
6. Wait for each Powerline adapter or access
point to be recognized by the Powerline network.
The Power, Ethernet, and Powerline LEDs should turn on. This could take as little as 5
seconds, or up to 80 seconds. If the Powerline LEDs are green or amber, the devices are
successfully connected. A red LED indicates a weak link rate. In this case, move the
adapter or access point to another electrical outlet with a better connection.
7. Set up the Access Point wireless network as explained in Set Up the Extender Wireless
Network on page 10.
Add the Access Point to an Existing Powerline Network
Your existing Powerline network needs to have two or more compatible Powerline devices
that communicate with each other. (models XAV101, XAV1004, XAV2001, XAV2501, and
XAVN2001). One of these Powerline devices has to be cabled with Ethernet to your router so
that the Powerline network is linked to your local area network (LAN).
To add the Access Point to an existing Powerline network:
1. If you used the Security buttons or the Powerline Utility to secure your Powerline
network, press the Reset button on each Powerline device to return it to its factory
settings.
This is the quickest way to allow your new Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point to
communicate with the other Powerline devices.
Getting Started
9
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
2. Connect a computer to the Access Point for
initial setup.
Use the supplied Ethernet cable to connect
the Access Point to an Ethernet port on a
computer.
3. For convenience during setup, plug the
Access Point into an electrical outlet near
your router.
The Access Point attempts to detect the
other compatible Powerline devices in your
network and join the Powerline network.
This could take a few minutes.
4. Check the Powerline LEDs to make sure
that the Powerline devices are
communicating with each other. If the LEDs are green or amber, the devices are
successfully connected. A red LED indicates a weak link rate. In this case, move the adapter
or access point to another electrical outlet with a better connection.
5. Set up the Access Point wireless network as explained in Set Up the Extender Wireless
Network on page 10.
Set Up the Access Point Wireless Network
You need to set up the access point so that it can join your wireless network. To do this you
can use either the Powerline Utility or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).
• If your router does not have WPS, or you are not sure, use Method A.
• If your router does have WPS, use Method B.
Method A: Use the Powerline Utility for Wireless Setup
To set up your Access Point wireless network:
1. Download and install the Powerline Utility on your computer.
2. Temporarily connect your computer to the Ethernet port on the XWN5001.
Getting Started
10
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
3. On the Powerline Utility screen, right-click the XWN5001 icon.
4. Select Wireless Configuration in the pop-up menu..
5. Enter the wireless settings.
Note: You can access advanced wireless settings by clicking the IP
address at the bottom of the Wireless Setting screen. The login and
password are admin and password.
Getting Started
11
Powerline 500 WiFi Access Point (XWN5001)
Method B: Use the WPS Button for Wireless Setup
You can use this method if you have a wireless router, or modem router with a WPS (Wi-Fi
Protected Setup) button. The WPS button might be labeled WPS, or it could look similar to
or .
To use WPS to set up your Access Point wireless network:
1. Push the WPS button on the wireless client.
2.
Push and hold the Security button on the wireless access point for about 2 seconds and release
it. The Wireless LED starts flashing.
When the Wireless LED stops flashing, the wireless pairing is done and the wireless device is
securely connected to the XWN5001 Wireless Access Point.
Note: This method pairs the XWN5001 with your wireless client, and at the same
time secures the connection with a random passphrase.
Connect your wireless device to the XWN5001. Connect a laptop, table, or smart phone to the
3.
XWN5001 WiFi access point to gain access to the Internet.
a. Launch the application on your wireless client (laptop, tablet, or smart phone).
b. Refresh the WiFi network list to see the network SSID list.
c. Connect to the WiFi network SSID NETGEAR_EXT or the one you configured in
step 4, Method A.
Getting Started
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