On Networks N300RE User Manual

Easy, Reliable & Secure

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

User Manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA

April 2013
202-11247-01
v1.0

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

Support

Thank you for selecting On Networks products. On Networks recommends that you use only the official On
Networks support resources.

After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product
at www.on-networks.com/register. You must register your product before you can use On Networks telephone
support. On Networks recommends registering your p r oduct through the On Networks website. For product
updates and web support, visit support.on-networks.com.

Trademarks

Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is
subject to change without notice.

In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, On Networks reserves the right
to make changes to the products described in this document without notice. On Networks 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 Extender Network Settings

Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Position Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Ethernet Port Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Log In to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Status Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Use EZ Setup after Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Connect the Extender to an Existing Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Use WPS to Join the Extender Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Set Up WPA, WPA2, or WPA + WPA2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Set Up WEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

IP Address Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Attached Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Back Up and Manage Extender Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Back Up Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Restore Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Erase the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Set the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Password Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Upgrade the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Advanced Wireless Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

View or Change WPS Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Set up a Wireless Access List by MAC Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Appendix A Supplemental Information

Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Appendix B Notification of Compliance

3

1. Getting Started

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Hardware Features

• How the Extender Works

• To cable a computer to the extender:

• Log In to the Extender

• Use EZ Setup after Installation

1

4

Hardware Features

WPS

Ethernet port

Factory Reset button

WPS button

Device On/Off button

PC to Extender Status

Link Rate

Note: For best performance,
position antennas pointing up.

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

Figure 1. Extender

The LEDs on the front show how the extender is working:

•

•

•

•

WPS. This LED indicates a WPS wireless connection.

- Solid gre

- Blinki

en. The wireless connection uses wireless security (WPA or WPA2).

ng green. A WPS connection is in progress.

PC to Extender. The LED is lit when the extender is connected to a computer.
Status. This LED is lit when the extender is powered on.

Link Rate. This LED indicates a wireless connection between the extender and the

router.

- Green is be

- Amb

er is good.

- Red is p

oor.

st.

The side panel has the following features:

• Ethernet port. Y

• Fac

tory Reset button. To use this button, stick a paper clip into the reset hole and hold it

ou can use this port for a wired connection to a computer or other device.

until the Status LED flashes.

• WPS button. Press the

• Device On/Off button. This bu

WPS button to connect the extender to your wireless router.

tton turns the extender on and off.

Getting Started

5

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

How the Extender Works

The extender works like a bridge between a wireless router and a computer or wireless
device outside the wireless router’s range. To do this, the extender has two main jobs:

1. The

2. T

The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place.

extender connects to a WiFi network.

When the extender joins a WiFi network, it acts as a
a computer connects to a network.

he extender acts as an access point for computers.

The extender has its own wireless network called On_Networks_EXT. In its role as an
access p
its network name (SSID).

oint, the extender performs tasks that wireless routers do, such as broadcasting

network client. This is similar to how

Figure 2. WiFi Range Extender in a home

When to Use Your Extender

On Networks recommends that you connect to the extender only in the locations where your
WiFi connection is poor or does not work at all. Data traffic routed through the extender is
slower than traffic that goes only through the router. For this reason, in location where you
have a good connection to your home network, you should connect to it directly.

The LEDs can help you tell if the extender is corre

• The

• A workable

best performance is delivered when both the Link Rate and PC to Extender LEDs

light green.

performance is delivered when the Link Rate LED is lit amber and the PC to

Extender LED is lit green.

Getting Started

ctly set up and working effectively.

6

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

Position Your Extender

The ideal location to place the extender is halfway between your wireless router and the
location that has poor wireless coverage.

Figure 3. Extender location

The best position for the extender is one that has a clear line of sight between the extender
and the wireless router and also between the extender a nd your computer or wireless device.

If there is no power outlet nearby, or you prefer to place the extender elsewhere, move the
extende
Extender LED is green, the extender is working as expected.

r closer to the computer. If the Link Rate LED is green or amber and the PC to

 To improve the Link Rate LED from red or amber to green:

1. Conn

ect to the extender from a computer that is outside the range of your router and log
in to www.mywifiextender.net. EZ Setup helps you connect the extender to a WiFi
network.

2. If the

Link Rate LED is red or the extender cannot join the network, move the extender

closer to the router or to a different spot with a better line of sight.

3. As you move

the extender, continue to check the Link Rate and the PC to Extender LEDs
until you find a location where the Link Rate LED lights green or amber, and the PC to
Extender LED lights green.

You might have to unplug the extender as you move it to a different location. If you do,
from the

4. Once

new location, power up the extender and continue to check the LEDs.

the LEDs show that the extender is in a good location, open a browser and type

www.mywifiextender .net in your browser and use EZ Setup.

Getting Started

7

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

Blu-ray player

WiFi router

N300RE Range Extender

CAUTION:

Ethernet Port Connection

Usually , you connect to the extender wirelessly, but you can use its Ethernet port to connect a
wired device such as an Ethernet-enabled gaming console, printer, or computer.

Figure 4. Ethernet port connection.

Do not use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender to a router. If you do
so, the extender does not work because it is designed only to use a
wireless connection to the router.

 To cable a computer to the extender:

1. P

lug the extender into an electrical outlet.

2. Co

nnect your computer to the extender with an Ethernet cable.

3. Launch a web browser.

The first time you connect to the exte

Installation on p

If you already set up the extender, your browser connects to the Internet.

age 10.

nder, EZ Setup displays. See Use EZ Setup after

Getting Started

8

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

If you have trouble connecting:

• If you connect the Ethernet cable to the extender, and launch your browser quickly, the

computer might need a couple of minutes to recognize the Ethernet LAN connection
before you can connect.

• Make sure that your Ethernet cable is securely connected to the extender and the

computer, and that the PC to Extender LED is lit. If the LED is off, then reconnect the
Ethernet cable, and relaunch your Internet browser.

Log In to the Extender

You can log in to the extender to use menu selections to view or change the extender
settings.

 To log in to the extender:

1. On your computer or wireless device, launch a web browser.

2. In the address field of your bro wser, enter http://www.mywifiextender.net.

You are prompted to enter a user name and password.
If you do not see the log in prompt, make sure to include http:// when you type

http://www.mywifiextender.net in your browser.

3. Type admin for the user name .

4. Type the password.

The default password is admin. On Networks recommends that you set a more secure
password after you log in (see

• If your extender has an Internet connection, the extender checks for new firmware.

• The Status screen displays.

Set the Password on page 22).

Getting Started

9

N300RE WiFi Range Extender

Status Screen

The Status screen displays when you log in to the extender.

The following information is shown on this screen:

• Exten

• Conne

• Exten

• Exten

der Information. This pane displays the version of the hardware, firmware, and

GUI language.

ction Status to Existing Network. This pane displays the wireless network name
(SSID) of the existing network. It also shows the link rate, and whether the extender is
connected to the network.

der IP Info. This pane displays information about the network settings for the

extender. For more information about these settings, see IP Address Setup on p

der Wireless Settings. This pane displays the wireless settings. For more

information about these settings, see Wireless Settings on

page 16.

Use EZ Setup after Installation

EZ Setup can help you set up your extender to connect to a wireless network. The first time
that you use your web browser to connect to the extender, EZ Setup automatically displays.
You can use EZ Setup after installation by logging in to the extender.

Note: Once you begin using EZ Setup, you must complete all of its steps

before you can exit.

age 19.

 To use the EZ Setup:

1. Select Home > EZ Setup.

Getting Started

10