Easy, Reliable & Secure
N300RE WiFi Range
Extender
User Manual
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 product 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.
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Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
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
Chapter 2 Extender Network Settings
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
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1. Getting Started |
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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
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N300RE WiFi Range Extender
Hardware Features
Note: For best performance, position antennas pointing up.
Device On/Off button
WPS button
Factory Reset button
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Ethernet port |
WPS |
Link Rate |
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PC to Extender Status |
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Figure 1. Extender
The LEDs on the front show how the extender is working:
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WPS. This LED indicates a WPS wireless connection.
-Solid green. The wireless connection uses wireless security (WPA or WPA2).
-Blinking green. A WPS connection is in progress.
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PC to Extender. The LED is lit when the extender is connected to a computer.
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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 best.
-Amber is good.
-Red is poor.
The side panel has the following features:
•Ethernet port. You can use this port for a wired connection to a computer or other device.
•Factory Reset button. To use this button, stick a paper clip into the reset hole and hold it until the Status LED flashes.
•WPS button. Press the WPS button to connect the extender to your wireless router.
•Device On/Off button. This button turns the extender on and off.
Getting Started
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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 extender connects to a WiFi network.
When the extender joins a WiFi network, it acts as a network client. This is similar to how a computer connects to a network.
2.The 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 point, the extender performs tasks that wireless routers do, such as broadcasting its network name (SSID).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place.
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 correctly set up and working effectively.
•The best performance is delivered when both the Link Rate and PC to Extender LEDs light green.
•A workable performance is delivered when the Link Rate LED is lit amber and the PC to Extender LED is lit green.
Getting Started
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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 and your computer or wireless device.
If there is no power outlet nearby, or you prefer to place the extender elsewhere, move the extender closer to the computer. If the Link Rate LED is green or amber and the PC to Extender LED is green, the extender is working as expected.
To improve the Link Rate LED from red or amber to green:
1.Connect 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 new location, power up the extender and continue to check the LEDs.
4.Once 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
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N300RE WiFi Range Extender
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.
N300RE Range Extender
Blu-ray player
WiFi router
Figure 4. Ethernet port connection.
CAUTION:
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.Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
2.Connect your computer to the extender with an Ethernet cable.
3.Launch a web browser.
The first time you connect to the extender, EZ Setup displays. See Use EZ Setup after Installation on page 10.
If you already set up the extender, your browser connects to the Internet.
Getting Started
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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 browser, 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 Set the Password on page 22).
•If your extender has an Internet connection, the extender checks for new firmware.
•The Status screen displays.
Getting Started
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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:
•Extender Information. This pane displays the version of the hardware, firmware, and GUI language.
•Connection 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.
•Extender IP Info. This pane displays information about the network settings for the extender. For more information about these settings, see IP Address Setup on page 19.
•Extender 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.
To use the EZ Setup:
1. Select Home > EZ Setup.
Getting Started
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