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Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Position the Router The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your WiFi network. However, the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of the router. For example, the thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through can limit the range. Additionally, other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your router's signal. WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other device that emits a WiFi signal for network access. Position the router according to the following guidelines: • Place the 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 Hardware Overview of the 15 Router User Manual

Section	Page
Contents	3
1. Hardware Overview of the Router	9
Unpack Your Router	10
Attach the Antennas	11
LEDs and Buttons on the Top Panel	12
Rear Panel	13
USB Port on the Front Panel	14
Router Label	14
Position the Router	15
Cable Your Router	16
2. Connect to the Router’s Network and Automatically Set Up the Internet Connection	17
Connect to the network	18
Connect to the network using a wired connection	18
Find and connect to the WiFi network	18
WiFi connection using WPS	18
Types of logins	19
Install and manage your router with the Nighthawk app	19
Log In to the Router	20
Change the language	20
3. Specify Your Internet Settings	22
Use the Internet Setup Wizard	23
Manually set up the Internet connection	23
Specify an Internet connection without a login	23
Specify an Internet connection that uses a login	25
Specify IPv6 Internet connections	26
Requirements for entering IPv6 addresses	27
Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection	27
Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection	29
Set up an IPv6 6to4 tunnel Internet connection	30
Set Up an IPv6 6rd Internet Connection	31
Set up an IPv6 pass-through Internet connection	33
Set up an IPv6 fixed Internet connection	34
Set up an IPv6 DHCP Internet connection	35
Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection	37
Manage the MTU size	38
MTU concepts	38
Change the MTU size	40
4. Control Access to the Internet	41
Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet	42
Use keywords to block Internet sites	43
Block services from the Internet	45
Delete keywords from the blocked list	46
Prevent blocking on a trusted computer	46
Manage network access control lists	47
Schedule when to block Internet sites and services	48
Set up security event email notifications	49
5. Manage Network Settings	51
View or Change WAN Settings	52
Set up a default DMZ server	53
Change the Router’s Device Name	54
Change the LAN TCP/IP settings	54
Specify the IP addresses that the router assigns	56
Disable the DHCP server feature in the router	57
Manage reserved LAN IP addresses	58
Reserve an IP address	58
Edit a reserved IP address	59
Delete a reserved IP address entry	59
Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi connections	60
Specify Basic WiFi Settings	61
Change the WiFi Mbps Settings	62
Change the WiFi Password or the WiFi Security	64
Set up a guest WiFi network	65
Control the WiFi radios	67
Use the WiFi On/Off button	67
Enable or disable the WiFi radios	68
Set up a WiFi schedule	68
Specify WPS settings	69
Set up the router as a WiFi access point	70
Set up the router in bridge mode	71
Set up a bridge for a port group or VLAN tag group	73
Set up a bridge for a port group	73
Set up a bridge for a VLAN tag group	74
Set up an IPTV port	75
Manage custom static routes	76
Set up a static route	77
Edit a static route	78
Delete a static route	79
6. Optimize Performance	80
Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS	81
Turn On Internet Access QoS	81
Add a QoS Rule by Device	82
Add a QoS Rule by Service	83
Edit a QoS Rule	83
Delete a QoS Rule	84
Delete All QoS Rules	85
Manage Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service	85
Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug-N-Play	86
7. Manage Your Router	88
Update the router firmware	89
Check for new firmware and update the router	89
Manually upload firmware to the router	90
Change the admin password	91
Enable admin password recovery	91
Recover the admin password	92
View information about the router and the Internet and WiFi settings	93
Display the statistics of the Internet port	94
Check the Internet connection status	95
View and manage logs of router activity	96
View devices currently on the network	97
Monitor Internet Traffic	97
Manage the router configuration file	99
Back up the settings	99
Erase the settings	99
Restore the settings	100
Remote access	101
Set up remote management	101
Use remote access	102
Remotely access your router using the Nighthawk app	102
Disable LED blinking or turn off LEDs	103
Return the router to its factory default settings	103
Use the Reset button	104
Erase the settings	104
8. Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router	106
USB device requirements	107
Connect a USB storage device to the router	107
Access a storage device connected to the router from a Windows-based computer	108
Map a USB device to a Windows network drive	108
Access a storage device that is connected to the router from a Mac	109
Back up Windows-based computers with ReadySHARE Vault	110
Back up Mac computers with Time Machine	110
Set up a USB hard drive on a Mac	111
Prepare to back up a large amount of data	112
Use Time Machine to back up onto a USB hard disk	112
Enable FTP access within your network	114
View network folders on a storage device	114
Add a network folder on a USB storage device	115
Edit a network folder on a USB storage device	116
Safely remove a USB storage device	117
9. Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet	118
Set up and manage Dynamic DNS	119
Set up FTP access through the Internet	119
Your personal FTP server	120
Set up your personal FTP server	120
Set up a new Dynamic DNS account	121
Specify a DNS account that you already created	121
Change the Dynamic DNS settings	122
Access USB storage devices through the Internet	123
Remotely access a USB device using ReadyCLOUD	124
Create a ReadyCLOUD account	124
Register your router with ReadyCLOUD	124
10. Use the Router as a Media Server	126
Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings	127
Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server	128
Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With iTunes	128
Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With the Remote App	129
Set Up the Router to Work With TiVo	130
Change the NTP Server	131
11. Share a USB Printer	133
Install the printer driver and cable the printer	134
Download the ReadySHARE printer utility	134
Install the ReadySHARE printer utility	134
Print using the NETGEAR USB Control Center	135
View or Change the Status of a Printer	136
Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer	137
Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings	137
Turn Off Automatic Startup for NETGEAR USB Control Center	137
Change the Language for the NETGEAR USB Control Center	138
Specify the USB Control Center Time-Out	138
12. Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering	139
Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server	140
Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server	140
Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service	141
Edit a Port Forwarding Service	142
Delete a Port Forwarding Entry	143
Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public	143
How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule	144
Port Triggering	144
Add a Port Triggering Service	145
Enable Port Triggering	146
Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat	146
13. Troubleshooting	148
Quick tips	149
Sequence to restart your network	149
Check the power adapter and Ethernet cable connections	149
Check the WiFi settings	149
Check the network settings	149
Troubleshoot with the LEDs	150
Standard LED behavior when the router is powered on	150
Power LED is off or blinking	150
LEDs never turn off	150
Internet or Ethernet LAN port LEDs are off	151
WiFi LED is off	151
You cannot log in to the router	151
You cannot access the Internet	152
Troubleshoot Internet browsing	154
Changes are not saved	154
Troubleshoot WiFi connectivity	155
Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility	155
Test the LAN path to your router	155
Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device	156
14. Supplemental Information	158
Factory Settings	159

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Position the Router

The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your

WiFi network. However, the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can

vary significantly depending on the physical placement of the router. For example, the

thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through can limit the range.

Additionally, other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your router’s

signal. WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other

device that emits a WiFi signal for network access.

Position the router according to the following guidelines:

•

Place the 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

User Manual

Hardware Overview of the

Router

Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200