Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router User Manual Model R7000P July 2017 202-11702-02 350 E.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi 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 community. 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.
Contents Chapter 1 Hardware Setup Unpack Your Router...............................................................................................9 Attach the Antennas...............................................................................................9 Front View............................................................................................................10 LED Descriptions.................................................................................................
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet Set Up Parental Controls.....................................................................................39 Enable Circle With Disney...............................................................................39 Enable Circle With Disney On Your Router......................................................39 Enable Circle With Disney Using the Circle App.............................................
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Set Up a Static Route......................................................................................70 Edit a Static Route..........................................................................................71 Delete a Static Route......................................................................................72 Chapter 6 Optimize Performance Use Dynamic QoS to Optimize Internet Traffic Management...............................74 Enable Dynamic QoS......
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Edit a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device.................................................99 Set Up NETGEAR Downloader.........................................................................100 Download Files Using NETGEAR Downloader.............................................100 Change the NETGEAR Downloader Settings...............................................101 Set Up Email Notifications for NETGEAR Downloader.................................
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Install OpenVPN Software on Your Windows Computer................................127 Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer.......................................130 Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device................................................130 Install OpenVPN Software on an Android Device.........................................131 Use a VPN Tunnel on Your Windows Computer.................................................
Hardware Setup 1 This chapter contains the following sections: • Unpack Your Router on page 9 • Attach the Antennas on page 9 • Front View on page 10 • LED Descriptions on page 10 • Rear Panel on page 12 • Cable Your Router on page 14 • Position Your Router on page 13 • Disable or Enable LED Blinking or Turn Off LEDs on page 14 For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at support.netgear.com.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Unpack Your Router Your package contains the Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router, the power adapter, and a yellow Ethernet cable. Figure 1. Package contents Attach the Antennas The router comes with three antennas. To attach the antennas: 1. Remove the antenna caps from the antenna posts on the router. 2. Align the antennas with the antenna posts on the router. 3. Attach the antennas on the threaded antenna posts. 4. Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Front View The router has status LEDs on top and a USB 3.0 port on the front Figure 2. Front view LED Descriptions The following tables describe the LEDs and buttons on the top of the router. Table 1. LED descriptions LED Description Power • Solid amber. The router is starting. • Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed. • Solid white. The router is ready. • Blinking white. The firmware is corrupted. • Off.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED Description 2.4 GHz WiFi • Solid white. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating. • Blinking. 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. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic. • Off. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off. 5 GHz WiFi USB 3.0 port 1 and USB 2.0 port 2 • Ethernet ports 1–4 Solid white.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED Description WiFi On/Off button with LED 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. WPS button with LED This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router • Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the router. • DC power connector. Connect the power adapter that came in the product package to the DC power connector. Position Your 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 your router.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Cable Your Router Power on your router and connect it to a modem. Figure 4. Cable your router To cable your router: 1. Unplug your modem’s power, leaving the modem connected to the wall jack for your Internet service. If your modem uses a battery backup, remove the battery. 2. Plug in and turn on your modem. If your modem uses a battery backup, put the battery back in. 3.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router • Enable blinking on Internet LED, LAN LED, Wireless LED and USB LED when data traffic is detected. Allows standard LED behavior. This feature is selected by default. • Disable blinking on Internet LED, LAN LED, Wireless LED and USB LED when data traffic is detected. Blinking is disabled when data traffic is detected. • Turn off all LEDs except Power LED. All the LEDs, except the Power LED, are turned off. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router 2 You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection. This chapter explains the ways you can connect and how to access the router and log in.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 network (LAN). To connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable: 1.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Label The label on the router shows the login information, WiFi network name and network key (password), MAC address, and serial number. Figure 5. Product label 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Log In to the Router When you first connect to your router and launch a web browser, the browser automatically displays the router’s web page. If you want to view or change settings for the router later, you can use a browser to log in to the router’s web page. To log in to the router: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. Note You can also enter http://www.routerlogin.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To change the language: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. In the upper right corner, select a language from the menu. 5. When prompted, click the OK button to confirm this change.
Specify Your Internet Settings 3 Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow the genie to detect the Internet connection when you first access the router with a web browser. You can also customize or specify your Internet settings.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 display 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 WiFi 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select Internet. 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, type it in the Account Name (If Required) field. 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select Internet. 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To set up an IPv6 Internet connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet Connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autoconfiguration: 1. Launch a web browser from a WiFi-enabled 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address. 10. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 11. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autodetection: 1.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 packets. Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 8. (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. 9. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 10. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router • • 6rd (IPv6 Rapid Development) Configuration. The router detects the service provider’s IPv4 network and attempts to establish an IPv6 6rd tunnel connection. If the IPv4 network returns 6rd parameters to the router, the page adjusts to display the correct settings in this section. Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s LAN interface.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Pass Through. The page adjusts, but no additional fields display. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection To set up a fixed IPv6 Internet connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (the LAN). 8. In the IPv6 Address/Prefix Length fields, specify the static IPv6 address and prefix length of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address. 9. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router You can type the domain name of your IPv6 ISP. Do not enter the domain name for the IPv4 ISP here. For example, if your ISP’s mail server is mail.xxx.yyy.zzz, type xxx.yyy.zzz as the domain name. If your ISP provided a domain name, type it in this field. For example, Earthlink Cable might require a host name of home, and Comcast sometimes supplies a domain name. 8. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • • Use DHCP Server.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available. • Router’s IPv6 Address 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router along the way. If a device in the data path uses a lower MTU setting than the other devices, the data packets must be split or “fragmented” to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU. The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Table 2. Common MTU sizes MTU Application 1500 The largest Ethernet packet size. This setting is typical for connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches. 1492 Used in PPPoE environments. 1472 Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.) 1468 Used in some DHCP environments. 1460 Usable by AOL if you do not send or receive large email attachments, for example.
Control Access to the Internet 4 The router comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your home network from unwanted intrusions from the Internet.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Set Up Parental Controls You can set up NETGEAR's standard parental controls or Circle with Disney on your router. NETGEAR's standard parental controls is an OpenDNS parental control that let's you to change the web filtering level for each device on the network. To set up standard parental controls, you must download the NETGEAR genie app on your mobile device.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 5. Update your router's firmware. For more information, see Update the Router Firmware on page 79. The enable Circle with Disney page displays after the firmware is updated. 6. Click the ENABLE button. The Parental Controls page displays. 7. Move the slider to the right to enable Circle with Disney. Note You can only enable one parental controls service. 8. Click the Apply button. The links to download the Circle app displays. 9.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Enable Standard Parental Controls NETGEAR's standard parental controls is an OpenDNS parental control that let's you to change the web filtering level for each device on the network. To set up standard parental controls, you must download the NETGEAR genie app on your mobile device. For more information about NETGEAR's standard parental controls, visit http://www.netgear.com/lpc. To enable standard parental controls: 1.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control. The Access Control page displays. 5. Select the Turn on Access Control check box. You must select this check box before you can specify an access rule and use the Allow and Block buttons. When this check box is cleared, all devices are allowed to connect, even if a device is in the blocked list. 6. Select an access rule: • • Allow all new devices to connect.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The Block Sites page displays. 5. Select a keyword blocking option: • Per Schedule.Turn on keyword blocking according to a schedule that you set. For more information, see Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services on page 46. • Always. Turn on keyword blocking all the time, independent of the Schedule page. 6. In the Type keyword or domain name here field, enter a keyword or domain that you want to block. For example: • Specify XXX to block http://www.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer You can exempt one trusted computer from blocking. The computer that you exempt must be assigned a fixed IP address. You can use the reserved IP address feature to specify the IP address. See Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses on page 54. To specify a trusted computer: 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router • To block the services based on a schedule, select the Per Schedule radio button. For information about how to specify the schedule, see Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services on page 46. 6. Click the Add button. The Block Services Setup page displays. 7. To add a service that is in the Service Type menu, select the application or service. The settings for this service automatically display in the fields. 8.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 6. Click the View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network link. The list displays. 7. Select the check box for a device. 8. Use the Add button, Edit button, and Remove from the list button as needed. 9. Click the Apply button. Your changes take effect. Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services When you schedule blocking, the same schedule is used to block sites and to block services.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To set up email notifications: 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > E-mail. The E-mail page displays. 5.
Network Settings 5 The router comes ready for WiFi, Ethernet, and USB connections. You can customize the router’s network settings. We recommend that you install the router and connect it to the Internet before you change its network settings.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router View or Change WAN Settings You can view or configure wide area network (WAN) settings for the Internet port. You can set up a DMZ (demilitarized zone) server, change the maximum transmit unit (MTU) size, and enable the router to respond to a ping to its WAN (Internet) port. To view or change the WAN settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Set Up a Default DMZ Server The default DMZ server feature is helpful when you are using some online games and videoconferencing applications that are incompatible with Network Address Translation (NAT). The router is programmed to recognize some of these applications and to work correctly with them, but other applications might not function well.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Click the Edit button next tot he device name. The Device Name page displays. 6. In the Device Name field, type a new name. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The IP address and subnet mask identify which addresses are local to a specific device and which must be reached through a gateway or router. 7. Change the RIP settings. Router Information Protocol (RIP) allows a router to exchange routing information with other routers. a. Select the RIP direction: • Both. The router broadcasts its routing table periodically and incorporates information that it receives. • Out Only.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Make sure that the Use Router as DHCP Server check box is selected. 6. Specify the range of IP addresses that the router assigns: a. In the Starting IP Address field, type the lowest number in the range. This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router. b. In the Ending IP Address field, type the number at the end of the range of IP addresses.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Your settings are saved. 7. (Optional) If this service is disabled and no other DHCP server is on your network, set your computer IP addresses manually so that the computers can access the router. Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses When you specify a reserved IP address for a computer on the LAN, that computer always receives the same IP address each time it accesses the router’s DHCP server.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Edit a Reserved IP Address To edit a reserved address entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network. 2. Type 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections The WPS Wizard helps you add a WPS-enabled device to your WiFi network without typing the WiFi password. To use the WPS Wizard: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Type 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To specify basic WiFi settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Type 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Wireless. The Wireless Settings page displays. You can specify the settings for the 2.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router • • Is your computer or mobile device connected to another WiFi network in your area? Some WiFi devices automatically connect to the first open network without WiFi security that they discover. Is your computer or mobile device trying to connect to your network with its old settings (before you changed the settings)? If so, update the WiFi network selection in your computer or mobile device to match the current settings for your network.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Wireless. The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. Under Security Options, select a WPA option. The WPA2 options use the newest standard for the strongest security. WPA2-PSK (AES) is the default setting. The Passphrase field displays. 6.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Allowing the router to broadcast its WiFi network name (SSID) makes it easier to find your network and connect to it. If you clear this check box, that creates a hidden network. 7. Give the guest network a name. The guest network name is case-sensitive and can be up to 32 characters.You then manually configure the WiFi-enabled devices in your network to use the guest network name in addition to the main SSID. 8.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings. The Advanced Wireless Settings page displays. 5. In the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz sections, select or clear the Enable Wireless Router Radio check boxes. Clearing these check boxes turns off the WiFi feature of the router for each band. 6. Click the Apply button. Note If you turned off both WiFi radios, the WiFi On/Off LED and the WPS LED turn off. If you turned on the WiFi radios, the WiFi On/Off LED and the WPS LED light.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To specify WPS settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Type 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 BASIC Home screen displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 5. Scroll down below the WPS Settings section and clear the Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you connected over WiFi to the network, you are disconnected from the network and must reconnect. Manage Airtime Fairness Airtime fairness ensures that all clients receive equal time on the network. Network resources are divided by time, so if you have five clients, they each get one-fifth of the network time.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings. The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. Scroll down below the WPS Settings section and clear the Enable MU-MIMO check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you connected over WiFi to the network, you are disconnected from the network and must reconnect.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 5. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Router/ AP / Bridge Mode. The Router / AP / Bridge Mode page displays. 6. Select the AP Mode radio button. The page adjusts. 7. Select an IP address setting: • • Get dynamically from existing router. The other router on the network assigns an IP address to this router while this router is in AP mode.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To set up the router in bridge mode: 1. Make a note of the WiFi settings of the other router to which this router will connect. You must know the SSID, WiFi security mode, wireless password, and operating frequency (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). 2. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 3. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 4. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Note If your ISP provides directions on how to set up a bridge for IPTV and Internet service, follow those directions. Set Up a Bridge for a Port Group If the devices that are connected to the router’s Ethernet LAN port or WiFi network include an IPTV device, your ISP might require you to set up a bridge for a port group for the router’s Internet interface.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router If you are subscribed to IPTV service, the router might require VLAN tags to distinguish between the Internet traffic and the IPTV traffic. A bridge with a VLAN tag group prevents packets that are sent between the IPTV device and the router’s Internet port from being processed through the router’s network address translation (NAT) service. You can add VLAN tag groups to a bridge and assign VLAN IDs and priority values to each VLAN tag group.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The VLAN tag group is added. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up an IPTV Port to Lease an Intranet Port You can set up the router to create an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) port that can lease an IP address from your IPTV service provider. Use this feature only if you subscribe to an IPTV service and your IPTV service requires an intranet address.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Custom Static Routes Typically, you do not need to add static routes unless you use multiple routers or multiple IP subnets on your network. As an example of when a static route is needed, consider the following case: • Your main Internet access is through a cable modem to an ISP. • Your home network includes an ISDN router for connecting to the company where you are employed. This router’s address on your LAN is 192.168.1.100.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 7. So limit access to the LAN only, select the Private check box. If the Private check box is selected, the static route is not reported in RIP. 8. Select the Active check box to make this route effective. 9. Type the IP address of the final destination. 10. Type the IP subnet mask for this destination. If the destination is a single host, type 255.255.255.255. 11. Type the gateway IP address, which must be on the same LAN segment as the router. 12.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Delete a Static Route To delete a static route: 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Static Routes. The Static Routes page displays. 5.
Optimize Performance 6 You can set up the router to optimize performance for applications such as Internet gaming, high-definition video streaming, and VoIP communication. By default, the router uses Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS).
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Use Dynamic QoS to Optimize Internet Traffic Management Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) helps improve your router’s Internet traffic management capabilities through better application and device identification, bandwidth allocation, and traffic prioritization techniques. Dynamic QoS resolves traffic congestion when the Internet bandwidth is limited and different demands compete for bandwidth.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To enable or disable the automatic Dynamic QoS database update: 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Dynamic QoS. The Dynamic QoS page displays.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 6. Type the advertisement period in minutes. The advertisement period specifies how often the router broadcasts its UPnP information. This value can range from 1 to 1440 minutes. The default period is 30 minutes. Shorter durations ensure that control points receive current device status at the expense of more network traffic. Longer durations can compromise the freshness of the device status but can significantly reduce network traffic. 7.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 6. Clear the Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5 GHz a/n/ac) check box. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Enable or Disable Smart Connect Smart Connect selects the fastest WiFi band for your device. For Smart Connect to work, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands must use the same WiFi network name (SSID) and network key (password). That means that when you connect to the router with WiFi, you see only one SSID that connects to both bands.
Manage Your Network 7 This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Update the Router Firmware You can log in to the router and check if new firmware is available, or you can manually load a specific firmware version to your router. Check for New Firmware and Update the Router The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory. You might see a message at the top of the router pages when new firmware is available.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Manually Upload Firmware to the Router If you want to upload a specific firmware version, or your router fails to update its firmware automatically, follow these instructions. Note We recoommend that you connect a computer to the router using an Ethernet connection to upload the firmware. To manually upload a firmware file to your router: 1. Download the firmware for your router from the NETGEAR Download Center, save it to your desktop, and unzip the file.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Note Be sure to change the password for the user name admin to a secure password. The ideal password contains no dictionary words from any language and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It can be up to 30 characters. To change the admin user name and enable password recovery: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 5. Select the Enable Password Recovery check box. 6. Select two security questions and provide answers to them. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Recover the admin Password To recover your password: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. A login window opens. 3. Click the Cancel button.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Your router's status displays. If your router is set up to lease an intranet address from your Internet service provider (ISP), the Internet Port pane displays the IP Address, Connection, and Subnet Mask intranet values in parentheses. Display Internet Port Statistics To display Internet port statistics: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Check the Internet Connection Status To check the Internet connection status if the router is connected to a WAN Ethernet connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Logs. The Logs page displays the following information: • Action. The action that occurred, such as whether Internet access was blocked or allowed. • Source IP. The IP address of the initiating device for this log entry. • Target address.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Monitor Internet Traffic Traffic metering allows you to monitor the volume of Internet traffic that passes through the router Internet port. You can set limits for traffic volume. To monitor Internet traffic: 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 11. To update the Traffic Statistics section, click the Refresh button. 12. To display more information about the data traffic on your router and to change the poll interval, click the Traffic Status button. Manage the Router Configuration File The configuration settings of the router are stored within the router in a configuration file. You can back up (save) this file to your computer, restore it, or reset it to the factory default settings.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The Backup Settings page displays. 5. Click the Erase button. The factory default settings are restored. The user name is admin, the password is password, and the LAN IP address is 192.168.1.1. DHCP is enabled. Restore Configuration Settings To restore configuration settings that you backed up: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Set Up Remote Management To set up remote management: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field. 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Remote Management.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Remotely Access Your Router Using the genie App You can use the genie app to remotely access your router and change its settings. Before you can use remote access with the genie app, you must update your router’s firmware and download the latest genie app for your computer or mobile device. Remote access with the genie app is supported for Windows computers, iOS mobile devices, and Android mobile devices.
Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router 8 This chapter describes how to access and manage storage devices attached to your router. ReadySHARE lets you access and share USB storage devices connected to the router. (If your storage device uses special drivers, it is not compatible.) Note The USB ports on the router can be used only to connect USB storage devices like flash drives or hard drives or a printer. Do not connect computers, USB modems, CD drives, or DVD drives to the router USB port.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router USB Device Requirements The router works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the router supports, visit kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18985/~/readyshare-usb-drives-compatibility-list. Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to load the drivers onto the computer before the computer can access the USB storage device. Such USB storage devices do not work with the router.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To connect a USB device: 1. Insert your USB storage drive into a USB port on the router. The blue, USB 3.0 port on the front of the router performs faster than the USB 2.0 port on the rear panel of the router. 2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it. You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 5. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. 6. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 7. Click the Finish button. The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified. 8. To connect to the USB storage device as a different user, select the Connect using different credentials check box, click the Finish button, and do the following: a. Type the user name and password. b. Click the OK button.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router • Windows XP SP3 • Windows 7 • Windows 8 • Windows 8.1 • Windows 10 To back up your Windows computer: 1. Connect a USB HDD storage device to a USB port on the router. 2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it. You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router. When you connect the USB storage device to the router's USB port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 9. Click the OK button. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data Before you back up a large amount of data with Time Machine, NETGEAR recommends that you follow this procedure. To prepare to back up a large amount of data: 1. Upgrade the operating system of the Mac computer. 2. Verify and repair the backup disk and the local disk. 3. Verify and repair the permissions on the local disk. 4. Set Energy Saver: a.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To back up your Mac onto a USB hard disk drive: 1. Prepare your USB device with a compatible format and partitions. For more information, see Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac on page 95. 2. If you plan to back up a large amount of data, see Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data on page 96. 3. Connect your USB HDD to a USB port on the router. If your USB HDD uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the USB HDD to the router.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. Select the FTP check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Your settings are saved. Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device You can add network folders on a USB storage device connected to a router USB port. To add a network folder: 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. In the Available Network Folders section, select the USB storage device. 6. Click the Edit button. The Edit Network Folder window opens. 7. Change the settings in the fields as needed. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up NETGEAR Downloader NETGEAR Downloader is a download agent that runs on the router.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 9. Complete the fields presented for the option you choose. 10. Click the Add button. The router begins the download. 11. To display the dowloading status, click the Refresh button. 12. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 13. (Optional) Use the Pause, Resume, and Delete buttons to manage the downloading tasks. The completed downloading tasks display in the Downloaded Files section.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > NETGEAR Downloader (BETA) > Downloader Settings. The NETGEAR Downloader Settings page displays. 5. Click the Configure Email button. The E-mail page displays. 6. Select the Send E-mail notifications when a downloader task is finished check box. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. In the Available Network Folders sections, select the USB storage device. 6. Click the Safely Remove USB Device button. This takes the device offline. 7. Physically disconnect the USB storage device.
Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet 9 With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access USB devices attached to the router’s USB ports when you’re not home.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS Internet service providers (ISPs) assign numbers called IP addresses to identify each Internet account. Most ISPs use dynamically assigned IP addresses. This means that the IP address can change at any time. You can use the IP address to access your network remotely, but most people don’t know what their IP addresses are or when this number changes.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Your Personal FTP Server With your customized free URL, you can use FTP to access your network when you aren’t home through Dynamic DNS. To set up your FTP server, you must register for a NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account and specify the account settings. See Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account on page 107. You can access your network through the Internet when you’re not home Note The router supports only basic DDNS, and the login and password might not be secure.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router See Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet on page 105. 6. On a remote computer with Internet access, you can use FTP to access your router using ftp://yourname.mynetgear.com. Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account To set up Dynamic DNS and register for a free NETGEAR account: 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS. The Dynamic DNS page displays. 5. Select the Use a Dynamic DNS Service check box. 6. From the Service Provider menu, select your provider. 7. Select the Yes radio button. The page adjusts and displays the Show Status, Cancel, and Apply buttons. 8. In the Host Name field, type the host name (sometimes called the domain name) for your account. 9.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet You can access USB storage devices through the Internet when you’re not home. To access devices from a remote computer: 1. Launch a web browser on a computer that is not on your home network. 2. Connect to your home router: • • To connect with Dynamic DNS, type the DNS name. To use a Dynamic DNS account, you must enter the account information on the Dynamic DNS page. See Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS on page 105.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To register your router with your ReadyCLOUD account: 1. Visit kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27323/ and check to see if you router supports ReadyCLOUD. 2. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on the router. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the USB storage device to the router. When you connect the USB storage device to the router’s USB port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing.
Use the Router as a Media Server This chapter contains the following sections: • Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings on page 112 • Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server on page 112 • Play Media From a USB Device on TiVo on page 115 • Change the NTP Server on page 117 111 10
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings By default, the router acts as a ReadyDLNA media server, which lets you view movies and photos on DLNA/UPnP AV-compliant media players, such as Xbox360, Playstation, and NETGEAR media players. To specify media server settings: 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.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router also use the Apple Remote app from an iPhone or iPad to play music on any AirPlay devices, such as Apple TV or AirPlay-supported receivers. Figure 7. Play music on a USB device with iTunes Set Up the Router’s iTunes Server With iTunes You can play music from a USB device that is connected to your router with iTunes on your Windows or Mac computer using Home Sharing.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 7. Click the Media Server tab. The Media Server (Settings) page displays. 8. Select the Enable iTunes Server (Music Only) check box. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 10. On your Windows or Mac computer, launch iTunes. 11. Select File > Home Sharing > Turn On Home Sharing. The Home Sharing page displays. 12. Enter your Apple ID email address and password. 13. Click the Turn On Home Sharing button.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. d. Select ADVANCED > ReadySHARE > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. e. Click the Media Server tab. The Media Server (Settings) page displays. f. Select the Enable iTunes Server (Music Only) check box. g. Click the Apply button. h. Enter the passcode. i. Click the Allow Control button.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. Click the Media Server tab. The Media Server (Settings) page displays. 6. Make sure that the Enable TiVo support check box is selected. 7. If you changed the settings, click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Play Videos on TiVo To play videos: 1. On the TiVo, select TiVo Central > My Shows. 2. Go to the bottom of the list and select the router model.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Change the NTP Server By default, the router uses the NETGEAR NTP server to sync the network time. You can change the NTP server to your preferred NTP server. To change the NTP server to your preferred NTP server: 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.
Share a USB Printer 11 The ReadySHARE Printer utility lets you share a USB printer that is connected to the USB port on your router. You can share this USB printer among the Windows and Mac computers on your network. For more information about the features available in the NETGEAR USB Control Center, see the ReadySHARE Printer User Manual, which is available at http://downloadcenter.netgear.com.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer Some USB printer manufacturers (for example, HP and Lexmark) request that you do not connect the USB cable until the installation software prompts you to do so. To install the driver and cable the printer: 1. On each computer on your network that shares the USB printer, install the driver software for the USB printer. If you cannot locate the printer driver, contact the printer manufacturer. 2.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility You must install the ReadySHARE Printer utility on each computer that will share the printer. After you install it, the utility displays as NETGEAR USB Control Center on your computer. To install the utility: 1. If necessary, unzip the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file. 2. Double-click the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file that you downloaded. 3. Follow the wizard instructions to install the NETGEAR USB Control Center. 4.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Print Using the NETGEAR USB Control Center For each computer, after you click the Connect and Disconnect buttons once, the utility automatically manages the printing queue and handling. By default, the utility starts automatically whenever you log on to Windows and runs in the background. To print a document using the NETGEAR USB Control Center: 1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. 2.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router View or Change the Status of a Printer To view or change the status: 1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. The Status column shows the status for each device: • Available. No print jobs are in progress. You can use the USB printer from any computer in the network. • Connected. Your computer is connected to the printer and will be released when your print job is done. • Manually Connected by.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 3. Click the Network Scanner button. 4. If a Select a Device window opens, select the scanner and click the OK button. The scanner window opens so that you can use the USB printer for scanning. Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings You can stop the NETGEAR USB Control Center from starting automatically when you log in to Windows. You can also change the language and specify the time-out to release the printer connection.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 2. Select Tools > Configuration. The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. 3. In the Timeout field, type the number of minutes. The time-out is the number of minutes that a computer holds its connection to the printer when the connection isn’t being used. 4. Click the OK button. Your settings are saved.
Use VPN to Access Your Network 12 You can use OpenVPN software to remotely access your router using virtual private networking (VPN). This chapter explains how to set up and use VPN access.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Set Up a VPN Connection A virtual private network (VPN) lets you use the Internet to securely access your network when you aren’t home. Figure 8.VPN provides a secure tunnel between your home network and a remote computer This type of VPN access is called a client-to-gateway tunnel. The computer is the client, and the router is the gateway.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VPN Service. The VPN page displays. 5. Select the Enable VPN Service check box. 6. To change the TUN mode service type, select the UCP or TCP radio button. 7. To change the TUN mode service port, type the port number that you want to use in the field. The default port number is 12973. 8. To change the TAP mode service type, select the UCP or TCP radio button. 9.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 8. Visit openvpn.net/index.php/download/community-downloads.html to download the OpenVPN client utility. 9. In the Windows Installer section of the page, double-click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe link. 10. Download and install the Open VPN software on your computer, click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe file. 11. Click the Next button. 12. Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button. 13. Leave the check boxes selected as shown, and click the Next button.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 14. To specify the destination folder, click the Browse button and select a destination folder. 15. Click the Install button. The window displays the progress of the installation and then displays the final installation page. 16. Click the Finish button. 17. Unzip the configuration files that you downloaded and copy them to the folder where the VPN client is installed on your device.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router For more information about using OpenVPN on your Windows computer, visit https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html#quick. Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer You must install this software on each Mac computer that you plan to use for VPN connections to your router. To install VPN client software on your Mac computer: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VPN Service. The VPN Service page displays. 5. Make sure that the Enable VPN Service check box is selected. 6. Specify any VPN service settings on the page. For more information, see Specify VPN Service in the Router on page 126. 7.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 9. On your computer, unzip the configuration files that you downloaded and send the files to your Android device. 10. Open the files on your Android device. 11. Open the .ovpn file using the OpenVPN Connect app. For more information about using OpenVPN on your Android device, visit http://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_openvpn.aspx#android.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To open a VPN tunnel: 1. Launch the OpenVPN application with administrator privileges. The OpenVPN icon displays in the Windows taskbar. Tip You can create a shortcut to the VPN program, then use the shortcut to access the settings and select the run as administrator check box.Then every time you use this shortcut, OpenVPN automatically runs with administrator privileges. 2. Right-click the OpenVPN icon. 3. Select Connect. The VPN connection is established.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 3. To access the USB device, click the ReadySHARE icon. 4. To access media on the router’s network, click the remote router icon. Use VPN to Access Your Internet Service at Home When you’re away from home and you access the Internet, you usually use a local Internet service provider. For example, at a coffee shop you might be given a code that lets you use the coffee shop’s Internet service account to surf the web.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Block VPN Client Internet Access in the Router By default, the router is set up to allow VPN connections only to your home network, not to the Internet service for your home network. If you changed this setting to allow Internet access, you can change it back. To allow VPN clients to access only your home network: 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.
Customize Internet Traffic Rules for Ports 13 You can use port forwarding and port triggering to set up rules for Internet traffic.You need networking knowledge to set up these features.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Port Forwarding to a Local Server If your home network includes a server, you can allow certain types of incoming traffic to reach the server. For example, you might want to make a local web server, FTP server, or game server visible and available to the Internet. The router can forward incoming traffic with specific protocols to computers on your local network.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service To add a custom service: 1. Find out which port number or range of numbers the application uses. You can usually find this information by contacting the publisher of the application or user groups or news groups. 2. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network. 3. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 4. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding/Port Triggering. The Port Forwarding/Port Triggering page displays. 5. Leave the Port Forwarding radio button selected as the service type. 6. In the table, select the radio button next to the service name. 7.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router To make a local web server public: 1. Assign your web server either a fixed IP address or a dynamic IP address using DHCP address reservation. In this example, your router always gives your web server an IP address of 192.168.1.33. 2. On the Port Forwarding/Port Triggering page, configure the router to forward the HTTP service to the local address of your web server at 192.168.1.33. HTTP (port 80) is the standard protocol for web servers. 3.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Port forwarding creates a static mapping of a port number or range of ports to a single local computer. Port triggering can dynamically open ports to any computer when needed and close the ports when they are no longer needed. Note If you use applications such as multiplayer gaming, peer-to-peer connections, real-time communications such as instant messaging, or remote assistance (a feature in Windows XP), enable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Enable Port Triggering To enable port triggering: 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding/Port Triggering.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Translation (NAT) on the source address and port, and sends this request message through the Internet to the IRC server. 4. Noting your port triggering rule and observing the destination port number of 6667, your router creates another session entry to send any incoming port 113 traffic to your computer. 5.
Troubleshooting 14 This chapter provides information to help you diagnose and solve problems you might experience with your router. If you do not find the solution here, check the NETGEAR support site at http://support.netgear.com for product and contact information.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Quick Tips This section describes tips for troubleshooting some common problems. Sequence to Restart Your Network If you must restart your network, follow this sequence: 1. Turn off and unplug the modem. 2. Turn off the router. 3. Plug in the modem and turn it on. Wait two minutes. 4. Turn on the router and wait two minutes. Check Ethernet Cable Connections If your device does not power on, make sure that the Ethernet cables are securely plugged in.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Standard LED Behavior When the Router Is Powered On After you turn on power to the router, verify that the following sequence of events occurs: 1. When power is first applied, verify that the Power LED is lit. 2. After about two minutes, verify the following: • • • The Power LED is solid white. The Internet LED is lit. The WiFi LED is lit unless you turned off the WiFi radio. You can use the LEDs on the front panel of the router for troubleshooting.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router When you connect the router’s Internet port to a modem, use the cable that was supplied with the modem. This cable can be a standard straight-through Ethernet cable or an Ethernet crossover cable. WiFi LED Is Off If the WiFi LED stays off, check to see if someone pressed the WiFi On/Off button on the router. This button turns the WiFi radios in the router on and off. The WiFi LED is lit when the WiFi radios are turned on.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router A login window opens. 4. 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 BASIC Home page displays. 5. Click the ADVANCED tab. The ADVANCED Home page displays. 6. Check to see that an IP address is shown for the Internet port. If 0.0.0.0 is shown, your router did not obtain an IP address from your ISP.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Troubleshoot Internet Browsing If your router can obtain an IP address but your computer is unable to load any web pages from the Internet, it might be for the following reasons: • The traffic meter is enabled, and the limit was reached. By configuring the traffic meter not to block Internet access when the traffic limit is reached, you can resume Internet access. If your ISP sets a usage limit, they might charge you for the overage.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router If your WiFi device finds your network but the signal strength is weak, check these conditions: • Is your router too far from your computer or too close? Place your computer near the router but at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) away and see whether the signal strength improves.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Test the Path From Your Computer to a Remote Device To test the path from your computer to a remote device: 1. From the Windows toolbar, click the Start button and select Run. 2. In the Windows Run window, type ping -n 10 where is the IP address of a remote device such as your ISP DNS server. If the path is functioning correctly, messages display that are similar to those shown in Test the LAN Path to Your Router on page 150. 3.
Supplemental Information This chapter includes technical information about your router.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Factory Settings You can return the router to its factory settings. Use the end of a paper clip or a similar object to press and hold the Reset button on the back of the router for at least seven seconds. The router resets and returns to the factory configuration settings shown in the following table. Table 3. Factory default settings Feature Router login Internet connection Local network (LAN) Default Setting User login URL www.routerlogin.com or www.routerlogin.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Table 3. Factory default settings (Continued) Feature Wireless Default Setting Wireless communication Enabled SSID name See router label. Security WPA2-PSK (AES) Broadcast SSID Enabled Transmission speed Auto Country/region United States in the US; otherwise, varies by region RF channel Auto for 2.4 GHz, CH 44 for WW SKU, and CH 153 for North America SKU Operating mode Up to 600 Mbps at 2.
Nighthawk AC2300 Smart WiFi Router Table 4. Router specifications (Continued) Feature Description Electromagnetic emissions FCC Part 15 Class B EN 55022 (CISPR 22), Class B C-Tick N10947 LAN 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T, RJ-45 WAN 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T, RJ-45 Wireless Maximum WiFi signal rate complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard. Radio data rates Auto Rate Sensing 2 Data encoding standards • IEEE® 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz 256 QAM support • IEEE 802.11a/n/ac 5.
