User Manual Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 July 2019 202-12001-01 NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Support Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit https://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. Compliance and Conformity For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
Contents Chapter 1 Hardware Overview of the Router 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..................................................
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Manage the MTU size.........................................................................38 MTU concepts.................................................................................38 Change the MTU size....................................................................40 Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet....42 Use keywords to block Internet sites.....................................
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Delete a static route.......................................................................79 Chapter 6 Optimize Performance 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...........................................................
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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....
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 Chapter 12 Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server..............................
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Technical Specifications..................................................................
1 Hardware Overview of the Router The chapter contains the following sections: • • • • • • • • Unpack Your Router Attach the Antennas LEDs and Buttons on the Top Panel Rear Panel USB Port on the Front Panel Router Label Position the Router Cable Your Router For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear.com/support. Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time to time at downloadcenter.netgear.com.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Unpack Your Router The box contains the following items. Figure 1. Package contents Table 1. Legend 1. Router 2. Antennas (3) 3. Ethernet cable 4 Power adapter In some regions, a CD is included in the package.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Attach the Antennas The router comes with three antennas. To attach the antennas: 1. Remove the antenna caps from the antenna posts on the back panel of the router. 2. Align the antennas with the antenna posts. 3. Attach the antennas on the threaded antenna posts. 4. Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance. We recommend that the center antenna be vertical and that you aim the others outward at 45-degree angles, as shown.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 LEDs and Buttons on the Top Panel The status LEDs and buttons are located on the top of the router. Table 2. LED and button descriptions LED and Button 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. Power is not supplied to the router. Internet Solid white. The Internet connection is ready.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Rear Panel The back panel of the router provides ports, buttons, antenna connectors, and a DC power connector. For information about attaching the antennas, see Attach the Antennas on page 11. Figure 2. Router back panel In addition to the three antenna connectors, viewed from left to right, the back panel contains the following components: • Reset button.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 USB Port on the Front Panel A USB 3.0 port is located on the front of the router. Figure 3. USB 3.0 port Router Label The router label on the bottom panel of the router lists the login information, WiFi network name (SSID) and password (network key), serial number, and MAC address of the router. Figure 4.
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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 If you are using adjacent access points, use different radio frequency channels to reduce interference. Cable Your Router The following image shows how to cable your router. To finish the installation, download and launch the Nighthawk app on your mobile device. For more information, see Install and manage your router with the Nighthawk app on page 19. Figure 5. Router cabling To cable your router: 1.
2 Connect to the Router’s Network and Automatically Set Up the Internet Connection You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection. This chapter explains the ways you can connect, how to access the router and log in, and how to automatically set up the Internet connection.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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). Connect to the network using a wired connection You can connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable and join the router’s local area network (LAN).
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 4. Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for WPS connections. Your WPS-enabled device connects to the WiFi network. Types of logins Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand the differences so that you know which login to use when. Several types of logins are associated with the router: • ISP login.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 If the label includes a QR code, you can scan the QR code to join the router’s WiFi network. 3. Launch the Nighthawk app on your mobile device. 4. Follow the prompts on the app to install your router and connect to the Internet. Log In to the Router When you first connect to your router and launch a web browser, the browser automatically displays the router web interface.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. 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. The page refreshes with the language that you selected.
3 Specify Your Internet Settings Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow your router to detect the Internet connection automatically when you first access the router web interface. You can also customize and manually specify your Internet settings.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You cannot access the Internet on page 152. Specify an Internet connection that uses a login To view or change the basic Internet setup: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Get Dynamically from ISP. Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address. Your ISP automatically assigns these addresses. • Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP address that your ISP assigned. The gateway is the ISP router to which your router connects. 13. Select a Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button: • Get Automatically from ISP. Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select the IPv6 connection type: • If you are not sure, select Auto Detect so that the router detects the IPv6 type that is in use. • If your Internet connection does not use PPPoe or DHCP, or is not fixed, but is IPv6, select Auto Config. Your Internet service provider (ISP) can provide this information. 6. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The router automatically detects the information in the following fields: • Router’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s WAN (or Internet) 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. • Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autodetection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Auto. Your router uses any remote relay router that is available on the Internet. This is the default setting. • Static IP Address. Enter the static IPv4 address of the remote relay router. Your IPv6 ISP usually provides this address. 7. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server. This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems might not support the DHCPv6 client function. • Auto Config.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 With a 6rd tunnel configuration, the router follows the RFC5969 standard, supporting two ways to establish a 6rd tunnel IPv6 WAN connection: • Auto Detect mode. In IPv6 Auto Detect mode, when the router receives option 212 from the DHCPv4 option, autodetect selects the IPv6 as 6rd tunnel setting. The router uses the 6rd option information to establish the 6rd connection. • Manual mode. Select 6rd Tunnel.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 7. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server. This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems might not support the DHCPv6 client function. • Auto Config. This is the default setting. This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (the LAN). 8.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Use DHCP Server. This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems might not support the DHCPv6 client function. • Auto Config. This is the default setting. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The router automatically detects the information in the following fields: • Router’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s WAN (or Internet) 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. • Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection To set up a PPPoE IPv6 Internet connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Note: The default setting of the Connection Mode menu is Always On to provide a steady IPv6 connection. The router never terminates the connection. If the connection is terminated, for example, when the modem is turned off, the router attempts to reestablish the connection immediately after the PPPoE connection becomes available again. 9. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another. Leave the MTU unchanged unless one of these situations occurs: • You experience problems connecting to your Internet service, and the technical support of either the Internet service provider (ISP) or NETGEAR recommends changing the MTU setting.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Table 3. Common MTU sizes (Continued) MTU Application 1458 Used in PPPoA environments. 1436 Used in PPTP environments or with VPN. Change the MTU size To change the MTU size: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
4 Control Access to the Internet The router comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your home network from unwanted intrusions from the Internet.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet You can use access control to block or allow access to the Internet through your router. To set up access control: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The list displays. 8. To allow the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device you’re currently using to continue to access the Internet, select the check box next to your computer or device, and click the Allow button. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Use keywords to block Internet sites You can use keywords to block certain Internet sites from your network. You can use blocking all the time or based on a schedule. To block Internet sites: 1.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Specify .com if you want to allow only sites with domain suffixes such as .edu or .gov. • Enter a period (.) to block all Internet browsing access. 7. Click the Add Keyword button. The keyword is added to the keyword list. The keyword list supports up to 32 entries. 8. Click the Apply button. Keyword blocking takes effect.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Block services from the Internet You can block Internet services on your network based on the type of service. You can block the services all the time or based on a schedule. To block services: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Only This IP Address. Block services for a single computer. • IP Address Range. Block services for a range of computers with consecutive IP addresses on your network. • All lP Addresses. Block services for all computers on your network. 10. Click the Add button. Your settings are saved. Delete keywords from the blocked list To delete keywords from the list: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To specify a trusted computer: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 5. Select the Turn on Access Control radio button. 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 settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 7. If you live in a region that observes daylight saving time, select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set up security event email notifications The router can email you its logs of router activity. The log records router activity and security events such as attempts to access blocked sites or services. To set up email notifications: 1.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 9. If your outgoing email server requires authentication, select the My Mail Server requires authentication check box, and do the following: a. In the User Name field, type the user name for the outgoing email server. b. In the Password field, type the password for the outgoing email server. 10. To send alerts when someone attempts to visit a blocked site, select the Send Alerts Immediately check box.
5 Manage Network Settings 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Disable IGMP Proxying. IGMP proxying allows a computer on the local area network (LAN) to receive the multicast traffic it is interested in from the Internet. If you do not need this feature, you can select this check box to disable it. • VPN Passthrough. VPN connects two secure networks over the Internet. The router supports VPN passthrough for IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP. 5. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The WAN Setup page displays. 5. Select the Default DMZ Server check box. 6. Type the IP address. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Change the Router’s Device Name The router’s default device name is based on its model number. This device name displays in the file manager when you browse your network. To change the router’s device name: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 These addresses are part of the designated private address range for use in private networks and are suitable for most applications. If your network requires a different IP addressing scheme, you can change these settings. You might want to change these settings if you need a specific IP subnet that one or more devices on the network use, or if you use competing subnets with the same IP scheme. To change the LAN TCP/IP settings: 1.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • RIP-2. This format carries more information. Both RIP-2B and RIP-2M send the routing data in RIP-2 format. RIP-2B uses subnet broadcasting. RIP-2M uses multicasting. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you changed the LAN IP address of the router, you are disconnected when this change takes effect. 9. To reconnect, close your browser, relaunch it, and log in to the router.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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. This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Clear the Use Router as DHCP Server check box. 6. Click the Apply button. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 8. Click the Apply button. The reserved address is entered into the table. The reserved address is not assigned until the next time the computer contacts the router’s DHCP server. Reboot the computer, or access its IP configuration and force a DHCP release and renew. Edit a reserved IP address To edit a reserved address entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. 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. Select the radio button next to the reserved address that you want to delete. 6. Click the Delete button. The address is removed.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The WPS process automatically sets up yourr WPS-enabled device with the network password when it connects. The router WPS page displays a confirmation message. Specify Basic WiFi Settings The router comes with preset security. This means that the WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and security option (encryption protocol) are preset in the factory. You can find the preset SSID and password on the router label.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 7. To change the network name (SSID), type a new name in the Name (SSID) field. The name can be up to 32 characters long and it is case-sensitive. The default SSID is randomly generated and is on the router label. If you change the name, make sure to write down the new name and keep it in a safe place. 8. To change the WiFi channel, select a number from the Channel menu. In some regions, not all channels are available.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Wireless. The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. For the 2.4 GHz WiFi band, in the Wireless Network (2.4 GHz b/g/n) section, select a setting from the Mode menu: • Up to 54 Mbps. Legacy mode. This mode allows 802.11n, 802.11g, and 802.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Change the WiFi Password or the WiFi Security The WiFi password is different from the admin password that you use to log in to the router. Your router comes with preset WPA2 or WPA security. We recommend that you use the preset security, but you can change the settings. Do not disable the preset security. To change the WiFi password or the WiFi security: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES]. This type of security enables WiFi devices that support either WPA or WPA2 to join the router’s WiFi network. However, WPA-PSK [TKIP] is less secure than WPA2-PSK [AES] and limits the speed of WiFi devices to 54 Mbps. • WPA/WPA2 Enterprise. This type of security requires that your WiFi network can access a RADIUS server. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Guest Network. The Guest Network Settings page displays. 5. Configure the following settings to set up a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz guest WiFi network: • Enable Guest Network. By default, the guest WiFi network is disabled. To enable the guest WiFi network for the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi band, select the Enable Guest Network check box. • Enable SSID Broadcast.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Password (Network Key) field, enter a phrase of 8 to 63 characters. To join the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz guest WiFi network, a user must enter this password. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 8. Make sure that you can reconnect over WiFi to the network with its new security settings.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Enable or disable the WiFi radios If you used the WiFi On/Off button to turn off the WiFi radios, you can’t log in to the router to turn them back on. You must press the WiFi On/Off button again for two seconds to turn the WiFi radios back on. To enable or disable the WiFi radios: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. 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. Click the Add a new period button. The page adjusts. 6. Use the menus, radio buttons, and check boxes to set up a period during which you want to turn off the WiFi signal. 7.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 5. (Optional) Select or clear the Enable Router’s PIN check box. The PIN function might temporarily be disabled when the router detects suspicious attempts to break into the router’s WiFi settings by using the router’s PIN through WPS. You can manually enable the PIN function by selecting the Enable Router’s PIN check box. 6. (Optional) Select or clear the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 it is in AP mode. • Use fixed IP settings on this device (not recommended). Use this setting if you want to manually assign a specific IP address to this router while it is in AP mode. Using this option effectively requires advanced network experience.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 router network. 3. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 4. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Set up a bridge for a port group or VLAN tag group Some devices, such as an IPTV, cannot function behind the router’s network address translation (NAT) service or firewall. Based on what your Internet service provider (ISP) requires, for the device to connect to the ISP’s network directly, you can enable the bridge between the device and the router’s Internet port or add new VLAN tag groups to the bridge.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 7. Select a Wired Ports check box or a Wireless check box: • If your device is connected to an Ethernet port on the router, select the Wired Ports check box that corresponds to the Ethernet port on the router to which the device is connected. • If your device is connected to your router’s WiFi network, select the Wireless check box that corresponds to the router’s WiFi network to which the device is connected.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The page expands. 6. Select the By VLAN tag group radio button. The page expands. 7. Click the Add button. The Add VLAN Rule page displays. 8. Specify the following settings for the VLAN tag group: • Name. Enter a name for the VLAN tag group. The name can be up to 10 characters. • VLAN ID. Enter a value from 1 to 4094. • Priority. Enter a value from 0 to 7. 9. Select the check box for a wired LAN port or WiFi port.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To configure an IPTV port: 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 > VLAN/Bridge Settings. The VLAN/Bridge Settings page displays. 5.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • 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. • Your company’s network address is 134.177.0.0. When you set up your router, two implicit static routes were created. A default route was created with your ISP as the gateway, and a second static route was created to your local network for all 192.168.1.x addresses.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 6. In the Route Name field, type a name for this static route (for identification purposes only). 7. To 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. To prevent the route from becoming active, clear the Active check box. In some situations, you might want to set up a static route but keep it disabled until a later time.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The Static Routes page displays. 5. In the table, select the radio button for the route. 6. Click the Edit button. The Static Routes page adjusts. 7. Edit the route information. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 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 router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
6 Optimize Performance You can set up the router to optimize performance for applications such as multiplayer gaming, peer-to-peer connections, or real-time communications such as instant messaging. By default, the router uses Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS).
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Optimize Internet Streaming With QoS You can use Quality of Service (QoS) to assign high priority to Internet streaming, applications, and services. We recommend that you enable this feature only if you use streaming Internet. When QoS assigns a high priority to streaming video, it also assigns lower priority to the rest of your Internet traffic. That means other tasks like downloading content from the Internet take longer.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. A link displays on the bottom of the page to view bandwidth utilization. Clicking the link displays the Attached Devices page. For more information, see View devices currently on the network on page 97. Add a QoS Rule by Device To enable Dynamic QoS: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Add a QoS Rule by Service To enable Dynamic QoS: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup. The QoS Setup page displays. 5. In the QoS rules table, select the service, application, or device. 6. Click the Edit button. The page adjusts. 7. Change the settings. 8. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Delete All QoS Rules To delete all QoS rules: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > QoS Setup. The WMM tab is automatically selected and the WMM page displays. 5. Clear the Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (2.4GHz b/g/n) check box. 6. Clear the Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5GHz a/n/ac) check box. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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.
7 Manage Your Router This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 When the upload is complete, your router restarts. The update process typically takes about one minute. Read the new firmware release notes to find out if you must reconfigure the router after updating. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Change the admin password The admin password is the one you specified the first time you logged in. You can change this password. Note: 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 password for the admin user name: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password. The Set Password page displays. 5. Select the Enable Password Recovery check box. 6. Select two security questions and provide answers to them. 7.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 A login window opens. 9. With your recovered password, log in to the router. View information about the router and the Internet and WiFi settings You can view router information, the Internet port status, and WiFi settings. To view information about the router and the Internet, modem, and WiFi settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Display the statistics of the Internet port To display the statistics of the Internet port: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 6. To change the polling frequency, enter a time in seconds in the Poll Interval field and click the Set Interval button. To stop the polling entirely, click the Stop button. Check the Internet connection status To check the Internet connection status: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 6. To release (stop) the Internet connection, click the Release button. 7. To renew (restart) the Internet connection, click the Renew button. 8. To exit the screen, click the Close Window button. View and manage logs of router activity The logs are a detailed record of the websites you accessed or attempted to access and many other router actions. Up to 256 entries are stored in the log. To view and manage logs: 1.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 You must set up email notifications in order to receive the logs. The router to emails the logs to the address that you specified when you set up email notifications. For more information, see Set up security event email notifications on page 49. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. View devices currently on the network You can view all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network. To view devices on the network: 1.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To monitor Internet traffic: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 10. Click the Apply button. The Internet Traffic Statistics section helps you to monitor the data traffic. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To erase the settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The file is uploaded to the router and the router restarts. WARNING: Do not interrupt the restoration process. Remote access You can access your router over the Internet to view or change its settings. You must know the router’s WAN IP address to use this feature. Note: Be sure to change the password for the user name admin to a secure password.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Only This Computer. Allow access from a single IP address on the Internet. Enter the IP address to be allowed access. • IP Address Range. Allow access from a range of IP addresses on the Internet. Enter a beginning IP address and an ending IP address to define the allowed range. • Everyone. Allow access from any IP address on the Internet. 7. Specify the port number for accessing the router web interface.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Disable LED blinking or turn off LEDs The LEDs on the top panel of the router indicate activities and behavior. You can disable LED blinking for network communications, or turn off all LEDs except the Power LED. To disable LED blinking or turn off the LEDs: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Tip: If the router is in access point mode or bridge mode and you do not know the IP address that is assigned to it, first try to use an IP scanner application to detect the IP address. (IP scanner applications are available online free of charge.) If you can detect the IP address, you don’t need to reset the router to factory default settings. Use the Reset button CAUTION: This process erases all settings that you configured in the router.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 5. Click the Erase button. The configuration is reset to factory default settings. When the reset is complete, the router restarts. This process takes about two minutes. WARNING: To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the reset. For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page. Do not turn off the router. Wait until the router finishes restarting.
8 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router 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: You can use a USB port on the router to connect a USB storage device like a flash drive or hard drive. Do not connect a computer, USB modem, CD drive, or DVD drive to a USB port on the router.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Access a storage device connected to the router from a Windows-based computer To access the USB storage device from a Windows-based computer: 1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 6. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. The Map Network Drive window opens. 7. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 8. Click the Finish button. The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified. 9. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 6. Click the Connect button. A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device. Back up Windows-based computers with ReadySHARE Vault Your router comes with free backup software for all the Windows-based computers in your home. Connect a USB hard disk drive (HDD) to the router for centralized, continuous, and automatic backup. The following operating systems support ReadySHARE Vault: • Windows 10 • Windows 8.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Note: The following instructions might be different depending on the macOS your computer is using. For more instructions about backing up your computer with Time Machine, see the Apple support site. Set up a USB hard drive on a Mac We recommend that you use a new USB HDD or format your old USB HDD to do the Time Machine backup for the first time. Use a blank partition to prevent some issues during backup using Time Machine.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Prepare to back up a large amount of data Before you back up a large amount of data with Time Machine, we recommend 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. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 3. If your USB HDD uses a power supply, connect it. You must use the power supply when you connect the USB HDD to the router. When you connect the USB HDD to the router’s port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB HDD is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN). 4. On a Mac computer that is connected to the network, launch Finder and select Go > Connect to Server.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Enable FTP access within your network File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you download (receive) and upload (send) large files faster. To enable FTP access within your network: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. Scroll down to the Available Networks Folder section to view the following settings: • Share Name. If only one USB device is connected, the default share name is USB_Storage. You can click the name or you can type it in the address field of your web browser. If Not Shared is shown, the default share was deleted and no other share for the root folder exists. • Read Access and Write Access.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 6. Click the Create Network Folder button. The Add Folder window opens. If this window does not open, your web browser might be blocking pop-ups. If it is, change the browser settings to allow pop-ups. 7. From the USB Device menu, select the USB drive. Note: We recommend that you do not attach more than one drive to one USB port (for example, through a USB hub). 8. Click the Browse button and in the Folder field, select the folder. 9.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE. 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.
9 Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 8. Click the Edit button. The Edit page displays. 9. In the Read Access menu, select admin. 10. In the Write Access menu, select admin. 11. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To set up Dynamic DNS if you already created an account: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To change your settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Dynamic DNS.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Remotely access a USB device using ReadyCLOUD NETGEAR ReadyCLOUD for routers lets you remotely access files stored on a USB storage device that is connected to the router. Before you can use ReadyCLOUD, you must create a ReadyCLOUD account and register your router. A ReadyCLOUD app is also available for Windows computers, Android mobile devices, and iOS mobile devices.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN). 3. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 4. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 5. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
10 Use the Router as a Media Server This chapter contains the following sections: • • • • Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server Set Up the Router to Work With TiVo Change the NTP Server 126
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 All – no password in Read Access can be scanned for media files. To scan for new media files immediately, click the Rescan media files button. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Play Music From a Storage Device With iTunes Server iTunes server lets you play music from a USB device that is connected to a USB port on your router with iTunes on your Windows-based or Mac computer or with the Apple Remote app on your iPhone or iPad.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 6. Select ADVANCED > USB Storage > ReadySHARE > Media Server. The Media Server (Settings) page displays. 7. Select the Enable iTunes Server (Music Only) check box. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 9. On your Windows-based or Mac computer, launch iTunes. 10.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The passcode displays in the Remote app. 7. Specify the passcode in the router to set up your iTunes server. a. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your router's network. b. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. c. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 You can use the TiVo (Series 2 and later) Home Media Option to play photos and music on your Windows or Mac computer in your TiVo user interface. To set up the router to work with TiVo: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 5. Select the Set your preferred NTP server radio button. 6. Enter the NTP server domain name or IP address in the Primary NTP server field. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
11 Share a USB Printer The ReadySHARE Printer utility lets you share a USB printer that is connected to a USB port on your router. You can share this USB printer among the Windows-based 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 4. Select a language from the menu and click the OK button. The NETGEAR USB Control Center opens. Some firewall software, such as Comodo, blocks the NETGEAR USB Control Center from accessing the USB printer. If you do not see the USB printer displayed on the page, you can disable the firewall temporarily to allow the utility to work. 5. Select the printer and click the Connect button. The printer status changes to Manually connected by Mycomputer.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 The status changes to Available. Now any computers on the network can use the printer. 6. To exit the utility, select System > Exit. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer If your USB printer supports scanning, you can also use the USB printer for scanning. To use the scan feature of a multifunction USB printer: 1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. 2. Make sure that the printer status shows as Available. 3. Click the Network Scanner button. 4. If a Select a Device window opens, select the scanner and click the OK button.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Your settings are saved. Change the Language for the NETGEAR USB Control Center To change the language: 1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . 2. Select Tools > Configuration. The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. 3. From the Language menu, select a language. 4. Click the OK button. The next time NETGEAR USB Control Center starts, the language changes.
12 Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Manage 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 AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 11. Click the Add button. The service displays in the menu. Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service The router lists default services and applications that you can use in port forwarding rules. If the service or application is not predefined, you can add a port forwarding rule with a custom service or application. To add a custom service: 1. Find out which port number or range of numbers the application uses.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 You can enter a port range and fixed ports in one rule, for example, external (30–50, 78, 100–102), internal (40–60, 99, 200–202). With this rule, external ports 30–50 are forwarded to internal ports 40–60. 12. In the Internal IP address field, type the IP address or select the radio button for an attached device listed in the table. 13. Click the Apply button. The service is now in the list on the Port Forwarding/Port Triggering page.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Delete a Port Forwarding Entry To delete a port forwarding entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule The following sequence shows the effects of a port forwarding rule: 1. When you type the URL www.example.com in your browser, the browser sends a web page request message with the following destination information: • Destination address. The IP address of www.example.com, which is the address of your router. • Destination port number. 80, which is the standard port number for a web server process. 2.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Add a Port Triggering Service To add a port triggering service: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Enable Port Triggering To enable port triggering: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 also allow incoming traffic on port 113 to reach the originating computer.” The following sequence shows the effects of this port triggering rule: 1. You open an IRC client program to start a chat session on your computer. 2. Your IRC client composes a request message to an IRC server using a destination port number of 6667, the standard port number for an IRC server process. Your computer then sends this request message to your router. 3.
13 Troubleshooting 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 netgear.com/support for product and contact information.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Some Internet service providers require you to use the MAC address of the computer initially registered on the account, but this is an unusual situation. You can view the MAC address on the Attached Devices page of the router web interface. Troubleshoot with the LEDs By default, the router uses standard LED settings.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 If all LEDs are still lit one minute after power-up, do the following: • Cycle the power to see if the router recovers. • Press and hold the Reset button to return the router to its factory settings. If the error persists, a hardware problem might be the cause. Contact Technical Support at netgear.com/support.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 • Try quitting the browser and launching it again. • Make sure that Java, JavaScript, or ActiveX is enabled in your browser. If you are using Internet Explorer, click the Refresh button to be sure that the Java applet is loaded. • Make sure that the IP address of your computer or mobile device is in the same subnet as the router. If you are using the recommended addressing scheme, the IP address of your computer or mobile device is in the range of 192.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 3. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 4. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. 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.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 If your computer obtains its information from the router by DHCP, reboot the computer and verify the gateway address. • You might be running login software that is no longer needed. If your ISP provided a program to log you in to the Internet, you no longer need to run that software after installing your router.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Troubleshoot WiFi connectivity If you are experiencing trouble connecting over WiFi to the router, try to isolate the problem: • Does the WiFi device or computer that you are using find your WiFi network? If not, check the WiFi LED on the router. If it is off, you can press the WiFi On/Off button on the router to turn the router WiFi radios back on.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 To ping the router from a Windows-based computer: 1. From the Windows toolbar, click the Start button and select Run. 2. In the field provided, type ping followed by the IP address of the router, as in this example: ping www.routerlogin.net 3. Click the OK button.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 3. If you do not receive replies, check the following: • Check to see that IP address of your router is listed as the default gateway for your computer. If DHCP assigns the IP configuration of your computers, this information is not visible in your computer Network Control Panel. Verify that the IP address of the router is listed as the default gateway.
14 Supplemental Information This appendix includes technical information about your router.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Factory Settings You can reset the router to the factory default settings that are shown in the following table. For more information about resetting the router to its factory settings, see Return the router to its factory default settings on page 103. The following table shows the factory default settings for the router. Table 4. Router factory default settings Feature Default Settings Router login User login URL www.routerlogin.net (or www.routerlogin.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Table 4.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Table 4. Router factory default settings (Continued) Feature Default Settings SSID name 2.4 GHz band: NETGEAR_Guest 5 GHz band: NETGEAR-5G_Guest Security None (open network) Allow guests to access main network Disabled General WiFi settings Radio transmission power 100%, nonconfigurable 20/40 MHz coexistence Enabled Fragmentation length 2346 CTS/RTS threshold 2347 Preamble mode Long Preamble WPS WPS capability Enabled Router’s PIN Enabled.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Technical Specifications The following table shows the technical specifications for the router. Table 5. Router specifications Feature Description Data and routing protocols TCP/IP, RIP-1, RIP-2, DHCP, PPPoE, Dynamic DNS, UPnP, and SMB Power adapter North America: 120V, 60 Hz, input All regions: 12V @ 3.5A output Dimensions Dimensions: 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 in. (285 x 184 x 50 mm) Weight Weight: 1.
Nighthawk AC2100 Smart WiFi Router Model R7200 Table 5. Router specifications (Continued) Feature Description Operating frequency range 2.4 GHz band • US: 2.412–2.462 GHz • Europe: 2.412–2.472 GHz • Australia: 2.412–2.472 GHz • Japan: 2.412–2.472 GHz 5 GHz band • US: 5.18–5.24 + 5.745–5.825 GHz • Europe: 5.18–5.24 GHz • Australia: 5.18–5.24 + 5.745–5.825 GHz • Japan: 5.18–5.24 GHz 802.
