User Manual Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Model RAX200 August 2019 202-11959-02 NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Setup Unpack your router.............................................................................10 Top panel LEDs and buttons.............................................................11 Rear panel............................................................................................14 Extend the antennas...........................................................................15 Router label...........................................................................
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Use auto config for an IPv6 Internet connection........................40 Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection.......................................42 Manage the MTU size.........................................................................44 MTU concepts.................................................................................44 Change the MTU size....................................................................
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Manage custom static routes............................................................82 Set up a static route.......................................................................83 Edit a static route...........................................................................84 Delete a static route.......................................................................85 Enable or disable implicit beamforming.........................................
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Disable LED blinking or turn off LEDs............................................115 Set your time zone............................................................................115 Set the NTP Server...........................................................................116 Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings..................................117 Return the router to its factory default settings............................118 Use the Reset button....
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Install OpenVPN Software...............................................................142 Install OpenVPN Software on Your Windows Computer.......142 Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer................145 Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device...........................146 Install OpenVPN Software on an Android Device...................146 Use a VPN Tunnel on Your Windows Computer..........................
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Test the LAN path to your router...............................................169 Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device............................................................................................170 Chapter 13 Supplemental Information Factory settings.................................................................................173 Technical specifications............................................................
1 Hardware Setup This chapter contains the following sections: • • • • • • • Unpack your router Top panel LEDs and buttons Rear panel Extend the antennas Router label Position your router Cable your router For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear.com/support.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Unpack your router Your package contains the router, the power adapter, and an Ethernet cable. Figure 1.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Top panel LEDs and buttons The status LEDs and two buttons are located on the top panel of the router. Figure 2. Top view Table 1. LED descriptions LED and Button Description Power LED Solid white. The router is ready. Blinking white. The router is not ready, firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed. Off. Power is not supplied to the router. Internet LED Solid white. The Internet connection is ready. Blinking white.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED and Button Description 5 GHz 1 WiFi LED 5 GHz 2 WiFi LED Solid white. The 5 GHz 1 WiFi radio or 5 GHz 2 WiFi radio is operating. Blinking white. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic. Off. The 5 GHz 1 WiFi radio or 5 GHz 2 WiFi radio is off. 2.4 GHz WiFi LED Solid white. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating. Blinking white. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic. Off. The 2.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED and Button Description WiFi LED Pressing the WiFi button for two seconds turns WiFi LED and 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 LED Pressing the WPS button lets your WPS-enabled device join your router's WiFi network without typing the WiFi password.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Rear panel The following figure shows the rear panel connectors and buttons. Figure 3. Rear panel Viewed from left to right, the rear panel contains the following components: • LED On/Off switch. Move the LED On/Off switch to the Off position to turn off the router LEDs. The Power LED stays lit even if the LED On/Off switch is in the Off position. • Reset button. Pressing the Reset button resets the router.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Use Ethernet port 1 to setup Multi-Gig Internet. For more information, see Get Multi-Gig Internet With Internet Port Aggregation on page 31. Use Ethernet ports 3 and 4 to cable a device that supports Ethernet port aggregation to the router. For more information, see Ethernet Port Aggregation on page 89. • Multi-Gig Ethernet port 5.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Router label The router label shows the login information, WiFi Network Name (SSID), network key (password), serial number, and MAC address. Figure 5. Router label 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router - Aluminum studs - Fish tanks - Mirrors - Brick - Concrete The following factors might limit the range of your WiFi: • The thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through can limit the range. • Other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your router’s signal. WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other devices that emit a WiFi signal for network access.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 3. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet. 4. Press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the router. The router’s Power LED lights solid white when the router is ready.
2 Connect to Network and Access the Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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). 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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. Use a web browser to access the router When you connect to the network (either with WiFi or with an Ethernet cable), you can use a web browser to access the router to view or change its settings.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Note: If you want to change the router’s WiFi settings, use a wired connection to avoid being disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect. 3. Launch a web browser. The page that displays depends on whether you accessed the router before: • The first time you set up the Internet connection for your router, the browser goes to http://www.routerlogin.net and the Configuring the Internet Connection page displays.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router To log in to the router: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. Note: You can also enter http://www.routerlogin.com or http://192.168.1.1. The procedures in this manual use http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 WAN Preference section, select one of the following options: • Internet Port (1 Gbps). Select this option if you connected a modem to the Internet port on your router.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option. Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter it also. 11. Select a Router MAC Address radio button: • Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address. • Use Computer MAC Address. The router captures and uses the MAC address of the computer that you are now using.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 5. In the WAN Preference section, select one of the following options: • Internet Port (1 Gbps). Select this option if you connected a modem to the Internet port on your router. • Multi-Gig Port (2.5/1 Gbps). Select this option if you want to use the Multi-Gig port for your Internet connection. For more information, see Set up the Multi-Gig port on your router on page 30. • Multi-Gig Internet (1 Gbps + 1 Gbps).
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option. Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter it also. 15. Select a Router MAC Address radio button: • Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address. • Use Computer MAC Address. The router captures and uses the MAC address of the computer that you are now using.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Your settings are saved. Get Multi-Gig Internet With Internet Port Aggregation To get multi-gig Internet with your router, set up Internet port aggregation by aggregating the Internet port and Ethernet port 1 on the router. To set up Internet port aggregation, you need the following: • A service provider that offers an Internet speed that's over 1 Gbps. • A modem that supports an Internet speed that's over 1 Gbps and Internet port aggregation.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Specify IPv6 Internet connections You can set up an IPv6 Internet connection if the router does not detect it automatically. To set up an 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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. Set up an IPv6 6to4 tunnel Internet connection The remote relay router is the router to which your router creates a 6to4 tunnel.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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. This is the default setting. This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (the LAN).
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Auto Config. The page adjusts. 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 11. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection The 6rd protocol makes it possible to deploy IPv6 to sites using a service provider’s IPv4 network. 6rd uses the service provider’s own IPv6 address prefix. This limits the operational domain of 6rd to the service provider’s network and is under direct control of the service provider.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Manage the MTU size The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest data packet a network device transmits. MTU concepts When one network device communicates across the Internet with another, the data packets travel through many devices along the way. If a device in the data path uses a lower maximum transmission unit (MTU) setting than the other devices, the data packets must be split or “fragmented” to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Table 2. Common MTU sizes (Continued) MTU Application 1472 Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.) 1468 Used in some DHCP environments. 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.
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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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. 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 11. To send alerts when someone attempts to visit a blocked site, select the Send Alerts Immediately check box. Email alerts are sent immediately when someone attempts to visit a blocked site. 12. To send logs based on a schedule, specify these settings: a. From Send logs according to this schedule menu, select the schedule type. b. From the Day menu, select the day. c. From the Time menu, select the time, and select the am or pm radio button. 13.
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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router View or change the 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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. 5. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Change the WiFi mode if AX WiFi is enabled To change the WiFi mode settings if AX WiFi is enabled: 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 you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router allows 802.11ac devices to function at up to 2400 Mbps. This mode is the default mode. • Up to 4800 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz-1 band of the network and allows 802.11ac devices to function at up to 4800 Mbps. 7. In the Wireless Network (5 GHz-2 a/n/ac/ax) section, select a WiFi mode from the Mode menu. • Up to 600 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. In the Wireless Network (2.4 GHz b/g/n/ax) section, select a WiFi mode from the Mode menu. • Up to 54 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11n, 802.11g, and 802.11b devices to join the network but limits 802.11n devices to functioning at up to 54 Mbps. • Up to 433 Mbps. This mode allows for reduced interference with neighboring WiFi networks. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11n, 802.11g, and 802.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz-2 band of the network but limits 802.11ac devices to functioning at up to 1000 Mbps. • Up to 2165 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz-2 band of the network and allows 802.11ac devices to function at up to 2165 Mbps. This mode is the default mode. • Up to 4330 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router You must enter a phrase of 8 to 63 characters. The Password (Network Key) field displays if the WPA2-PSK [AES] or WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES] security radio button is selected. Note: By default, your password is hidden. To display your password, click the icon next to the Password field. 6. To change the WiFi security for the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, or 5GHz-2 WiFi network, select a Security Options radio button. • None.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Mbps mode in the 2.4 GHz band. The channel also depends on the channel selection of the main WiFi network. The router provides two default guest networks with the following names (SSIDs): • 2.4 GHz guest WiFi network SSID. NETGEAR-Guest • 5 GHz-1 guest WiFi network SSID. NETGEAR-5G-Guest • 5 GHz-2 guest WiFi network SSID. NETGEAR-5G-2-Guest By default, these networks are configured as open networks without security but are disabled.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router The default 5 GHz-1 SSID is NETGEAR-5G-Guest. The default 5 GHz-2 SSID is NETGEAR-5G-2-Guest. To change the SSID, enter a 32-character (maximum), case-sensitive name in this field. 6. Select a WiFi security option for the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, or 5GHz-2 guest WiFi network: • None. An open WiFi network that does not provide any security. Any WiFi device can join the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, or 5GHz-2 guest WiFi network.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Control the WiFi radios The router’s internal WiFi radios broadcast signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ranges. By default, they are on so that you can connect over WiFi to the router. When the WiFi radios are off, you can still use an Ethernet cable for a LAN connection to the router. You can turn the WiFi radios on and off with the WiFi On/Off button on the router, or you can log in to the router and enable or disable the WiFi radios.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • Turn on the WiFi radio. Select the Enable Wireless Router Radio check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set up a WiFi schedule You can turn off the WiFi signal from your router at times when you do not need a WiFi connection. For example, you might turn it off for the weekend if you leave town. To set up the WiFi schedule: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Specify WPS settings Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password. To specify WPS 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Set up the router as a WiFi access point You can set up the router to run as an access point (AP) on the same local network as another router. To set up the router as an AP: 1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Internet port of this router to an Ethernet port on the other router. 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 > Wireless Settings. The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. Scroll down below the WPS Settings section and select or clear the Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING check box.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 5. Scroll down below the WPS Settings section and select or clear the Enable AIRTIME FAIRNESS check box. Selecting this check box enables airtime fairness. Clearing this check box disables airtime fairness. 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Set Up the Router in Bridge Mode You can use your router in bridge mode to connect multiple devices wirelessly at the faster 802.11ac speed. You need two routers: one set up as a router and the other set up as a bridge. Installing your router as a bridge offers the following benefits: • Take advantage of gigabit WiFi speeds on current devices • Use Gigabit WiFi for applications like video and gaming.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 8. Specify the settings of the other router to which this router will connect: a. Select the wireless network from the menu: • Wireless Networks (2.4Ghz b/g/n) • Wireless Networks (5Ghz a/n/ac) For 802.11ac or 802.11ax mode, select 5 GHz. b. In the Name (SSID) file, enter the wireless network name (SSID). c. In the Security Options section, select a radio button. d.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Set Up Ethernet Port Aggregation If you are connecting a switch, make sure that your switch supports 802.3ad LACP. To set up Ethernet port aggregation: 1. Set up Ethernet port aggregation on your device before connecting it to your router. Note: If your device supports a static link aggregation group (LAG) only, you must enable static mode before you connect your device to Ethernet ports 4 and 5 on the router.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Note: You must enable static mode before you connect your device to Ethernet ports 4 and 5 on the router. f. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. View or Change the Router Ethernet Port Aggregation Mode To view or change your router's Ethernet port aggregation mode: 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 Internet gaming, high-definition video streaming, and VoIP communication. By default, the router uses Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS).
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • I want to define my Internet Bandwidth. If you know what your download and upload speed are, select this radio button and enter your download and upload speeds in the fields. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Enable or disable the automatic QoS database update The router uses a QoS database of the most popular applications and services to implement Dynamic QoS. By default, the router automatically updates this database.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router To manually update the Dynamic QoS database: 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 QoS.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 > UPnP. The UPnP page displays. 5. Select the Turn UPnP On check box. By default, this check box is selected. UPnP for automatic device configuration can be enabled or disabled.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router benefits of WMM QoS, WMM must be enabled for both it and the client running that application. Legacy applications that do not support WMM and applications that do not require QoS are assigned to the best effort category, which receives a lower priority than voice and video. Note: We recommend that you do not disable the WMM settings. If you disable the WMM settings for 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, or 5GHz-2, the maximum link rate your router can reach is 54 Mbps.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router To enable or disable AX WiFi: 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 Wireless.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Wireless. The Wireless Setup page displays. 5. Select or clear the Enable Smart Connect check box. Selecting this check box turns on Smart Connect and clearing this check box turns off Smart Connect. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
7 Manage Your Router This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 54. 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > NTP Settings. The NTP Settings page displays. 5. Select your time zone from the menu. 6. If you live in a region that observes daylight saving time, select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set the NTP Server By default, the router uses the NETGEAR NTP server to sync the network time.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 and PlayStation. 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. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Return the router to its factory default settings Under some circumstances (for example, if you lost track of the changes that you made to the router settings or you move the router to a different network), you might want to erase the configuration and reset the router to factory default settings. To reset the router to factory default settings, you can use either the Reset button on the back of the router or the Erase function.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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.
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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi 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. 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 VPN to Access Your Network 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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. This type of VPN access is called a client-to-gateway tunnel. The computer is the client, and the router is the gateway. To use the VPN feature, you must log in to the router and enable VPN, and you must install and run VPN client software on the computer. VPN uses DDNS or a static IP address to connect with your router.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 6. To change the service type, scroll down and select the TCP radio button. 7. To change the port, scroll down to the Service Port field, and type the port number that you want to use. 8. Click the Apply button. Your changes are saved. VPN is enabled in the router, but you must install and set up OpenVPN software on your computer before you can use a VPN connection.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router c. Select the local area connection and change its name (not its device name) to NETGEAR-VPN. If you do not change the VPN interface name, the VPN tunnel connection will fail. For more information about using OpenVPN on your Windows computer, visit https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html#quick.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device You must install this software on each iOS device that you plan to use for VPN connections to your router. To install VPN client software on an iOS device: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router To install VPN client software on an Android device: 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 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router established, you cannot access your home router or your home network with the OpenVPN software. The default LAN IP address scheme for the router is 192.x.x.x. The most common IP schemes are 192.x.x.x, 172.x.x.x, and 10.x.x.x. If you experience a conflict, change the IP scheme either for your home network or for the network with the client VPN computer. For information about changing these settings, see Change the LAN TCP/IP settings on page 59.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Device and Media To access a USB device and download files from your Windows-based computer using VPN: 1. On your Windows-based computer, open the Windows file manager and select Network. Note: See your computer’s documentation for information about how to display the network resources. The network resources display.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Set Up VPN Client Internet Access in the Router By default, the router is set up to allow VPN connections only to your home network, but you can change the settings to allow Internet access. Accessing the Internet remotely through a VPN might be slower than accessing the Internet directly. To allow VPN clients to use your home Internet service: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 router 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 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 4. When the VPN connection is established, launch your Internet browser.
11 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
12 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router • 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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 Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router 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.
13 Supplemental Information This chapter includes technical information about your router.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX 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.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Table 3. Factory default settings (Continued) Feature Wireless Default setting SSID name See router label Security WPA2-PSK (AES) Broadcast SSID Enabled Transmission speed Auto1 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 Default operating mode 2.
Nighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AX WiFi Router Table 4. Router specifications (Continued) Feature Description LAN Compatible with 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, or RJ-45 WAN Compatible with 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, or RJ-45 Multi-Gig port (2.5 Gbps) Compatible with 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, or RJ-45 WiFi Maximum WiFi signal rate complies with the IEEE® 802.11 standard.2 • 2.4 GHz AX: 4x4 (Tx/Rx) 1024 QAM 40 MHz, up to 1.2 Gbps • 5GHz AX: 4x4 (Tx/Rx) 1024 QAM 160MHz, up to 4.
