Easy, Reliable & Secure N300RE WiFi Range Extender User M anua l 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA April 2013 202-11247-01 v1.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Support Thank you for selecting On Networks products. On Networks recommends that you use only the official On Networks support resources. After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at www.on-networks.com/register. You must register your product before you can use On Networks telephone support. On Networks recommends registering your product through the On Networks website.
Contents Chapter 1 Getting Started Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 When to Use Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Position Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ethernet Port Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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N300RE WiFi Range Extender Hardware Features Note: For best performance, position antennas pointing up. Device On/Off button WPS button Factory Reset button Ethernet port WPS Link Rate PC to Extender Status Figure 1. Extender The LEDs on the front show how the extender is working: • WPS. This LED indicates a WPS wireless connection. - Solid green. The wireless connection uses wireless security (WPA or WPA2). - Blinking green. A WPS connection is in progress. • PC to Extender.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender How the Extender Works The extender works like a bridge between a wireless router and a computer or wireless device outside the wireless router’s range. To do this, the extender has two main jobs: 1. The extender connects to a WiFi network. When the extender joins a WiFi network, it acts as a network client. This is similar to how a computer connects to a network. 2. The extender acts as an access point for computers.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Position Your Extender The ideal location to place the extender is halfway between your wireless router and the location that has poor wireless coverage. Figure 3. Extender location The best position for the extender is one that has a clear line of sight between the extender and the wireless router and also between the extender and your computer or wireless device.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Ethernet Port Connection Usually, you connect to the extender wirelessly, but you can use its Ethernet port to connect a wired device such as an Ethernet-enabled gaming console, printer, or computer. N300RE Range Extender Blu-ray player WiFi router Figure 4. Ethernet port connection. CAUTION: Do not use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender to a router. If you do so, the extender does not work because it is designed only to use a wireless connection to the router.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender If you have trouble connecting: • If you connect the Ethernet cable to the extender, and launch your browser quickly, the computer might need a couple of minutes to recognize the Ethernet LAN connection before you can connect. • Make sure that your Ethernet cable is securely connected to the extender and the computer, and that the PC to Extender LED is lit. If the LED is off, then reconnect the Ethernet cable, and relaunch your Internet browser.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Status Screen The Status screen displays when you log in to the extender. The following information is shown on this screen: • Extender Information. This pane displays the version of the hardware, firmware, and GUI language. • Connection Status to Existing Network. This pane displays the wireless network name (SSID) of the existing network. It also shows the link rate, and whether the extender is connected to the network. • Extender IP Info.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender The extender detects wireless networks and displays a list. 2. Either select a network from the list, or select the Manually input my wireless SSID radio button and type the SSID. 3. Click Continue. 4. Enter the passphrase for your wireless network and click Continue. The extender wireless network name (SSID) changes to the name of your wireless network name with _EXT added to the end. 5. (Optional) In the Name (SSID) field, type a different name for the extender network. 6.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender When this happens, your computer is automatically disconnected from the extender WiFi network. 7. (Optional) To use the same password to access the extender network that you use for your network, click the copy password button. 8. With the software that you use to manage your wireless connections, join the extender wireless network. 9. Select the check box to confirm that you have connected to the extender network. 10. Click Continue.
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N300RE WiFi Range Extender Connect the Extender to an Existing Network You can use this menu selection to wirelessly connect the extender to your home network. To connect to the WiFi network: 1. Select Setup > Connect to an Existing Network. The extender scans for wireless networks, and displays a list. If your wireless network is not on the list, and it is not hidden (a hidden network does not broadcast its network name), see Position Your Extender on page 7 for suggestions. 2.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Your computer or wireless devices is automatically disconnected from the Extender WiFi network. 4. With the software that you use to manage your wireless connections, join the Extender wireless network. 5. Click the I have connected to the Extender network button. Use WPS to Join the Extender Wireless Network Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you connect to a secure WiFi network without typing its password. Instead, press a button or enter a PIN.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender The extender tries to find the wireless client (the computer) that is attempting to join the network. If you are using a WPS button, it tries for 2 minutes. If you are using a PIN, it tries for 4 minutes. 4. On your computer or wireless device, use its WPS software to connect to the extender. The WPS process automatically sets up your wireless computer with the network password and connects you to the wireless network.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender • WEP. WEP is an older standard, and is less secure than WPA or WPA2. WEP uses encryption keys and data encryption for data security. You can select 64-bit or 128-bit encryption. • WPA-PSK [TKIP]. WPA is more secure than WEP. When using wireless computers or devices that support WPA, you can enter a passphrase to join the extender’s wireless network. • WPA2-PSK [AES]. WPA2 is even more secure, but some older computers do not support this standard.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender 2. In the Security Options section, select the WEP radio button. 3. Select the authentication type: Automatic, Open System, or Shared Key. The default is Open System. The authentication is separate from the data encryption. You can select authentication that requires a shared key, but still leaves data transmissions unencrypted. Security is stronger if you use both the Shared Key and WEP encryption settings. 4. Select the encryption strength setting: • WEP 64-bit encryption.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender IP Address Setup The IP Address Setup screen shows whether the extender is set to get its IP address dynamically from the router (this is the most common setting), or is set as a static IP address. By default, the extender is set up so that the router in your existing network assigns the extender an IP address. Most networks are set up so that the router automatically assigns IP addresses. To view the IP address setup: Select Maintenance > IP Address.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Attached Devices Use the Attached Device screen to view all computers or devices that are currently connected to your network. To view attached devices: 1. Select Maintenance > Attached Devices. Wired devices are connected to the extender with Ethernet cables. Wireless devices have joined the wireless network. The following information is displayed: • # (number). The order in which the device joined the network. • IP Address.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Back Up and Manage Extender Settings You can save your extender configuration settings in a file and restore them. The configuration file is saved on your computer. Back Up Configuration To back up the configuration settings: 1. Select Maintenance > Backup Settings. 2. Click Backup. Your browser extracts the configuration file from the extender. 3. If you do not have your browser set up to save downloaded files automatically, locate where you want to save the file. 4.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Erase the Configuration Settings You can erase the current configuration settings for the extender and restore its factory settings (see Factory Settings on page 28). To erase the current configuration and return to factory settings: 1. Select Maintenance > Backup Settings. 2. Click the Erase button. CAUTION: Do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Your changes are saved. To recover your password: 1. In the address field of your browser, type www.mywifiextender.net. A login window displays. 2. Click Cancel. If password recovery is enabled, you are prompted to answer two security questions. 3. Enter the saved answers to the security questions. Upgrade the Firmware You can check for firmware. If new firmware is available, you can upgrade the extender. To upgrade the firmware: 1. Select Maintenance > Firmware Upgrade.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Advanced Wireless Settings The extender is set up with the optimum settings for most situations. Do not alter these settings unless you have a specific reason to do so. Incorrect settings might disable the extender unexpectedly. To view or change the advanced wireless settings: Select Advanced. You can view or change the following settings: • Enable Wireless Access Point. Enable the extender to work as a wireless access point.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender The PIN function might temporarily be disabled when the extender detects suspicious attempts to break into the extender’s wireless settings by using the extender’s PIN through WPS. You can manually enable the PIN function by clearing the Disable Router’s PIN check box. 3. (Optional) Select or clear the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box. By default, the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box is selected. On Networks recommends that you leave this check box selected.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender The Wireless Card Access Setup screen displays a list of currently active wireless cards and their Ethernet MAC addresses. 4. If the computer or device you want is in the Available Wireless Cards list, select that radio button; otherwise, type a name and the MAC address. You can usually find the MAC address on the bottom of the wireless device. Tip: You can copy and paste the MAC addresses from the Attached Devices screen into the MAC Address field of this screen.
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N300RE WiFi Range Extender Factory Settings To return the extender to its factory settings Use a paperclip to press and hold the Factory Settings button on the side panel for 7 seconds. The extender resets, and returns to its factory settings. Factory Settings Smart Wizard Enabled Wireless Wireless communication Enabled Wireless network name (SSID) On_Networks_EXT Security Disabled Transmission speed Auto* Country/Region United States (varies by region) Operating mode 802.11n, 802.
B. Notification of Compliance B Regulatory Compliance Information This section includes user requirements for operating this product in accordance with National laws for usage of radio spectrum and operation of radio devices. Failure of the end-user to comply with the applicable requirements may result in unlawful operation and adverse action against the end-user by the applicable National regulatory authority.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following methods: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
N300RE WiFi Range Extender Interference Reduction Table The table below shows the recommended minimum distance between On Networks equipment and household appliances to reduce interference (in feet and meters).
