ActionTec WCB5200 User manual

User Guide
Wireless
Network Extender
Model # WCB5200
xxxx-xxxx-000 rev. 1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
Introduction 3
Features 4
Getting to Know the Extender 5
Front Panel 5
Back Panel 6
Installing the Extender 7
Syncing Wi-Fi 7
Connecting the Extender 8
Accessing the Extender’s Settings 10
Status 12
Wireless Setup 13
MoCA Setup 19
1

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
Advanced Setup 20
Specications 23
Notices 25
Warranty 25
Important Safety Instructions 26
FCC Class B Equipment 27
Important Note on WiFi 28
Contact Information 29
Technical Support 29
2

Introduction
e Actiontec WCB5200 is a wireless network extender with dual
concurrent radios supporting both 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
and 802.11ac (5GHz). is allows the Extender to connect to everything
from legacy wireless laptops, computers, and gaming platforms, up to the
most current (and future) Apple and Android tablets, laptops, media
platforms, and smartphones.
e Extender works by being placed in a central location of the home, or
in a location where the existing wireless signal is weak, and then being
physically connected directly to your gateway/modem. is physical
connection not only extends the signal, but allows the Extender to import
and automatically congure itself with the same network ID/SSID and
password currently in use and congured on the existing gateway/
modem. is means that wherever you are in your house, your WiFi
tablet, laptop, phone, or wireless device will automatically connect to the
Internet without anyone having to nd a new network name or entering
additional security keys.
For users with newer mobile devices, tablets, and laptops, connections
through the 5GHz radio can markedly increase the performance and
speed of your Wi-Fi connection, while freeing up the 2.4GHz band for
legacy or older devices.
3

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
Features
•2.4GHz and 5GHz dual concurrent 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi radios
•5GHz 802.11ac WiFi radio
•Four Ethernet ports (Gigabit)
•One coaxial port (MoCA 2.0)
•Integrated wireless networking with 2x2 802.11n and 2x2 802.11ac
access point
•Multiple security oerings, including, MAC address ltering, and
WPA
•Other options include WMM, IP address management, carrier remote
support and management, and upgradable rmware
4

Getting to Know the Extender
is chapter describes the location and uses of the Extender’s LEDs,
ports, and buttons.
Front Panel
e front panel features LEDs that illuminate green when power, available
ports, and/or wireless bands are functioning and in use.
5
Power
2.4GHz radio
LAN
Coax
5GHz radio

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
Back Panel
•Power port: used to connect the power adapter (external, 12V DC,
1.5A, made by Ktec, model #KSASB0241200150HU, or external, 12V
DC, 2.0A, made by Actiontec, model #WA-24Q12FU) to the Extender.
•Reset button: restores the Extender back to the original factory default
settings when held down for at least 10 seconds.
•Coax port: used for connecting the Extender to a coaxial network.
•Four-port Gigabit Ethernet switch: used for directly connecting the
Extender to the gateway/modem or other Ethernet devices.
•Labels: indicate the factory default GUI access username and
password, network SSID names, and security keys.
6

Installing the Extender
ere are two parts to installing an Extender: Syncing Wi-Fi (see below),
and Connecting the Extender (see page 8).
Syncing Wi-Fi
To sync the Extender with the gateway/modem’s Wi-Fi settings:
1. Place the Extender next to the gateway/modem.
2. Plug the Extender’s power adapter into the Power port of the
Extender, and the other end into an electrical wall outlet.
3. Press the WPS button on both the Extender and the gateway/modem
simultaneously for ten seconds.
4. Make sure the WPS button on the Extender is glowing green. If the
WPS button glows red, try syncing the Wi-Fi settings again. e
Extender can also be manually congured to connect with the
gateway/modem’s wireless network (see “Wireless Setup” on !
page 14).
e Extender is now synced with the gateway/modem’s Wi-Fi settings.
Unplug the Extender and its power cable and continue on to the next
section of this chapter, “Connecting the Extender.”"
7

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
Connecting the Extender
Now that the Extender is synced with the gateway/modem’s wireless
network, it can be connected to the gateway/modem’s MoCA network
and placed in another area or room of the home/oce. To do this:
1. Place the Extender in an area where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or
spotty. A coaxial outlet must be available nearby.
2. Connect the included coaxial cable into the Coax port on the rear
panel of the Extender.
3. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable into the nearby coaxial
outlet.
4. Plug the Extender’s power adapter into the Power port of the
Extender, and the other end into an electrical wall outlet.
5. If applicable, connect an Ethernet cable between one of the Extender’s
LAN ports and the Ethernet port of a non-wireless device (wireless
devices will connect via the wireless network). e conguration
should look similar to the gure, below:
8

Installing the Extender
6. Wait until the Coax and Wireless LEDs on the front panel of the
Extender glow green. is may take a few minutes.
The Extender is now synced, installed, and extending the gateway/modem’s
wireless network in a previously weak area. Using the wireless network will
be a seamless experience, as the wireless devices will switch between
connecting to the Extender and the gateway/router automatically.
Using a Coaxial Splitter
If another device is using the coaxial outlet needed from step 3 in the
previous procedure, perform the following steps:
1. Disconnect the coaxial cable from the coaxial outlet.
2. Connect a coaxial cable between the coaxial outlet and the single port
on a two-way coaxial splitter.
3. Connect the coaxial cable disconnected in step 1of this procedure to
one of the dual ports on the splitter.
4. Connect a coaxial cable between the Coax port of the Extender and
the other dual port on the splitter.
e nal conguration should be similar to the inset in the gure on the
previous page.
9

Accessing the Extender’s
Settings
e Extender features an onboard graphical user interface (GUI) that
includes user-congurable settings. Some of these settings should be
accessed by experienced network technicians only.
To congure the network settings of the Extender:
1. Ensure that the Extender is connected to a gateway/modem’s MoCA
coaxial network, and that both devices are powered on.
2. On a computer connected to the same network as the gateway/
modem and Extender, log in to the gateway/modem’s GUI. e IP
address for this log in will vary between dierent gateway/modems.
3. e gateway/modem’s GUI appears. Find the Extender by its MAC
ID from the list of connected devices or status screen. e MAC ID of
the Extender is provided on a sticker located on the rear panel of the
Extender.
4. Write down the IP address of the Extender.
5. Enter the IP address written down in step 4 in the address box of the
web browser."
10

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
6. e Extender’s Status screen appears. Enter the Extender’s username
and password (found on the label located on the back panel of the
Extender) in the User Name and Password text boxes in the upper
right corner of the Status screen.
e Extender’s GUI’s Status screen appears, as shown below:
11

Accessing Settings
Status
e rst GUI screen that appears is the Status screen, which can also be
generated by clicking the Status icon in the menu bar. is screen
contains basic information about the Extender’s wireless status, network
stations, and product information about the Extender. ere are no
congurable settings available in this screen.
12

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
Wireless Setup
Clicking the Wireless Setup icon from the menu bar of any of the
Extender’s GUI screens generates the Wireless Network List screen.
Additional wireless settings can be accessed from the menu on the le
side. ese settings congure various aspects of the Extender’s wireless
network, and the majority of them should be adjusted by an experienced
network technician only. e exceptions are the settings contained in the
Basic Setup screen.
Wireless Network List
Selecting Wireless Network List generates the Wireless Network List
screen (above). is screen displays various parameters of the Extender’s
wireless networks.
13

Accessing Settings
Basic Setup
e Basic Setup wireless network screen contains various settings
regarding the Extender’s wireless network, which are described below.
When nished adjusting the settings in this screen, click Apply.
Multiple SSID
is option allows the user to setup dierent SSIDs (wireless
networks) with dierent parameters. Select the option desired from
the Multiple SSID drop-down menu.
Wireless Radio
is option turns the Extender’s wireless radio on and o.
14

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
SSID Enable
is option controls whether or not the name of the network is
broadcast to other wireless devices (usually, in the device’s available
wireless network list). Select Enable or Disable by clicking in the
appropriate radio button.
Wireless Band
is option allows the user to select the bandwidth at which the
Extender’s wireless radio will operate.
Wireless Network Name
If changing the name of the Extender’s wireless network, enter the
new name in this text box.
Wireless Channel Width
is option allows the user to select the channel width at which the
Extender’s wireless radio will operate. We recommend using the
default setting.
Extension Channel
is option allows the user to select the extension channel for the
Extender’s wireless radio. We recommend using the default setting.
Wireless Channel Number
is option allows the user to select the channel number at which the
Extender’s wireless radio will operate. We recommend leaving the
channel number as is. e Extender and the gateway/router it is
connected to will automatically scan for the best channel at every
boot up.
Wireless Security Type
is option allows the user to select the type of security applied to the
Extender’s wireless network.
15

Accessing Settings
Password Phrase
is option allows the user to enter a custom password phrase or
value.
Wireless Security
e Wireless Security screen allows the user to apply wireless security to
the Extender’s wireless network. is screen should be accessed by
experienced network technicians only.
16

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
WPS
e WPS screen allows the Extender to accept wireless clients via Wi-Fi
Protected Setup (WPS), an automatic wireless network connection
protocol. Only experienced network technicians should congure the
settings in this screen.
Advanced Wireless Setup
e Advanced Wireless Setup screen allows the Extender to be congured
with multiple SSIDs (network names).
17

Accessing Settings
Wireless Access Control
e Wireless Access Control screen contains a number of advanced
settings regarding the Extender’s wireless network. Only experienced
network technicians should congure these settings.
18

WCB5200 Wireless Network Extender
MoCA Setup
Clicking the MoCA Setup icon from any of the Extender’s GUI screens
generates the MoCA Coax Setup screen. is screen allows the user to
adjust various settings regarding the Extender’s MoCA coaxial
connection. ese settings should be adjusted by experienced network
technicians only.
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