ActionTec WEB5500 User manual

User Guide
Wireless
Network Extender
Model # WEB5500
xxxx-xxxx-000 rev. 1

Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Features 3
Getting to Know the Extender 4
Front Panel 4
Back Panel 5
Accessing the Extender’s GUI 6
Status 9
Wireless Setup 10
Advanced Setup 16
Specications 19
Notices 21
Warranty 21
Important Safety Instructions 22
FCC Class B Equipment 23
Important Note on WiFi 24
Contact Information 25
Technical Support 25
1

Introduction
e Actiontec WEB5500 is a wireless network extender with dual
concurrent radios supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz operation in
802.11 a/b/g/n, and also 5GHz in 802.11ac. 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, while upgrading your wireless network to 802.11ac, the latest,
fastest wireless standard. is means that wherever you are in your house,
your WiFi tablet, laptop, phone, or wireless device will automatically
connect to Internet without anyone having to nd a new network name
or enter 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 WiFi connection, while freeing up the 2.4GHz band for
legacy or older devices.
2

WEB5500 Wireless Network Extender
Features
•Upgrade to 802.11ac speeds without replacing your router
•Dual-band concurrent radios for wireless throughput up to 2 Gbps:
*4x4 802.11ac 5 GHz solution
*2x2 2.4 GHz radio
•Two gigabit Ethernet ports
•WPA2 and WPA security with AES encryption
•Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
3

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 in green when the
operation of power, available ports and wireless bands are functioning
and in use.
4
Power
2.4GHz radio
5GHz radio
Ethernet port 1
Ethernet port 2

Getting to Know the Extender
Back Panel
•Power port: used to connect the power adapter (external, 12V/1.5A;
Actiontec Model: NBS24J120150VU) to the Extender.
•Reset button: restores the Extender back to the original factory default
settings when held down for at least 10 seconds.
•Dual-port Gigabit Ethernet switch: used for directly connecting the
Extender to the gateway/modem.
•Labels: indicate the factory default GUI access username and
password, network SSID names, and security keys.
5

Accessing the Extender’s GUI
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, 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 by entering
192.168.99.254 !
into the address bar of a web browser.
3. e gateway/modem’s GUI appears. e IP address of the Extender
should be displayed on the Main or Home screen of an Actiontec
gateway/modem, as indicated below.
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.
6

Getting to Know the Extender
6. e Extender’s Login screen appears. Enter the Extender’s Username
and Password (found on the label located on the back panel of the
Extender; see second gure, below).
"
7

WEB5500 Wireless Network Extender
e Extender’s GUI’s Status screen appears, as shown below.
"
8

Getting to Know the Extender
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.
9

WEB5500 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 characteristics of the
Extender’s wireless networks.
10

Getting to Know the Extender
Basic Setup
e Basic Setup wireless network screen contains various settings
regarding the Extender’s wireless network. 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.
11

WEB5500 Wireless Network Extender
SSID Broadcast
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.
Transmit Power
is option controls the power of the Extender’s wireless radio. We
recommend leaving this setting at 100%.
Wireless Band
is option allows the user to select the bandwidth at which the
Extender’s wireless radio will operate.
Wireless Network Name
Enter the name of the wireless network 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. Telus recommends 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. Telus recommends leaving the
channel number as is. e Extender and gateway 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.
12

Getting to Know the Extender
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.
Note: e Extender can be congured with the gateway/router’s
wireless settings (including security settings).
13

WEB5500 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.
14

Getting to Know the Extender
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.
15

WEB5500 Wireless Network Extender
Advanced Setup
Clicking the Advanced Setup icon from any of the Extender’s GUI screens
generates the Management screen, along with other advanced settings
accessed through the menu on the leside. ese settings congure
various administrative aspects of the Extender and its GUI. ey should
be adjusted by an experienced network technicians only.
Management
e Management screen (above) allows the Extender’s IP address settings
to be modied. Only experienced network technicians should change
these settings.
16

Getting to Know the Extender
Factory Default
e Factory Default advanced setup screen allows the Extender’s factory
default settings to be reapplied, erasing all current settings. Click Restore
Default Settings to restore the Extender to its factory default state.
Firmware Restore
e Firmware Restore screen lists the active and backup rmware versions
available on the Extender. Click Swap Firmware to switch the active
rmware to the backup rmware, and vice versa.
17

WEB5500 Wireless Network Extender
Firmware Upgrade
Actiontec periodically posts rmware upgrades that may include
enhancements and/or bug xes for the Extender. To upgrade the
Extender’s rmware:
1. Go to!
www.actiontec.com/support!
for information about the latest rmware available for the Extender. If
the version is the same as the current version applied to the Extender,
there is no need to upgrade the rmware. If the online version is
newer, download it to a notebook computer.
2. Make sure that this computer is connected to the Extender via
Ethernet cable.
3. Locate the rmware le by clicking Choose File.
4. Select the le, then click Start to Upgrade.
5. e Extender’s rmware is updated. is may take a few minutes.
When the Extender’s Main screen reappears, the rmware will have
been updated.
18

Specications
Model Number
WEB5500
Certications
Wi-Fi (a, b, g, n, ac)
WPA, WPA2
WMM
Wi-Fi Protected Setup
IP
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac IEEE standard 5GHz/2.4GHz
LAN Connections
Ethernet ports (2): 10/100/1000
LED Indicators
Power, WiFi 2.4 GHz, WiFi 5 GHz, LAN Ethernet 1, LAN Ethernet 2
Gain and Impedance
Gain: 2.4GHz, 5GHz radios - 5 dBi per chain
19