ActionTec MI424-WR User manual

Wireless
Broadband
Router
Model #: MI424-WR
Firmware Version: 4.0.16.1.45.120
User Manual
Ver 1.1
Solutions for the Digital Life™

i
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
Package Contents 1
Minimum System Requirements 2
Features 2
Getting to Know the Router 4
2 Connecting the Router 9
Setting Up the Router 9
Computer Network Configuration 13
Home Page 15
3 Configuring My Network Settings 17
Accessing My Network 17
Using My Network 18
4 Creating a Wireless Network 27
Overview 27
Wireless Status 28
Basic Security Settings 30
Advanced Security Settings 32
Configuring a Wireless Windows XP Client 40
Connecting a Wireless Windows XP Client 42
5 Using Network Connections 47
Network (Home/Office) 48
Ethernet Connection 53
Coax Connection 56
Broadband Ethernet Connection 59
Coax Broadband Connection 64
WAN PPPoE/WAN PPPoE 2 69
6 Configuring the Router’s Security 75
General 77
Access Control 79
Port Forwarding 82
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Host 83
Port Triggering 84
Remote Administration 86
Website Blocking 88
Static NAT 90
Advanced Filtering 91
Security Log 94

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Table of Contents
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7 Using Parental Controls 101
Activating Parental Controls 101
Creating a Filtering Policy 102
Advanced Options 106
Statistics 107
8 Using Advanced Settings 109
Firmware Upgrade 111
Firmware Restore 113
Configuration File 114
System Settings 115
Date and Time 120
Scheduler Rules 121
Routing 123
IP Address Distribution 125
Diagnostics 129
Restoring Default Settings 130
Reboot the Router 130
MAC Cloning 131
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Table 131
Users 132
QoS 133
Local Administration 133
Remote Administration 134
Dynamic DNS 134
DNS Server 136
Network Objects 138
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) 139
Protocols 141
9 Monitoring the Router 143
Router Status 143
System Log 144
Connection Monitoring 145
Traffic Monitoring 146
10 Troubleshooting 147
A Quality of Service 151
Traffic Priority 151
Traffic Shaping 155

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Table of Contents
B Specifications 167
General 167
Wireless Operating Range 168
LED Indicators 168
Environmental 168
Notices 169
Regulatory Compliance Notices 169
Modifications 169
Limited Warranty 171

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1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec Wireless Broadband Router. The Wireless
Broadband Router supports Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), a new net-
working standard that allows digital entertainment and information to be trans-
mitted and distributed to multiple devices over coaxial cables. The Router also sup-
ports Ethernet and Wi-Fi networking, making it the most versatile router available.
If you want to take your home or office networking to the next level, the Actiontec
Wireless Broadband Router is sure to be one of the keys to your success.
Package Contents
s Actiontec Wireless Broadband Router
s Black Power cord
s Yellow cable (Ethernet, 6 ft.)
s White cable (Ethernet, 10 ft.)
s Quick Start Guide
s Installation Guide
s User Manual CD
s Wireless Networking Guide
1

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Chapter 1 Introduction
s Wall-mount template
s Vertical stand
s Warranty
Minimum System Requirements
s Computer with Ethernet capability
s Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP; Mac OS 9 or greater; Linux/
BSD, Unix
s Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher; Netscape Navigator 7.0 or higher
s TCP/IP network protocol installed on each computer
Features
s Supports multiple networking standards, including:
WAN - Ethernet and MoCA interfaces
LAN - 802.11g, 802.11b, Ethernet, and MoCA
s Integrated wired networking with 4-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch
and MoCA
s Integrated wireless networking with 802.11g access point featuring:
802.11g enabled to support speeds up to 54 Mbps wirelessly
802.11b backward compatible, communicating with 802.11b wireless
products at speeds up to 11 Mbps
s Enterprise-level security, including :
Fully customizable firewall with Stateful Packet Inspection
Content filtering with URL-keyword based filtering, parental control,
customizable filtering policies per computer, and E-mail notification
Denial of service protection against IP spoofing attacks, intrusion and
scanning attacks, IP fragment overlap, ping of death, and fragmentation
attacks
Event logging

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Intrusion detection
MAC address filtering
NAT
DMZ hosting
Access control
Advanced wireless protection featuring WPA, WEP 64/128 bit encryp-
tion, 802.1x authentication, and MAC address filtering
ICSA certified
s Other Features
DHCP server option
DHCP server/PPPoE server auto-detection
DNS server
LAN IP and WAN IP address selection
MAC address cloning
Port forwarding
PPPoE support
QoS support (end to end layer 2/3) featuring Diffserv, 802.1p/q prioriti-
zation, configurable upstream/downstream traffic shaping, random early
detection and pass-through of WAN-side DSCPs, PHBs, and queuing to
LAN-side devices
Remote management and secured remote management using HTTPS
Reverse NAT
Static NAT
Static routing
Time zone support
VLAN multicast support
VPN IPSec (VPN passthrough only)

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Getting to Know the Router
This section contains a quick description of the Router’s lights (LEDs), ports, etc.
The Router features several indicator lights on its front panel, and a series of ports
and switches on its rear panel.
Front Panel
The front panel of the Router features ten indicator lights: Power, Ethernet WAN,
Coax WAN, Internet, Ethernet LAN (4), Coax LAN, and Wireless.
1234
MI424WR
Power Light
The Power light displays the Router’s current status. If the Power light glows
steadily green, the Router is receiving power and fully operational. When the
Power light flashes rapidly, the Router is initializing. If the Power light is not illu-
minated or glows red when the Power cord is plugged in and the Power switch is
turned on, the Router has suffered a critical error and technical support should
be contacted.

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Ethernet WAN Light
The Ethernet WAN light illuminates when the Router is connected to the
Internet via Ethernet. If flashing, data traffic is passing across the port.
Coax WAN Light
The Coax WAN light glows steadily or flashes when the Router is connected to
the Internet via coaxial cable.
Internet Light
When the Internet light glows steadily green, the Router is connected to the ISP
(Internet Service Provider). If it glows amber, there is a physical connection to
the ONT (Optical Network Terminator), but authentication has not taken place
(i.e., no IP address is present).
Ethernet LAN Lights (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Ethernet LAN lights illuminate when the Router is connected to a local
network via one or more of its Ethernet ports. If flashing, data traffic is passing
across the port(s).
Coax LAN Light
The Coax LAN light glows steadily or flashes when the Router is connected to a
local network via its Coax port.
Wireless Light
The Wireless light illuminates when the Router’s wireless access point is turned
on. If flashing, data traffic is passing across the wireless connection.

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Rear Panel
The rear panel of the Router features seven ports (Coax, Ethernet WAN, Ethernet
LAN [4], and Power), as well as a Reset button and Power switch.
1
Reset
234
100 100
Coax
ResetReset
On/Off
5VDC 3A
100 100
101010 10
Coax Port
The Coax port connects the Router to the ISP or other devices using a coaxial
cable.
Reset Button
To restore the Router’s factory default settings, press and hold the Reset button
for approximately ten seconds. The reset process will start about ten seconds
after releasing the button. When the Router resets, all the lights on the front
panel turn off, and then some of the lights start flashing. The Router has com-
pleted its reset process when the Power light glows steadily green.
M Caution: Do not unplug the Power cord from the Router dur-
ing the reset process. Doing so may result in the loss of the
Router’s configuration information. If this occurs, reset the
Router again.

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Chapter 1 Introduction
Ethernet WAN Port
The Ethernet WAN port connects the Router to the ISP using an Ethernet cable.
Ethernet LAN Ports (4)
The Ethernet LAN ports connect devices to the Router via Ethernet cables to cre-
ate a local area network (LAN). The Ethernet LAN ports are 10/100 Mbps auto-
sensing ports, and either a straight-through or crossover Ethernet cable can be
used when connecting devices to the ports.
Power Switch
The Power switch powers the Router on and off.
Power Port
The Power port connects the Router to an electrical wall outlet via the
Power cord.

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9
Connecting the
Router
Connecting a computer or local network to the Wireless Broadband Router is a
simple procedure, varying slightly depending on the computer’s operating system
but designed to seamlessly integrate the Router with the computer or local net-
work. Moreover, addition configuration to access the GUI is not required when tak-
ing advantage of Universal Plug-and-Play support in Windows XP.
The Windows default network settings dictate that in most cases, the setup pro-
cedure described in the “Computer Network Configuration” will be unnecessary.
For example, the default DHCP setting in Windows 2000 is “client,” requiring no
further modification.
However, Actiontec advises following the setup procedure described below to verify all
communication parameters are valid and the physical cable connections are correct.
Setting Up the Router
There are three parts to setting up the Router: Connecting the Cables, Configuring
the Router, and Connecting Other Computers/Set Top Boxes.
Connecting the Cables
☞ Note: If a different router was being used, disconnect it. Remove
all router components, including power supplies and cables,
since they will not work with the Wireless Broadband Router.
1. Get the Router and black Power cord from the box.
2. Plug the black Power cord in the black port on the back of the Router and
then into a power outlet.
3. Turn the Router on.
4. Make sure the Power light on the front of the Router is glows steadily green.
5. Plug the yellow Ethernet cable from the box into one of the four yellow
Ethernet ports on the back of the Router.
2

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Chapter 2 Connecting the Router
6. Make sure the computer is powered on, then plug the other end of the yellow
Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on the computer.
7. Make sure at least one of the Ethernet LAN lights on the front of the Router
glows steadily green. This may take a few moments.
8. The phone company previously installed a high-speed wall jack somewhere in
the house. Locate it and note its type (Ethernet or coaxial). If Ethernet, follow
steps 8a and 8b. If coaxial, follow steps 9a and 9b. Then, continue to step 10.
a) If connecting via Ethernet, get the white Ethernet cable from the box and
plug one end in the white port on the back of the Router.
b) Plug the other end of the white Ethernet cable into the high-speed
Ethernet jack.
9. a) If connecting via coaxial cable, get a coaxial cable and connect one end to
the red Coax port on the back of the Router.
b) Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to a coax jack.
10. Make sure the Ethernet WAN light (if connecting via Ethernet) or Coax WAN
light (if connecting via coaxial cable) on the front of the Router glows steadily
green. If connecting via coaxial cable, this may take a few minutes.
☞ Note: If the Ethernet WAN light or Coax WAN light does not
illuminate, make sure the cable (Ethernet or coaxial) is con-
nected properly at both ends.
Configuring the Router
1. Open a web browser on the computer connected to the Router. In the
“Address” text box, type:
http://192.168.1.1
then press Enter on the keyboard.

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Chapter 2 Connecting the Router
2. The “Login” screen appears. Enter the default user name (admin) and pass-
word (password) in the appropriate text boxes, then click OK.
3. The “Login Setup” screen appears. Select a new user name and password and
enter them in the appropriate text boxes (the password must be entered twice,
for validation purposes). Write the new user name and password down on a
piece of paper and keep it in a safe place, since they will be needed to access
the Router’s MegaControl Panel™ in the future.
4. In the bottom part of the screen, select the correct time zone from the “Time
Zone” drop-down list, then click OK at the bottom of the screen.
The Router is now configured.

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Chapter 2 Connecting the Router
Connecting Other Computers/Set Top Boxes
The Router can connect to other computers or set top boxes in three ways: via
Ethernet, via wireless connection, or via coaxial cable.
Ethernet
1. Get an Ethernet cable and plug one end into one of the open yellow
Ethernet ports on the back of the Router.
2. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into an Ethernet port on the computer.
3. Make sure the corresponding Ethernet LAN light on the front of the Router
glows steadily green.
4. Repeat these steps for each computer to be connected to the Router
via Ethernet.
Wireless
1. Make sure each computer to be connected wirelessly has built-in wireless or
an attached wireless adapter.
2. Make sure the computer uses the same ESSID and WEP key as the Router by
launching the computer’s wireless application
3. Enter the ESSID and WEP key found on the sticker on the bottom of the
Router in the computer’s wireless settings and click Save. Make sure to con-
figure the computer to use 64/40-bit WEP encryption.
4. Make sure the changes were implemented by surfing the Internet from
the computer.
5. Repeat these steps for every other computer to be connected to the
Router wirelessly.

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Chapter 2 Connecting the Router
Coaxial
1. Make sure all set top boxes are turned off.
2. Disconnect any adapter currently connected to the coaxial jack in the room
where the Router is.
3. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the coaxial wall jack, and the other
end to the red Coax port on the back of the Router.
4. Power up the set top box.
5. Make sure the Coax LAN light on the front of the Router glows steadily
green. This may take a few minutes. When it does, the set top box is con-
nected to the Router.
Computer Network Conguration
Each network interface on the computer should either be configured with a stati-
cally defined IP address and DNS address, or instructed to automatically obtain an
IP address using the Network DHCP server. The Router is set up, by default, with an
active DHCP server, and Actiontec recommends leaving this setting as is.
Configuring Dynamic IP Addressing
To set up a computer to use dynamic IP addressing:
Windows XP
1. Select Network Connections in the Control Panel.
2. Right-click Ethernet Local Area Connection, then click Properties.
3. In the “General” tab, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click
Properties.
4. The “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window appears.
5. Click the “Obtain an IP address automatically” radio button.
6. Click the “Obtain DNS server address automatically” radio button.
7. Click OK in the “(TCP/IP) Properties” screen, then click OK in the “Local
Area Connection Properties” screen to save the settings.

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Chapter 2 Connecting the Router
Windows 2000
1. Select Network and Dialing Connections in the Control Panel.
2. Right-click on the Ethernet connection’s icon, then click Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) component, then click Properties.
4. The “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” window appears.
5. Click the “Obtain an IP address automatically” radio button.
6. Click the “Obtain DNS server address automatically” radio button.
Windows 98/Me
1. Select Network in the Control Panel.
2. Select the TCP/IP settings for the network card, then click Properties.
3. Click the “Obtain an IP address automatically” radio button in the “IP
Address” tab.
4. Click Disable DNS in the DNS configuration tab.
5. Click OK in the “TCP/IP Properties” screen.
6. Click OK in the “Network” screen to reboot and save the settings.
Windows NT
1. Click Network in the Control Panel. The “Network” window appears.
2. In the “Protocol” tab, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) then click
Properties.
3. In the “IP Address” tab, click the “Obtain an IP address automatically” radio
button.
4. In the “DNS” tab, verify no DNS server is defined in the “DNS Service Search
Order” text box and no suffix is defined in the “Domain Suffix Search
Order” text box.

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Chapter 2 Connecting the Router
Linux
1. Login into the system as a super-user, by entering “su” at the prompt.
2. Type “ifconfig” to display the network devices and allocated IPs.
3. Type “pump -i <dev>,” where <dev> is the network device name.
4. Type “ifconfig” again to view the newly allocated IP address.
5. Make sure no firewall is active on device <dev>.
Home Page
After logging into the Router’s MegaControl Panel (see “Configuring the Router” at
the beginning of this chapter), the “Home” screen appears.
The Home screen has a “Main Menu” that occupies the top of the screen. Below
that, the screen is divided into three columns: “My Router,” “My Network,” and
“Action Zone.”