Edimax EW-7438RPn V2 User manual

EW-7438RPn V2
User Manual
09-2013 / v1.0

CONTENTS
I. Product Information.............................................................................. 1
I-1. Package Contents ..........................................................................................................1
I-2. System Requirements....................................................................................................1
I-3. LED Status ......................................................................................................................1
I-4. Hardware Overview.......................................................................................................3
I-5. Safety Information.........................................................................................................4
II. Installation............................................................................................ 5
II-1. Wi-Fi Extender Mode.....................................................................................................8
II-2. Wi-Fi Adapter/Bridge Mode ........................................................................................12
II-3. Wi-Fi Access Point Mode .............................................................................................15
II-4. WPS Setup....................................................................................................................19
II-5. Reset to Factory Default Settings ................................................................................21
III. Browser Based Configuration Interface.................................................22
III-1. Login.............................................................................................................................22
III-2. Save Settings................................................................................................................24
III-3. Main Menu ..................................................................................................................25
IV. Extender Mode ....................................................................................26
IV-1. Home............................................................................................................................26
IV-2. iQ Setup .......................................................................................................................28
IV-3. WPS Settings ................................................................................................................29
IV-4. Wireless Advanced ......................................................................................................30
IV-4-1. WLAN 2.4GHz Security.................................................................................................31
IV-4-2. Administration Utility ................................................................................................32
IV-4-3. Configuration Tools......................................................................................................33
V. Wi-Fi Adapter/Bridge Mode .................................................................37
V-1. Home............................................................................................................................37
V-2. iQ Setup .......................................................................................................................39
V-3. Wireless Advanced ......................................................................................................40
V-3-1. Administration Utility ..................................................................................................41
V-3-2. Configuration Tools......................................................................................................42
VI. Access Point Mode ...............................................................................46
VI-1. Home............................................................................................................................46
VI-2. iQ Setup .......................................................................................................................48
VI-3. Basic Settings ...............................................................................................................49

VI-4. WPS Settings ................................................................................................................52
VI-5. Wireless Advanced ......................................................................................................54
VI-5-1. Security ........................................................................................................................56
VI-5-1-1. Disable .........................................................................................................................57
VI-5-1-2. WEP..............................................................................................................................57
VI-5-1-3. WPA pre-shared key ....................................................................................................58
VI-5-1-4. WPA RADIUS ................................................................................................................59
VI-5-2. MAC Filtering ...............................................................................................................60
VI-5-3. Administration Utility ..................................................................................................62
VI-5-4. Configuration Tools......................................................................................................64
VII. Appendix .............................................................................................68
VII-1. Configuring your IP address.........................................................................................68
VII-1-1. How to check that your computer uses a dynamic IP address ...................................69
VII-1-1-1. Windows XP .................................................................................................................69
VII-1-1-2. Windows Vista .............................................................................................................71
VII-1-1-3. Windows 7 ...................................................................................................................73
VII-1-1-4. Windows 8 ...................................................................................................................76
VII-1-1-5. Mac OS.........................................................................................................................80
VII-1-2. How to modify the IP address of your computer ........................................................82
VII-1-2-1. Windows XP ...............................................................................................................82
VII-1-2-2. Windows Vista ...........................................................................................................84
VII-1-2-3. Windows 7 .................................................................................................................85
VII-1-2-4. Windows 8 .................................................................................................................90
VII-1-2-5. Mac ............................................................................................................................94
VII-1-3. How to Find Your Network Security Key .....................................................................97
VII-1-3-1. Windows 7 & Vista.......................................................................................................97
VII-1-3-2. Mac ..............................................................................................................................99
VII-1-4. How to Find Your Router’s IP Address.......................................................................102
VII-1-4-1. Windows XP, Vista & 7...............................................................................................102
VII-1-4-2. Windows 8 .................................................................................................................104
VII-1-4-3. Mac ............................................................................................................................107
VII-2. Connecting to a Wi-Fi network..................................................................................109
VII-3. Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................111
VII-4. Glossary......................................................................................................................113

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I. Product Information
I-1. Package Contents
-EW-7438RPn
-CD with multi-language QIG & user manual
-Quick installation guide (QIG)
-RJ45 Ethernet cable
-Access key card
I-2. System Requirements
-Wi-Fi extender/Wi-Fi bridge mode: Existing 2.4GHz wireless network
-Access point mode: Cable/DSL modem
-Computer with 2.4GHz 802.11/b/g/n Wi-Fi adapter, and web browser for
software configuration (Internet Explorer 8®or above, Google Chrome®,
Firefox®or Safari®latest version)
I-3. LED Status
LED
Color
Status
Description
Signal
Strength
2.4GHz
Amber
On
Excellent signal
Signal strength: 60 –100%
Slow
Flashing
Good signal
Signal strength: 40 –60%
Quick
Flashing
Poor signal
Signal strength: 0 –40%
Off
LAN port not connected

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Wi-Fi
Green
Flashing
Transferring data
Off
Wi-Fi not active or in LED off mode
Power
Green
On
Extender is on
Flashing
Resetting to factory default
settings, or system is booting up
Off
Extender is off or in LED off mode
WPS
Green
On
WPS connection established (LED
will remain on for 5 minutes to
indicate a successful connection)
Flashing
WPS in progress (waiting for
another WPS device)
Off
No WPS in progress or in LED off
mode
LAN
Green
On
LAN port connected
Flashing
LAN activity (transferring or
receiving data)
Off
LAN port not connected
LEDs can be disabled in “Wireless Advanced”in the browser based
configuration interface. If LEDs are disabled, all LEDs will be off
regardless of the extender’s status.

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I-4. Hardware Overview
1. Power On/Off Switch 2. Ethernet Port
3. WPS/Reset Button 4. LEDs
3
1
2
4

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I-5. Safety Information
In order to ensure the safe operation of the device and its users, please read
and act in accordance with the following safety instructions.
1. The device is designed for indoor use only; do not place it outdoors.
2. Do not place the device in or near hot/humid places, such as a kitchen or
bathroom.
3. Do not pull any connected cable with force; carefully disconnect it from the
EW-7438RPn.
4. Handle the device with care. Accidental damage will void the warranty of
the device.
5. The device contains small parts which are a danger to small children under
3 years old. Please keep the device out of reach of children.
6. Do not place the device on paper, cloth, or other flammable materials. The
device may become hot during use.
7. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the device. If you experience
problems with the device, please contact your dealer of purchase and ask
for help.
8. The device is an electrical device and as such, if it becomes wet for any
reason, do not attempt to touch it without switching the power supply off.
Contact an experienced electrical technician for further help.
9. If you smell burning or see smoke coming from the EW-7438RPn then
unplug the device immediately, as far as it is safely possible to do so. Call
your dealer of purchase for help.
10. This product should work for a long time, and provide round-the-clock
Wi-Fi service.

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II. Installation
The EW-7438RPn has three different operating modes which you can choose
depending on your network requirements. Each mode is described below:
Wi-Fi Extender
The device connects wirelessly to your existing network
and repeats the wireless signal.
Location: The best location for your extender is roughly
in the middle between your existing wireless
router/access point and the dead zone. The extender
needs to receive a good Wi-Fi signal from your
router/access point.
Wi-Fi Adapter/
Wi-Fi Bridge
The device connects to an Ethernet device such as a
games console or smart TV via Ethernet cable and
provides wireless Internet access for that device.
Location: Within Wi-Fi coverage, close to your wired
network device.
Wi-Fi Access
Point
The device connects to an existing router via Ethernet
cable and provides wireless Internet access for your
network devices.
Location: Connected to your router via Ethernet cable.
1. Plug the EW-7438RPn into a power socket and switch it on.

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2. The green power LED will flash while the system is booting up. The device
is ready when the green power LED displays on.
3. Use a Wi-Fi device (e.g. computer, tablet, smartphone) to search for a
Wi-Fi network with the SSID “Edimax.Setup” and connect to it.
If you are using a computer, please disconnect any Ethernet
cables. For mobile devices, iOS 4.3 or Android 4.x or above is
required.
The last two characters of the SSID (Edimax.Setup**) will be
unique numbers according to your device e.g.”Edimax.Setup c1”.
Your unique SSID is displayed on the product label along with the
included access key card.

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4. Open a web browser and if you do not automatically arrive at the “Get
Started” screen shown below, enter the URL http://edimax.setup and
click “Get Started” to begin the setup process.
If you cannot access http://edimax.setup, please make sure your
computer is set to use a dynamic IP address. For more
information please refer to VII-1. Configuring your IP address.
5. Select an operating mode for your EW-7438RPn and follow the on-screen
instructions for your selected mode to complete setup. Refer to the
appropriate chapter for more guidance on setup for each mode.

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II-1. Wi-Fi Extender Mode
1. Please read the on screen instructions about selecting a good location for
your wireless extender and then click “NEXT” to continue. You can check
your signal strength on the next page.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the security
key/password. You can also enter a new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) if you
wish. Click “Next” to continue.
By default, the Wi-Fi extender’s new wireless network name
( SSID) is your existing router/access point’s SSID + _2EX. For
example if your router’s SSID is “Your SSID” then the
EW-7438RPn ’s SSID will be “Your SSID_2EX”. You can change
your extender’s new SSID in the “Extender Device SSID” field.
If the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect to does not appear, try
clicking “Refresh”.

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Do not check “Connect to a hidden network” unless you wish to
connect to a hidden SSID instead.
3.Please wait while the EW-7438RPn tests the connection.
If your Wi-Fi extender cannot obtain an IP address (below) from
your existing router/access point then click the “Static IP” button
to assign an IP address to the extender. For more guidance please
refer to the VII-1. Configuring your IP address.
4.When the connection test is complete, click “Apply” to restart the
extender.

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5. Please wait a moment until the extender is ready.
6.A final congratulations screen will indicate that setup is complete. The
EW-7438RPn is working and ready for use - the amber signal strength LED
should display on or flash depending on your signal strength.

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7.Please close the browser window. You can now connect to the extender’s
new SSID on a wireless device within range such as a computer,
smartphone or tablet. Do not connect to your router’s SSID instead!
The password for your Wi-Fi extender’s SSID is the same as for
your router’s SSID.
For more advanced configurations, use the browser based
configuration interface (refer to III. Browser Based
Configuration Interface).

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II-2. Wi-Fi Adapter/Bridge Mode
1. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the security
key/password.
If the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect to does not appear, try
clicking “Refresh”.
Do not check “Connect to a hidden network” unless you wish to
connect to a hidden SSID instead.
2. Please wait while the EW-7438RPn tests the connection.

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If your Wi-Fi extender cannot obtain an IP address (below) from
your existing router/access point then click the “Static IP” button
to assign an IP address to the extender. For more guidance please
refer to VII-1. Configuring your IP address.
3.When the connection test is complete, click “Apply” to restart the
extender.
4.Please wait a moment until the EW-7438RPn is ready.

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5. A final congratulations screen will indicate that setup is complete. Please
close the browser window.
6. The EW-7438RPn is working and ready for use as a wireless bridge. Use an
Ethernet cable to connect the EW-7438RPn to the Ethernet port on your
network device.
(example)
7.Ensure the EW-7438RPn is switched on, and then use your network device
to connect to your network as usual.

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II-3. Wi-Fi Access Point Mode
1. Connect the LAN port of your EW-7438RPn to the LAN port of your
existing router using an Ethernet cable, and then click “Next”.
2. Click “Next” to continue.
3. Select “Obtain an IP address automatically” or “Use the following IP
address” for your EW-7438RPn. If you are using a static IP, enter the IP
address, subnet mask and default gateway. Click “Next” to proceed to the
next step.
“Obtain an IP address automatically” is the recommended setting
for most users. For more guidance on static IP addresses, please
refer to VII-1. Configuring your IP address.

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4. Enter a name and password for your wireless network, then click “Next”
to continue.

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5. A summary of your configuration will be displayed, as shown below.
Check that all of the details are correct and then click “Apply” to restart the
EW-7438RPn.
6. Please wait a moment until the EW-7438RPn is ready.