NETGEAR EX6100 User manual

EX6100 WiFi Range Extender
Installation Guide

2
Getting Started
The NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender increases the distance of a
WiFi network by boosting the existing WiFi signal and enhancing the
overall signal quality over long distances. An extender repeats the
signals from an existing WiFi router or access point.
You can also connect the extender to your router or gateway with an
Ethernet cable and use the extender as an 11ac access point. See
Install the Extender as an Access Point on page 15.
Existing WiFi
Sometimes your router
does not provide the WiFi
coverage you need.
WiFi Range
Extender
Boosts the range of your
existing WiFi and creates
a stronger signal in
hard-to-reach areas.

3
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs,
buttons, and ports.
Front Panel and Side Panel
Router Link LED
Client Link LED
Power LED
WPS LED
Access Point/Extender switch
Power On/Off button
WPS button
Ethernet port
Factory Reset button
Router Arrow LED
Client Arrow LED

4
LED Descriptions
Note: If the Router Arrow or Client Arrow LED blinks, see Find the
Best Location on page 12. If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in
a good location.
Router Link LED This LED indicates the connection between the extender
and the router or access point.
•Solid green. Best connection.
•Solid amber. Good connection.
•Solid red. Poor connection.
•Off. No connection.
Client Link LED This LED indicates the connection between the extender
and a computer or mobile device.
•Solid green. Best connection.
•Solid amber. Good connection.
•Solid red. Poor connection.
•Off. No connection.
Power LED • Solid amber. The extender is booting.
•Solid green. The extender is powered on.
•Off. The extender is powered off.
WPS LED • Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
•Blinking green. A WPS connection is in progress.
•Off. WiFi security is not enabled.

5
Install the WiFi Extender
Place the extender, apply power, and connect it to your WiFi network.
Place the Extender and Apply Power
1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
Note: Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the
initial setup process.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
The Power LED lights green. If the Power LED does not
light, press the Power button.
3. Make sure that the switch on the extender is set to Extender.
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the
extender to your existing WiFi network. You can do this in one of two
ways:
•Connect with WPS. For more information, see Connect with
WPS on page 6.
•Connect with genie Smart Setup. For more information, see
Connect with NETGEAR genie Smart Setup on page 8.

6
Connect with WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network
without typing the network name and password. The WPS button is a
physical button on the router or access point.
WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP
security, see Connect with NETGEAR genie Smart Setup on page 8.
To connect with WPS:
1. Press the WPS button on the side panel of the extender.
The WPS LED blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access
point.
The WPS LED on the extender lights solid green, the Router Link
LED lights, and the extender is connected to your existing
WiFi network.
Note: If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still
does not light, see Connect with NETGEAR genie Smart Setup
on page 8.
3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat steps 1 and 2
to connect the extender to the 5 GHz band.

7
4. Find the new extender network name.
The extender’s wireless network name (SSID) changes to your
existing WiFi network name, with _2GEXT or _5GEXT at the end
of the name, depending on whether the extender is connecting to
your WiFi network in 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
For example:
•Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName
•New extended network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT
or
MyNetworkName_5GEXT
5. Connect your existing WiFi devices to the new extended network.
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
6. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location closer to the
area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location you choose must be within the range of your existing
WiFi router network.
7. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait one minute.
The Power LED lights green. If the Power LED does not
light, press the Power button.
Use the Router Link LED on the front panel to help you choose a
spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal.

8
Connect with NETGEAR genie Smart Setup
1. Make sure that the switch on the extender is set to Extender.
2. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or mobile device to
find and connect to one of the extender WiFi networks.
The extender is dual band, so it has two WiFi networks:
•2.4 GHz network. EX6100_NETGEAR_2GEXT
•5 GHz network. EX6100_NETGEAR_5GEXT
After the connection with the computer or mobile device is
established, the Client Link LED lights solid green.
3. Open a web browser window from the same computer or mobile
device.
The browser takes you directly to the NETGEAR genie®smart
setup.
Note: If you are not automatically directed to NETGEAR genie,
launch a web browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the
address field. Enter admin for the user name and password for
the password.

9
4. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network to extend and click the Continue
button.
5. Type the network password (also called passphrase or security
key) in the Password field, and click the Continue button.
6. Select a 5 GHz WiFi network to extend and click the Continue
button.
If your router does not support the 5 GHz band, click the Skip
button.
7. Type the network password (also called passphrase or security
key) in the Password field, and click the Continue button.
8. Select the Private Network or Public Network radio button, and
click the Continue button.

10
9. Enter names (SSIDs) for your new extender WiFi network in the
Name (2.4G SSID) and Name (5G SSID) fields and click the
Continue button.
Note: You can use the same security settings as your existing
network by selecting the check box.
The settings are applied and the following screen displays: