NETGEAR EX6100 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
January 2014
202-11307-02
AC750 WiFi Range Extender
Model
EX6100
User Manual

2
AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Support
Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products.
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at
https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR
recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit
http://support.netgear.com.
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and Connect with Innovation are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Information is subject to change without notice.
© NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.

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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Contents
Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Extender
Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Extender as a Booster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Extender as an Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 2 Install Your Extender
Install the Extender as a Booster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Place the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Find the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Extender Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Connect a Computer or Device to the Ethernet Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Install the Extender as an Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 3 Manage the Extender Network and Settings
Log In to the Extender After Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Change the admin Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Set Up Password Recovery for admin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Use the Smart Setup to Connect the Extender to a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
View or Change Advanced Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
View or Change the WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Set Up a Wireless Access List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Manage Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chapter 4 Monitor and Maintain the Extender
Recover the admin Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Back Up the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Restore Saved Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Return the Extender to Its Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Use the Factory Reset Button to Restore Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Erase the Extender Settings and Return to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
View Wired and Wireless Network Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cannot Log In to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Cannot Join an Extender WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

5
1
1. Get to Know Your Extender
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons
•When to Use Your Extender
•How the Extender Works
•Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at
http://support.netgear.com.
Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time to time on
downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some products can regularly check the site and download new
firmware, or you can check for and download new firmware manually. If the features or behavior
of your product does not match what is described in this guide, you might need to update your
firmware.

Get to Know Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons
The front panel has LEDs. The side panel has a switch, buttons, and an Ethernet port.
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
Figure 1. Extender front panel and side panel
Table 1. LEDs
LED Description
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.

Get to Know Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
When to Use Your Extender
NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the extender only when your WiFi network
connection is poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic
routed directly from the network.
How the Extender Works
The extender increases the distance of a WiFi network. The extender can connect to your
network’s WiFi signal and then boost that signal, or it can connect to your network with a
wired connection and work as an access point. You use theAccess Point/Extender switch on
the side of the extender to select which way you want to use the extender.
Extender as a Booster
This is the most common way to use the extender. The extender connects to your network’s
WiFi signal and it broadcasts two extender WiFi signals, one in the 2.4 GHz band, and
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.
Router Arrow
and Client Arrow If the Router Arrow or Client Arrow LED blinks, see Find the
Best Location on page 15. If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender
is in a good location.
Table 1. LEDs (continued)
LED Description

Get to Know Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
another in the 5 GHz band. When you are too far away to connect to your network’s WiFi
signal, you can connect to an extender WiFi signal instead.
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.
Figure 2. The extender WiFi signals reach areas outside the range of your router
Extender as an Access Point
You can connect the extender to your router or gateway with a wired connection and use the
extender as an 11ac access point.
Figure 3. Extender as an access point

Get to Know Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard
The extender supports the 802.11ac networking standard. This new standard offers better
speed, improved reliability, and more range than older WiFi networking standards. The
extender is backward compatible with earlier WiFi standards. However, to get the benefits of
802.11ac, your wireless router must support the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard.
To learn more about the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard, visit
http://www.netgear.com/landing/80211ac/.
Figure 4. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards

10
2
2. Install Your Extender
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Install the Extender as a Booster
•Install the Extender as an Access Point

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Install the Extender as a Booster
The extender connects to your network’s WiFi signal and then boosts that signal to extend
the area that has a WiFi signal.
Place the Extender
NETGEAR recommends that you place the extender near the router during initial setup. Then
you can move it farther away from the router as needed to increase the area that has a WiFi
signal.
To place the extender:
1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
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 11.
•Connect with genie Smart Setup. For more information, see Connect with NETGEAR
genie Smart Setup on page 12.
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 12.
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 12.

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender
to the 5 GHz band.
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 that 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.
Connect with NETGEAR genie Smart Setup
You can use a web browser to connect to the extender and set it up.
To connect with the browser-based 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 NETGEAR genie Smart Setup.

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
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.
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.
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.

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
The settings are applied and the following screen displays:
10. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s
newly created WiFi network.
11. Use your password to connect.
12. Select the check box and click the Continue button.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Use the Router Link LED on the front panel to help you choose a spot where the
extender-to-router connection is optimal.

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Find the Best Location
If the WiFi signal is weak, the first time you join the extender network, an arrow LED blinks for
two minutes. If this happens, adjust the position of the extender. The arrow LEDs act as
follows:
•No arrow LEDs are lit. The extender is in a good location.
•Left arrow blinks. Move the extender closer to the router.
•Right arrow blinks. Move the computer or mobile device closer to the
extender.
Extender Performance
These extender LEDs indicate a WiFi connection:
•WiFi signal between the router and the extender
•WiFi signal between the extender and the computer or mobile device
The LEDs are color coded:
•Green indicates the best connection.
•Amber indicates a good connection.
•Red indicates a poor connection.
An LED that is off indicates no WiFi connection.
Connect a Computer or Device to the Ethernet Port
You can use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer or device to the Ethernet port on the
extender. Here are some examples of when you might want to do this:
•You want to use a computer to log in to the extender to view or change its settings, but
you are having trouble connecting to the extender WiFi networks.
•You have already installed the extender and now you want to connect a device to the
extender’s Ethernet port.
If you are using the extender as an access point, then you have already used the Ethernet
port to connect the extender to your router. if you disconnect this cable, the extender will no
longer be connected to your existing network.
To connect a computer to the extender Ethernet port:
1. Install the extender so that it is connected to your existing network with a WiFi link.

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
2. Connect an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the extender and to an Ethernet port on
your computer.
The computer connects to the extender. Your computer might display a message notifying
you of an Ethernet connection.
To connect a device to the extender Ethernet port:
1. Install the extender so that it is connected to your existing network with a WiFi link.
2. Connect an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the extender and to an Ethernet port on
your device.
WiFi router
Extender
Blu-ray player
The device connects to the extender. Now, the device can access your existing WiFi
network through the extender.

Install Your Extender
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Install the Extender as an Access Point
You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point, which creates anAC750 WiFi hotspot
within your local network.
Figure 5. Extender as an access point
To install the extender as an access point:
1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to Access Point.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet near a router Ethernet LAN port or a remote
Ethernet jack that has access to your local area network (LAN).
3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender to the router Ethernet LAN port or the remote
Ethernet LAN jack with LAN access.
The extender joins the LAN and creates a WiFi hotspot.
4. On your computer or mobile device, find and join a WiFi extender network.
The extender is dual band, so it has two WiFi networks:
•2.4 GHz network. EX6100_NETGEAR_2GEXT
•5 GHz network. EX6100_NETGEAR_5GEXT
When you join the network, the extender Client Link LED lights to show that you are
connected.
5. Launch a web browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field.
6. Enter admin for the user name and password for the password.
NETGEAR genie displays and detects the Internet connection.
7. Follow the genie steps to set up WiFi security for both WiFi networks.

18
3
3. Manage the Extender Network and
Settings
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Log In to the Extender After Initial Setup
•Change the admin Password
•Set Up Password Recovery for admin
•Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections
•View or Change Advanced Wireless Settings
•View or Change the WPS Settings
•Set Up a Wireless Access List
•Manage Profiles
•Operating Mode

Manage the Extender Network and Settings
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
Log In to the Extender After Initial Setup
After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change its settings.
To log in to the extender after the initial setup:
1. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender’s network.
2. Launch a web browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field.
A login screen displays.
3. Enter admin for the user name and password for the password.
If your extender has an Internet connection, the extender automatically checks for new
firmware at the NETGEAR website.
The Status screen displays.
Change the admin Password
The user name to access the extender is admin, and its default password is password.
NETGEAR strongly recommends that you set a more secure password.
To change the password for the extender:
1. On your computer, launch a web browser.
2. In the address field of your browser, enter http://www.mywifiext.net.
You are prompted to enter a user name and password. If you do not see the login prompt,
make sure to include http:// when you type http://www.mywifiext.net in your browser.

Manage the Extender Network and Settings
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AC750 WiFi Range Extender Model EX6100
3. Type admin for the user name and password for the password.
If you already changed the password and want to change it again, type your personalized
password.
4. Select Maintenance > Set Password.
5. (Optional) Select the Enable Password Recovery check box.
NETGEAR recommends that you enable password recovery. This feature lets you
recover the password if it is forgotten. Password recovery is supported in the Internet
Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome browsers, but not in the Safari browser.
6. If you enabled password recovery, select two security questions and provide answers to
them.
7. Type the old password.
8. Type the new password twice.
9. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Set Up Password Recovery for admin
NETGEAR recommends that you enable password recovery if you change the password for
the extender user name admin. Then you can recover the password if it is forgotten. This
recovery process is supported in the Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome browsers, but not
in the Safari browser.
To set up password recovery:
1. On your computer, launch a web browser.
2. In the address field of your browser, enter http://www.mywifiext.net.
You are prompted to enter a user name and password. If you do not see the login prompt,
make sure to include http:// when you type http://www.mywifiext.net in your browser.
3. Type admin for the user name and password for the password.