NETGEAR EX6200 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
March 2016
202-11298-06
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Model EX6200
User Manual

2
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
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.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are
used for reference purposes only.

3
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Unpack Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Attach the Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Attach the Rubber Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Retrieve and Display the Product Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chapter 2 Get Started
Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Set Up the Extender Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Access Extender Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Run Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter 3 Optimize Extender Performance
Boost Your Video Streaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Adjust the WiFi Coverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Chapter 4 Extender Network Settings
View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Change the WiFi Network Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Use WPS with the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Use WPS with the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Change the Extender’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Use the Extender with MAC Filtering or Access Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chapter 5 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Change the Extender User Name and Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Manually Set the Extender Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Back Up the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Turn the NETGEAR Logo LED On or Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Chapter 6 Share a USB Storage Device
USB Storage Device Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Share Files Across Your WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Access a USB Storage Device Attached to the Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Turn the USB Port Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Add a Network Folder on a USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Password-Protect a Folder on a USB Storage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Use the Extender USB Port to Share a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Chapter 7 Use the Extender as a Media Server
Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Play Media from a USB Drive on TiVo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter 8 Share a USB Printer
Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Use the Shared Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
View or Change the Status of a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Chapter 9 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

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AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

6
1
1. Overview
Your extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering dual-band WiFi. The
extender combines excellent range with maximum WiFi performance.You can also use the
extender in access point mode as a WiFi access point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a
wired Ethernet connection.
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Unpack Your Extender
•Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port
•Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector
•Attach the Stand
•Attach the Rubber Feet
•When to Use Your Extender
•How the Extender Works
•Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard
Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the
support website at support.netgear.com.
Note: 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.

Overview
7
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Unpack Your Extender
Your box contains the following items.
Power
Snap-on stand Four rubber feet
Extender
adapter
Figure 1. Package contents
Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port
Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the extender or to monitor the
extender performance. The following figure shows the extender in upright position, with the
stand attached. (For information about attaching the stand, see Attach the Stand on
page 10.)
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
5 GHz Link Rate LED
Device to Extender LED
LAN LEDs (1 through 5)
USB LED
USB 3.0 port (on the front panel)
Figure 2. Top panel LEDs and front panel USB port

Overview
8
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1. Front panel LEDs
LED Description
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
Green. The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi
router is optimum.
Note: If you press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender, the LED
blinks green for two minutes.
Amber. The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi
router is good.
Note: This LED also lights amber during the startup process of the extender.
After about one minute, the LED lights green or turns off, depending on the
WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi network.
Red. The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router
is poor.
Off. The extender and the WiFi router do not have a 2.4 GHz WiFi connection.
5 GHz Link Rate LED
Green. The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router
is optimum.
Note: If you press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender, the LED
blinks green for two minutes.
Amber. The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router
is good.
Note: This LED also lights amber during the startup process of the extender.
After about one minute, the LED lights green or turns off, depending on the
WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi network.
Red. The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router is
poor.
Off. The extender and the WiFi router do not have a 5 GHz WiFi connection.
LAN LEDs
(1 through 5) Green. An Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.
Off. No Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.

Overview
9
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, Antennas, and Connector
The following figure shows the ports, buttons, antennas, and connector on the rear panel of
the extender.
Restore Factory Settings button
Ethernet LAN ports Power connectorOn/Off button
WPS button
Two preinstalled 5dBi antennas
Figure 3. Rear panel
Device to Extender
LED Green. The extender is connected to a computer or WiFi device.
Note: If you press the WPS button on the rear panel of the extender, the LED
blinks green for two minutes.
Amber. The extender is starting or is applying WiFi settings. After about one
minute, the LED turns green.
During the startup process, both Link Rate LEDs also light amber. After about
one minute, these LED light green or turn off, depending on the WiFi
connection between the extender and the WiFi network.
Note: The Device to Extender LED blinks amber during a firmware update.
Off. The extender is not connected to a computer or WiFi device.
USB LED Solid green. A USB device is connected to the USB port.
Off. No USB device is connected to the USB port.
Table 1. Front panel LEDs
LED Description

Overview
10
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
The antennas are preinstalled. In the unlikely situation that an antenna is loose, you must
tighten it. (A loose antenna could affect the performance of the extender.)
To tighten an antenna:
1. Straighten the antenna.
2. Turn the antenna clockwise until tightened.
After you have tightened the antenna, you can change its position.
Attach the Stand
If you prefer to place the extender in upright (vertical) position, attach the stand that comes
with the extender.
Although the extender functions well in either horizontal or vertical position, a horizontal
position might give a better performance.
Figure 4. Attaching the stand

Overview
11
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
To attach the stand:
1. Place the stand on a flat surface.
2. Hold the extender in upright position with the left side of the extender pointing down. (The
left side has three rectangular openings.)
The top panel of the extender and the three vertical support posts of the stand must face
the same direction.
3. Lower the extender onto the stand until the support posts of the stand snap into the
rectangular openings of the extender.
Attach the Rubber Feet
If you prefer to place the extender in horizontal position, you can attach the rubber feet that
come with the extender.
Figure 5. Attaching the rubber feet
To attach the rubber feet:
1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you. (The red panel is the
bottom.)
2. In each corner, attach a rubber foot in such a way that it covers the triangle.

Overview
12
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Retrieve and Display the Product Label
The product label that you can retrieve from the bottom panel of the extender contains the
preset login information, serial number, security pin, MAC addresses of the radios, and other
information.
To retrieve the product label from the extender:
1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you. (The red panel is the
bottom.)
2. Locate the label handle with NETGEAR printed on it, and pull out the product label.
Label handle
Figure 6. Pulling out the product label
Preset login information
Serial number
Security pin
MAC address of the 2.4 GHz radio
MAC address of the 5 GHz radio
Figure 7. Product label

Overview
13
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
When to Use Your Extender
NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the extender only when your existing home
network connection is poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than
traffic routed directly from the network.
NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi
device is in a “dead zone” where connection from the existing network is poor or nonexistent.
How the Extender Works
The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFi
device outside the range of the WiFi router. The extender performs two main jobs:
•The extender connects to a WiFi network that is up and running.
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it functions as a network
client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network.
•The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices.
The extender broadcasts its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join. In its role as an
access point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as broadcasting its
network name (SSID).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place.
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 8. Range extender in a home

Overview
14
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
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 WiFi 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 9. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards

15
2
2. Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Use the Extender in Extender Mode
•Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
•Access Extender Settings
•Run Smart Setup

Get Started
16
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
The extender repeats signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. Place the
extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your WiFi network.
Note: You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a
new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. See Use the
Extender in Access Point Mode on page 21.
Set Up the Extender Hardware
To set up the extender hardware:
1. Attach the stand or the rubber feet.
For more information, see Attach the Stand on page 10 or Attach the Rubber Feet on
page 11.
2. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process.
3. Connect the power adapter to the extender and plug it into an electrical outlet.
Wait for the Power LED to light green.
If the Power LED does not light green, press the Power On/Off button on the extender.
The Link Rate LEDs and the Device to Extender LED light amber and then turn off.
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 16.
•Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect with Web
Browser Setup on page 18.
Connect with WPS
You can use WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) to connect the extender to your WiFi router without
typing your existing router’s WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi password.
If you do not want to use WPS, see Connect with Web Browser Setup on page 18.
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Make sure that the extender is powered on.

Get Started
17
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
2. Press the WPS button on the extender.
Both Link Rate LEDs and the Device to Extender LED blink green for two
minutes.
3. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WiFi router.
When the extender connects to your existing WiFi network, the WPS LED on the
extender lights and the Link Rate LED lights. If the Link Rate LED does not light, try
again. If it still does not light, see Connect with Web Browser Setup on page 18.
4. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat Steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender
to the 5 GHz band.
5. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is about halfway between your router
and the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
DO DON’T
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.
6. Plug the extender’s power adapter into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to
light green.
7. Use the Link Rate LEDs to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection
is optimal.
8. If a Link Rate LED does not light amber or green, plug the extender’s power adapter into an
outlet closer to the router and try again.
Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until a Link Rate LED lights
amber or green.
9. On your computer or WiFi device, find and connect to the new extended WiFi network.
The extender creates two new extended WiFi networks. The extender’s new WiFi
network names are based on your existing WiFi network name, with _EXT at the end of
the name.
For example:
•Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName
•New extended network names. MyNetworkName_2GEXT and
MyNetworkName_5GEXT
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
10. Test the extended WiFi range by moving your computer or WiFi device to the area with a
poor router WiFi signal:

Get Started
18
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
a. Leave your computer or WiFi device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and
return to the extender.
b. Check the Device to Extender LED on the extender:
•If the Device to Extender LED is solid green or amber, your extended WiFi
network reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is
complete.
•If the Device to Extender LED is red, your extended WiFi network does not reach
the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move the computer or WiFi device closer to the extender until the
Device to Extender LED turns solid green or amber.
Connect with Web Browser Setup
1. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
NETGEAR_EXT (SSID) WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device to
Extender LED lights solid green.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
A login window opens.
4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
5. Complete the fields on the page and click the NEXT button.
6. Select the WiFi Range Extender button.

Get Started
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AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
The extender searches for WiFi networks in your area and displays a list.
7. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button.
If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4GHz WiFi Networks or the
5 GHz WiFi Networks check box.
8. In the Password (Network Key) field, type the existing WiFi network password (also called
passphrase or security key) and click the NEXT button
9. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your new extender WiFi network and click
the NEXT button.
Wait for the page to display a list of available extended WiFi networks, which could take
up to one minute.
10. Connect the computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network using the SSID and
password that you created in Step 9.
Note: To connect additional devices, repeat Step 10.
11. Make sure that your computer or WiFi device is connected before you click the Continue
button.
12. Click the Continue button.
A message displays confirming that the extender is connected and ready.
13. Click the Next button.
The registration page displays.
14. Complete the registration fields and click the Finish button to complete the setup.
If you do not want to register your extender, click the Skip Registration link. Note that
you must register your extender before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.
The Status page displays.
15. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is about halfway between your router
and the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
DO DON’T
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.
16. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.
17. Use the Link Rate LEDs to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection
is optimal.

Get Started
20
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
18. If the Link Rate LEDs do not light amber or green, plug the extender’s adapter into an outlet
closer to the router and try again.
Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until a Link Rate LED lights
amber or green.
19. Reconnect your computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network.
20. Test the extended WiFi range by moving your computer or WiFi device to the area with a
poor router WiFi signal:
a. Leave your computer or WiFi device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and
return to the extender.
b. Check the Device to Extender LED on the extender:
•If the Device to Extender LED is solid green or amber, your extended WiFi
network reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is
complete.
•If the Device to Extender LED is red, your extended WiFi network does not reach
the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move the computer or WiFi device closer to the extender until the
Device to Extender LED turns solid green or amber.
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect wired devices
to the extender using Ethernet cables. Those devices can then access your existing network
through the extender’s WiFi connection.
Figure 10. Connect an Ethernet-enabled device to an Ethernet LAN port