NETGEAR N600 WN2500RP User manual

N600 WiFi Range Extender
Model WN2500RP
Installation Guide

2
Contents
Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Meet Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
LED Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Install the WiFi Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Access Extender Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3
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.
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.

4
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs,
buttons, and ports.
Front Panel
5 GHz Link Rate LED
Device to Extender LED
WPS button
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
LAN LEDs 1–4
Power LED
WPS LED

5
Rear Panel
Restore Factory Settings button
Power input
Power On/Off button
LAN ports 1–4

6
LED Descriptions
Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the
extender or to monitor the extender performance.
Power LED • Solid Amber. The extender is booting.
•Solid Green. The extender is powered on.
•Blinking Green. The firmware is corrupt. Visit
http://support.netgear.com/.
•Blinking Amber. The firmware is upgrading or the
Restore Factory Settings button was pressed.
•Off. The extender is powered off.
2.4 GHz Link
Rate LED
This LED indicates a 2.4 GHz WiFi 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

7
5 GHz Link
Rate LED
This LED indicates a 5 GHz WiFi 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
Device to
Extender LED •Solid Green. The extender is connected to a computer
or mobile device.
•Off. The extender is not connected to a computer or
mobile device.
LAN LEDs •Solid Green. The LAN port detects a local area network
(LAN) connection.
•Off. No device is detected on the LAN port.
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.

8
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. Connect the power adapter to the extender and plug it into an
electrical outlet.
The Power LED lights solid amber while it is booting and then
solid green when it is powered on. If the Power LED does not
light, press the Power button.
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 9.
•Connect with the genie® Smart Setup. For more information,
see Connect with NETGEAR genie Smart Setup on page 11.

9
Connect with WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you easily join a secure WiFi
network without typing the network name and password.
WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP
security, follow the instructions in Connect with NETGEAR genie
Smart Setup on page 11.
1. Press the WPS button on the extender.
The WPS LED blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access
point.
The WPS LED and the 2.4 GHz Link Rate LED on your extender
light solid green, and the extender connects to your existing WiFi
network.
Note: If the 2.4 GHz Link Rate LED does not light, or the LED is
blinking amber, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect with
NETGEAR genie Smart Setup on page 11.
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.

10
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 extender network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT
or
MyNetworkName_5GEXT
5. Connect your WiFi devices to the new extender 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.
The Power LED lights solid amber while it is booting and then
solid green when it is powered on. If the Power LED does not
light, press the Power button.
Use the Link Rate LEDs on the front panel to help you
choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is
optimal.