NETGEAR RangeMax WPN824EXT User manual

March 2008
208-10158-02
v1.0
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
RangeMax WiFi Range
Extender Setup Manual

ii
Trademarks
NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are registered trademarks, and RangeMax and Smart Wizard are trademarks of
NETGEAR. Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other
brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to
make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit
layout(s) described herein.
© 2008 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contents iii
Contents
Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender .......................................................................1
Unpacking Your New WiFi Range Extender ......................................................................1
Extender Front Panel .........................................................................................................3
Extender Back Panel .........................................................................................................4
Bottom Label .....................................................................................................................5
Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Using the Resource CD...........................................7
About the Smart Wizard ....................................................................................................7
Optimizing Performance after Installation ..........................................................................9
Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually................................................................11
Connecting Your WiFi Range Extender ..........................................................................11
Verifying Your Connection ...............................................................................................16
Completing Manual Setup ...............................................................................................16
Accessing Your RangeMax WiFi Range Extender after Installation................................17
Logging In ........................................................................................................................17
Setting Up Wireless Connectivity and Enabling Wireless Security ..................................18
Updating Your Firmware ..................................................................................................20
Setting Up Your Wireless Computers ..............................................................................22
Help with Troubleshooting..................................................................................................25
Basic Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................25
Troubleshooting Connectivity Using the Ping Utility ........................................................31
Default Configuration ..........................................................................................................33
Default Configuration Settings .........................................................................................33
Restoring the Default User Name and Password ............................................................36
Related Documents..............................................................................................................37

iv Contents

Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender 1
v1.0, March 2008
Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender
Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR® RangeMax WiFi Range Extender
WPN824EXT.
Before you begin installing your extender, check the package contents (see Unpacking Your New
WiFi Range Extender). Become familiar with the front and back panels of your extender—
especially the status lights—and the important information on the extender label (see “Bottom
Label” on page 5).
Unpacking Your New WiFi Range Extender
The product package should contain the following items:
• The WiFi range extender
• A snap-on stand for your WiFi range extender
• An AC power adapter (varies by region)
• A yellow Ethernet cable
• A blue Ethernet cable
•TheResource CD, which includes:
– The Smart Wizard Installation Assistant (Autorun.exe)
– A PDF version of this manual
– A link to the online User Manual
• Warranty and Support Information cards
If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the
carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.
To prepare your extender for installation:
1. Carefully peel off the protective film covering the sides of your extender.

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
2 Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender
v1.0, March 2008
2. Set up your WiFi range extender by inserting the extender into the stand supplied with your
extender.
3. Place your extender in an area suitable for installation (near an AC power outlet and accessible
to the Ethernet cables for your wired computers).
Figure 1

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender 3
v1.0, March 2008
Extender Front Panel
You can use the status lights on the front of the WiFi range extender to verify various conditions.
Figure 2
Table 1. Status Light Descriptions
Item Function Activity Description
1 Power On green solid Power is supplied to the extender.
Off Power is not supplied to the extender.
2 Test On One of the following is occurring:
• The unit is performing the power-on self-test diagnostic.
• The restore factory settings button is being pushed to restore the
factory default settings.
Off One of the following is occurring:
• The unit successfully completed the power-on self-test diagnostic.
• The unit has completed resetting to factory default settings.
• There is a wireless client associated with the extender.
Slow blinking There is no wireless client associated with this unit.
3 Wireless On The wireless interface is enabled.
Off The wireless interface is turned off.
Blinking Data is being communicated over the wireless network.
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RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
4 Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender
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Extender Back Panel
The rear panel of the WPN824EXT extender contains the items in the list that follows the figure.
The back of the WiFi range extender includes:
1. On/off switch for the antenna dome light
2. AC power adapter outlet
3. Four local (LAN) 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the extender to local computers
4. Internet port for connecting the extender to a cable or DSL gateway/router
5. Restore factory settings button
4 Internet Amber off No Ethernet cable is connected from the extender to the gateway/
router.
Amber on The Ethernet cable is connected from the extender to the gateway/
router, but no IP address has been received.
Green on IP address has been received.
Green blinking IP address has been received, and data is being transmitted and
received.
5 LAN Green The LAN port has detected a 100 Mbps link with an attached device.
Amber The LAN port has detected a 10 Mbps link with an attached device.
Figure 3
Table 1. Status Light Descriptions (continued)
Item Function Activity Description
4
3
2
15

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender 5
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Top Panel
The top of the WiFi range extender includes a dome with status lights that identify which of the
seven internal antennas are active. The lights flash according to the direction of the wireless signal.
These status lights are off by default but can be turned on using the on/off switch (see “Extender
Back Panel” on page 4).
Bottom Label
View the label on the bottom of the WiFi range extender to identify the serial number, port
connectors, status lights, and default login information.
Figure 4
Figure 5

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
6 Getting to Know Your WiFi Range Extender
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Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Using the Resource CD 7
v1.0, March 2008
Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Using
the Resource CD
The setup procedure using the Resource CD takes about 15 minutes to complete. Before using the
Smart Wizard™ on the Resource CD to set up your WiFi range extender, ensure the following:
• You have a PC with Windows Vista, or Windows 2000 or Windows XP with Service Pack 2.
• You have an Internet service connection through a gateway/router.
• If you are setting up wireless security, you have the configuration information for your
existing wireless security, such as passphrase and keys, if applicable.
If you have not already done so:
• Check the package contents of your extender to ensure that it is complete.
• Select an optimum location for your WiFi range extender.
For more information, see “Unpacking Your New WiFi Range Extender” on page 1.
About the Smart Wizard
The NETGEAR Smart Wizard guides you through the procedure to set up your WiFi range
extender. Throughout the setup process, the Smart Wizard checks to ensure that steps you perform
are successfully completed.
Be prepared to perform these actions while using the Smart Wizard:
• Powering-on the WiFi range extender.
If you are replacing an existing WiFi range extender, disconnect it completely from
your network and set it aside before starting to install your new extender.
NETGEAR recommends that you use the Resource CD and the NETGEAR Smart
Wizard to set up your WiFi range extender. However, if you are a Macintosh or Linux
user, or you wish to manually configure your extender, see “Installing Your WiFi Range
Extender Manually” on page 11.

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
8 Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Using the Resource CD
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• Connecting the extender to the gateway/router.
• Connecting your computer to the extender.
• Selecting one of these options for your wireless network:
– Whether the Smart Wizard guides you in setting up your wireless network.
– Whether you set up your wireless network in the extender’s browser interface.
• Selecting one of these options for your wireless security:
– Whether the Smart Wizard guides you in setting up your wireless security.
– Whether you choose to set up your wireless security at a later time.
If you choose not to select a security option during installation, you can always access the
extender’s user interface later to select a security option (see “Setting Up Wireless
Connectivity and Enabling Wireless Security” on page 18).
To install your WiFi range extender using the Smart Wizard:
1. Insert the Resource CD into your Windows PC. The CD automatically starts and detects the
language that you are using on your PC. Select a different language option, if you prefer.
2. When the Welcome screen appears, click Setup to start the Smart Wizard.
The Smart Wizard detects details about the environment you are using, such as the following:
•You have a wired connection between your computer and your gateway/router
equipment. The Smart Wizard guides you in the specific steps needed to connect your
extender between the gateway/router and your computer.
•You have a wireless connection between your computer and your gateway/router
equipment. The Smart Wizard guides you in the specific steps needed to temporarily
connect your computer to the extender. You can return to using a wireless connection after
your setup is complete.
•You have a wired connection with a fixed Internet address, or your computer is part
of a domain. The Smart Wizard guides you in the specific steps needed in these
conditions, before you can set up your extender.
3. Follow the instructions and prompts to complete the installation.
If the CD does not automatically start, browse the CD, and double-click .

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Using the Resource CD 9
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You are now connected to the Internet. If you need to configure any settings at a later time,
refer to “Accessing Your RangeMax WiFi Range Extender after Installation” on page 17.
Optimizing Performance after Installation
The following procedures will ensure that you get optimum performance from your high-speed
WiFi range extender.
•For your adapter:
– The wireless adapter card for each computer in your network should support the same
settings as your extender (see the online User Manual for more information).
– To take advantage of the RangeMax™ feature offered by your extender, use a NETGEAR
RangeMax wireless adapter (an adapter that supports up to 108 Mbps).
•Disable your ISP gateway/router’s wireless function. To take advantage of the performance
of your high-speed WiFi range extender, you should disable your ISP gateway/router’s
wireless function. For help, go to http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WPN824EXT.asp, and
click the link for your region.
•Set up your network. Set up additional wireless computers in your network to access the
WiFi range extender and connect to the Internet. See “Setting Up Your Wireless Computers”
on page 22.
•Keep your firmware updated. For information about how to check for new firmware, see
“Updating Your Firmware” on page 20.

RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual
10 Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Using the Resource CD
v1.0, March 2008

Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually 11
Installing Your WiFi Range Extender
Manually
Before manually installing and connecting your WiFi range extender, make sure that you have an
Internet service connection through a gateway/router that is capable of providing a DHCP IP
address (for more information, see “Make sure that the connection to your gateway/router is
correct: ” on page 26).
If you have not already done so:
• Check the package contents of your extender to ensure that it is complete.
• Select an optimum location for your WiFi range extender.
For more information, see “Unpacking Your New WiFi Range Extender” on page 1.
Connecting Your WiFi Range Extender
Use these manual procedures if you are an advanced user, or a user of Macintosh or
Linux systems.
If you are replacing an existing WiFi range extender, disconnect it completely from
your network and set it aside before starting to install your new extender.

12 Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually
To connect the WiFi range extender, the computer, and the gateway/router:
1. Power on the WiFi range extender (as illustrated in Figure 6):
a. Connect the power adapter cord to the back of the WiFi range extender (1).
b. Plug the power adapter into a power socket (2).
Your power socket may differ from the illustration (2), according to your region.
Figure 6

Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually 13
2. Connect the WiFi range extender to the gateway/router (as illustrated in Figure 7):
•Wired connection. If you have a wired connection between your computer and your
gateway/router:
– Locate the Ethernet cable that connects your computer to the gateway/router, and then
disconnect the cable at the computer end only (1).
– Connect the free end of the cable into the yellow Internet port on the back of the WiFi
range extender (2).
Figure 7

14 Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually
•Wireless connection. If you do not have a wired connection between your computer and
your gateway/router (as illustrated in Figure 8):
– Locate the yellow Ethernet cable that was included in your WiFi range extender
package, and connect it to the yellow Internet port on the extender (2).
– Connect it to the Internet port on your gateway/router (1).
Figure 8

Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually 15
3. Connect the WiFi range extender to your desktop or laptop computer (as illustrated in
Figure 9):
a. Locate the blue Ethernet cable that was included in your extender package, and connect
the cable to a LAN port on the extender, for example, Port 4 (1).
b. Connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port on your computer (2).
If you have a wireless connection to your computer, you need to temporarily
connect your system to the WiFi range extender in order to set up your extender and
configure your wireless connection. This cable can be removed once the setup is
complete.
Figure 9

16 Installing Your WiFi Range Extender Manually
Verifying Your Connection
Verify that your extender is connected correctly by checking the WiFi range extender status lights,
as described in Figure 10 and the following steps.
To verify that your extender is connected correctly, check the following:
1. Power. The Power light should be lit.
2. Test. The Test light should be blinking (this indicates that there is no wireless device
connected yet).
3. Wireless. The Wireless light should be blinking (wireless capability is enabled).
4. Internet. The Internet light should be lit (green).
5. LAN. A LAN port light should be lit for the connected computer. Green indicates that your
computer is communicating at 100 Mbps; amber indicates communication at 10 Mbps.
For general information about the status lights, see “Extender Front Panel” on page 3. For help if
the status lights are not as described, see “Basic Functions Are Not Working” on page 26.
Completing Manual Setup
Since you are configuring your WiFi range extender manually, you must log in to your extender to
set up your wireless security. You can also configure other settings there. See “Accessing Your
RangeMax WiFi Range Extender after Installation” on page 17.
Figure 10
For information about how to ensure the best performance from your WiFi range
extender, see “Optimizing Performance after Installation” on page 9.
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