NETGEAR WN2500RPv2 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
May 2014
202-11354-01
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Model WN2500RPv2
User Manual

2
N600 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, 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.

3
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Unpack Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front Panel LEDs and Right Panel WPS Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Attach the Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 2 Get Started
How to Position the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Chapter 3 Manage the Extender Network and Security Settings
Log In to the Extender After Initial Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Change the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Connect the Extender to a WiFi Network Without Using Smart Setup. . . . . . . 33
Connect the Extender to a Hidden WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Use WPS to Add a Device to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Use WPS with the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Use WPS with the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Manage the Extender WiFi Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Configure WPA, WPA2, or WPA + WPA2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Configure WEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Change the Extender IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Manage Advanced WiFi and WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Manage a WiFi Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Set Up and Enable the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Disable the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Change a Device on the Access List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Remove a Device from the Access List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Set the Operating Mode to FastLane Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Run Smart Setup Again After Initial Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

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N600 WiFi Range Extender
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Use the Restore Factory Settings Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Erase the Extender Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
View the Status and Traffic Statistics of the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
View the Wired and WiFi Network Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
You Cannot Connect to the Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
You Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Improve the Connection Between the Extender and the WiFi Router . . . . . . . 83
Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

5
1
1. Overview
This user manual is for the NETGEAR®N600 WiFi Range Extender, model WN2500RPv2, which
is referred to as the extender.
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Unpack Your Extender
•Front Panel LEDs and Right Panel WPS Button
•Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector
•Attach the Feet
•When to Use Your Extender
•How the Extender Works
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. If the
features or behavior of your product does not match what is
described in this guide, you might need to update your firmware.
Note: In this manual, the terms wireless and WiFi are interchangeable.

Overview
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N600 WiFi Range Extender
Unpack Your Extender
Your box contains the following items:
•N600 WiFi Range Extender
•Power adapter
•Snap-on feet
•Installation guide
Front Panel LEDs and Right Panel WPS Button
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
feet attached. (For information about attaching the feet, see Attach the Feet on page 8.)
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
5 GHz Link Rate LED
Device to Extender LED
LAN LEDs (1 through 4)
WPS LED
WPS button (on the right panel)
Power LED
Figure 1. Front panel LEDs and right panel WPS button
The following table describes the LEDs.

Table 1. Front panel LEDs
LED Description
Solid green. The extender is powered on.
Solid amber. The extender is booting.
Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading or the Restore Factory Settings
button was pressed.
Blinking green. The firmware is corrupt. Visit support.netgear.com.
Off. The extender is powered off.
Green. The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi
router is optimum.
Amber. The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi
router is good.
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.
Green. The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router
is optimum.
Amber. The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the WiFi router
is good.
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.
Device to Extender
LED Green. The extender is connected to a computer or WiFi device.
Off. The extender is not connected to a computer or WiFi device.
LAN LEDs
(1 through 4) Green. An Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.
Off. No Ethernet device is connected to 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.
Overview
7
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Power LED
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
5 GHz Link Rate LED

Overview
8
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector
The following figure shows the ports, buttons, and connector on the rear panel of the
extender. The figure show the extender in upright position, with the feet attached. (For
information about attaching the feet, see Attach the Feet on page 8.)
Restore Factory Settings button
Ethernet LAN ports
Power connector
On/Off button
Figure 2. Rear panel
Attach the Feet
If you prefer to place the extender in upright (vertical) position, attach the feet that come with
the extender.
Although the extender functions well in either horizontal or vertical position, a horizontal
position might give a better performance.
To attach the feet:
1. Hold the extender in upright position with the left side of the extender pointing down.
2. Snap the feet onto the extender.

Overview
9
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Figure 3. Attaching the feet
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 has 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 has 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.
Overview
10
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Figure 4. Range extender in a home

11
2
2. Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
•How to Position the Extender
•Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router
•Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network
•Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup
•Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup

Get Started
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N600 WiFi Range Extender
How to Position the Extender
The ideal location to place the extender is halfway between your WiFi router and your WiFi
device.
Figure 5. Range extender location
The best connection is established with a clear line of sight between the extender and the
WiFi router and a clear line of sight between the extender and the WiFi device that you are
using. If a thick wall or other materials block this straight path, move the extender to a
different location halfway between the WiFi device and the WiFi router.
Depending on the location that you decide on, either place the extender horizontally or attach
the feet and place the extender vertically. Although the extender functions well in either
horizontal or vertical position, a horizontal position might give a better performance.
When you make the initial connection between the extender and the WiFi router, place the
extender close to the WiFi router. After you have established a connection between the
extender and the WiFi router, move the extender to the location where you intend to use it.
(You might need to unplug the extender, plug it in again at its new location, and restart it.) Use
the Link Rate LEDs on the extender to choose the location where the connection between the
extender and the WiFi router is optimal. These steps are described in detail in the sections
that describe how to connect the extender to a WiFi network.
Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router
To connect the extender to your WiFi router and find the best location for the extender, use
one of the following methods:
•WPS. Use the extender’s WPS button to establish a WiFi connection between the
extender and the WiFi router (see Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network).
Use this method if your WiFi router supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).
•WiFi. Use a computer or WiFi device to join the extender’s default WiFi network, then
launch a web browser to set up the connection between the extender and a WiFi network
(see Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup). Use this method if your WiFi
router does not support WPS.
•Ethernet. Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to the extender, then launch a
web browser to set up the connection between the extender and a WiFi network (see
Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup). Use this method if you have
difficulty establishing a WiFi connection to the extender.

Get Started
13
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Connect the Extender with WPS to a WiFi Network
The easiest way to connect the extender to a WiFi network is by using Wi-Fi Protected Setup
(WPS). For this method to be successful, your WiFi router must support WPS.
If your WiFi router does not support WPS, see one of the following sections:
•Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup on page 15
•Access the Extender over Ethernet and Use Smart Setup on page 22
WPS lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network name and password.
The WPS button is a physical button on the right side panel of the extender. Your WiFi router
might have a physical WPS button, a software WPS button, or both.
WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP security, follow the
instructions in Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup on page 15.
To connect the extender with WPS to a WiFi router and find the best location for the
extender:
1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.
Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection
to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. If necessary, press the Power button.
The power LED lights amber during startup process. After about one minute, the power
LED turns green and the startup process is complete.
You are now ready to connect the extender to your WiFi router.
4. Press the WPS button on the right side panel of the extender.
The WPS LED blinks green for two minutes.
5. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WiFi router.
After a few seconds, the extender connects to your existing WiFi network. Because you
placed the extender close to the WiFi router, the 2.4 GHz Link Rate LED on the extender
lights green, indicating a good connection between the WiFi router and the extender.
If the 2.4 GHz Link Rate LED does not light green, try Step 4 and Step 5 again. If it still
does not light green, see Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup.
6. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band (not all routers do), and you want to extend that
band, repeat Step 4 and Step 5 and check that the 5 GHz Link Rate LED lights green to
confirm the connection.
7. Now that the extender is connected to the WiFi router, move it to a location where you can
boost your WiFi range.
The location you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.

Get Started
14
N600 WiFi Range Extender
8. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet at the new location and restart the extender.
Unless the extender is outside the range of your WiFi router, the extender connects
automatically to the WiFi router.
The Link Rate LEDs help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is
optimal. The following tables describe how the LEDs show the quality of the connection.
2.4 GHz LED Status LED Color Performance
Both the Link Rate LED and the Device
to Extender LED are green. and The extender provides the best performance.
The Link Rate LED is amber and the
Device to Extender LED is green. and The extender provides a workable performance.
The Link Rate LED is red. and The extender provides a poor performance.
The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.
5 GHz LED Status LED Color Performance
Both the Link Rate LED and the Device
to Extender LED are green. and The extender provides the best performance.
The Link Rate LED is amber and the
Device to Extender LED is green. and The extender provides a workable performance.
The Link Rate LED is red. and The extender provides a poor performance.
The Link Rate LED is off. The extender cannot function.
If the Link Rate LED is off, the extender cannot connect to the WiFi router. If the Link Rate
LED is red, the extender has a poor connection to the WiFi router.
9. If the extender has no connection or a poor connection, move the extender closer to your
WiFi router and try again until the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Link Rate LED is green, or at least
amber.
10. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s
newly created WiFi network.
By default, the extender adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and
_5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name, for example:
•Existing network name. MyNetworkName
•New extended 2.4 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT
•New extended 5 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_5GEXT
11. Select the new network and use your WiFi router password to connect.
You are now using your extended WiFi network.

Get Started
15
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Access the Extender over WiFi and Use Smart Setup
If your WiFi router does not support WPS, access the extender over WiFi and use the
browser-based NETGEAR genie®Smart Setup to connect the extender to an existing WiFi
network.
The extender has a default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name (SSID) in the 2.4 GHz band
so you can access it over WiFi. After you have used Smart Setup to connect the extender to
an existing WiFi network, the extender changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to
the name of the existing WiFi network and adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network
name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name, for example:
•Existing network name. MyNetworkName
•New extended 2.4 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_2GEXT
•New extended 5 GHz network name. MyNetworkName_5GEXT
To access the extender over WiFi and use Smart Setup to connect the extender to an
existing WiFi network:
1. Place the extender close to the WiFi router.
Note: In a later step in this procedure, after you have established a connection
to the WiFi router, you can place the extender at its permanent location.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. If necessary, press the Power button.
The power LED lights amber during startup process. After about one minute, the power
LED turns green and the startup process is complete.
4. Make sure that your computer is not connected to an Ethernet network.
If the computer is already connected to an Ethernet network, you might not be able to
connect to the extender.
5. Open a WiFi network manager on your computer or mobile device to find and connect to the
default NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network of the extender.

Get Started
16
N600 WiFi Range Extender
You can use any WiFi network utility on a computer, tablet, or smartphone to find and
connect to the NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network of the extender. The following figure shows
an example of a WiFi network utility.
After the connection with the computer or mobile device is established, the Device to
Extender LED lights solid green.
6. Open a web browser window from the same computer or mobile device.
The browser takes you directly to the NETGEAR genie Smart Setup start screen.
Note: If you are not automatically directed to the NETGEAR genie Smart
Setupstart screen, go to www.mywifiext.net,and enter admin forthe
user name and password for the password.
Smart Setup searches for existing WiFi networks automatically and displays the networks
in the 2.4 GHz band.

Get Started
17
N600 WiFi Range Extender
7. Select a 2.4 GHz WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.
8. Enter the security settings for the existing 2.4 GHz network:
•If the network uses WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, or a combination of these options, do the
following:
a. In the Password (network key) field, type the network passphrase (also called
a password or network key).
b. Click the Continue button.
•If the network uses WEP, do the following:
a. From the Encryption Strength menu, select the encryption strength (64 bit or
128 bit).
b. Specify the active key by selecting the Key 1, Key 2, Key 3, or Key 4 radio
button (only one key can be the active key) and type the value for the key.
For 64-bit WEP, type 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0–9, A–F). For
128-bit WEP, type 26 hexadecimal digits. The key values are not case-sensitive.
c. Click the Continue button.

Get Started
18
N600 WiFi Range Extender
If Smart Setup detects any networks in the 5 GHz band, it displays them.
9. Select a 5 GHz WiFi network to extend, and click the Continue button.
Note: If your router does not support the 5 GHz band (not all routers do) or
you want to set up the 5 GHz extender network later, click the Skip
button, and go to Step 11 on page 19.
10. Enter the security settings for the existing 5 GHz network:
•If the network uses WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, or a combination of these options, do the
following:
a. In the Password (network key) field, type the network passphrase (also called
a password or network key).
b. Click the Continue button.
•If the network uses WEP, do the following:
a. From the Encryption Strength menu, select the encryption strength (64 bit or
128 bit).
b. Specify the active key by selecting the Key 1, Key 2, Key 3, or Key 4 radio
button (only one key can be the active key) and type the value for the key.
For 64-bit WEP, type 10 hexadecimal digits (any combination of 0–9, A–F). For
128-bit WEP, type 26 hexadecimal digits. The key values are not case-sensitive.
c. Click the Continue button.

Get Started
19
N600 WiFi Range Extender
Smart Setup displays the network names and adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz
network name and _5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name.
11. Use the default extension names, or, in the Name (2.4GHz SSID) field, and, if you have set
up a 5 GHz network, in the Name (5GHz SSID) field, enter new network names for your
extender WiFi networks, and click the Continue button.
Note: If you do not want to use the same security modes for your extender
networks as you use for your existing networks, clear the check box
before you click the Continue button. You then can configure the
security settings for the extender networks. However, you can also
change the security settings later.
The extender applies the settings.
12. Wait a couple of minutes while the extender creates the WiFi networks.

Get Started
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N600 WiFi Range Extender
When the extender is ready, Smart Setup summarizes the extender networks.
13. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s
newly created 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi network.
Note: Unless you entered a new network name in Step 11, the extender
changes its default NETGEAR_EXT network name to the name of the
WiFi network to which you connected the extender and adds _2GEXT
to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and _5GEXT to the end of the
5 GHz network name.
Note: If your computer or mobile device cannot join the new WiFi network of
the extender, see Improve the Connection Between the Extender and
the WiFi Router on page 83.
14. Select the My wireless devices are connected to the Extender network check box, and
click the Continue button.
Smart Setup describes the color of the Link Rate LED on the front of the extender.
Because you placed the extender close the WiFi router, the Link Rate LED is green.