NETGEAR Nighthawk AX6 User manual

User Manual
Nighthawk AX6
6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router
Model RAX48
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria DriveJanuary 2023
San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-12135-06

Support and Community
Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest
downloads.
You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at
community.netgear.com.
Regulatory and Legal
Si ce produit est vendu au Canada, vous pouvez accéder à ce document en français
canadien à https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.
(If this product is sold in Canada, you can access this document in Canadian French at
https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.)
For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit
https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy.
By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at
https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the
device to your place of purchase within your return period.
Do not use this device outdoors.
Applicable to 6 GHz devices only: Only use the device indoors. The operation of 6 GHz
devices is prohibited on oil platforms, cars, trains, boats, and aircraft, except that
operation of this device is permitted in large aircraft while flying above 10,000 feet.
Operation of transmitters in the 5.925-7.125 GHz band is prohibited for control of or
communications with unmanned aircraft systems.
Trademarks
Trademarks© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR, and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of
NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
Revision History
CommentsPublish DatePublication Part
Number
We removed the Change the transmission power control section and the
Set up the router in bridge mode section. These options are not available
for the router.
January 2023202-12135-06
2
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Contents
Chapter 1 Hardware Setup
Unpack your router...............................................................................9
Top panel LEDs and buttons.............................................................10
Rear panel............................................................................................12
Router label.........................................................................................13
Attach and position the antennas.....................................................13
Position your router............................................................................14
Wall-mount your router.....................................................................15
Cable your router...............................................................................16
Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Router
Connect to the router network.........................................................18
Connect to the router using a wired connection.......................18
Connect to the router WiFi network............................................18
Connect to the WiFi network using WPS....................................18
Types of logins....................................................................................19
Use a web browser to access the router..........................................19
Automatic Internet setup..............................................................19
Log in to the router........................................................................21
Install and manage your router with the Nighthawk app..............21
Change the language........................................................................22
Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings
Use the Internet Setup Wizard..........................................................24
Manually set up the Internet connection.........................................24
Specify an Internet connection without a login..........................24
Specify an Internet connection that uses a login.......................26
Specify IPv6 Internet connections....................................................27
Requirements for entering IPv6 addresses.................................28
Use auto detect for an IPv6 Internet connection........................28
Set up an IPv6 6to4 tunnel Internet connection.........................29
Set up an IPv6 pass-through Internet connection......................31
Set up an IPv6 fixed Internet connection....................................32
Set up an IPv6 DHCP Internet connection..................................33
Set up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet connection..................................35
Use auto config for an IPv6 Internet connection........................36
3

Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection.......................................38
Manage the MTU size.........................................................................40
MTU concepts.................................................................................40
Change the MTU size....................................................................41
Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet
Network access control list................................................................43
Enable the network access control list, set the access rule, and
allow or block connected devices...............................................43
Manage allowed devices currently not on the network............45
Manage blocked devices currently not on the network...........47
Use keywords to block Internet sites...............................................49
Delete keywords from the blocked list............................................50
Block services from the Internet.......................................................50
Prevent blocking on a trusted computer.........................................52
Schedule when to block Internet sites and services......................52
Set up security event email notifications.........................................53
Chapter 5 Manage Network Settings
View or change the WAN settings....................................................56
Set up a default DMZ server..............................................................57
Change the router’s device name....................................................58
Change the LAN TCP/IP settings......................................................58
Specify the IP addresses that the router assigns............................60
Disable the DHCP server feature in the router...............................61
Manage reserved LAN IP addresses................................................62
Reserve an IP address....................................................................62
Edit a reserved IP address............................................................63
Delete a reserved IP address entry..............................................63
Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi connections......................................64
Specify basic WiFi settings................................................................65
Change the WiFi mode......................................................................66
Change the WiFi mode if AX WiFi is enabled............................67
Change the WiFi mode if AX WiFi is disabled...........................68
Change the WiFi password or the WiFi security.............................69
Set up a guest WiFi network.............................................................70
Enable or disable the WiFi radios.....................................................73
Set up a WiFi schedule.......................................................................73
Set up the router as a WiFi access point..........................................74
Set up a bridge for a port group or VLAN tag group....................75
Set up a bridge for a port group..................................................75
Set up an IPTV port........................................................................77
Set up a bridge for a VLAN tag group........................................78
Manage custom static routes............................................................79
4
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Set up a static route.......................................................................80
Edit a static route...........................................................................81
Delete a static route.......................................................................82
Enable or disable implicit beamforming.........................................82
Enable or disable MU-MIMO............................................................83
Enable or disable AX WiFi.................................................................84
Chapter 6 Optimize Performance
Use Dynamic QoS to optimize Internet traffic management........86
Enable Dynamic QoS.....................................................................86
Enable or disable the automatic QoS database update...........87
Manually update the dynamic QoS database............................87
Improve network connections with Universal Plug and Play........88
Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service.................................................89
Enable or disable AX WiFi.................................................................90
Chapter 7 Manage Your Router
Update the router firmware...............................................................93
Check for new firmware and update the router.........................93
Manually upload firmware to the router.....................................94
Change the admin password............................................................95
Enable admin password reset...........................................................95
Reset the admin password................................................................96
Always use HTTPS to access the router...........................................97
View information about the router and the Internet and WiFi
settings.................................................................................................98
Display the statistics of the Internet port.........................................98
Check the Internet connection status............................................100
View and manage logs of router activity.......................................101
View devices currently on the network..........................................102
Monitor Internet traffic.....................................................................102
Manage the router configuration file.............................................104
Back up the settings....................................................................104
Erase the settings.........................................................................104
Restore the settings.....................................................................105
Connect to your router with Anywhere Access............................106
Turn off the router LEDs..................................................................106
Set your time zone............................................................................107
Set the NTP server............................................................................107
Specify ReadyDLNA media server settings...................................108
Return the router to its factory default settings............................109
Use the Reset button...................................................................109
Erase the settings.........................................................................110
5
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Chapter 8 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router
USB device requirements................................................................112
Connect a USB storage device to the router................................112
Access a storage device connected to the router from a
Windows-based computer..............................................................113
Map a USB device to a Windows network drive...........................113
Access a storage device that is connected to the router from a
Mac.....................................................................................................114
Enable FTP access within your network.........................................115
View network folders on a storage device....................................115
Add a network folder on a USB storage device...........................116
Edit a network folder on a USB storage device............................117
Safely remove a USB storage device.............................................118
Chapter 9 Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices
Through the Internet
Set up and manage Dynamic DNS.................................................120
Set up a new Dynamic DNS account.........................................120
Specify a DNS account that you already created.....................121
Change the Dynamic DNS settings...........................................122
Your personal FTP server................................................................122
Set up your personal FTP server................................................123
Set up FTP access through the Internet....................................123
Set up HTTPS access through the Internet....................................124
Access USB storage devices through the Internet.......................125
Chapter 10 Use OpenVPN to Access Your Network
About VPN connections..................................................................128
Enable OpenVPN service in the router..........................................129
Install OpenVPN software on a VPN client....................................130
Install OpenVPN software on a Windows-based computer....130
Install OpenVPN software on a Mac computer........................132
Install OpenVPN software on an iOS device............................133
Install OpenVPN software on an Android device....................134
LAN IP addressing in VPN networks..............................................135
Use VPN to access your Internet service at home........................135
Allow VPN client Internet access in the router.........................135
Block VPN client Internet access in the router.........................136
Use VPN to remotely access a USB storage device attached to the
router.................................................................................................137
Chapter 11 Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering
Manage port forwarding to a local server.....................................139
6
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Set up port forwarding to a local server...................................139
Add a custom port forwarding service.....................................140
Edit a port forwarding service....................................................141
Delete a port forwarding entry..................................................142
Application example: Make a local web server public...........142
How the router implements the port forwarding rule.............143
Port triggering..................................................................................143
Add a port triggering service.....................................................144
Enable port triggering................................................................145
Application example: Port triggering for Internet relay chat port
triggering......................................................................................145
Chapter 12 Troubleshooting
Quick tips...........................................................................................148
Sequence to restart your network.............................................148
Check the power adapter and Ethernet cable connections...148
Check the WiFi settings..............................................................148
Check the network settings........................................................148
Troubleshoot with the LEDs............................................................149
Standard LED behavior when the router is powered on........149
LEDs never turn off......................................................................149
Power LED is off or blinking.......................................................150
Internet or Ethernet LAN port LEDs are off..............................150
WiFi LED is off..............................................................................150
You cannot log in to the router.......................................................151
You cannot access the Internet.......................................................152
Troubleshoot Internet browsing.....................................................153
Changes are not saved....................................................................154
Troubleshoot WiFi connectivity......................................................154
Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility........................155
Test the LAN path to your router...............................................155
Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote
device............................................................................................156
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory settings.................................................................................158
Technical specifications...................................................................159
7
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

1
Hardware Setup
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Unpack your router
• Top panel LEDs and buttons
• Rear panel
• Router label
• Attach and position the antennas
• Position your router
• Wall-mount your router
• Cable your router
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website
at netgear.com/support.
8

Unpack your router
Your package contains the router, the power adapter, four antennas, and an Ethernet
cable.
Figure 1. Package contents
User Manual9Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Top panel LEDs and buttons
The status LEDs and two buttons are located on the top panel of the router.
Figure 2. Top view
The following table describes the LEDs and buttons.
Table 1. LED descriptions
DescriptionLED and Button
•Solid white. The router is ready.
•Blinking white. The router is not ready, firmware is upgrading, or the Reset
button was pressed.
•Off. Power is not supplied to the router.
Power LED
•Solid white. The Internet connection is ready.
•Blinking white. The port is sending or receiving traffic.
•Off. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.
Internet LED
User Manual10Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued)
DescriptionLED and Button
The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and
amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections.
•Solid white. The router detected a 1 Gbps link with a powered-on device.
•Blinking white. The port is sending or receiving traffic at 1 Gbps.
•Solid amber. The router detected a 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps link with a
powered-on device.
•Blinking amber. The port is sending or receiving traffic at 100 Mbps or 10
Mbps.
•Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
Ethernet LEDs for ports 1–4
•Solid white. A USB device is connected and is ready.
•Blinking white. A USB device is plugged in and is trying to connect.
•Off. No USB device is connected, or someone clicked the Safely Remove
Hardware button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB device.
USB 3.0 port LED
Pressing the WiFi button for two seconds turns WiFi LED and WiFi radios on and
off.
If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned
off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the router.
WiFi LED
Pressing the WPS button lets your WPS-enabled device join your router's WiFi
network without typing the WiFi password. The WPS LED blinks white during
the WPS process and then lights solid white when the WPS-enabled device
connects to your router's WiFi network.
WPS LED
User Manual11Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Rear panel
The following figure shows the rear panel connectors and buttons.
Figure 3. Rear panel
The rear panel contains the following components:
1. Reset button. Pressing the Reset button resets the router.
If the Reset button is pressed for at least 10 seconds and the Power LED blinks, the
router returns to its factory settings.
2. USB 3.0 port. Use the USB 3.0 port to connect USB storage device.
3. Ethernet ports. Four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports. Use these ports to connect
LAN devices to the router.
4. Internet port. One Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 WAN port to connect the router to an
Internet modem such as a cable modem or DSL modem.
5. DC power connector. Connect the power adapter that came in the product package
to the DC power connector.
6. Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the
router.
User Manual12Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Router label
The router label shows the login information, WiFi network name (SSID), password,
serial number, and MAC address.
Figure 4. Router label
Attach and position the antennas
Before you install your router, attach the antennas to the router.
Note: If the antennas for your router do not have labels, they can be attached to any
antenna post on the router. If the antennas do have labels, match the labels on the
antennas with the labels on the router. Labeled antennas must be attached to the correct
antenna post on the router.
After you are done attaching the antennas, position the antennas as shown.
Figure 5. Attach and position the antennas
User Manual13Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Position your router
The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your
WiFi network. However, the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can
vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router.
In addition, position your router according to the following guidelines:
•Place your router near the center of the area where your computers and other devices
operate, and within line of sight to your WiFi devices.
•Make sure that the router is within reach of an AC power outlet and near Ethernet
cables for wired computers.
•Place the router in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings
between the router and your other devices.
•Place the router away from electrical devices such as these:
-Ceiling fans
- Home security systems
- Microwaves
- Computers
-Base of a cordless phone
- 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz cordless phones
•Place the router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated walls,
and items such as these:
- Solid metal door
- Aluminum studs
- Fish tanks
- Mirrors
- Brick
- Concrete
The following factors might limit the range of your WiFi:
•The thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through can limit the range.
•Other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your router’s signal.
WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other
devices that emit a WiFi signal for network access.
User Manual14Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Wall-mount your router
You can wall-mount your router using the wall-mounting holes on the bottom of your
router.
Note: We recommend using M3 x 20 mm screws.
Figure 6. Bottom of the router
To wall-mount your router:
1. Drill holes in the wall where you want to wall-mount your router.
2. Insert wall anchors in the holes.
3. Insert screws into the wall anchors, leaving 3/16 inch (0.5 cm) of each screw exposed.
4. Align the router’s wall-mounting holes with the screws and mount your router.
User Manual15Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

Cable your router
Power on your router and connect it to a modem.
Figure 7. Cable your router
To cable your router:
1. Unplug your modem, remove and reinsert the backup battery if it uses one, and
then plug the modem back in.
2. Use the Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the yellow Internet port on the
router.
Note: If your Internet connection does not require a modem, connect your main
Ethernet cable to the yellow Internet port on the router.
3. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet.
4. Press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the router.
The router’s Power LED lights solid white when the router is ready.
User Manual16Hardware Setup
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

2
Connect to the Network and Access
the Router
You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection. This
chapter explains the ways you can connect and how to access the router and log in.
The chapter contains the following sections:
• Connect to the router network
• Types of logins
• Use a web browser to access the router
• Install and manage your router with the Nighthawk app
• Change the language
17

Connect to the router network
You can connect to the router network using a wired, WiFi, or WPS connection.
Note: If you set up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so
that it uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
Connect to the router using a wired connection
You can connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable and join the
router’s local area network (LAN).
To connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable:
1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).
2. Connect an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on your computer.
3. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on the router.
Your computer connects to the local area network (LAN).
Connect to the router WiFi network
You can connect WiFi-enabled devices to the router WiFi network using the router WiFi
network name and password.
To connect to the WiFi network:
1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).
2. On your WiFi-enabled device, open your device's WiFi network management settings.
3. Find and select the router WiFi network name (SSID).
The router WiFi network name (SSID) is on the router label.
4. Enter the router network key (password).
The router network key (password) is on the router label.
Your device connects to the WiFi network.
Connect to the WiFi network using WPS
You can connect WPS-enabled devices to the router’s WiFi network with Wi-Fi Protected
Setup (WPS). Your router has a WPS button that you can use to connect WPS-enabled
devices.
User Manual18Connect to the Network and
Access the Router
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

To use WPS to connect to the WiFi network:
1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).
2. Check the WPS instructions for your WPS-enabled device.
3. Press the WPS button on the router.
4. Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS button or follow
its instructions for how to connect using WPS.
Your WPS-enabled device connects to the WiFi network.
Types of logins
Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand
the differences so that you know which login to use when.
Several types of logins are associated with the router:
•ISP login. The login that your Internet service provider (ISP) gave you logs you in to
your Internet service. Your ISP gave you this login information in a letter or some
other way. If you cannot find this login information, contact your ISP.
•WiFi network key, WiFi passphrase, or WiFi password. Your router is preset with
a unique WiFi network name (SSID) and password for WiFi access. This information
is on the router label.
•NETGEAR account login. The free NETGEAR account that you need to register your
router and manage your subscriptions. If you do not own a NETGEAR account, you
can create one.
•Router login. The router login password that you need to log in to the router with
the admin user name when you use a web browser to access the router.
Use a web browser to access the router
When you connect to the network (either with WiFi or with an Ethernet cable), you can
use a web browser to access the router to view or change its settings. When you access
the router, the software automatically checks to see if your router can connect to your
Internet service.
Automatic Internet setup
You can set up your router automatically, or you can use a web browser to access the
router and set up your router manually. Before you start the setup process, get your ISP
User Manual19Connect to the Network and
Access the Router
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router

information and make sure that the computers and devices in the network are using
the settings described here.
When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you
all the information needed to connect to the Internet. For DSL service, you might need
the following information to set up your router:
•The ISP configuration information for your DSL account
•ISP login name and password
•Fixed or static IP address setting (special deployment by ISP; this setting is rare)
If you cannot locate this information, ask your ISP to provide it. When your Internet
connection is working, you no longer need to launch the ISP login program on your
computer to access the Internet. When you start an Internet application, your router
automatically logs you in.
The NETGEAR installation assistant runs on any device with a web browser. Installation
and basic setup takes about 15 minutes to complete.
To automatically set up your router:
1. Make sure that the router is powered on.
2. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is connected to the router with an
Ethernet cable (wired) or over WiFi with the preset security settings listed on the
label.
Note: If you want to change the router’s WiFi settings, use a wired connection to
avoid being disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.
3. Launch a web browser.
The page that displays depends on whether you accessed the router before:
•The first time you set up the Internet connection for your router, the browser goes
to http://www.routerlogin.net and the Configuring the Internet Connection
page displays.
•If you already set up the Internet connection, enter http://www.routerlogin.net
in the address field for your browser to start the installation process.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.
The router connects to the Internet.
5. If the browser does not display the NETGEAR installation assistant, do the following:
•Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the LAN Ethernet ports or
over WiFi to the router.
•Make sure that the router is receiving power and that its Power LED is lit.
User Manual20Connect to the Network and
Access the Router
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX5200 WiFi Router