NETGEAR WAC104 User manual

User Manual
802.11ac Wireless Access Point
Model WAC104
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria DriveJuly 2021
San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-11698-05

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
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR, and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
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802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104

Revision History
CommentsPublish DatePublication Part
Number
We added information about the initial set up page and changed the steps to
log in to the local browser user interface (UI) for all tasks in this UM.
Chapter 1 : We changed: Hardware Overview of the Access Point on page 7,
Top panel with LEDs on page 10, and AP label on page 12. We added Additional
documentation on page 9 and Safety instructions and warnings for an indoor
access point on page 13.
Chapter 2: We changed Connect and log in to the AP for initial configuration
on page 19, including the subsections, and Connect a WiFi or wired device to
the AP’s network after installation on page 29, including the subsections. We
added About logging in to the local browser UI on page 18 and Find the IP
address of the AP when you cannot use aplogin.net on page 24.
Chapter 3: We changed Manage the basic WiFi settings and WiFi security of
the WiFi network on page 33.
Chapter 4: We changed Update the firmware of the AP on page 47, including
the subsections. We added Change the local device password on page 52 and
Enable password recovery or change the recovery questions on page 53.
Chapter 5: No changes (other than general changes that we applied throughout
the entire manual).
Chapter 6: We changed Quick tips for troubleshooting on page 83, Power LED
remains blinking green on page 85, Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity on page
86, Troubleshoot Internet browsing on page 87, and You cannot log in to the
AP’s local browser UI on page 88.
Appendix: We changed Factory default settings on page 92 and Technical
specifications on page 93.
General: We made multiple other changes and improvements, and we
reorganized the information in some chapters.
July 2021202-11698-05
We updated the operating frequency ranges for the 5 GHz band in Technical
specifications on page 93.
January 2018202-11698-04
The DHCP client of the access point is now enabled by default.
The default WiFi security is now WPA and WPA2 mixed mode and the default
WiFi passphrase is sharedsecret.
The access point now supports the www.aplogin.net URL.
To document this new behavior, we made changes to the following sections:
AP label on page 12
Set up and connect the AP to your router on page 17
Connect and log in to the AP for initial configuration on page 19
Log in to the AP after you complete the initial log-in process on page 26
Connect a WiFi or wired device to the AP’s network after installation on page
29
View or change the basic WiFi settings on page 33
Change the IP address settings of the AP on page 57
We made very minor changes to multiple other sections.
July 2017202-11698-03
First publication.November
2016
202-11698-02
and
202-11698-01
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802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104

Contents
Chapter 1 Hardware Overview of the Access Point
Additional documentation...................................................................9
Unpack the AP.......................................................................................9
Top panel with LEDs...........................................................................10
Back panel...........................................................................................11
Position the antennas.........................................................................11
AP label................................................................................................12
Safety instructions and warnings for an indoor access point........13
Chapter 2 Install and Access the AP in Your Network
Position your AP..................................................................................16
Set up and connect the AP to your router.......................................17
About logging in to the local browser UI........................................18
Connect and log in to the AP for initial configuration...................19
Connect over WiFi using a computer or mobile device...........19
Connect over Ethernet using a computer connected to the same
network............................................................................................21
Connect over Ethernet using a directly connected computer..23
Find the IP address of the AP when you cannot use aplogin.net..24
Log in to the AP after you complete the initial log-in process......26
Change the language........................................................................27
Set the time zone and adjust the daylight saving time..................28
Connect a WiFi or wired device to the AP’s network after
installation...........................................................................................29
Join a WiFi network on the AP.....................................................29
Use Wi-Fi Protected Setup to join the WiFi network of the AP.30
Connect to the AP through an Ethernet cable...........................30
Chapter 3 Manage the Basic WiFi Network Settings
Manage the basic WiFi settings and WiFi security of the WiFi
network................................................................................................33
View or change the basic WiFi settings.......................................33
Configure WEP legacy WiFi security...........................................39
Configure WPA and WPA2 Enterprise WiFi security.................41
Control the WiFi radios......................................................................43
Use the WiFi On/Off button..........................................................44
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Enable or disable the WiFi radios................................................44
Chapter 4 Manage the AP and Monitor the Traffic
Update the firmware of the AP.........................................................47
Check for new firmware and update the AP...............................47
Download new firmware and update the AP.............................49
Manage the configuration file of the AP..........................................50
Back up the settings.......................................................................50
Restore the settings.......................................................................51
Change the local device password..................................................52
Enable password recovery or change the recovery questions.....53
Recover the local device admin password......................................54
Return the AP to its factory default settings....................................55
Use the Reset button.....................................................................55
Erase the settings...........................................................................56
Change the IP address settings of the AP.......................................57
View devices on the network............................................................59
View the status and statistics of the AP............................................60
View information about the AP and the IP and WiFi settings....61
View the traffic statistics................................................................64
Change the traffic statistics polling frequency...........................65
View or clear the logs.........................................................................66
Chapter 5 Manage the Advanced WiFi Features
Add a WiFi schedule..........................................................................69
Manage access to the WiFi network through a WiFi access list....71
Manage the WPS settings..................................................................73
Manage advanced WiFi settings......................................................75
Set up a WiFi distribution system.....................................................76
Set up the WiFi base station.........................................................78
Set up a WiFi repeater...................................................................79
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
Quick tips for troubleshooting..........................................................83
Troubleshoot with the LEDs..............................................................84
Power LED is off.............................................................................85
Power LED remains blinking green.............................................85
WiFi LED is off.................................................................................86
Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity.................................................86
Troubleshoot Internet browsing.......................................................87
You cannot log in to the AP’s local browser UI...............................88
Changes are not saved......................................................................89
Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility..........................89
Test the LAN path to your AP.......................................................89
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802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104

Test the path from your computer to a remote device.............90
Appendix A Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory default settings......................................................................92
Technical specifications.....................................................................93
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802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104

1
Hardware Overview of the Access
Point
The NETGEAR 802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104, in this manual referred
to as the AP, supports dual-band concurrent operation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with
combined throughput of 1.2 Gbps (300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps at 5 GHz). The
AP can be used in a standalone configuration connected to a router in a small network
or integrated in a larger network.
IMPORTANT: The steps in this manual apply only if you update your AP firmware to
version 1.0.4.15 or a later version and then reset the AP to factory defaults. For more
information, see About logging in to the local browser UI on page 18. If your AP is
running a firmware version earlier than version 1.0.4.15 and you do not update to version
1.0.4.15 or a later version, see the old user manual, which you can download by visiting
netgear.com/support/download/. However, we strongly recommend that you download
and install the latest firmware as soon as possible.
The chapter contains the following sections:
• Additional documentation
• Unpack the AP
• Top panel with LEDs
• Back panel
• Position the antennas
• AP label
• Safety instructions and warnings for an indoor access point
IMPORTANT: The AP provides WiFi and LAN connectivity but is a bridge and not a
router. Therefore, do not connect the AP directly to your DSL or cable modem. You
must connect the AP to a router or, if your network includes a DHCP server, to a switch
or hub that is connected to the DHCP server. (For more information, see Set up and
connect the AP to your router on page 17.)
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For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the support
website at netgear.com/support.
Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time to time
at downloadcenter.netgear.com. 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.
8

Additional documentation
The following documents are available at netgear.com/support/download/:
•Installation guide for firmware version 1.0.4.15 and later versions
•Installation guide for firmware versions earlier than version 1.0.4.15
•User manual for firmware versions earlier than version 1.0.4.15
•Data sheet
Unpack the AP
The package contains the AP, Ethernet cable, power adapter (localized to the country
of sale), and installation guide.
Figure 1. WAC104 package contents
User Manual9Hardware Overview of the
Access Point
802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104

Top panel with LEDs
The status LEDs are located on the top panel of the AP.
Figure 2. Overview of the LEDs
Table 1. LED descriptions
DescriptionLED
Solid green. The AP is ready.
Solid green temporarily, blinking green temporarily, and finally solid green. The
AP is starting or was reset to factory default settings and is restarting. For more
information about resetting the AP to factory default settings, see Return the AP to its
factory default settings on page 55.
Blinking green. The AP is starting or upgrading firmware. If the Power LED is blinking
green at any other time, see Power LED remains blinking green on page 85.
Off. Power is not supplied to the AP.
Power
Solid green. (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is ready for use. By default, the WPS LED is off.
Blinking green for two minutes. Someone pressed the WPS button on the AP to join
the WiFi network. For more information, see Use Wi-Fi Protected Setup to join the WiFi
network of the AP on page 30.
WPS
Solid green. One or both WiFi radios are operating.
Blinking green. One or both WiFi radios are sending or receiving traffic.
Off. Both WiFi radios are off. For more information, seeControl the WiFi radios on page
43.
WiFi
Ethernet LAN ports 1–4:
Solid green. A powered-on Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.
Blinking green. The LAN port is sending or receiving traffic.
Off. No powered-on Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.
LAN
User Manual10Hardware Overview of the
Access Point
802.11ac Wireless Access Point Model WAC104