NETGEAR D8500 User manual

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Nighthawk X8
AC5300 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router
Model D8500

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WiFi Network Name and Password
The preassigned WiFi network name (SSID) and network key (password)
are unique to your modem router, like a serial number. Because the
modem router automatically uses WiFi security, you don’t need to set it
up. The WiFi settings are on the modem router’s label.
We recommend that you use the preset WiFi settings because you can
check the label if you forget them. You can also log in to the modem router
to change these settings.
You can write the WiFi settings from the label on your modem router in
this space for easy reference. If you change the WiFi settings, write the
new settings here for easy reference and store this booklet in a safe place.
WiFi network name (SSID):
Network key (password):

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Join the WiFi Network
You can either use Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or select your WiFi
network and type its password.
Join the WiFi Network Using WPS
For help with the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device, check the
instructions or online help that came with that computer or device. Some
older equipment cannot use WPS.
¾To join the network using WPS:
1. Press the WPS button on the modem router for three to five seconds.
The WPS LED on the modem router blinks white.
2. Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS
button or click its onscreen WPS button.
The WPS LED on the modem router lights solid white when the
WPS-enabled device connects to your modem router.
3. Repeat this process to add other WPS-enabled devices.

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Join the WiFi Network Using the
Modem Router’s WiFi Settings
Use the modem router’s WiFi network name and password to connect your
WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the modem router through
WiFi. If you did not change the modem router’s WiFi network name and
password, the modem router’s WiFi network name and password are on
the modem router’s label.
¾To select your network and enter its password:
1. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi
connection manager that manages your WiFi connections.
The WiFi connection manager scans for WiFi networks in your area.
2. Find and select your modem router’s WiFi network name (SSID).
The SSID is on the modem router’s label.
3. Enter the modem router’s password (or your custom password if you
changed it) to connect.
The password is on the modem router’s label.
4. Repeat Step 1 through Step 3 to connect other WiFi-enabled
computers or mobile devices.

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View or Change the Modem Router Settings
After you use the NETGEAR installation assistant to set up the
modem router, you can log in to the modem router to view or change its
settings.
Log In to the Modem Router
¾To log in to the modem router:
1. Connect a computer or mobile device to the modem router.
You can connect using an Ethernet connection or a WiFi connection:
• Ethernet. To connect using an Ethernet connection, use an
Ethernet cable (not included) to connect an Ethernet port on your
computer to an Ethernet port on the modem router.
• WiFi. To connect using a WiFi connection, look on the
modem router’s label for the preassigned WiFi network name
and password. Open the WiFi connection manager on your
WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, find the modem router’s
WiFi network name, and use the modem router’s password to
connect.
2. Launch a web browser and visit www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.

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3. Enter the modem router admin user name and password.
The admin user name is admin. If you did not change the admin
password, the default password is password.
The BASIC Home page displays.
Change the WiFi Network Name and Password
The modem router’s preset WiFi network name (SSID) and password are on
the modem router’s label. If you want to change your modem router’s WiFi
network name and password, log in to the modem router.
¾To change the modem router’s WiFi network name and
password:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is
connected to the network and visit www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
2. Enter the modem router admin user name and password.
The admin user name is admin. If you did not change the admin
password, the default password is password.
The BASIC Home page displays.
3. Select Wireless.
The Wireless Setup page displays.

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4. To change the WiFi network name (SSID), enter a new name in the
Name (SSID) field.
5. To change the WiFi password, enter a new password in the
Passphrase field.
6. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Change the admin Password
¾To change the admin password:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is
connected to the network and visit www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
2. Enter the modem router admin user name and password.
The admin user name is admin. If you did not change the admin
password, the default password is password.
The BASIC Home page displays.
3. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password.
The Set Password page displays.
4. Type your old password and type the new password twice.

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5. To be able to recover the password, select the Enable Password
Recovery check box.
We recommend that you enable password recovery.
6. Select two security questions and provide answers to them.
7. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Recover a Forgotten admin Password
The default password for the admin user name is password. If you
changed the password and enabled the password recovery feature, you
can retrieve this password.
¾To retrieve a forgotten admin password:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is
connected to the network and visit www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
2. Click the Cancel button.
If password recovery is enabled, you are prompted to enter the serial
number of the modem router. The serial number is on the product label.
3. Enter the serial number of the modem router.
4. Click the Continue button.
A page displays requesting the answers to your security questions.

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5. Enter the saved answers to your security questions.
6. Click the Continue button.
A page displays your recovered password.
7. Click the Login again button.
A login window opens.
8. With your recovered password, log in to the modem router.
Access a USB Device on the Network
ReadySHARE lets you access and share a USB storage device connected to
the modem router’s USB ports. (If your USB device uses special drivers, it
is not compatible.)
¾To access the USB storage device from a Windows computer:
1. Connect your USB storage device to a USB port on the modem router.
To get the best USB device access speed, use the blue USB 3.0 port
on the modem router. It might take up to two minutes before the USB
storage device is ready for sharing.
2. On a Windows computer that is connected to the network, select
Start > Run, enter \\readyshare in the dialog box, and click the OK
button.
A window displays the files and folders on the device.

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¾To access the USB storage device from a Mac:
1. Connect your USB storage device to a USB port on the modem router.
To get the best USB device access speed, use the blue USB 3.0 port
on the modem router. It might take up to two minutes before the USB
storage device is ready for sharing.
2. On a Mac that is connected to the network, launch Finder and select
Go > Connect to Server.
The Connect to server window opens.
3. Enter the smb://readyshare in the Server Address field and click
the Connect button.
4. When prompted, select the Guest radio button.
5. If you set up access control on the modem router and you allowed
your Mac to access the network, select the Registered User
radio button and enter admin for the name and password for the
password.
For more information about access control, see the user manual,
which is available online at downloadcenter.netgear.com or through a
link in the modem router’s user interface.
6. Click the Connect button.
A window displays the files and folders on the device.

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Enable Dynamic Quality of Service
Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) resolves Internet traffic congestion
when Internet bandwidth is limited by using better application and device
identification, bandwidth allocation, and traffic prioritization techniques. If
you like gaming and streaming videos, then you can benefit from enabling
Dynamic QoS.
Note: If you use a gigabit Internet connection, or your Internet download
and upload speed is 300 Mbps or faster, then you don’t need to use
Dynamic QoS.
¾To enable Dynamic QoS:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is
connected to the network and visit www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
2. Enter the modem router admin user name and password.
The admin user name is admin. If you did not change the admin
password, the default password is password.
The BASIC Home page displays.
3. Select Dynamic QoS.
The Dynamic QoS page displays.

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4. Select the Enable Dynamic QoS check box.
5. Specify your Internet bandwidth.
You can use Speedtest to detect your Internet bandwidth or you can
enter your Internet bandwidth manually. We recommend that you use
Speedtest.
To use Speedtest to detect your Internet bandwidth, do the following:
a. For more accurate Speedtest results, make sure that no other
devices are accessing the Internet.
b. Click the Speedtest button.
Speedtest determines your Internet bandwidth.
6. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
7. To view bandwidth utilization by device and application, click the Click
here to see bandwidth utilization by device and application link
at the bottom of the page.
For more information, see the user manual, which is available online at
downloadcenter.netgear.com or through a link in the modem router’s
user interface.

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Enable Smart Connect
Smart Connect selects the fastest WiFi band for your device. For Smart
Connect to work, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands must use the same WiFi
network name (SSID) and network key (password).
¾To enable Smart Connect:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is
connected to the network and visit www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
2. Enter the modem router admin user name and password.
The admin user name is admin. If you did not change the admin
password, the default password is password.
The BASIC Home page displays.
3. Select Wireless.
The Wireless Setup page displays.
4. Select the Smart Connect check box.
5. Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.

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Set Up Ethernet Port Aggregation
Ethernet aggregation lets you combine two Gigabit Ethernet ports to
improve the aggregated file transfer speed. If a device supports Ethernet
aggregation, you can use the Ethernet aggregate ports 1 and 2 to cable
the device that supports Ethernet port aggregation to the modem router.
Note: Ethernet port aggregation is also referred to as link aggregation,
teaming port, and port trunking.
¾To set up Ethernet port aggregation:
1. If you are connecting a switch, make sure that the switch supports
802.3ad LACP.
You must configure the switch before you connect the Ethernet cables
to the modem router.
Warning: To avoid causing broadcast looping, which can shut down
your network, do not connect an unmanaged switch to Ethernet
aggregate port 1 and port 2 on the modem router.
2. Use Ethernet cables to connect a device that supports Ethernet port
aggregation, such as a NAS or network switch, to Ethernet port 1 and
port 2 on the modem router.

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3. Set up Ethernet port aggregation on the device that is connected to
Ethernet port 1 and port 2 on the modem router.
For information about how to set up Ethernet port aggregation on
your device, see the documentation that came with your device.
For information about viewing the status of the Ethernet port
aggregation, see the user manual, which is available online at
downloadcenter.netgear.com or through a link in the modem router’s
user interface.
Remotely Access Your Modem Router
Using the genie App
You can use the genie app to remotely access your modem router and
change its key settings. Remote access with the genie app is supported for
Windows computers, iOS mobile devices, and Android mobile devices. For
more information about this feature, see the genie app user manual, which
is available online at downloadcenter.netgear.com.
¾To set up remote access using the genie app for Windows
computers:
1. Visit www.NETGEAR.com/genie and download the latest version of
the genie app for Windows.

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2. Create a remote access genie account:
a. Connect your computer to the modem router’s network.
b. Launch the genie app.
c. Select Router Settings.
The Router Login page displays.
d. From the Login as menu, select Remote Access.
e. Click the Sign up link.
f. Complete the fields to create an account.
3. Log in to your remote access genie account.
The genie app determines if the modem router is registered with your
genie account. If the modem router is not registered, follow the on-
screen instructions.
After the modem router registers with your genie account, a
cloud icon displays on the page. You can now remotely access your
modem router from the genie app that is installed on your computer.

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Remotely Access Your Modem Router
With ReadyCLOUD
ReadyCLOUD allows you to remotely access files on a USB storage device
connected to the modem router. For more information about using
ReadyCLOUD, see the ReadyCLOUD user manual for routers, which is
available online at downloadcenter.netgear.com.
¾To set up your ReadyCLOUD account and register your
modem router:
1. Create a ReadyCLOUD account:
a. Visit readycloud.netgear.com and click the Sign In link.
The Sign In page displays.
b. Click the Create Account link, complete the fields to set up your
account, and click the Create button.
2. Set up and register your modem router:
a. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your
modem router.
b. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is
connected to the network and visit www.routerlogin.net.
The BASIC Home page displays.

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c. Select ReadySHARE.
The USB Storage (Basic Settings) page displays.
d. Select the ReadyCLOUD radio button.
The ReadyCLOUD page displays.
e. Enter your ReadyCLOUD user name and password and click the
Register button.
The modem router is now registered with your ReadyCLOUD
account.
3. After registration, visit readycloud.netgear.com and use your
ReadyCLOUD user name and password to sign in to your account.
The ReadyCLOUD page displays the modem router that you registered
and the contents of the USB storage device that is connected to the
modem router.
Set Up VPN Service
VPN service allows remote access to your home network with a secure
connection. After you set up VPN service, you can use VPN to access the
modem router’s USB drive and media and to access your Internet service
at home.
VPN service is available for Windows computers, Mac computers, iOS
devices, and Android devices.

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For more information about how to set up VPN service, see the user
manual, which is available online at downloadcenter.netgear.com or
through a link in the modem router’s user interface.
Back Up With ReadySHARE Vault
Your modem router comes with free backup soware for all the
Windows computers in your home. Connect a USB hard disk drive
(HDD) to the USB port on your modem router for centralized,
continuous, and automatic backup.
Note: The following operating systems support ReadySHARE Vault:
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
¾To back up your Windows computer:
1. Connect a USB HDD to a USB port on the modem router.
2. Download ReadySHARE Vault from netgear.com/readyshare and install
it on each Windows computer.
3. Launch ReadySHARE Vault.
The ReadySHARE Vault dashboard displays.
4. Use the dashboard or the Backup tab to set up and run your backup jobs.

NETGEAR, Inc.
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134, USA
August 2016
NETGEAR INTL LTD
Building 3, University Technology Centre
Curraheen Road, Cork, Ireland
Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit
www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest
downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only
official NETGEAR support resources.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
Compliance
For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit
http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621/.
For regulatory compliance information, visit
www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Print Wirelessly With ReadySHARE Printer
ReadySHARE Printer lets you connect a USB printer to the USB port
on the modem router and print wirelessly. Download ReadySHARE
Printer from netgear.com/readyshare and install it on your
computer.