NETGEAR RangeMax NEXT WNR854T User guide

208-10082-02
2006-04
NETGEAR, Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA
Wireless Router Setup
Manual

ii
v1.0, 2006-04
© 2006 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR is a trademark 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.

iii
v1.0, 2006-04
Contents
Wireless Router Setup Manual
Chapter 1
Connecting the Router to the Internet
What’s in the Box? ..........................................................................................................1-1
The Wireless Router Label .......................................................................................1-1
The Front of the Wireless Router .............................................................................1-2
The Back of the Wireless Router .............................................................................1-3
What You Need Before You Begin ..................................................................................1-3
Two Setup Methods: 1) Smart Wizard Setup 2) Manual Setup ......................................1-4
Smart Wizard Setup .......................................................................................................1-4
Manual Setup .................................................................................................................1-5
To Connect Your Wireless Router ............................................................................1-5
Product Registration, Support, and Documentation .......................................................1-9
How to Access the Wireless Router Again Later ..........................................................1-10
How to Set Up and Test Basic Wireless Connectivity ...................................................1-11
Implement Appropriate Wireless Security ....................................................................1-12
Chapter 2
Troubleshooting
Quick Tips .......................................................................................................................2-1
Be sure to always start your network in this sequence: ..........................................2-1
Make sure the Ethernet cables are securely plugged in. .........................................2-1
Make sure the network settings of the computer are correct. .................................2-1
Check the router status lights to verify correct router operation. .............................2-2
To Verify Basic Functioning ............................................................................................2-2
Power Light Not On ..................................................................................................2-2
Power Light Stays Amber .........................................................................................2-3
LAN or Internet Port Lights Not On ..........................................................................2-3
Power LED Blinks Green Once Per Second ............................................................2-3

iv
v1.0, 2006-04
Troubleshooting Logging In to the Wireless Router ........................................................2-3
Troubleshooting the Internet Service Connection ...........................................................2-4
Internet Connection ..................................................................................................2-4
Obtaining an Internet IP Address .............................................................................2-5
Troubleshooting PPPoE ...........................................................................................2-5
Troubleshooting Internet Browsing ..........................................................................2-6
Restoring the Default Configuration and Password ........................................................2-6
Advanced Troubleshooting Using the Ping Utility ...........................................................2-7
Testing the Path from a PC to Your Router ..............................................................2-7
Testing the Path from a PC to the Internet ...............................................................2-8
Appendix A
Technical Specifications
Appendix B
Related Documents

Connecting the Router to the Internet 1-1
v1.0, 2006-04
Chapter 1
Connecting the Router to the Internet
This chapter describes how to connect your router and how to access the Internet through it.
What’s in the Box?
The product package should contain the following items:
• The wireless router
• An AC power adapter (varies by region)
• A blue Ethernet cable
•Resource CD, including:
— The Smart Wizard Installation Assistant
— This 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.
The Wireless Router Label
View the label on the back of the wireless router to identify the serial number, port connectors,
status lights, and default login information.
Figure 1-1

Wireless Router Setup Manual
1-2 Connecting the Router to the Internet
v1.0, 2006-04
The Front of the Wireless Router
You can use the status lights on the front of the wireless router to verify various conditions.
Figure 1-2
Table 1-1.
Status Light Activity Description
1. Power
On -- Amber
On -- Green
Fast blink -- Green
Slow blink -- Green
Off
The router integrity test is running.
Power is on and the router is ready.
Software update is in progress.
There is a problem with the wireless router software.
Power is not supplied to the router.
2. Internet
On -- Amber
On -- Green
Blink -- Green
The Ethernet cable is connected but the wireless router has
not gotten an Internet address.
The wireless router has an Internet address.
Data is being communicated with the Internet.
3. Wireless On
Blink
Off
Indicates that the Wireless port is enabled.
Traffic is being transmitted or received.
Indicates that the Wireless port is disabled.
4. LAN (Local Area
Network) Lights
1-4
On (Green)
Blink (Green)
On (Amber)
Blink (Amber)
Off
The local port is connected to a 1000 Mbps device.
Data is being transmitted at 1000 Mbps.
The local port has detected a link with a 10/100 Mbps device.
Data is being transmitted at 10/100 Mbps.
No link is detected on this port.
1
2
3
4

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Connecting the Router to the Internet 1-3
v1.0, 2006-04
The Back of the Wireless Router
The back of the wireless router has the following port connections:
1. Factory default reset button
2. Four local Ethernet ports for connecting the local computers
3. Internet port for connecting to a cable or ADSL modem
4. Power adapter port
What You Need Before You Begin
Prepare the following before you set up your router:
• Internet service.
• The configuration information your Internet Service Provider (ISP) gave you. Depending on
how your Internet account was set up, your may need one or more of these settings for the
wireless router to access the Internet:
— Host and Domain Names
— Internet Login Name and Password (frequently an email address and password)
— Domain Name Server (DNS) Addresses
— Fixed or Static IP Address
Figure 1-3
1
2
3
4

Wireless Router Setup Manual
1-4 Connecting the Router to the Internet
v1.0, 2006-04
Your ISP should have provided you with all the information needed to connect to the Internet.
If you cannot locate this information, you can ask your ISP to provide it.
• For cable modem service, use the computer you first used to set up your Internet service.
Two Setup Methods: 1) Smart Wizard Setup 2) Manual Setup
You have two methods available for setting up your wireless router.
•Smart Wizard Setup: Click Setup on the CD to use the Smart Wizard.
— This option is the easiest. The wizard guides you through the setup process, automates
many of the steps, and verifies that necessary conditions exist and that steps you perform
have been successfully completed.
— This option requires a PC running Microsoft Windows.
•Manual Setup: This option is best if you cannot use the wizard on the CD, are replacing an
existing wireless router, or are technically knowledgeable. Follow the instructions in this
manual to set up your wireless router.
Use the setup option that best suites you.
Smart Wizard Setup
The wizard setup process should take about 20 minutes to complete.
1. Insert the NETGEAR CD into a Windows PC. The CD will automatically start and detect the
language you are using on your PC. Accept the language option or change to a different
language.
2. Click Next to proceed.
3. Click Setup to start the Smart Wizard installation assistant. Follow the wizard instructions.
Note: If the CD does not automatically start, browse the CD and double-click on
Autorun.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Connecting the Router to the Internet 1-5
v1.0, 2006-04
Manual Setup
There are two steps to setting up your wireless router:
1. Connect the router to the ADSL or cable modem, and connect a computer to the router.
2. Configure the router to use your Internet service.
To Connect Your Wireless Router
1. Connect the wireless router, the computer, and the modem.
a. Turn off your computer.
b. Turn off and unplug the cable or ADSL broadband modem.
c. Locate the Ethernet cable (1) that connects your computer to the modem.
d. Disconnect the cable at the computer end only (2).
Note: Your computer has to be set to automatically get its TCP/IP network settings
from the router via DHCP. This is usually the case. If your are unsure about
this, use the wizard on the CD which automatically takes care of this for you,
or refer to the documentation for your computer.
Figure 1-4
1
2

Wireless Router Setup Manual
1-6 Connecting the Router to the Internet
v1.0, 2006-04
e. Securely insert the Ethernet cable from your modem into the Internet port of the wireless
router (3).
f. Securely insert the blue cable (4) that came with your wireless router into a LAN port on
the router such as LAN port 1 (5), and the other end into the Ethernet port of your
computer (6).
Your network cables are connected and you are ready to start your network.
2. Start your network in the correct sequence
a. First, plug in and turn on the cable or DSL modem. Wait 2 minutes.
Figure 1-5
Figure 1-6
Warning: Failure to start or restart your network in the correct sequence could
prevent you from accessing the Internet.
3
4
6
5

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Connecting the Router to the Internet 1-7
v1.0, 2006-04
b. Now, plug the power cord into your wireless router and into a power outlet. Wait 1 minute.
c. Last, turn on your computer.
d. Check the wireless router status lights to verify the following:
•Power: The power light (1) should turn amber and then solid green. If it does not, see
“Quick Tips” on page 2-1.
•Wireless: The wireless light (2) should be lit after turning on the router.
•Internet: The Internet port light (3) should be lit. If not, make sure the Ethernet cable
is securely attached to the wireless router Internet port and the modem, and the
modem is powered on.
•LAN: A LAN light (4) should be lit. Green indicates your computer is communicating
at 1000 Mbps; amber indicates 10/100 Mbps. If a LAN light is not lit, check that the
Ethernet cable from the computer to the router is securely attached at both ends, and
that the computer is turned on.
Note: For DSL customers, if software logs you in to the Internet, do not run that
software. You may need to go to the Internet Explorer Tools menu, Internet
Options, Connections tab page where you can select “Never dial a connection.”
Figure 1-7
1
2
3
4

Wireless Router Setup Manual
1-8 Connecting the Router to the Internet
v1.0, 2006-04
3. Connect to the wireless router by typing http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field of
your browser, then click Enter.
A login window like the one shown below opens:
4. For security reasons, the router has its own user name and password. When prompted, enter
admin for the router user name and password for the router password, both in lower case
letters.
Figure 1-8
Tip: Connect to the wireless router by typing any one of these three URLs in the address field
of your browser, then clicking Enter:
•http://www.routerlogin.net
•http://www.routerlogin.com
• http://192.168.1.1
The wireless router will prompt you to enter the user name of admin and the password.
Figure 1-9
Note: The router user name and password are not the same as any user name or
password you may use to log in to your Internet connection.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Connecting the Router to the Internet 1-9
v1.0, 2006-04
After logging in, you will see the menu below
If you cannot connect to the wireless router, verify your computer networking setup. It should
be set to obtain both IP and DNS server addresses automatically, which is usually so. For help
with this, consult the documentation that came with your computer or see the links in
Appendix B, “Related Documents”.
5. Click Next. The wizard will assist you with configuring your wireless router to access the
Internet.
Advanced users who want to manually configure the router can select the No radio button,
enter admin and password as the user name and password when prompted, and fill in the
required information on the Basic Settings page.
6. Click Done to finish.
You are now connected to the Internet!
Product Registration, Support, and Documentation
Register your product at http://www.NETGEAR.com/register. Registration is required before
you can use our telephone support service. Product updates and Web support are always available
by going to: http://kbserver.netgear.com/.
Documentation is available on the CD, on the support Web site, and on the documentation Web
site. When the wireless router is connected to the Internet, click the Knowledge Base or the
Documentation link under the Web Support menu to view support information or the
documentation for the wireless router.
Figure 1-10

Wireless Router Setup Manual
1-10 Connecting the Router to the Internet
v1.0, 2006-04
How to Access the Wireless Router Again Later
The configuration assistant wizard only appears when the router is in its factory default state, and
access to the router does not require a login name or password. After you configure the wireless
router (or bypass the configuration assistant wizard), it will not appear again, and you will have to
log in to the your wireless router to make changes to it.
To access the router using its login name and password, follow these instructions.
1. Connect to the wireless router by typing http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field of
your browser, then click Enter.
2. For security reasons, the router has its own user name and password. When prompted, enter
admin for the router user name and password for the router password, both in lower case
letters.
Note: The factory default state is restored when you use the factory reset button. See “Restoring
the Default Configuration and Password” on page 2-6 for more information on this feature.
Figure 1-11
Tip: Connect to the wireless router by typing any one of these three URLs in the address field
of your browser, then clicking Enter:
•http://www.routerlogin.net
•http://www.routerlogin.com
• http://192.168.1.1
The wireless router will prompt you to enter the user name of admin and the password.
Note: The router user name and password are not the same as any user name or
password you may use to log in to your Internet connection.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Connecting the Router to the Internet 1-11
v1.0, 2006-04
A login window like the one shown below opens:
Enter the user name and password. The wireless router will display its home page.
When the wireless router is connected to the Internet, click the Knowledge Base or the
Documentation link under the Web Support menu to view support information or the
documentation for the wireless router.
If you do not click Logout, the wireless router will wait 5 minutes after there is no activity before it
automatically logs you out.
How to Set Up and Test Basic Wireless Connectivity
Follow the instructions below to set up and test basic wireless connectivity. Once you have
established basic wireless connectivity, you can enable security settings appropriate to your needs.
1. Log in to the router at http://www.routerlogin.net with its default user name of admin and
default password of password, or using whatever LAN address and password you have set up.
2. Click the Wireless Settings link in the main menu of the router.
3. Note that the default SSID is NETGEAR.
4. Set the Region. Select the region in which the wireless interface will operate.
Figure 1-12
Note: The SSID of any wireless adapters must match the SSID you configure in the
router. If they do not match, you will not get a wireless connection.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
1-12 Connecting the Router to the Internet
v1.0, 2006-04
5. Click Apply to save your changes.
6. Configure and test your computers for wireless connectivity.
Program the wireless adapter of your computers to have the same wireless network name
(SSID) as the router. Check that they have a wireless link and are able to obtain an IP address
by DHCP from the router.
Implement Appropriate Wireless Security
Unlike wired network data, your wireless data transmissions can extend beyond your walls and
can be received by anyone with a compatible adapter. For this reason, use the security features of
your wireless equipment. The router provides highly effective security features which are covered
in detail in full reference manual that is available from a link on the CD as well as a link in the
main menu of your router. Follow the instructions in the full manual and in the router help screens
to deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.
Note: If you are configuring the router from a wireless computer and you change the
router’s SSID, channel, or security settings, you will lose your wireless
connection when you click Apply. You must then change the wireless settings
of your computer to match the router’s new settings.
Warning: Indoors, computers can connect over wireless networks at a range of several
hundred feet. Such distances can allow for others outside of your immediate
area to access your network.

Troubleshooting 2-1
v1.0, 2006-04
Chapter 2
Troubleshooting
This chapter gives information about troubleshooting your wireless router.
Quick Tips
Here are some tips for correcting simple problems you may have.
Be sure to always start your network in this sequence:
1. Turn off and unplug the modem from it’s power outlet, and turn off the wireless router and
computer.
2. Turn on the modem, and wait two minutes
3. Turn on the wireless router and wait 1 minute
4. Turn on the computer.
Make sure the Ethernet cables are securely plugged in.
• The Internet status light on the wireless router will be lit if the Ethernet cable to the wireless
router from the modem is plugged in securely and the modem and wireless router are both
turned on.
• For each powered on computer connected to the wireless router with a securely plugged in
Ethernet cable, the corresponding wireless router LAN port status light will be lit. The label on
the bottom of the wireless router identifies the number of each LAN port.
Make sure the network settings of the computer are correct.
• LAN connected computers must be configured to obtain an IP address automatically via
DHCP. Please see the links see links in Appendix B, “Related Documents” for help with this.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
2-2 Troubleshooting
v1.0, 2006-04
• Some cable modem services require you to use the MAC address of the computer registered
on the account. If so, in the Router MAC Address section of the Basic Settings menu, select,
“Use this Computer’s MAC Address.” Click Apply to save your settings. Restart the network
in the correct sequence.
Check the router status lights to verify correct router operation.
If the Power light does not turn solid green within 2 minutes after turning the router on, reset the
router according to the instructions in “Restoring the Default Configuration and Password” on
page 2-6.
To Verify Basic Functioning
After you turn on power to the router, the following sequence of events should occur:
1. When power is first applied, verify that the power light is on (see “The Front of the Wireless
Router” on page 1-2 for an illustration).
2. Verify that the power light turns amber within a few seconds, indicating that the self-test
procedure is running.
3. After approximately 30 seconds, verify that:
a. The color of the power light changes to green.
b. The LAN port lights are lit for any local ports that are connected.
c. The Internet port is connected and its light is lit.
If a port’s light is lit, a link has been established to the connected device. If a LAN port is
connected to a 1000 Mbps device, verify that the port’s light is green. If the port is 10/100
Mbps, the light will be amber.
Power Light Not On
If the Power and other lights are off, check the following:
• Make sure that the power cord is properly connected to your router and that the power supply
adapter is properly connected to a functioning power outlet.
• Check that you are using the power adapter supplied by NETGEAR for this product.
If the error persists, you have a hardware problem and should contact technical support.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
Troubleshooting 2-3
v1.0, 2006-04
Power Light Stays Amber
When the router is turned on, the power light turns amber for about 30 seconds and then turns
green. If the light does not turn green the router has a problem.
If the power light is still amber one minute after power up
• Turn the power off and back on to see if the router recovers.
• Clear the router’s configuration to factory defaults. This will set the router’s IP address to
192.168.1.1. This procedure is explained in “Restoring the Default Configuration and
Password” on page 2-6.
If the error persists, you might have a hardware problem and should contact technical support.
LAN or Internet Port Lights Not On
If either the LAN or Internet lights do not light when the Ethernet connection is made, check the
following:
• Make sure that the Ethernet cable connections are secure at the router and at the computer.
• Make sure that power is turned on to the connected computer.
• Be sure you are using Ethernet cables like the cable that was supplied with the wireless router.
Power LED Blinks Green Once Per Second
If the Power LED keeps blinking once every second, there is a problem with the wireless router
software. Go to http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WNR854T.asp for instructions on how to
load new software into your wireless router.
Troubleshooting Logging In to the Wireless Router
If you are unable to log in to the wireless router, check the following:
• If you are using an Ethernet-connected computer, check the Ethernet connection between the
computer and the router as described in the previous section.
• Make sure you are using the correct login information. The factory default login name is
admin and the password is password. Make sure that CAPS LOCK is off when entering this
information.

Wireless Router Setup Manual
2-4 Troubleshooting
v1.0, 2006-04
• Your computer’s address should be in the range of 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254. Refer to your
computer’s documentation for help with finding your computer’s IP address.
• Make sure your browser has Java, JavaScript, or ActiveX enabled. If you are using Internet
Explorer, click Refresh to be sure the Java applet is loaded. Try quitting the browser and
launching it again.
Troubleshooting the Internet Service Connection
If your router is unable to access the Internet, check that the Internet connection is working, and
then check that the wireless router can get an Internet address.
Internet Connection
First verify that your cable or ADSL modem has a successful connection. The cable or ADSL
modem status lights indicate if the modem connection is successful or not. Check your modem
documentation or call your Internet service provider for help with verifying that the modem has a
successful connection.
Wireless Router Internet Light is Green or Blinking Green
If your Internet light is green or blinking green, then you have a good Internet connection, and
your wiring is correct.
Wireless Router Internet Light Off
If the Internet light is off, verify that the Ethernet cable is securely connected between the cable or
ADSL modem, and that both the modem and wireless router are turned on.
Note: If your computer’s IP address is 169.254.x.x, verify that you have a good
connection from the computer to the router, then restart your computer.