NETGEAR WiFi extender User manual

Do More

2
Experience Next-Generation WiFi
Your new WiFi extender supports the 802.11ac networking standard. This
new standard offers better speed, improved reliability, and more range
than older WiFi networking standards.
Your extender is backward compatible with prior WiFi standards. However,
to get the benefits of 802.11ac, your router must support the 802.11ac
WiFi networking standard.
To learn more about the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard, visit
http://www.netgear.com/landing/80211ac/.

3
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
Use the extender in extender mode to boost the range of your existing
WiFi network. For more information about setting up your extender in
extender mode, see the quick start guide card.
¾To use the extender in extender mode:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to find
and connect to the NETGEAR_EXT (SSID) WiFi network.
Aer the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established,
the Device to Extender LED lights solid green.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
The login screen displays.
ExtenderRouter

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4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
The Extender Setup screen displays.
5. Complete the Extender Setup screen and click the NEXT button.
6. Select the WiFi Range Extender button.
The extender searches for WiFi networks in your area and displays a
list.
7. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button.
If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4GHz WiFi
Networks or the 5GHz WiFi Networks check box.
8. In the Password (network key) field, type the existing WiFi network
password and click the NEXT button.
9. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your extender, and
click the NEXT button.
Your settings are applied.
10. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to
connect to the new extended WiFi network.
11. Click the CONTINUE button.
A message displays confirming that the extender successfully
connected to the existing WiFi network.

5
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
Use the extender in access point mode to set up the extender as a WiFi
access point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet
connection.
¾To use the extender in access point mode:
1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your router to the Ethernet port on
the extender.
2. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and
connect to the NETGEAR_EXT (SSID) WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established,
the Device to Extender LED lights solid green.
Note: In access point mode, you can connect your computer or WiFi
device to the extender only using a WiFi connection.
ExtenderRouter
Ethernet cable

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3. Launch a web browser.
4. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
A login screen displays.
5. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
The Extender Setup screen displays.
6. Complete the Extender Setup screen and click the NEXT button.
7. Select the ACCESS POINT button.
The extender checks for an Internet connection.
8. Set the network name (SSID), security option, and password for each
band, and click the NEXT button.
Your settings are applied.
9. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to
connect to the new access point WiFi network.
10. Click the CONTINUE button.
A message displays that you successfully created an access point.

7
Log In to Access Extender Settings
After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the
extender’s settings.
¾To log in to the extender:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and
connect to the new extended WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established,
the Device to Extender LED lights solid green.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
A login screen displays.
4. Type your email and password and click the LOG IN button.
The Status screen displays.
5. Make any needed changes.

8
Share Files Across Your WiFi Network
You can share data that is stored on most common USB storage devices
across your WiFi network with ReadySHARE® USB Storage Access.
¾To access your USB device from a Windows computer:
1. Insert your USB device into the USB 3.0 port on the extender.
If your USB device includes a power supply, you must use it when you
connect the USB device to the extender.
When you connect the USB device to the extender USB port, it might
take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the
USB device is available to all computers on your local area network
(LAN).
2. Select Start > Run.
3. Enter \\readyshare in the dialog box and click the OK button.
A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the
device.
¾To access your USB device from a Mac:
1. Insert your USB device into the USB 3.0 port on the extender.
If your USB device includes a power supply, you must use it when you
connect the USB device to the extender.

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When you connect the USB device to the extender USB port, it might
take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the
USB device is available to all computers on your local area network
(LAN).
2. On a Mac that is connected to the network, launch Finder and select
Go > Connect to Server.
3. Enter smb://readyshare in the Server Address field.
4. When prompted, select the Guest radio button.
5. Click the Connect button.
A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the
device.
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can
connect a wired device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. That
device can then access your existing network through the WiFi connection.
Extender Blu-ray player
Router Ethernet cable

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Share a USB Printer on the WiFi Network
The ReadySHARE Printer utility lets you share a USB printer that is
connected to the USB port on your extender. You can share this USB
printer among the Windows and Mac computers on your network.
¾To set up ReadySHARE Printer:
1. Connect the USB printer to a USB port on the extender with a USB
printer cable.
2. On each computer that will share the printer, do the following:
a. Install the current USB printer driver software (available from the
printer manufacturer).
b. Download ReadySHARE Printer from
www.netgear.com/readyshare.
c. In the ReadySHARE Printer pane, click the PC Utility or Mac
Utility link.
d. Follow the onscreen instructions to download the file.
3. Double-click the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file that you
downloaded.
The InstallShield wizard displays.
4. Follow the wizard instructions to install NETGEAR USB Control Center.