NETGEAR WNDR3700 - RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router... User guide

May 2009
208-10338-01
v1.0
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Dual Band Wireless-N
Gigabit Router WNDR3700
Setup Manual

2
©2009 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are registered trademarks, and RangeMax and Smart Wizard are trademarks 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.

Contents iii
Contents
Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNDR3700 Setup Manual
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router................................................................................1
Unpacking Your New Wireless-N Gigabit Router ..............................................................1
Hardware Features ............................................................................................................2
Front Panel ..................................................................................................................3
Back Panel ..................................................................................................................5
Router Label ................................................................................................................6
Positioning Your Wireless Router ......................................................................................6
Installing Your Wireless-N Gigabit Router .........................................................................7
Updating Your Router Firmware ........................................................................................8
Installing Your Wireless Router Using
Smart Wizard...........................................................................................................................9
Installing Your Wireless Router Manually (Advanced, Mac, and Linux Users)..............11
Connecting Your Wireless-N Gigabit Router ................................................................... 11
Verifying Your Connection ...............................................................................................14
Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access .....................................................................15
Configuring Your Wireless Network for Internet Access.................................................19
Accessing Your Router After Installation and Checking for New Firmware .....................19
Configuring Your Wireless Settings and Security Options ...............................................20
Setting Your SSID and Wireless Security Manually ..................................................21
Using Push 'N' Connect (WPS) to Configure Your Wireless Network .......................24
Testing Basic Wireless Connectivity ................................................................................25
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................27
Basic Setup Checklist ......................................................................................................27
Checking Basic Router Functions ...................................................................................28
Troubleshooting Login Problems .....................................................................................30

iv Contents
Checking the Internet Service Connection ......................................................................31
Obtaining an Internet IP Address ..............................................................................31
Troubleshooting PPPoE ............................................................................................32
Troubleshooting Internet Browsing ...........................................................................33
Troubleshooting Connectivity Using the Ping Utility ........................................................33
Testing the Path from a PC to Your Router ...............................................................33
Testing the Path from a PC to the Internet ................................................................34
Technical Specifications .....................................................................................................37
Default Configuration Settings .........................................................................................37
Restoring the Default Password and Configuration Settings ...........................................40
Related Documents..............................................................................................................41
Registration and Certifications............................................................................................43

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 1
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router
Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR® RangeMax™ Dual Band Wireless-N
Router WNDR3700.
Before you begin installing your router, check the package contents (see “Unpacking Your New
Wireless-N Gigabit Router” on page 1). Become familiar with the front and back panels of your
router—especially the LEDs—and the important information on the router label (see “Hardware
Features” on page 2). Then, read the section on “Positioning Your Wireless Router” on page 6 to
ensure that you have selected the best location to install your router.
Unpacking Your New Wireless-N Gigabit Router
The product package should contain the following items:
• The wireless-N gigabit router
• A slide-on stand for your wireless-N gigabit router
• An AC power adapter (varies by region)
• A yellow Ethernet cable
•TheResource CD, which includes:
– The Smart Wizard™ Installation Assistant (Autorun.exe)
– A PDF version of this manual
– A link to the online User Manual
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.

2 Getting to Know Your Wireless Router
To prepare your router for installation:
1. Carefully remove the protective film from the top of your router.
2. Set up your wireless-N gigabit router by aligning the arrow on the base with the arrow on the
back of the case, and sliding the router onto the base.
3. Place your router in an area suitable for installation (near an AC power outlet and accessible to
the Ethernet cables for your wired computers).
Hardware Features
Before you install and connect your router, take a moment to become familiar with the front and
back panels of the router—especially the LEDs on the front panel.
Figure 1
Reset
Factory
Settings
button

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 3
Front Panel
The front panel has nine status lights that you can use to monitor and verify various conditions.
There are also two switch buttons on the right (or at the bottom if the router is in its stand). The
status lights are described in Table 1, and the switch buttons in Table 2.
Figure 2
Table 1. Status Light Descriptions
Item Function Activity Description
1. Power/Test Solid Amber The unit is starting up after being powered on.
Solid Green The unit startup has completed; the unit is ready.
Blinking Green Firmware is corrupted. See “Checking Basic Router Functions” on
page 28 for instructions on restoring your router firmware.
Blinking Amber 1. Firmware is upgrading.
2. Restore factory settings button pressed; restoring factory default
settings.
Off Power is not supplied to the router.
2. 2.4 GHz
Mode Off The 11n mode at 2.4 GHz is off.
Solid Green The unit is operating in 11n mode at 2.4 GHz.
Blinking Green Data is being communicated over a wireless network.
3. 5 GHz
Mode Off The 11n mode at 5 GHz is off.
Solid Blue The unit is operating in 11n mode at 5 GHz.
Blinking Blue Data is being communicated over the wireless network.
12345678

4 Getting to Know Your Wireless Router
The WLAN and WPS switch buttons toggle the WLAN and WPS functions on and off.
4. USB Off No USB device is connected, or the “Safely Remove Hardware”
button has been pressed and it is now safe to remove the attached
USB device.
Solid Green The USB device has been accepted by the Router and is ready to be
used.
Fast Blinking
Green The USB device is in use.
5. Internet Off No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.
Solid Amber The Ethernet cable connection to the modem has been detected.
Blinking Amber Initializing connection and obtaining an IP address.
Solid Green An IP address has been received; ready to transmit data.
Blinking Green Data is being transmitted and received.
6. LAN
(Ports 1–4) Solid Green The LAN port has detected a 1 Gbps link with an attached device.
Blinking Green Data is being transmitted at 1 Gbps.
Solid Amber The LAN port has detected a 10/100 Mbps link with an attached
device.
Blinking Amber Data is being transmitted at 10/100 Mbps.
Off No link is detected on this port.
Table 2. Switch Button Descriptions
Item Function Activity Description
7. WLAN
On/Off On Pressing the wireless LAN button turns on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless radios, indicated by 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz LEDs being lit.
Off The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios are off, and their LEDs are turned off.
8. WPS
On/Off On The WPS function is turned on. The light below the WPS button blinks green when the function is first turned on.
Before turning on the WPS button, be sure that the WLAN button is
on. If both wireless radios are off (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz LEDs are off),
the WPS will not work.
Off The WPS function is turned off.
Table 1. Status Light Descriptions (continued)
Item Function Activity Description

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 5
Back Panel
The rear panel of the WNDR3700 router contains the items in the list that follows the figure.
The back of the wireless-N gigabit router includes:
1. A Power On/Off button.
2. An AC power adapter outlet.
3. Four local (LAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the router to local
computers.
4. An Internet (WAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable or
DSL modem.
5. A USB 2.0 port (backward compatible to USB 1.0/1.1) for attaching a USB storage device.
For more information on modes, see “Configuring Your Wireless Settings and
Security Options” on page 20, and the online Reference Manual, available on the
Resource CD.
Figure 3
12
3
45

6 Getting to Know Your Wireless Router
Router Label
View the label on the bottom of the wireless-N gigabit router to identify the security PIN, serial
number, port connectors, status lights, and default login information.
Positioning Your Wireless Router
The wireless-N gigabit router lets you access your network from virtually anywhere within the
operating range of your wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your
wireless connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. For
example, the thickness and number of walls the wireless signal must pass through may limit the
range. For best results, place your router:
• Near the center of the area where your computers and other devices will operate, preferably
within line of sight to your wireless devices.
• Accessible to an AC power outlet and near Ethernet cables for wired computers.
• In an elevated location such as a high shelf, keeping the number of walls and ceilings between
the wireless-N gigabit router and your other devices to a minimum.
• Away from electrical devices which are potential sources of interference, such as ceiling fans,
home security systems, microwaves, or the base for a cordless phone.
• Away from any large metal surfaces, such as a solid metal door or aluminum studs. Large
expanses of other materials such as glass, insulated walls, fish tanks, mirrors, brick, and
concrete can also affect your wireless signal.
Figure 4
Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation
or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.