NETGEAR WNR3500Lv1 User guide

June 2010
208-10443-03
v1.0
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 USA
N300 Wireless Gigabit
Router Setup Manual

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©2010 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are trademarks of NETGEAR. Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. 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.

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Contents
N300 Wireless Gigabit Router Setup Manual
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router................................................................................1
Unpacking Your New Router .............................................................................................1
Hardware Features ............................................................................................................3
Front Panel ..................................................................................................................3
Back Panel ..................................................................................................................5
Router Label ................................................................................................................5
Positioning Your Wireless Router ......................................................................................6
Installing Your N300 Wireless Gigabit Router ...................................................................6
Updating Your Router Firmware ........................................................................................7
Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard..................................................................9
Using the Smart Wizard .....................................................................................................9
Accessing Your Router After Installation .........................................................................11
Manually Installing Your Router.........................................................................................12
Connecting Your N300 Wireless Gigabit Router .............................................................13
Verifying Your Connection ...............................................................................................17
Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access ....................................................................18
Configuring Your Wireless Network...................................................................................22
Specifying Wireless Settings ...........................................................................................22
Setting Your SSID and Wireless Security Manually ..................................................23
Using Push 'N' Connect (WPS) to Configure Your Wireless Network .......................24
Testing Basic Wireless Connectivity ................................................................................29
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................30
Basic Setup Checklist ......................................................................................................30
Checking Basic Router Functions ...................................................................................31
Troubleshooting Login Problems .....................................................................................33
Checking the Internet Service Connection ......................................................................34

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Obtaining an Internet IP Address ....................................................................................34
Troubleshooting PPPoE ............................................................................................35
Troubleshooting Internet Browsing ...........................................................................36
Using the Ping Utility to Troubleshoot .............................................................................36
Testing the Path from Your Computer to Your Router ..............................................36
Testing the Path from a Computer to the Internet .....................................................37
Technical Specifications.....................................................................................................39
Default Configuration Settings .........................................................................................39
Restoring the Default Password and Configuration Settings ...........................................40
Technical Specifications ..................................................................................................41
Related Documents .............................................................................................................43
Registration and Certifications...........................................................................................44

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 1
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router
Congratulations on your purchase of a NETGEAR® high-speed wireless router, the N300
Wireless Gigabit Router Model WNR3500L.
The WNR3500L is also the NETGEAR Open Source Wireless-N Router. If you are interested in
custom firmware and other third party applications, be sure to visit the Open Source community
web site http://www.myopenrouter.com.
Before you begin installing your router, check the package contents (see “Unpacking Your New
Router” on page 1). Become familiar with the front and back panels of your router—especially the
status lights—and the important information on the router label (see “Hardware Features” on
page 3). 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 Router
Your product package should contain the following items:
• The Wireless Router
• A snap-on stand for your N300 Wireless router
• An AC power adapter (varies by region)
• A yellow Ethernet cable
• NETGEAR Installation Guide
• The Resource CD, which includes:
– The Smart Wizard (Autorun.exe)
– A PDF version of this manual
– A link to the online User Manual
After your router is installed and you have Internet access, you can access
the online User Manual by clicking Documentation on the main menu.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 2
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.
To prepare your router for installation:
1. Carefully peel off the protective film covering both sides of your router (see Figure 1).
2. Set up your N300 Wireless router by inserting the tabs of the stand (supplied with your router)
into the slots on the bottom of your router as shown in Figure 2. Then, remove the protective
film covering the status light panel of the router.
Figure 1
Figure 2

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 3
3. Place your router in a suitable area 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 important
information on the label, and with the front and back panels of the router—especially the status
lights on the front panel.
Front Panel
The router front panel, shown in Figure 3, contains status lights. (For more information on
interpreting the status lights, see “Verifying Your Connection” on page 17 and “Checking Basic
Router Functions” on page 31.)
To ensure proper heat dissipation and for router stability, it is important that you
connect the stand and place your router in an upright position.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 4
Figure 3
Power
On – Amber The router is performing the power-on self-test diagnostic.
On – Green The power is on and the router is ready.
Blink – Amber A software update is in progress.
Blink – Green The firmware is corrupt. See “Checking Basic Router
Functions” on page 31 for instructions on restoring your
firmware.
Off Power is not being supplied to the router.
Internet
On – Amber No IP address acquired.
On – Green The N300 Wireless router has acquired an Internet address.
Blink – Green Data is being communicated with the Internet.
Off No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.
Wireless
On – Blue The wireless interface is enabled.
Blink – Blue Data is being communicated over the wireless network.
Off The wireless interface is turned off.
LAN (Ports 1–4)
On – Green The local port is connected to a 1000 Mbps device.
Blink – Green Data is being transmitted at 1000 Mbps.
On – Amber The local port is connected to a 10/100 Mbps device.
Blink – Amber Data is being transmitted at 10/100 Mbps.
Off No link is detected on this port.
WPS button/light
Blink – Green Indicates WPS activity; the device is in the 2 minute interval
to synchronize security or there is a WPS error.
On – Green Security set to WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 5
Back Panel
The router back panel contains port connections described in Figure 4.
Router Label
The label on the back of the N300 Wireless router shows the router’s MAC address, serial number,
security PIN, power on/off button, and factory default access login information.
The ports on the router are color-coded to distinguish your Internet port from the other four ports
that connect to the wired computer(s) on your Local Area Network (LAN).
Figure 4
Figure 5
1. Restore factory settings button. Press for approximately 5
seconds to reset the router to the factory default settings.
2. USB port
3. Four Local Area Network (LAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
ports for connecting the router to your local computers.
4. Internet/Wide Area Network (WAN) Ethernet port for connecting
the router to a cable or DSL modem.
5. Power on/off push-button.
6. AC power adapter outlet for connecting the power adapter.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 6
Positioning Your Wireless Router
The N300 Wireless 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 might 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 N300 Wireless 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.
Installing Your N300 Wireless Gigabit Router
To help you set up your router and get on the Internet quickly, the Resource CD contains a Smart
Wizard™. The Smart Wizard walks you through the steps required to connect your router, modem,
and PC(s); configure your wireless settings; and enable wireless security for your network. When
• Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance
degradation or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.
Warning: Do not install this device on top of any other electrical equipment or install
any other equipment on top of this device. Keep this device away from any
heat sources such as direct sunlight, heaters, radiators, or other A/V
receivers or devices that emit heat.