Zte MC8010CA User manual

MC8010CA Smart Hub
User Manual

LEGAL INFORMATION
Copyright © 2021 ZTE CORPORATION.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be excerpted, reproduced, translated or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying and microfilm, without the prior written permission of ZTE
Corporation.
ZTE Corporation reserves the right to make modifications on print errors or
update specifications in this manual without prior notice. This manual has
been designed with the utmost care to ensure the accuracy of its content.
However, all statements, information and recommendations contained
therein do not constitute a warranty of any kind, either expressed or
implied.

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Contents
Getting Started ................................................................. 1
Introduction ............................................................................................... 1
Indicator Lights .......................................................................................... 2
Best Placement in the Home ..................................................................... 2
Powering On/Off Your Device ................................................................... 3
Getting to Know the Work Modes .............................................................. 4
Connecting to the Smart Hub ......................................... 5
Configuring Your PC (Verifying IP Address and DNS) .............................. 5
Connecting via Wi-Fi ................................................................................. 7
Using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) ................................................... 8
Connecting via a Network Cable ............................................................... 9
Accessing the 5G CPE Web Page ............................................................ 9
Connecting to the Internet ............................................ 11
Connecting to the Cellular Network ......................................................... 11
Connecting to the Public Network (WAN) ............................................... 12
Connecting to Existing Wi-Fi Networks ................................................... 13
Configuring the Work Modes ................................................................... 13
Navigating the 5G CPE Web Page ................................ 1 5
Phonebook and Text Messaging .................................. 1 7
Managing the Phonebook ....................................................................... 17
Managing Text Messages ....................................................................... 18
Managing Data Usage .................................................... 20
Access Controls ............................................................. 21
Limiting Wi-Fi Access With Parental Controls ......................................... 21
Limiting Wi-Fi Access With the White/Black Lists ................................... 21
Managing Settings ......................................................... 23
Cellular Settings ...................................................................................... 23

2
Cable WAN Settings ............................................................................... 24
Wi-Fi Settings .......................................................................................... 24
Advanced Settings .................................................................................. 28
For Your Safety .............................................................. 29
Safety Precautions .................................................................................. 29
Cleaning and Maintenance ..................................................................... 30
Limited Warranty ..................................................................................... 30
Limitation of Liability ................................................................................ 31
Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure ............................................................. 31
FCC Compliance ..................................................................................... 32
IC Notice ................................................................................................. 33
Troubleshooting ............................................................. 34

1
Getting Started
Introduction
ZTE MC8010CA Smart Hub is a 5G wireless router, working on the 5G, 4G,
3G networks and compatible with WAN. You can connect your devices to it
via network cables or Wi-Fi® for data service.
The following figure shows the appearance of the device. It is only for your
reference. The actual device may be different.
1 Indicator lights Show the status of the device, including signal,
network, Wi-Fi, and power.
2 WPS button
• Press to activate the WPS function.
• Press and hold for 10 seconds to power off.

2
• Press and hold for about 3 seconds to power on.
3 External antenna ports* Connect to external antennas for better signal.
4 PHONE port The phone port is disabled. Please do not use this
port to make voice calls or call 911.
5 LAN ports Connect to WAN (public network) or clients.
6 Power port Connect to the power adapter.
7 nano-SIM card slot and
reset hole
• Insert your nano-SIM card.
• Press and hold the reset hole for about
3 seconds to restore your device to the factory
settings.
* External antenna is not included. You may need to purchase separately.
Indicator Lights
When the Smart Hub is powered on, the following indicators may light up
on the front of the device. Here is what they mean.
SIGNAL
(Three lights)
On: Three lights show the signal strength. More lights
on means better signal.
Off: There is no si
g
nal or no nano-SIM card inserted.
NETWORK
Red solid: The Smart Hub is powered on but not
registered to the mobile network.
Blue solid: The Smart Hub is registered or connected
to the 3G/4G mobile network.
White solid: The Smart Hub is registered or
connected to the 5G network.
WIFI
White solid: Wi-Fi works normally.
White blinking: WPS is activated.
Off: Wi-Fi is off.
POWER On: The Smart Hub is powered on.
Off: The Smart Hub is powered off.
Best Placement in the Home
For best connection from the Smart Hub to the cellular network:

3
• Place your Smart Hub in a central location close to a window where
there is also a power source. Concrete walls, metal doors can reduce
cellular signal from the tower. Placement in basements should be
avoided.
• Signal strength: You can check the cellular signal strength by checking
the signal indicators on the Smart Hub or after logging into the 5G CPE
web page (see Accessing the 5G CPE Web Page). If you do not have
full network signal bars, try setting up the Smart Hub in another location
of your home.
For best Wi-Fi connection between the Smart Hub and the clients:
• Minimize interference by trying to keep the following items no closer
than 2~3 metres from your Smart Hub: Cordless telephone base
stations, microwaves, baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, wireless
speaker systems.
• Avoid congestion since adding additional devices to your Wi-Fi network
may reduce the speed for all devices on that network.
• Make sure you have a good Wi-Fi signal on your client devices.
Powering On/Off Your Device
Connect the AC adapter/power cable from the Smart Hub to a wall power
outlet. The device will turn on automatically.

4
To power off without disconnecting the cable or the adapter, press and hold
the WPS button for 10 seconds. You can then press and hold the button for
about 3 seconds to power on again.
Getting to Know the Work Modes
You must set the correct work mode for the Smart Hub in order for it to
connect correctly under different scenarios. The Smart Hub offers 4 work
modes that you can choose from in the 5G CPE web page after it is
disconnected from the Internet.
• Wireless broadband mode: Connect the Smart Hub to the Internet via
the installed nano-SIM card (see Connecting to the Cellular Network) or
Internet Wi-Fi (see Connecting to Existing Wi-Fi Networks). Clients can
connect to the Smart Hub with a LAN cable or through Wi-Fi to access
the Internet and visit the 5G CPE web page.
NOTE:
Unplug LAN cables from both LAN ports of the Smart Hub before using
this mode.
• Cable broadband mode: Connect the Smart Hub to the public network
(WAN) via a LAN cable. Clients can connect to the Smart Hub with a LAN
cable or through Wi-Fi to access the Internet and visit the 5G CPE web
page. You cannot access the Internet via the cellular network even when
a valid nano-SIM card is installed.
NOTE:
When switching to Cable broadband mode in the 5G CPE web page,

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you need to select the LAN port for the WAN connection. The other LAN
port is free for a client to connect.
NOTE:
In Cable broadband mode, you cannot use the nano-SIM card to connect
to the Internet.
• Bridge mode: Connect the Smart Hub to the Internet via the installed
nano-SIM card (see Connecting to the Cellular Network) and then use
the Smart Hub as a WAN port that another router or a client can connect
to with a LAN cable. The client/router can obtain the IP address from the
WAN DHCP host and connect to the Internet directly.
NOTE:
When switching to Bridge mode in the 5G CPE web page, you need to
select the LAN port that the router is connected to.
NOTE:
In Bridge mode, you cannot connect to the Smart Hub through Wi-Fi or
the remaining LAN port to access the Internet. Connect to the remaining
LAN port to access the 5G CPE web page for device configuration.
• Auto mode: The Smart Hub will determine work mode by its status of
connection.
Connecting to the Smart Hub
You have two options to connect to the Smart Hub from your client devices,
via Wi-Fi or a LAN cable. Once you are connected, test your connection by
opening the 5G CPE web page.
If you use a computer, set it to obtain an IP address automatically.
Configuring Your PC (Verifying IP Address and DNS)
The following steps and figures reflect configuration for the Internet Protocol
for your connections with a Windows
®
7 operating system.
1. Right-click Network and select Properties.

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2. Select Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection (if you connect to the Smart
Hub via Wi-Fi) or Local Area Connection (if you connect to the Smart
Hub via LAN), and then select Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click
Properties.
5. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server
address automatically, and then click OK to finish the configuration.

7
Connecting via Wi-Fi
1. Find the default Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password on the sticker at the
base of the Smart Hub.
2. On your Wi-Fi enabled devices, turn Wi-Fi on and view the list of
available Wi-Fi networks.
3. Choose the SSID from the sticker, enter the password, and select
connect.

8
Using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
If a client supports WPS, you don’t have to input the password manually on
the client to connect with the Smart Hub via Wi-Fi. You have two options to
use WPS.
Option 1: WPS button
1. Press the WPS button. The Smart Hub will keep WPS on for 2 minutes.
2. Enable the WPS function on the client to respond to the WPS
authentication process.
3. Follow the system prompts on your client to finish the connection.
NOTE:
This method cannot get the client connected to the guest Wi-Fi. Use option 2
to connect to the guest SSID using WPS.
Option 2: 5G CPE web page
1. Visit the 5G CPE web page (see Accessing the 5G CPE Web Page).
2. Select Set Wi-Fi > WPS.
3. Select the main SSID for the Wi-Fi connection.
NOTE:
If the Guest SSID is enabled, you can also use it for WPS.
4. Select the WPS authentication method.
 PIN: On the client, generate a PIN for WPS and enter here.
 PBC: Start the Push Button Configuration (PBC).
5. Click Apply.

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6. Follow the system prompts on your device to finish the setup.
Connecting via a Network Cable
Connect one of the LAN ports on the Smart Hub and the LAN port on your
computer with a LAN cable.
Accessing the 5G CPE Web Page
Visit the 5G CPE web page to configure the Smart Hub settings, such as
work mode, passwords, Wi-Fi SSID.
1. View the sticker at the base of the Smart Hub to get the default URL to
the web page and password.
2. Launch the Internet browser from a device connected to the Smart Hub
and enter the URL in the address bar to load the log in page as below.

10
On computers On mobile devices
NOTE:
Select PC or Mobile to switch between computer interface and mobile
device interface.
NOTE:
It is recommended that you use Internet Explorer
®
, Firefox
®
, Safari
®
, or
Google™ Chrome™.
3. Enter the password and select Sign in.
NOTE:
As soon as you sign in to the 5G CPE web page, follow the prompts to
change the default password. You can also click Change sign-in
password on the home page (see Navigating the 5G CPE Web Page) to
do so.
If the PIN code of your nano-SIM card is enabled, every time the Smart Hub
restarts you will need to input the code and click Apply in order to connect
to the Internet via the nano-SIM card.
NOTE:
The nano-SIM card will be locked if you enter the wrong PIN code three
consecutive times. Please contact your SIM card provider to get a PIN
Unlock Key (PUK) to unlock the card.

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Connecting to the Internet
Connecting to the Cellular Network
To access the Internet through the cellular network from the Smart Hub,
you need to install a valid nano-SIM card first.
1. Turn the Smart Hub to get access to the base. Open the slot cover.
2. Insert the nano-SIM card as shown.

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WARNING!
To avoid damage to the Smart Hub, do not use any other kind of SIM cards,
or any non-standard nano-SIM card cut from a SIM card. You can get a
standard nano-SIM card from your service provider.
Connecting to the Public Network (WAN)
Your device supports Cable broadband mode and you can use this mode to
access the Internet.
1. Connect either of the two LAN ports and the broadband service network
port with a network cable.
2. Log in to the 5G CPE web page (see Accessing the 5G CPE Web Page).
3. Change the operation mode to Cable broadband mode or Auto (see
Configuring the Work Modes).
4. Go to the 5G CPE home page and select Set internet to choose the
connection mode and enter the detailed parameters given by your
service provider. Please refer to Cable WAN Settings for details.

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5. Select Connect or Apply.
Connecting to Existing Wi-Fi Networks
Your Smart Hub supports the Internet Wi-Fi function and you can use this
function to extend your existing Wi-Fi network.
NOTE:
Internet Wi-Fi is not available in Bridge mode.
1. Log in to the 5G CPE web page.
2. Select Set Wi-Fi.
3. If Wi-Fi is disabled, select Enable.
4. Select Internet Wi-Fi > Enable > Apply. The Wi-Fi of the Smart Hub will
restart.
5. In the Wi-Fi settings screen, connect to the Wi-Fi network you want. The
following two methods are for your reference.
 Select Scan to search for Wi-Fi hotspots. Select a Wi-Fi hotspot
listed and click Connect. Enter a password and click Yes.
 Select Add Network, enter the Wi-Fi hotspot information in the Add
Wi-Fi hotspot area, and click Apply.
After the device is connected to the Wi-Fi hotspot successfully, you can
access the Internet.
Configuring the Work Modes
1. Log in to the 5G CPE web page.
2. Select the Change button behind the current mode.
NOTE:
If the button is dimmed, disconnect the Smart Hub from the Internet first
by clicking the Internet switch on the center of the web page (in wireless
broadband mode) or by clicking Set internet > Disconnect (in cable
broadband mode).

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3. Select the operation mode you need (see Getting to Know the Work
Modes). If prompted, select the correct LAN port for WAN or router.
4. Select Apply and wait for the Smart Hub to restart.