Netgear Ex2700 N300 Wifi Range Extender User Manual

							350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 
USAMarch 2016
202-11395-03
N300 
WiF  Range
  Extender
Model EX2700
User Manual 
						

							 
2 N300  WiF Range Extender 
Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR 
support resources.
Conformity
For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are 
used for reference purposes only. 
						

							3
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Meet Your Extender  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
When to Use Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Chapter 2 Get Started
Use the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Log In to the Extender After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Run Smart Setup Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Change the WiFi Network Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Customize the Extender’s WiFi Coverage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Use WPS With the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Use WPS With the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Change the Extender User Name and Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
Manually Set the Extender Clock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
Back Up the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33 
						

							 
4 N300  WiF Range Extender 
Restore the Configuration Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
Update the Firmware  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cannot Connect to the Extender  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Default Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
Technical Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43 
						

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1
1.   Overview
The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed.
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Meet Your Extender
•When to Use Your Extender
•How the Extender Works
Note:For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the 
support website at support.netgear.com.
Note:Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made 
available from time to time on 
downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some 
products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or 
you can check for and download new firmware manually. 
						

							Overview 6
N300
 WiF
 Range Extender 
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs, buttons, and port.
Front Panel
Device
Router
Power LED
WPS LED
Link
LED Link
LED
Power On/Off
Factory Reset
button Ethernet port
button
WPS button
Figure 1. Front panel
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1.  Front panel LEDs   
LEDDescription
Router Link This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router or\
 
access point:
•  Solid green . Best connection.
•  Solid amber . Good connection.
•  Solid red . Poor connection.
•  Off. No connection.
Device Link
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a computer or\
 WiFi  device:
•  Solid green . Best connection.
•  Solid amber . Good connection.
•  Solid red . Poor connection.
•  Off. No connection. 
						

							Overview 7
 N300
 WiF  Range Extender
When to Use Your Extender
We recommend that you connect through the extender network only when the \
WiFi device is 
in a “dead zone” where connection from the existing network is poo\
r or nonexistent. Data 
traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly from the 
network.
How the Extender Works
The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi acces\
s point) and a WiFi 
device outside the range of the WiFi router. The extender performs two main jobs:
• The extender connects to a working WiFi network.
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it function\
s as a network 
client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network.
• The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices. 
The extender broadcasts its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join.\
 In its role as an  access point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as \
broadcasting its 
network name (SSID).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge \
are in place.
Existing WiFi 
Sometimes your 
router does not 
provide the WiFi 
coverage that you  need.
WiFi Range Extender 
Boosts the range of 
your existing WiFi 
and creates a 
stronger signal in 
hard-to-reach areas.
Figure 2. Range extender in a home
Power• 
Solid amber . The extender is booting.
•  Solid green . The 
 extender is powered on.
•  Off. The 
 extender is powered off.
WPS
•  Solid green . WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
•  Blinking green . A 
 WPS  connection  is  being  established.
•  Off. WiFi security is not enabled.
Table 1.  Front panel LEDs  (continued)
LEDDescription 
						

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2
2.   Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics: 
•Use the Extender 
•Log In to the Extender After Installation 
•Run Smart Setup Installation  
						

							Get Started 
9  N300 WiF Range Extender
Use the Extender
The extender repeats the signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. Place the 
extender, apply power, and connect it to your WiFi network.
Place the Extender and Apply Power
To place the extender and apply power:
1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green. 
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the side of the 
extender.
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender to your existing 
WiFi network. You can do this in one of two ways:
•Connect with WPS. For more information, see Connect With WPS on page 9.
•Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect With Web 
Browser Setup on page 10.
Connect With WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network 
name and password.
Note:WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP 
security, follow the instructions in 
Connect With Web Browser Setup 
on page 10.
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Press the WPS button on the side panel of the extender.
The WPS LED blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access point.
The WPS LED on the extender lights solid green, the Router Link LED lights, and the 
extender connects to your existing WiFi network. 
						

							Get Started 
10 N300  WiF Range Extender 
If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect With 
Web Browser Setup on page 10. 
3. Find the new extender network name on your computer or WiFi device.
The extender creates two new extended WiFi networks. The extender’s new WiFi 
network name is based on your existing WiFi network name, with _EXT at the end of the 
name.
For example:
•Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName
•New extended network name. MyNetworkName_EXT
4. Connect your computer or WiFi devices to the new extended WiFi network.
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
5. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location closer to the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router 
network.
6. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
7. Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green. 
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the side of the 
extender.
8. Use the Router Link LED on the front panel to help you choose a spot where the 
extender-to-router connection is optimal.
Connect With Web Browser Setup
You can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your 
existing WiFi router.
To use a web browser to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the 
extender WiFi network NETGEAR_EXT.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device Link LED 
lights.
2. Launch web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
The New Extender Setup page displays.