Netgear R6250 Smart Wifi Router Ac1600 User Manual

							350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 
USAApril 2015
202-11544-01
R6250 Smart WiFi Router
User Manual 
						

							 
2 R6250 Smart WiFi Router 
Support
Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products. 
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. 
For product updates and web support, visit http://support.netgear.com.
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are 
used for reference purposes only.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply. 
						

							3
Contents
Chapter 1 Hardware Setup
Unpack Your Router  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Hardware Features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Front and Side Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Rear Panel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
Position Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
Chapter 2 Getting Started
Router Setup Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Use Standard TCP/IP Properties for DHCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Gather ISP Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Wireless Devices and Security Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Types of Logins and Access  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
NETGEAR genie Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
Use NETGEAR genie After Installation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
Upgrade the Firmware  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
Dashboard (Basic Home Screen). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
Join Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Manual Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Method  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Access the Router with NETGEAR the genie App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Chapter 3 Basic Settings
Internet Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Internet Setup Screen Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Basic Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Wireless Settings Screen Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Change the Wireless Security Option  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Set Up a Guest Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
View Attached Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
Chapter 4 Advanced Home Settings
NETGEAR genie Advanced Home Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
Internet Connection Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
WAN Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Default DMZ Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Change the MTU Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32 
						

							 
4 R6250 Smart WiFi Router 
LAN Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
LAN Setup Screen Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
The Role of the Router as a DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
Address Reservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
Quality of Service (QoS) Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
WMM QoS for Wireless Multimedia Applications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
Optimize Internet Gaming with Upstream QoS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
Set Up QoS for Internet Access  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
Chapter 5 USB Storage
Connect a USB Storage Device to the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
Safely Remove a USB Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
Access the USB Storage Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
File-Sharing Scenarios  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Share Photos  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Store Files in a Central Location for Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Share Large Files over the Internet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
Back Up Windows Computers with ReadySHARE Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
View a USB Device Attached to the Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
USB Storage Device Network and Access Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Available Network Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
Specify Approved USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
Back Up Windows Computers with ReadySHARE Vault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
Chapter 6 Share a USB Printer
Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
Download the ReadySHARE Printer Utility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
Install the ReadySHARE Printer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
Use the Shared Printer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  59
View or Change the Status of a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Chapter 7 Security
Set Up Parental Controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
Keyword Blocking of HTTP Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69
Block Services (Port Filtering). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
Port Triggering to Open Incoming Ports  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
Port Forwarding to Permit External Host Communications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
How Port Forwarding Differs from Port Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
Set Up Port Forwarding to Local Servers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
Add a Custom Service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
Edit or Delete a Port Forwarding Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  76
Set Up Port Triggering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
Schedule Blocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79 
						

							 
5  R6250 Smart WiFi Router
Security Event Email Notifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
Chapter 8 Administration
Upgrade the Router Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
View Router Status  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  84
Router Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  84
Internet Port  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  84
Wireless Settings (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87
View Logs of Web Access or Attempted Web Access  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87
Manage the Configuration File  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  88
Back Up Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Restore Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Erase the Current Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Change the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  90
Password Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  90
Chapter 9 Advanced Settings
Advanced Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  93
Control the Wireless Radio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  93
Set Up a Wireless Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
Set up the Router in Bridge Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
View or Change WPS Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
Set Up a Wireless Access List by MAC Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
Wireless Access Point (AP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  99
Dynamic DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Specify a DNS Account That You Already Have . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Change the Dynamic DNS Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Static Routes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Remote Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Universal Plug and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
IPv6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Requirements for Entering IPv6 Addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Auto Detect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
IPv6 Auto Config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
IPv6 6to4 Tunnel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
IPv6 Pass Through. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
IPv6 Fixed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
IPv6 DHCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
IPv6 PPPoE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Traffic Meter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Chapter 10 Troubleshooting
Quick Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Sequence to Restart Your Network  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Check Ethernet Cable Connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 
						

							 
6 R6250 Smart WiFi Router 
Wireless Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Network Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Troubleshoot with the LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Power LED Is Off or Blinking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Power LED Stays Amber  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
LEDs Never Turn Off  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Internet or Ethernet Port LEDs Are Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
WiFi LED Is Off  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cannot Log In to the Router  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cannot Access the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Troubleshoot PPPoE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Troubleshoot Internet Browsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Changes Not Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Wireless Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Wireless Signal Strength  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Test the LAN Path to Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Test the Path from Your Computer to a Remote Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Technical Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 
						

							7
1
1.   Hardware Setup
Getting to know your router
The R6250 Smart WiFi Router with AC dual band delivers AC1600 WiFi and Gigabit Ethernet 
speeds. It offers the best wireless coverage for large homes and is ideal for homes with ten or 
more wireless devices.
The router automatically uses NETGEAR Beamforming+ technology to enhance WiFi 
performance. Because it’s automatic, you don’t have to turn on Beamforming+ or configure it. 
When you connect to the WiFi network, Beamforming+ focuses on your location for even better 
WiFi performance and speed. Beamforming+  locks onto your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, and 
follows as you move from place to place, so you keep your optimal WiFi connection.
Compatible with next generation WiFi devices and backward compatible with 802.11 a/b/g/n 
devices, it enables HD streaming throughout your home. With up to 3001 to 13002 Mbps speed 
and simultaneous dual band WiFi technology, the R6250 avoids wireless interference, ensuring 
top WiFi speeds and reliable connections. This technology also provides the best connectivity for 
dual band wireless devices like iPad and iPhone5. The dual-core 800 MHz processor delivers 
high-performance connectivity, while the USB 3.0 port provides up to 10X faster USB hard drive 
access. 
If you already set up your router, you can skip this chapter. If you have not done that yet, this 
chapter covers the hardware setup. 
Chapter 2, Getting Started, explains how to access your 
router to view or change its settings.
This chapter contains the following sections:
•Unpack Your Router 
•Hardware Features 
•Position Your Router 
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at 
http://support.netgear.com.
1. Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network 
conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual 
data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility 
with any future standards. 802.11ac 1300 Mbps is approximately 3x faster than 802.11n 450 Mbps.
2. Up to 1300 Mbps wireless speeds achieved when connecting to other 802.11ac 1300 Mbps devices. 
						

							Hardware Setup 8
R6250 Smart WiFi Router 
Unpack Your Router
Open the box and remove the router, cables, and installation guide.
Ethernet cable
WiFi Router  Power adapter
Figure 1. Check the package contents
Your box contains the following items:• R6250 Smart WiFi Router
• AC power adapter (plug varies by region)
• Category 5 (Cat 5) Ethernet cable
• Installation guide with cabling and router setup instructions
If any parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR de\
aler. Keep the 
carton and original packing materials, in case you return the product fo\
r repair
 . 
Hardware Features
Before you cable your router, take a moment to become familiar with the \
front, side, and back 
panels and the label. Pay particular attention to the LEDs on the front \
panel. 
						

							Hardware Setup 9
 R6250 Smart WiFi Router
Front and Side Panel
The router front panel has the status LEDs and icons shown in the follow\
ing figure.
LEDs
WiFi On/Off button
WPS button
Figure 2. Router front and side view
Table 1.  Front panel LED descriptions   
LEDDescription
Power
•  Solid amber . The router is starting.
•  Blinking amber . 
 The firmware is upgrading, or the Restore Factory Settings button was 
pressed.
•  Solid green . The 
 router is ready.
•  Blinking green . The 
 firmware is corrupted. See  www.netgear.com/support.
•  Off. Power is not supplied to the router
 .
Internet
•  Solid green . The Internet connection is ready.
•  Solid amber . 
 The Ethernet cable connection to the modem has been detected.
•  Off. No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.
Wireless
•  Solid blue. The wireless radio is operating in either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz mode.
•  Blinking . Someone is trying to join the WiFi network using the WPS method. 
•  Off. 
The wireless radios are off for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
USB
•  Solid blue. The router has accepted the USB device. The USB device is ready to be used. 
•  Blinking blue. 
 A USB device is plugged in and is trying to connect. 
•  Off. No USB device is connected; someone clicked the Safely Remove Hardware\
 button, and 
it is now safe to remove the attached USB device.  
						

							Hardware Setup 10
R6250 Smart WiFi Router 
The WiFi and WPS buttons toggle the WiFi and WPS functions on and off. 
• W
iFi On/Off button. Pressing and holding this button for 2 seconds turns on and off the 
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless radios. If the Wireless LED is lit, the wirel\
ess radios are on. 
If this LED is off, the wireless radios are turned off and you cannot connect wirelessly to 
the router.
• WPS button. 
 You can use this button to use WPS to add a wireless device or computer 
to your wireless network. The Wireless LED blinks blue when the router is trying to add 
the wireless device or computer. The LED stays solid blue when wireless security is 
enabled in the router.
Rear Panel
The rear panel has the connections and buttons shown in the following fi\
gure.
USB 3.0 Ethernet Internet Power On/OffPower connector
port
LAN ports 1-4 Reset
button
port
Figure 3. Router rear panel
The Reset button restores the factory settings. See Factory Settings on page  129.