NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro XR300 User Manual
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NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro XR300 User Manual

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User Manual
Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router
Model XR300
October 2020
202-11965-04
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134, USA

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Summary of Contents for NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro XR300

  • Page 1 User Manual Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Model XR300 NETGEAR, Inc. October 2020 350 E. Plumeria Drive 202-11965-04 San Jose, CA 95134, USA...
  • Page 2 See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply. For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy. By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the device to your place of purchase within your return period.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Use a Web Browser to Access the Router........20 Automatic Internet Setup..............20 Log In to the Router...............22 Change the Language..............23 Manage Your Router With the NETGEAR Nighthawk App...24 Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings Use the Internet Setup Wizard............26 Manually Set Up the Internet Connection........26 Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login.......26...
  • Page 4 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change the MTU Size.................42 Chapter 4 Customize Quality of Service Settings and Optimize Gaming Improve Response Time by Using the Geo Filter......46 Configure and Use the Geo Filter..........46 Ping a Device and Allow or Deny the Device a Connection..48 Add a Device to the Geo Filter.............49 Remove a Device From the Geo Filter........50 Manage the General Geo Filter Map Settings......51...
  • Page 5 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Chapter 7 Manage the Router’s Network Settings View or Change WAN Settings............80 Set Up a Default DMZ Server............81 Change the Router’s Device Name..........82 Change the Router’s LAN IP Address and RIP Settings....83 Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns......84 Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router......86 Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses..........86 Reserve a LAN IP Address.............87...
  • Page 6 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Chapter 9 Maintain the Router Update the Router Firmware............116 Check for New Firmware and Update the Router....116 Manually Upload Firmware to the Router.........117 Change the admin Password............119 Enable admin Password Recovery..........119 Recover the admin Password............120 Manage the Router Configuration File..........121 Back Up the Configuration Settings..........121 Restore the Configuration Settings...........122 Erase the Current Configuration Settings.........122...
  • Page 7 Install the printer driver and cable the printer......161 Download the ReadySHARE printer utility........161 Install the ReadySHARE printer utility..........161 Print using the NETGEAR USB Control Center......162 Chapter 14 Use VPN to Access Your Network Set Up a VPN Connection...............165 Specify VPN Service in the Router..........165 Install OpenVPN Software...............166...
  • Page 8 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Chapter 15 Manage and Customize Internet Traffic Rules for Ports Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server for Services and Applications..................178 Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server.........178 Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service or Application..179 Change a Port Forwarding Service or Application....180 Remove a Port Forwarding Service or Application....181 Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public..181...

  • Page 9: Chapter 1 Hardware Setup

    Hardware Setup ® This user manual is for the NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router. This chapter contains the following sections: • Unpack Your Router • Status LEDs • Rear Panel • Attach the Antennas • Router Label • Position Your Router •...

  • Page 10: Unpack Your Router

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Unpack Your Router Your package contains the router, power adapter, and Ethernet cable. Figure 1. Package contents Status LEDs The status LEDs are located on the top panel of the router. Figure 2. Top view Hardware Setup User Manual...
  • Page 11 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Table 1. LED descriptions LED and Button Description Power LED Solid amber. The router is starting. Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed. Solid white. The router is ready. Off. Power is not supplied to the router. Internet LED Solid white.
  • Page 12 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED and Button Description Ethernet LEDs for ports 1–4 The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections. Solid white. The router detected a 1 Gbps link with a powered-on device. Blinking white.

  • Page 13: Rear Panel

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED and Button Description WiFi/On/Off button and Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios on and off. If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the router.

  • Page 14: Attach The Antennas

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Internet port. One yellow Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 WAN port to connect the router to an Internet modem such as a cable modem or DSL modem. • Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the router.

  • Page 15: Router Label

    The router label on the router shows the login information, WiFi Network Name (SSID), network key (password), serial number, and MAC address. Figure 5. Router label O NETGEAR SPEC. DOC-00093 FOR COLOR Position Your Router OR IS SHOWN TO THE RIGHT.

  • Page 16: Cable Your Router

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Base of a cordless phone 2.4 GHz cordless phone 5 GHz cordless phone • Place the router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated walls, and items such as these: Solid metal door Aluminum studs Fish tanks Mirrors Brick...
  • Page 17 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To cable your router: 1. Unplug your modem. 2. If your modem uses a backup battery, remove and reinsert the backup battery. 3. Plug the modem back in. 4. Use the Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the yellow Internet port on the router.

  • Page 18: Chapter 2 Connect To The Network And Access The Router

    The chapter contains the following sections: • Connect to the Network • Types of Logins • Use a Web Browser to Access the Router • Manage Your Router With the NETGEAR Nighthawk App...

  • Page 19: Connect To The Network

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Connect to the Network You can connect to the router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you set up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

  • Page 20: Types Of Logins

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 4. Within two minutes, on your computer or mobile device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for WPS connections. Your computer or mobile device connects to the WiFi network. Types of Logins Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand the difference so that you know which login to use when.
  • Page 21 Note: During the setup process with the installation assistant, after you are connected to the Internet, you are prompted to register your product with NETGEAR. If you already have a NETGEAR account, you can use your existing account. If you do not yet have a free NETGEAR account, you can create one.

  • Page 22: Log In To The Router

    NETGEAR. If you already have a NETGEAR account, you can use your existing account. If you do not yet have a free NETGEAR account, you can create one. After successful installation and registration, you are prompted to download the free Nighthawk app, which you can install on your mobile device.

  • Page 23: Change The Language

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Dashboard displays. By default, the Dashboard shows the following panes: • Internet Status • Wireless Status • Guest Wireless Status • Network Overview • CPU Usage • Installed R-Apps For information about these panes, see View Router System Information on page For information about how you can change the panes that are shown on the Dashboard, see Customize the Dashboard on page 67.

  • Page 24: Manage Your Router With The Netgear Nighthawk App

    Manage Your Router With the NETGEAR Nighthawk App With the NETGEAR Nighthawk app, you can easily manage your router. With the app, you can update your router's firmware, change your WiFi network settings, register your router with NETGEAR, and more.

  • Page 25: Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings

    Specify Your Internet Settings Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow the installation assistant to detect the Internet connection when you first access the router with a web browser (see Automatic Internet Setup on page 20). You can also customize or specify your Internet settings.

  • Page 26: Use The Internet Setup Wizard

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Use the Internet Setup Wizard You can use the Setup Wizard to detect your Internet settings and automatically set up your router. The Setup Wizard is not the same as the pages that display the first time you connect to your router to set it up.
  • Page 27 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 28: Specify An Internet Connection That Uses A Login

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You Cannot Access the Internet on page 192. Specify an Internet Connection That Uses a Login To view or change the basic Internet setup: 1.

  • Page 29: Specify Ipv6 Internet Connections

    15. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 16. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You Cannot Access the Internet on page 192. Specify IPv6 Internet Connections You can set up an IPv6 Internet connection if the router does not detect it automatically.

  • Page 30: Requirements For Entering Ipv6 Addresses

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 4. Select Settings > Advanced Settings > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select the IPv6 connection type: • If you are not sure, select Auto Detect so that the router detects the IPv6 type that is in use.

  • Page 31: Use Auto Detect For An Ipv6 Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autodetection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens.

  • Page 32: Use Auto Config For An Ipv6 Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 8. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 9.

  • Page 33: Set Up An Ipv6 6To4 Tunnel Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 7. (Optional) In the DHCP Domain Name (If Required) field, enter a domain name. You can type the domain name of your IPv6 ISP. Do not enter the domain name for the IPv4 ISP here. For example, if your ISP’s mail server is mail.xxx.yyy.zzz, type xxx.yyy.zzz as the domain name.
  • Page 34 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To set up an IPv6 Internet connection by using a 6to4 tunnel: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.

  • Page 35: Set Up An Ipv6 6Rd Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (the LAN). 9. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets.
  • Page 36 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The page adjusts. The router automatically detects the information in the following sections: • 6rd (IPv6 Rapid Development) Configuration. The router detects the service provider’s IPv4 network and attempts to establish an IPv6 6rd tunnel connection. If the IPv4 network returns 6rd parameters to the router, the page adjusts to display the correct settings in this section.

  • Page 37: Set Up An Ipv6 Pass Through Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 11. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection In pass-through mode, the router works as a Layer 2 Ethernet switch with two ports (LAN and WAN Ethernet ports) for IPv6 packets.
  • Page 38 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 39: Set Up An Ipv6 Dhcp Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection with a DHCP server: 1.

  • Page 40: Set Up An Ipv6 Pppoe Internet Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router You can type the domain name of your IPv6 ISP. Do not enter the domain name for the IPv4 ISP here. For example, if your ISP’s mail server is mail.xxx.yyy.zzz, type xxx.yyy.zzz as the domain name. If your ISP provided a domain name, type it in this field.
  • Page 41 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 42: Change The Mtu Size

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 7. Select an IPv6 Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button: • Get Automatically from ISP. This is the default setting. Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers. Your ISP automatically assigns this address. •...
  • Page 43 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another. Leave the MTU unchanged unless one of these situations occurs: • You experience problems connecting to your ISP or other Internet service, and the technical support of either the ISP or NETGEAR recommends changing the MTU setting.
  • Page 44 Table 2. Common MTU sizes Application 1500 The largest Ethernet packet size. This setting is typical for connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches. 1492 Used in PPPoE environments. 1472 Maximum size to use for pinging.

  • Page 45: Chapter 4 Customize Quality Of Service Settings And Optimize Gaming

    Customize Quality of Service Settings and Optimize Gaming You can customize Quality of Service (QoS) settings and optimize gaming by preventing network lag and congestion, by allocating bandwidth to specific devices, and by prioritizing traffic for specific devices. This chapter contains the following sections: •...

  • Page 46: Improve Response Time By Using The Geo Filter

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Improve Response Time by Using the Geo Filter The main cause of lag in console games such as Call of Duty, Destiny, FIFA, and many others, is the distance from you to the host or server of the game. The Geo Filter can limit the distance of these hosts or servers by blocking all hosts or servers outside the range that you can specify.
  • Page 47 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router distance radius to force your device to use a host or server inside your radius. We recommend this setting for console games. If your device is a not console, by default, the Spectating Mode radio button is selected for the device, which means that the router does not block connections outside of your distance radius.

  • Page 48: Ping A Device And Allow Or Deny The Device A Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Blocked server (that is, a server outside the distance radius) Allowed server (that is, a server that you added to the Allowlist) Note: For information about allowing or blocking a connection to a device (that is, to a player or server), see Ping a Device and Allow or Deny the Device a Connection on page 48.

  • Page 49: Add A Device To The Geo Filter

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. In the Geo-Filter Map pane, click the connection on the Geo Filter Map. If the Ping pane is not yet open, the Ping pane opens. For the selected connection, the Ping pane displays the ping information and the associated host type, IP address, and domain name.

  • Page 50: Remove A Device From The Geo Filter

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Geo-Filter window opens and displays the detected devices. 6. Select your device. 7. Click NEXT. 8. Select a service. If your device is a console, console services display. If your device is not a console, nonconsole services displays.

  • Page 51: Manage The General Geo Filter Map Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The device is removed from the Geo Filter. Manage the General Geo Filter Map Settings You can manage the general Geo Filter map settings such as the unit of length (kilometers or miles) in which the distance radius is expressed, whether the Strict Mode feature is enabled, and whether the Auto Ping Host feature is enabled.

  • Page 52: Manage Bandwidth Allocation

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Note: The Flush Cloud button is for use under guidance from NETGEAR Technical Support. (Clicking the Flush Cloud button reloads the IP addresses for the Geo Filter.) 7. To close the Settings pane, click the X.

  • Page 53: Disable Anti-Bufferbloat

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 7. Change the default Anti-Bufferbload options: • Goodput. By default, the Goodput check box is selected and both the upload and download bandwidth values are more closely aligned to the results of a speedtest. If you used the automatic Internet setup, the router performed a speed test during the setup process.

  • Page 54: Allocate Bandwidth To Devices

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router queued. However, situations might exist in which you want to disable the Anti-Bufferbloat feature. To disable the Anti-Bufferbloat feature: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
  • Page 55 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Dashboard displays. 4. Select QoS. The Bandwidth Allocation pane displays a graph that shows the devices on the router network. By default, each device is allocated an equal share of the router bandwidth, expressed by a number in a white circle that is associated with a device. 5.

  • Page 56: Reset The Bandwidth Distribution

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 7. To allocate an exact bandwidth (either in Mbps or in percentage) to a device, do the following in the Bandwidth Allocation pane: a. Above the graph, select either the Download radio button or Upload radio button.

  • Page 57: Manage Traffic Prioritization

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To reset the bandwidth to default settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
  • Page 58 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router You can also view traffic prioritization information. The router shows the number of uploaded and downloaded packets that were sent to the front of the queue and shows whether high-priority traffic is automatically prioritized. To prioritize traffic for a device and view prioritization information: 1.

  • Page 59: Add A Device For Traffic Prioritization

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router e. To display other selection criteria, select the Advanced radio button, and enter the start and end numbers for the source port, enter the start and end numbers for the destination port, and select the protocol. f.

  • Page 60: Stop Traffic Prioritization For A Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router By default, the Basic radio button is selected and a preset list of games display. We recommend that you manually select a service only if you consider yourself an advanced user. 10. To display other selection criteria, select the Advanced radio button, and enter the start and end numbers for the source port, enter the start and end numbers for the destination port, and select the protocol.
  • Page 61 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To disable the automatic traffic prioritization: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.

  • Page 62: Chapter 5 Monitor Devices And The Network And View Router Information

    Monitor Devices and the Network and View Router Information This chapter describes how to monitor the devices on your network and the network itself and how to view the router system information. For more information about viewing the router logs, statistics, and network connection, see Maintain the Router on page 115.

  • Page 63: View And Manage Devices Currently On The Network

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router View and Manage Devices Currently on the Network You can view all computers and devices that are currently connected to your router network. You can change the settings that display on the page (you cannot change the actual settings for a device through the router), prevent a device from being displayed, and block a device from connecting to the Internet through router.

  • Page 64: View Network Usage Information

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 8. To block a device from accessing the Internet through the router, in the Device Settings pane, click the BLOCK button. The device is blocked and is indicated by a black icon in the device tree. 9.
  • Page 65 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. To view upload or download volume details, point to a bar (in the Network Snapshot pane) or point to a node (in the Network Overview pane). A small pop-up window displays volume details. 6. To limit the displayed bandwidth in a pane to the download bandwidth or upload bandwidth, do the following: •...

  • Page 66: View Router System Information

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • To close the Category Breakdown pane, click the X. View Router System Information To view router system information: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.

  • Page 67: Customize The Dashboard

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Flash Usage. This pane shows usage information about the eight flash memory categories on the router. You can take any of the following actions in the Flash Usage pane: To exclude a flash memory category from the graph, above the graph, click the name of the flash memory category.
  • Page 68 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router For information about these panes, see View Router System Information on page 66. You can customize the panes that display on the Dashboard by adding panes that are useful to you and removing panes that are not useful to you. You also rearrange and resize the panes.

  • Page 69: Chapter 6 Control Access To The Internet

    Control Access to the Internet The router comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your home network from unwanted intrusions from the Internet. This chapter includes the following sections: • Block Access to Internet Sites • Block Services and Applications With Simple Outbound Firewall Rules •...

  • Page 70: Block Access To Internet Sites

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Block Access to Internet Sites You can block keywords and domains (websites) to prevent certain types of HTTP traffic from accessing your network. By default, keyword blocking is disabled and no domains are blocked. Add Keywords and Block Access to Specific Internet Sites You can add keywords to block specific Internet sites from your network.

  • Page 71: Delete Keywords From The Blocked List

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Enter a period (.) to block all Internet browsing access. 7. Click the Add Keyword button. The keyword is added to the keyword list. The keyword list supports up to 255 entries. 8. Click the Apply button. Keyword blocking takes effect.

  • Page 72: Block Services And Applications With Simple Outbound Firewall Rules

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To specify a trusted computer: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.

  • Page 73: Block A Service Or Application From Accessing The Internet

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Block a Service or Application From Accessing the Internet You can block Internet services on your network based on the type of service. You can block the services all the time or based on a schedule. To block a service or application from accessing the Internet: 1.

  • Page 74: Change An Outbound Firewall Rule For A Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 9. Select a filtering option: • Only This IP Address. Block services for a single computer. Enter the IP address for that computer. • IP Address Range. Block services for a range of computers with consecutive IP addresses on your network.

  • Page 75: Remove An Outbound Firewall Rule For A Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Your settings are saved. The changed rule displays in the Service Table on the Block Services page. Remove an Outbound Firewall Rule for a Service or Application You can remove an outbound firewall rule that you no longer need. After you remove the rule, the service or application is no longer blocked.
  • Page 76 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To set up a schedule: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin.

  • Page 77: Set Up Email Notifications For Security Events And Log Messages.77

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Set Up Email Notifications for Security Events and Log Messages The router can email you notifications of security events and its log messages of router activity. The log records router activity and security events such as attempts to access blocked sites, services, or applications.
  • Page 78 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 10. To send alerts when someone attempts to visit a blocked site, select the Send Alerts Immediately check box. Email alerts are sent immediately when someone attempts to visit a blocked site. This is the default setting. 11.

  • Page 79: Chapter 7 Manage The Router's Network Settings

    Manage the Router’s Network Settings The router comes ready for WiFi, Ethernet, and USB connections. You can customize the router’s network settings. We recommend that you install the router and connect it to the Internet before you change its network settings. This chapter includes the following sections: •...

  • Page 80: View Or Change Wan Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router View or Change WAN Settings You can view or configure wide area network (WAN) settings for the Internet port. You can set up a DMZ (demilitarized zone) server, change the maximum transmit unit (MTU) size, and enable the router to respond to a ping to its WAN (Internet) port. To view or change the WAN settings: 1.

  • Page 81: Set Up A Default Dmz Server

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router attacks from the Internet but might prevent some Internet games, point-to-point applications, or multimedia applications from working. Open NAT provides a much less secured firewall but allows almost all Internet applications to work. By default, the Secured NAT radio button is selected and the router functions with secured NAT.

  • Page 82: Change The Router's Device Name

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Dashboard displays. 4. Select Settings > Setup > WAN Setup. The WAN Setup page displays. 5. Select the Default DMZ Server check box. 6. Type the IP address. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Change the Router’s Device Name The router’s default device name is based on its model number.

  • Page 83: Change The Router's Lan Ip Address And Rip Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change the Router’s LAN IP Address and RIP Settings The router is preconfigured to use private IP addresses on the LAN side and to function as a DHCP server. The router’s default LAN IP configuration is as follows: •...

  • Page 84: Specify The Ip Addresses That The Router Assigns

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 7. Router Information Protocol (RIP) allows a router to exchange routing information with other routers. To change the RIP settings, do the following: a. Select the RIP direction: • Both. The router broadcasts its routing table periodically and incorporates information that it receives.
  • Page 85 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To specify the pool of IP addresses that the router assigns: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.

  • Page 86: Disable The Dhcp Server Feature In The Router

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router By default, the router functions as a DHCP server. The router assigns IP, DNS server, and default gateway addresses to all computers connected to the LAN. The assigned default gateway address is the LAN address of the router.

  • Page 87: Reserve A Lan Ip Address

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Reserve a LAN IP Address To reserve a LAN IP address: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.

  • Page 88: Change A Reserved Ip Address

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The reserved address is not assigned until the next time the computer contacts the router’s DHCP server. You can restart the computer, or access its IP configuration and force a DHCP release and renew. Change a Reserved IP Address To change a reserved address entry: 1.

  • Page 89: Set Up A Bridge To Your Isp's Network Using A Port Group Or Vlan Tag Group

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 90: Set Up A Bridge To Your Isp's Network Using A Vlan Tag Group

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To set up a bridge to your ISP’s network using a port group: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
  • Page 91 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router If you are subscribed to a service such as IPTV, the router might require VLAN tags to distinguish between the Internet traffic and the IPTV traffic. A bridge with a VLAN tag group prevents packets that are sent between the device and the router’s Internet port from being processed through the router’s Network Address Translation (NAT) service.

  • Page 92: Set Up An Iptv Port To Lease An Intranet Port

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Select the check box for a wired LAN port or WiFi port. If your device is connected to an Ethernet port on the router, select the LAN port check box that corresponds to the Ethernet port on the router to which the device is connected.

  • Page 93: Manage Custom Static Routes

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The VLAN / Bridge Settings page displays. 5. Select the Enable VLAN/Bridge Setup check box. The page expands. 6. Select the By bridge group radio button. The page expands. 7. Depending on the port to which the IPTV is connected, select a Wired Ports check box or a Wireless check box: •...

  • Page 94: Set Up A Static Route

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • The Gateway IP Address field specifies that all traffic for these addresses will be forwarded to the ISDN router at 192.168.1.100. • The Private check box is selected only as a precautionary security measure in case RIP is activated.

  • Page 95: Change A Static Route

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 13. Click the Apply button. The static route is added to the table. Change a Static Route To change a static route: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 96: Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug And Play

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 4. Select Settings > Advanced Settings > Static Routes. The Static Routes page displays. 5. In the table, select the radio button for the route. 6. Click the Delete button. The route is removed from the table. Improve Network Connections With Universal Plug and Play Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) helps devices such as Internet appliances and computers...
  • Page 97 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router at the expense of more network traffic. Longer durations can compromise the freshness of the device status but can significantly reduce network traffic. 7. Type the advertisement time to live in hops. The time to live for the advertisement is measured in hops (steps) for each UPnP packet sent.

  • Page 98: Chapter 8 Manage The Router's Wifi Settings

    Manage the Router’s WiFi Settings The router comes ready for WiFi connections. You can customize the router’s WiFi settings. This chapter includes the following sections: • Specify Basic WiFi Settings • Change the WiFi Password or Security Level • Change the WiFi Mbps Mode for Download and Upload Speeds •...

  • Page 99: Specify Basic Wifi Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Specify Basic WiFi Settings The router comes with preset security. This means that the WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and security option (encryption protocol) are preset in the factory. You can find the preset SSID and password on the router label. Note: The preset SSID and password are uniquely generated for every device to protect and maximize your WiFi security.

  • Page 100: Change The Wifi Password Or Security Level

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The name can be up to 32 characters long and it is case-sensitive. The default SSID is randomly generated and is on the router label . If you change the name, make sure to write down the new name and keep it in a safe place. 8.
  • Page 101 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router For information about other WiFi security options, see Configure WPA/WPA2 Enterprise WiFi Security on page 105 and Configure WEP Legacy WiFi Security on page 106. To change the WPA settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 102: Change The Wifi Mbps Mode For Download And Upload Speeds.102

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change the WiFi Mbps Mode for Download and Upload Speeds The data rate for high-speed transmissions is commonly identified as megabits per second (Mbps). By default, the router is set to operate with up to 450 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz WiFi band and up to 1,733 Mbps in the 5 GHz WiFi band.

  • Page 103: Change The Transmission Power Control

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change the Transmission Power Control By default, you router’s transmission power is set to 100%. This allows your router to give you whole home WiFi coverage. If you don’t need whole home WiFi coverage, and you also want to save power consumption while using your router, you can lower the transmission power of your router.
  • Page 104 8. Keep the default guest network name or type a custom name. The default guest WiFi network names (SSIDs) are as follows: • NETGEAR-Guest is for the 2.4 GHz WiFi band. • NETGEAR-5G-Guest is for the 5 GHz WiFi band.

  • Page 105: Configure Wpa/Wpa2 Enterprise Wifi Security

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Your settings are saved. Configure WPA/WPA2 Enterprise WiFi Security Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) is an enterprise-level method for centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) management. To enable the router to provide WPA and WPA2 enterprise WiFi security, the WiFi network that the router provides must be able to access a RADIUS server.

  • Page 106: Configure Wep Legacy Wifi Security

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 6. In the WPA/WPA2 Enterprise section, specify the following settings: • From the WPA Mode menu, select the enterprise WPA mode: WPA2 [AES]. WPA2 provides a secure connection but some older mobile devices do not detect WPA2 and support only WPA. If your network includes such older devices, select WPA [TKIP] + WPA2 [AES] security.
  • Page 107 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To configure WEP security: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin.

  • Page 108: Control The Wifi Radios

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Only one key can be the active key. To join the router’s WiFi network, a user must enter the key value for the key that you specified as the active key. 9. Enter a value for the key: •...

  • Page 109: Enable Or Disable The Wifi Radios Using The Router Web Interface

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Enable or Disable the WiFi Radios Using the Router Web Interface If you used the WiFi On/Off button to turn off the WiFi radios, you can’t use a WiFi connection to log in to the router to turn them back on. You must press the WiFi On/Off button again for two seconds to turn the WiFi radios back on.

  • Page 110: Set Up A Wifi Schedule

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 111: Specify Wps Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. Click the Add a new period button. The page adjusts. 6. Use the menus, radio buttons, and check boxes to set up a period during which you want to turn off the WiFi signal. 7. Click the Apply button. The Advanced Wireless Settings page displays.

  • Page 112: Manage Implicit Beamforming

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 6. (Optional) Select or clear the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box. By default, the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box is selected. We recommend that you leave this check box selected. If you clear this check box, the next time a new WiFi client uses WPS to connect to the router, the router WiFi settings change to an automatically generated random SSID and security key.

  • Page 113: Enable Or Disable Airtime Fairness

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Enable or disable airtime fairness Airtime fairness ensures that all clients receive equal time on the network. Network resources are divided by time, so if you have five clients, they each get one-fifth of the network time. The advantage of this feature is that your slowest clients don’t control network responsiveness.
  • Page 114 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To use the router in AP mode: 1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Internet port of this router to an Ethernet port on the other router. 2. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network.

  • Page 115: Chapter 9 Maintain The Router

    Maintain the Router This chapter describes the settings for administering and maintaining your router. For information about monitoring devices and the network and viewing the router system information, see Monitor Devices and the Network and View Router Information on page 62. The chapter includes the following sections: •...

  • Page 116: Update The Router Firmware

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Update the Router Firmware You can log in to the router and check to see if new firmware is available, or you can manually load a specific firmware version to your router. Check for New Firmware and Update the Router The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory.

  • Page 117: Manually Upload Firmware To The Router

    To manually upload a firmware file to your router: 1. Download the firmware for your router from the NETGEAR Download Center, save it to your desktop, and unzip the file if needed. Note: The correct firmware file uses an .img extension.
  • Page 118 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 4. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 5. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.

  • Page 119: Change The Admin Password

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change the admin Password The first time that you logged in to the router with the user name admin, you were required to change the password. You can change this password again. This password is not the one that you use for WiFi access. Note: Be sure to change the password to a secure password.

  • Page 120: Recover The Admin Password

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To enable password recovery: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.

  • Page 121: Manage The Router Configuration File

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 7. Click the Continue button. A window opens and displays your recovered password. 8. Click the Login again button. A login window opens. 9. With your recovered password, log in to the router. Manage the Router Configuration File The configuration settings of the router are stored within the router in a configuration file.

  • Page 122: Restore The Configuration Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Restore the Configuration Settings To restore the configuration settings that you backed up: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.

  • Page 123: Access Your Router Using The Nighthawk App

    For more information about how to update your router’s firmware, see Update the Router Firmware on page 116. To download the latest Nighthawk app for your mobile device, visit https://www.netgear.com/home/apps-services/nighthawk-app/. Monitor and Meter Internet Traffic Traffic metering allows you to monitor the volume of Internet traffic that passes through the router Internet port.

  • Page 124: Restrict Internet Traffic By Volume

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Dashboard displays. 4. Select Settings > Monitoring > Traffic Meter. The Traffic Meter page displays. 5. Select the Enable Traffic Meter check box. By default, no traffic limit is specified and the traffic volume is not controlled. 6.

  • Page 125: Restrict Internet Traffic By Connection Time

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 8. In the Monthly Limit field, enter how many MBytes (MB) per month are allowed. 9. If your ISP charges you for extra data volume when you make a new connection, enter the extra data volume in MB in the Round up data volume for each connection by field.

  • Page 126: View The Internet Traffic Volume And Statistics

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Traffic Meter page displays. 5. Select the Enable Traffic Meter check box. 6. Select the Connection time control radio button. Note: The router must be connected to the Internet for you to be able to select the Connection time control radio button.

  • Page 127: Unblock The Traffic Meter After The Traffic Limit Is Reached

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 128: View And Manage The Router Activity Log

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The Traffic Meter page displays. 5. In the Traffic Control section, clear the Disconnect and disable the Internet connection check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved and the router restarts. View and Manage the Router Activity Log The log is a detailed record of many router actions, including the websites that you and others accessed or attempted to access.

  • Page 129: Display Internet Port Statistics

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. To customize the log, scroll down and clear or select the check boxes for the type of events that you want to be included. By default, the check boxes for all types of events are selected. 6.
  • Page 130 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays. 4. Select Settings > Monitoring > Statistics. The page that display shows a table with the following statistics information: •...

  • Page 131: Check The Internet Connection Status, View Details, And Release And Renew The Connection

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Check the Internet Connection Status, View Details, and Release and Renew the Connection To check the Internet connection status if the router is connected to a WAN Ethernet connection and view details about the connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 132: Restart The Router From Its Web Interface

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router • Lease Expires. The date and time that the IP address lease expires. 5. To release the IP address lease, which causes all fields to be reset to 0, click the Release button. 6. To renew the IP address lease, click the Renew button. In most situations, the ISP’s DHCP server assigns the same IP address to the router, but it is possible that the ISP’s DHCP server assigns a different IP address to the router.

  • Page 133: Disable Or Enable Led Blinking Or Turn Off Leds

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To view router notifications: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
  • Page 134 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. Select an LED control setting: • Enable blinking on Internet LED, LAN LED, Wireless LED and USB LED when data traffic is detected. Allows standard LED behavior. This setting is enabled by default. • Disable blinking on Internet LED, LAN LED, Wireless LED and USB LED when data traffic is detected.

  • Page 135: Chapter 10 Share Usb Storage Devices Attached To The Router

    • Manage Access to a USB Storage Device • Use FTP Within the Network • Manage Network Folders on a USB Storage Device • Approve USB Devices • Safely Remove a USB Storage Device For more information about ReadySHARE features, visit netgear.com/readyshare.

  • Page 136: Usb Device Requirements

    The router works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the router supports, visit kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18985/~/readyshare-usb-drives-compatibility-list. Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to load the drivers onto the computer before the computer can access the USB storage device.

  • Page 137: Access A Storage Device Connected To The Router From A Windows-Based Computer

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Access a storage device connected to the router from a Windows-based computer To access the USB storage device from a Windows-based computer: 1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router. 2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it. You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router.

  • Page 138: Access A Storage Device That Is Connected To The Router From A Mac

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 6. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. The Map Network Drive window opens. 7. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 8. Click the Finish button. The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified. 9.

  • Page 139: Back Up Windows-Based Computers With Readyshare Vault

    By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN). 3. Download ReadySHARE Vault from netgear.com/readyshare and install it on each Windows-based computer. 4. Launch ReadySHARE Vault.

  • Page 140: Set Up A Usb Hard Drive On A Mac

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Set up a USB hard drive on a Mac We recommend that you use a new USB HDD or format your old USB HDD to do the Time Machine backup for the first time. Use a blank partition to prevent some issues during backup using Time Machine.

  • Page 141: Use Time Machine To Back Up Onto A Usb Hard Disk

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 4. Set Energy Saver: a. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences. The System Preferences page displays. b. Select Energy Saver. The Energy Saver page displays. c. Click the Power Adapter tab. d. Select the Wake for Wi-Fi network access check box. e.

  • Page 142: Manage Access To A Usb Storage Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. Type smb://routerlogin.net and click the Connect button. 6. When prompted, select the Registered User radio button. 7. Enter admin for the name and the router admin password for the password and click the Connect button. A list of USB devices connected to your router displays.
  • Page 143 If you set up Dynamic DNS (see Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS on page 151), you can also type a URL domain name. For example, if your domain name is MyName and you use the NETGEAR DDNS server, you can type Share USB Storage Devices...

  • Page 144: Use Ftp Within The Network

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router ftp://MyName.mynetgear.com to access the USB device over the Internet and download or upload files. 6. For any access method, to allow access, the select associated Enable check box. To prevent access, clear the associated Enable check box. 7.

  • Page 145: Manage Network Folders On A Usb Storage Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Manage Network Folders on a USB Storage Device From a computer or device on the network, you can view, add, or change network folders on a USB storage device that is connected to a USB port on the router. View Network Folders on a USB Storage Device You can view the network folders on a storage device connected to the router.

  • Page 146: Add A Network Folder On A Usb Storage Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device You can add network folders on a USB storage device that is connected to a router USB port. To add a network folder: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 147: Change A Network Folder On A Usb Storage Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device You can change network folders on a USB storage device that is connected to a router USB port. To change a network folder: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 148: Safely Remove A Usb Storage Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays. 5. Select Settings > USB Functions > USB Settings. The USB Settings page displays.
  • Page 149 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays. 4. Select Settings > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.

  • Page 150: Chapter 11 Use Dynamic Dns To Access Usb Storage Devices

    Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access USB storage devices that are attached to the router’s USB ports when you are not home. This chapter includes the following sections: •...

  • Page 151: Set Up Your Personal Ftp Server

    With a customized free URL, you can use FTP to access your network when you are not home through Dynamic DNS. Before you set up your FTP server, register for a NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account and specify the account settings.

  • Page 152: Set Up A New Dynamic Dns Account

    DNS service does not work because private addresses are not routed on the Internet. Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account To set up Dynamic DNS and register for a free NETGEAR account: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 153: Specify A Dns Account That You Already Created

    9. For a No-IP or DynDNS account, in the User Name field, type the user name for your account. 10. For a NETGEAR account at No-IP, in the Email field, type the email address for your account. 11. In the Password (6-32 characters) field, type the password for your DDNS account.

  • Page 154: Change The Dynamic Dns Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router A message displays the Dynamic DNS status. Change the Dynamic DNS Settings You can change the settings for your Dynamic DNS account. To change your settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 155: Set Up Ftp Access Through The Internet

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To use a Dynamic DNS account, you must enter the account information on the Dynamic DNS page. See Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS on page 151. • To connect without Dynamic DNS, type the router’s Internet port IP address. You can view the router’s Internet IP address on the router’s System Information page.

  • Page 156: Use Ftp To Access Storage Devices Through The Internet

    For example, if your IP address is 10.1.65.4, type ftp://10.1.65.4. If you are using Dynamic DNS, your domain name is MyName, and you use the NETGEAR DDNS server, type the DNS name ftp://MyName.mynetgear.com. 3. When prompted, log in: • To log in as admin, in the user name field, enter admin and in the password field, enter the same password that you use to log in to the router.

  • Page 157: Chapter 12 Use The Router As A Media Server

    Use the Router as a Media Server The router comes set up to work as a ReadyDLNA media server. You can set up the router to play music from iTunes server and media from TiVo. This chapter contains the following sections: •...

  • Page 158: Specify Readydlna Media Server Settings

    By default, the router functions as a ReadyDLNA media server, which lets you view movies and photos on DLNA/UPnP AV–compliant media players, such as Xbox360, Playstation, and NETGEAR media players. To specify media server settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 159: Set Up The Router To Work With Tivo

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Set Up the Router to Work With TiVo You can set up your TiVo to access media files stored on a USB storage device that is connected to your router. The TiVo must be on the same network as the router. This feature supports the following file formats: •...

  • Page 160: Chapter 13 Share A Usb Printer

    You can share this USB printer among the Windows-based and Mac computers on your network. For more information about the features available in the NETGEAR USB Control Center, see the ReadySHARE Printer User Manual, which is available at http://downloadcenter.netgear.com.

  • Page 161: Install The Printer Driver And Cable The Printer

    You must install the ReadySHARE Printer utility on each computer that will share the printer. After you install it, the utility displays as NETGEAR USB Control Center on your computer. For more information about how to use the NETGEAR USB Control Center, visit https://www.netgear.com/support/product/ReadySHARE_USB_Printer.aspx.

  • Page 162: Print Using The Netgear Usb Control Center

    USB printer and prints the document. If another computer is already connected to the printer, your print job goes into a queue to wait to be printed. 4. If your document does not print, use the NETGEAR USB Control Center to check the printer status.
  • Page 163 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The status changes to Available. Now any computers on the network can use the printer. 6. To exit the utility, select System > Exit. Share a USB Printer User Manual...

  • Page 164: Chapter 14 Use Vpn To Access Your Network

    Use VPN to Access Your Network You can use OpenVPN software to remotely access your router using virtual private networking (VPN). This chapter describes how to set up VPN service in the router and use VPN access. The chapter includes the following sections: •...

  • Page 165: Set Up A Vpn Connection

    To use a DDNS service, register for an account with a host name (sometimes called a domain name). You use the host name to access your network. The router supports these accounts: NETGEAR, No-IP, and Dyn. For more information, see Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS on page 151.

  • Page 166: Install Openvpn Software

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router port, we recommend that you change these settings before you install the OpenVPN software. 6. To change the service type, scroll down and select the TCP radio button. 7. To change the port numbers, scroll down to the Service Port fields, and type the port numbers that you want to use.
  • Page 167 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 5. If you did not yet enable VPN service, select the Enable VPN Service check box and click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. For information about the advanced configuration options on this page, see Specify VPN Service in the Router on page 165.
  • Page 168 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 12. Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button. 13. Leave the check boxes selected as shown in the previous figure, and click the Next button. 14. To specify the destination folder, click the Browse button, select a destination folder, and click the Next button.

  • Page 169: Install Openvpn Software On Your Mac Computer

    If your device is a Windows 64-bit system, the OpenVPN client utility is installed by default in the C:\Program files\OpenVPN\config\ folder. 18. Modify the VPN interface name to NETGEAR-VPN: a. On your computer, go to the Networks window. If you are using Windows 10, select Control Panel >...

  • Page 170: Install Openvpn Software On An Ios Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 6. Click the FOR MACOSX button to download the OpenVPN configuration files. 7. Visit https://tunnelblick.net/index.html to download the OpenVPN client utility for Mac OS X. 8. Download and install the file. 9. Unzip the configuration files that you downloaded and copy them to the folder where the VPN client is installed on your device.

  • Page 171: Install Openvpn Software On An Android Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Note that when you open the .ovpn file, a list of apps displays. Select the OpenVPN Connect app to open the .ovpn file. For more information about using OpenVPN on your iOS device, visit http://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_openvpn.aspx#ios. Install OpenVPN Software on an Android Device You must install this software on each Android device that you plan to use for VPN connections to your router.

  • Page 172: Use A Vpn Tunnel On A Windows-Based Computer

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Use a VPN Tunnel on a Windows-Based Computer After you set up the router to use VPN and install the OpenVPN application on a Windows-based computer, you can open a VPN tunnel from your computer to your router over the Internet.

  • Page 173: Use Vpn To Access The Router's Usb Storage Device And Media.173

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Storage Device and Media To use a Windows-based computer to access a USB storage device that is attached to the router and download files: 1. Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer and select Network. The network resources display.

  • Page 174: Block Vpn Client Internet Access In The Router

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router access to your home network and the Internet. Accessing the Internet remotely through a VPN might be slower than accessing the Internet directly. To allow VPN clients to use your home Internet service: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 175: Use A Vpn Tunnel To Access Your Internet Service At Home

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router To allow VPN clients to access your home network only: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
  • Page 176 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 4. When the VPN connection is established, launch your Internet browser. Use VPN to Access Your Network User Manual...

  • Page 177: Chapter 15 Manage And Customize Internet Traffic Rules For Ports

    Manage and Customize Internet Traffic Rules for Ports You can use port forwarding and port triggering to set up rules for Internet traffic. You need networking knowledge to set up these features. This chapter includes the following sections: • Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server for Services and Applications •...

  • Page 178: Manage Port Forwarding To A Local Server For Services And Applications

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server for Services and Applications If your home network includes a server, you can allow certain types of incoming traffic to reach the server. For example, you might want to make a local web server, FTP server, or game server visible and available to the Internet.

  • Page 179: Add A Custom Port Forwarding Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 8. From the Service Name menu, select the service name. If the service that you want to add is not in the menu, create a custom service. See Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service or Application on page 179. 9.

  • Page 180: Change A Port Forwarding Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Divide ports and port ranges by commas and hyphens, for example, 20, 40-50, 34700-34710. 10. Specify the internal ports by one of these methods: • Leave the Use the same port range for Internal port check box selected. •...

  • Page 181: Remove A Port Forwarding Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Remove a Port Forwarding Service or Application To remove a port forwarding service or application: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens.

  • Page 182: How The Router Implements A Port Forwarding Rule

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Dynamic DNS makes it much easier to access a server from the Internet because you can type the name in the Internet browser. Otherwise, you must know the IP address that the ISP assigned, which typically changes. How the Router Implements a Port Forwarding Rule The following sequence shows the effects of a port forwarding rule: 1.

  • Page 183: Add A Port Triggering Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Port forwarding creates a static mapping of a port number or range of ports to a single local computer. Port triggering can dynamically open ports to any computer when needed and close the ports when they are no longer needed. Note: If you use applications such as multiplayer gaming, peer-to-peer connections, real-time communications such as instant messaging, or remote assistance, enable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

  • Page 184: Enable Port Triggering And Specify The Time-Out Value

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router If you are not sure, leave the TCP/UDP selection. 11. In the Starting Port and Ending Port fields, define the range that the service or application uses by entering the inbound starting port and ending port numbers. 12.

  • Page 185: Change A Port Triggering Service Or Application

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Change a Port Triggering Service or Application You can change an existing port triggering service or application. To change a port triggering service or application: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.

  • Page 186: Disable Port Triggering

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The Dashboard displays.

  • Page 187: Application Example: Port Triggering For Internet Relay Chat.187

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat Some application servers, such as FTP and IRC servers, send replies to multiple port numbers. Using port triggering, you can tell the router to open more incoming ports when a particular outgoing port starts a session.

  • Page 188: Chapter 16 Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting This chapter provides information to help you diagnose and solve problems you might experience with your router. If you do not find the solution here, check the NETGEAR support site at netgear.com/support for product and contact information. The chapter contains the following sections: •...

  • Page 189: Quick Tips

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Quick tips This section describes tips for troubleshooting some common problems. Sequence to restart your network If you must restart your network, follow this sequence: 1. Turn off and unplug the modem. 2. Turn off the router. 3.

  • Page 190: Troubleshoot With The Leds

    • Make sure that the power adapter is securely connected to your router and securely connected to a working power outlet. • Make sure that you are using the power adapter that NETGEAR supplied for this product. • If the Power LED blinks slowly and continuously, the router firmware is corrupted.

  • Page 191: Internet Or Ethernet Port Leds Are Off

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router If the error persists, a hardware problem might be the cause. Contact Technical Support at netgear.com/support. Internet or Ethernet Port LEDs Are Off If you changed the standard LED settings and want to troubleshoot with the LEDs, change the LED settings back to the standard LED settings (see Disable or Enable LED Blinking or Turn Off LEDs on page 133).

  • Page 192: You Cannot Access The Internet

    Caps Lock is off when you enter this information. • If you are attempting to set up your NETGEAR router as a replacement for an ADSL gateway in your network, the router cannot perform many gateway services. For example, the router cannot convert ADSL or cable data into Ethernet networking information.
  • Page 193 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router The page that displays shows multiple panes. 6. Locate the Internet Status pane and check to see that an IP address is shown in the WAN IP field. If 0.0.0.0 is shown, your router did not obtain an IP address from your ISP.

  • Page 194: Troubleshoot Internet Browsing

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Troubleshoot Internet Browsing If your router can obtain an IP address but your computer is unable to load any web pages from the Internet, it might be for the following reasons: • The traffic meter is enabled, and the limit was reached. By configuring the traffic meter not to block Internet access when the traffic limit is reached, you can resume Internet access.

  • Page 195: Troubleshoot Wifi Connectivity

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Troubleshoot WiFi Connectivity If you are experiencing trouble connecting to the router over WiFi, try to isolate the problem: • Be sure that the WiFi settings in your computer or mobile device and router match exactly. For a computer or mobile device that is connected over WiFi, the WiFi network name (SSID) and WiFi security settings of the router and computer or mobile device must match exactly.

  • Page 196: Test The Path From A Windows-Based Computer To A Remote Device

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device To test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device: 1. From the Windows toolbar, click the Start button and select Run. 2. In the Windows Run window, type ping -n 10 <IP address>...
  • Page 197 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router ping www.routerlogin.net 3. Click the OK button. You see a message like this one: Pinging <IP address > with 32 bytes of data If the path is working, you see this message: Reply from < IP address >: bytes=32 time=NN ms TTL=xxx If the path is not working, you see this message: Request timed out If the path is not functioning correctly, one of the following problems might be occurring:...

  • Page 198: Chapter 17 Supplemental Information

    Supplemental Information This appendix includes technical information about your router. The appendix contains the following sections: • Factory Settings • Technical Specifications...

  • Page 199: Factory Settings

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Factory Settings You can return the router to its factory settings. Use the end of a paper clip or a similar object to press and hold the Reset button on the back of the router for up to 30 seconds or until the Power LED starts blinking amber.
  • Page 200 Transmit power control 100% Guest WiFi WiFi communication Disabled network Broadcast SSID Enabled SSID name 2.4 GHz band: NETGEAR-Guest 5 GHz band: NETGEAR-5G-Guest Security None (open network) Allow guests to see each other Disabled and access the local network WPS capability Enabled Router’s WPS PIN...

  • Page 201: Technical Specifications

    Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router Technical Specifications Table 4. Router technical specifications Feature Description Data and routing protocols TCP/IP, RIP-1, RIP-2, DHCP, PPPoE, PPTP, Bigpond, Dynamic DNS, UPnP, and Power adapter North America: 100–120V, 50/60 Hz input UK: 100–240V, 50/60 Hz, input Australia: 100–240V, 50/60 Hz, input Europe: 220–240V, 50/60 Hz input All regions (output): 12V/2.5A DC output...
  • Page 202 NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility with any future standards. Note: For more information, see the data sheet, which is available at downloadcenter.netgear.com.

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