User Guide RT-AC56U Dual Band Wireless-AC1200 Gigabit Router The ultra-thin and stylish RT-AC56U features a 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual bands for an unmatched concurrent wireless HD streaming; SMB server, UPnP AV server, and FTP server for 24/7 file sharing; a capability to handle 300,000 sessions; and the ASUS Green Network Technology, which provides up to 70% powersaving solution.
E8556 Second Edition August 2013 Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (“ASUS”).
Table of contents 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Getting to know your wireless router Welcome!.........................................................................................6 Package contents..........................................................................6 Your wireless router......................................................................7 Positioning your router...............................................................9 Mounting to the stand............................................
Table of contents 3.6 Using AiCloud.............................................................................. 44 3.6.1 Cloud Disk.................................................................................45 3.6.2 Smart Access............................................................................47 3.6.3 Smart Sync................................................................................48 4 4.1 Configuring the Advanced Settings Wireless..............................................
Table of contents 4.6.4 Network Services Filter........................................................80 4.7 Administration............................................................................ 82 4.7.1 4.7.2 4.7.3 4.7.4 4.8 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 Operation Mode.....................................................................82 System........................................................................................83 Firmware Upgrade.............................................................
1 Getting to know your wireless router 1.1 Welcome! Thank you for purchasing an ASUS RT-AC56U Wireless Router! The ultra-thin and stylish RT-AC56U features a 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual bands for an unmatched concurrent wireless HD streaming; SMB server, UPnP AV server, and FTP server for 24/7 file sharing; a capability to handle 300,000 sessions; and the ASUS Green Network Technology, which provides up to 70% power-saving solution. 1.
1.3 Your wireless router 1 6 7 8 2 9 3 10 11 4 5 12 13 USB 3.0 / 2.0 LED O ff: No power or no physical connection. O n: Has physical connection to USB 3.0 / 2.0 devices. LAN LED O ff: No power or no physical connection. O n: Has physical connection to a local area network (LAN). WAN LED O ff: No power or no physical connection. O n: Has physical connection to a wide area network (WAN). 2.4GHz LED / 5GHz LED Off: No 2.4GHz or 5GHz signal. On: Wireless system is ready.
Power LED Off: No power. On: Device is ready. Flashing slow: Rescue mode F lashing quick: WPS is processing. WPS button This button launches the WPS Wizard. WI-FI On/Off button Press this button to turn on /off the Wi-Fi connection LAN 1 ~ 4 ports Connect network cables into these ports to establish LAN connection. WAN (Internet) port Connect a network cable into this port to establish WAN connection. USB 3.0 / 2.0 ports Insert USB 3.0 / 2.
1.4 Positioning your router For the best wireless signal transmission between the wireless router and the network devices connected to it, ensure that you: • Place the wireless router in a centralized area for a maximum wireless coverage for the network devices. • Keep the device away from metal obstructions and away from direct sunlight. • Keep the device away from 802.11g or 20MHz only Wi-Fi devices, 2.
1.5 Setup Requirements To set up your wireless network, you need a computer that meets the following system requirements: • Ethernet RJ-45 (LAN) port (10Base-T/100Base-TX/ 1000BaseTX) • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless capability • An installed TCP/IP service • Web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Google Chrome NOTES: 10 • If your computer does not have built-in wireless capabilities, you may install an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WLAN adapter to your computer to connect to the network.
1.6 Router Setup IMPORTANT! • Use a wired connection when setting up your wireless router to avoid possible setup problems. • Before setting up your ASUS wireless router, do the following: • If you are replacing an existing router, disconnect it from your network. • Disconnect the cables/wires from your existing modem setup. If your modem has a backup battery, remove it as well. • Reboot your cable modem and computer (recommended). 1.6.
2. Using the bundled network cable, connect your computer to your wireless router’s LAN port. IMPORTANT! Ensure that the LAN LED is blinking. 3 Using another network cable, connect your modem to your wireless router’s WAN port. 4. Insert your modem’s AC adapter to the DC-IN port and plug it to a power outlet. 1.6.2 Wireless connection RT-AC56U 3 Modem 2 1 To set up your wireless router via wireless connection: 1.
3. Insert your modem’s AC adapter to the DC-IN port and plug it to a power outlet. 4. Install an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WLAN adapter on your computer. NOTES: • For details on connecting to a wireless network, refer to the WLAN adapter’s user manual. • To set up the security settings for your network, refer to the section Setting up the wireless security settings in Chapter 3 of this user manual.
2 Getting started 2.1 Logging into the Web GUI Your ASUS Wireless Router comes with an intuitive web graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to easily configure its various features through a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Google Chrome. NOTE: The features may vary with different firmware versions. To log into the web GUI: 1. On your web browser, manually key in the wireless router’s default IP address: 192.168.1.1 or default domain name: http://router.asus.com. 2.
2.2 Quick Internet Setup (QIS) with Autodetection The Quick Internet Setup (QIS) function guides you in quickly setting up your Internet connection. NOTE: When setting the Internet connection for the first time, press the Reset button on your wireless router to reset it to its factory default settings. To use QIS with auto-detection: 1. Log into the Web GUI. The QIS page launches automatically. NOTES: • By default, the login username and password for your wireless router's Web GUI is admin.
2. The wireless router automatically detects if your ISP connection type is Dynamic IP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP, and Static IP. Key in the necessary information for your ISP connection type. IMPORTANT! Obtain the necessary information from your ISP about the Internet connection type.
for Static IP NOTES: • The auto-detection of your ISP connection type takes place when you configure the wireless router for the first time or when your wireless router is reset to its default settings. • If QIS failed to detect your Internet connection type, click Skip to manual setting and manually configure your connection settings. 3. Assign the wireless network name (SSID) and security key for your 2.4GHz and 5 GHz wireless connection. Click Apply when done.
4. Your Internet and wireless settings are displayed. Click Next to continue. 5. Read the wireless network connection tutorial. When done, click Finish.
2.3 Connecting to your wireless network After setting up your wireless router via QIS, you can connect your computer or other smart devices to your wireless network. To connect to your network: 1. On your computer, click the network icon in the notification area to display the available wireless networks. 2. Select the wireless network that you want to connect to, then click Connect. 3. You may need to key in the network security key for a secured wireless network, then click OK. 4.
3 Configuring the General settings 3.1 Using the Network Map Network Map allows you to configure your network’s security settings, manage your network clients, and monitor your USB device.
3.1.1 Setting up the wireless security settings To protect your wireless network from unauthorized access, you need to configure its security settings. To set up the wireless security settings: 1. From the navigation panel, go to General > Network Map. 2. On the Network Map screen and under System status, you can configure the wireless security settings such as SSID, security level, and encryption settings. NOTE: You can set up different wireless security settings for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. 2.
4. From the Security Level dropdown list, select the encryption method for your wireless network. IMPORTANT! The IEEE 802.11n/ac standard prohibits using High Throughput with WEP or WPA-TKIP as the unicast cipher. If you use these encryption methods, your data rate will drop to IEEE 802.11g 54Mbps connection. 5. Key in your security passkey. 6. Click Apply when done. 3.1.2 Managing your network clients To manage your network clients: 1. From the navigation panel, go to General > Network Map tab. 2.
3.1.3 Monitoring your USB device The ASUS Wireless Router provides two USB 2.0 ports for connecting USB devices or USB printer to allow you to share files and printer with clients in your network. NOTES: • To use this feature, you need to plug a USB storage device, such as a USB hard disk or USB flash drive, to the USB 2.0 port on the rear panel of your wireless router. Ensure that the USB storage device is formatted and partitioned properly. Refer to the Plug-n-Share Disk Support List at http://event.
IMPORTANT! You first need to create a share account and its permission /access rights to allow other network clients to access the USB device via an FTP site/third-party FTP client utility, Servers Center, Samba, or AiCloud. For more details, refer to the section 3.5.Using the USB Application and 3.6 Using AiCloud in this user manual. To monitor your USB device: 1. From the navigation panel, go to General > Network Map. 2.
Safely removing the USB disk IMPORTANT: Incorrect removal of the USB disk may cause data corruption. To safely remove the USB disk: 1. From the navigation panel, go to General > Network Map. 2. In the upper right corner, click > Eject USB disk. When the USB disk is ejected successfully, the USB status shows Unmounted.
3.2 Creating a Guest Network The Guest Network provides temporary visitors with Internet connectivity via access to separate SSIDs or networks without providing access to your private network. NOTE: RT-AC56U supports up to six SSIDs (three 2.4GHz and three 5GHz SSIDs). To create a guest network: 1. From the navigation panel, go to General > Guest Network. 2. On the Guest Network screen, select 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz frequency band for the guest network that you want to create. 3. Click Enable.
4. To configure additional options, click Modify. 5. Click Yes on the Enable Guest Network screen. 6. Assign a wireless name for your temporary network on the Network Name (SSID) field. 7. Select an Authentication Method. 8. Select an Encryption method. 9. Specify the Access time or choose Limitless. 10. Select Disable or Enable on the Access Intranet item. 11. When done, click Apply.
3.3 Using the Traffic Manager 3.3.1 Managing QoS (Quality of Service) Bandwidth Quality of Service (QoS) allows you to set the bandwidth priority and manage network traffic. To set up bandwidth priority: 1. From the navigation panel, go to General > Traffic Manager > QoS tab. 2. Click ON to enable QoS. Fill in the upload and download bandwidth fields. NOTE: Get the bandwidth information from your ISP. 3. Click Save. NOTE: The User Specify Rule List is for advanced settings.
4. On the user-defined QoS rules page, there are four default online service types – web surf, HTTPS and file transfers. Select your preferred service, fill in the Source IP or MAC, Destination Port, Protocol, Transferred and Priority, then click Apply. The information will be configured in the QoS rules screen. NOTES • To fill in the source IP or MAC, you can: a) Enter a specific IP address, such as "192.168.122.1". b) Enter IP addresses within one subnet or within the same IP pool, such as “192.168.
5. On the User-defined Priority page, you can prioritize the network applications or devices into five levels from the userdefined QoS rules’ dropdown list. Based on priority level, you can use the following methods to send data packets: • Change the order of upstream network packets that are sent to the Internet. • Under Upload Bandwidth table, set Minimum Reserved Bandwidth and Maximum Bandwidth Limit for multiple network applications with different priority levels.