Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender User Manual Model EX8000 May 2018 202-11758-02 350 E.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Support Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR support resources. Conformity For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621. Compliance For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.
Contents Chapter 1 Overview Unpack Your Extender............................................................................................6 LEDs......................................................................................................................7 Back Panel.............................................................................................................9 When to Use Your Extender.................................................................................
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password.....................................................36 Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time.....................................................37 Manually Set the Extender Clock.........................................................................38 Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration...............................................39 Back Up the Configuration Settings...........................
Overview 1 The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering tri-band WiFi. This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • Unpack Your Extender LEDs Back Panel When to Use Your Extender How the Extender Works Note For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at support.netgear.com.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Unpack Your Extender Your package contains the following items. Figure 1. Extender package contents 1. Nighthawk X6S X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender (Model EX8000) 2.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender LEDs The following table describes the LEDs. Figure 2.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Table 1. LED descriptions LED Description Link Status LED This LED indicates the WiFi connection between the extender and the router. Maximum Throughput LED • Solid white. Best connection. • Solid amber. Good connection. • Solid red. Poor connection. • Off. No connection. • Blinking white. The extender is reseting to its factory default settings. • Solid white. The extender uses the 5 GHz WiFi band for backhaul. • Off.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED Description WPS LED • Blinking white. A WPS connection is being established. • Solid white. The extended network is enabled with WiFi security (either WPA or WPA2). • Off. The extended network is enabled without WiFi security. • Solid white. An Ethernet device is connected to an Ethernet port. • Off. An Ethernet device is not connected to the extender.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender The back panel contains the following components: • WPS button. Use this button to connect WPS-enabled devices to the extender. • Ethernet ports. Use the four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports to connect the extender to LAN devices. • USB port. Use the USB 2.0 port to connect the extender to a USB device such as a printer. • Power On/Off button and Power LED. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the extender.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Figure 4.
Get Started 2 This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • Install the WiFi Extender Use the Extender in Access Point Mode Connect a Device to the Extender Network Log In to the Extender After Installation Run Smart Setup Installation 12
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Install the WiFi Extender Place the extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your existing WiFi network. Place the Extender and Apply Power To place the extender and apply power: 1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router. Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process. 2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. 3. Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router: 1. Press the WPS button on the extender. The WPS LED blinks. 2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access point. When the extender connects to your existing WiFi network, the WPS LED on the extender lights solid white and the Link Status LED lights. If the Link Status LED does not light, try again.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender If your extender connects to the router’s 5 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your router’s 5 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks: • Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample • Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G • Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G • Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the Link Status LED lights amber or white. 8. Reconnect your computer or mobile device to the new extender WiFi network. Use the Extender in Access Point Mode You can use the extender as a WiFi access point, which creates a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. Figure 5. Extender in access point mode To use the extender in access point mode: 1.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Note Do not connect your extender directly to your DSL or cable modem. The extender does not function as a router. If your network includes a DHCP server, you can connect the extender to a switch or hub that is connected to the DHCP server. 6. Return to the NETGEAR installation assistant and follow the prompts to finish setting up your extender as an access point.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device to the Extender After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. Figure 6. Ethernet LAN port Log In to the Extender After Installation After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings. To log in to the extender: 1.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.
Extender Network Settings This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Enable or Disable One WiFi Name Enable or Disable Smart Connect View Connected Devices View WiFi Settings Change the WiFi Network Name Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios Change the WiFi Speed Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device Set Up an Access Schedule Change the Extender’s Device Name Set Up the
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Enable or Disable One WiFi Name The One WiFi Name feature enables your extender to use the same WiFi network settings as your router. To enable or disable the One WiFi Name feature: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To enable or disable the Smart Connect feature: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To view connected devices: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. Change the WiFi Network Name To change the WiFi network name: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network By default, the extender broadcasts its WiFi signal so that its WiFi network names (SSIDs) are easy for you to find and connect to from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden WiFi network. To connect to a hidden network you must know its SSID and password and manually enter them. To turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden network: 1.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. In the 5 GHz network WiFi Speed menu, select a speed. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Do More > Connect Devices (WPS). The Connect Devices (WPS) page displays. 6. Select the PIN Number radio button. The page adjusts. 7. Type the PIN of the WiFi device in the field. 8. Click the NEXT button.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Connected Devices. The Connected Devices (WPS) page displays. 6. In the WiFi Devices section, select the Enable Access Control check box.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Do More > Access Schedule. The Access Schedule page displays. 6. Select the Access Schedule On radio button. The page adjusts. 7. In the Days menu and the Time menu, select the day and time when you want to disable Internet access. 8. Click the Add Time button to add the time that you specified to the Scheduled Times table. 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Your settings are saved. Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address The extender comes set up to use a dynamic IP address, which is the correct setting for most home networks. To set up the extender to use a static IP address: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control When the WiFi device connects through the extender to your router, the MAC address of the WiFi device that is shown on the router is translated to another MAC address. If your router’s MAC filter, wireless access control, or ACL is enabled, the WiFi device connects to the extender but cannot get an IP address from the extender and cannot access the Internet.
Maintain and Monitor the Extender This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • • • • Change the Extender admin User Name and Password Turn Password Protection Off and On Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time Manually Set the Extender Clock Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings Update the Extender Firmware Restart the Extender Remotely Turn the NETGEAR Logo LED On or Off 34 4
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Change the Extender admin User Name and Password You can change the admin user name and password that you use to log in to the extender. To add an extender user: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To turn password protection off or on: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61. A login page displays. 3. Click the Username & Password Help link. A page displays requesting the answers to your security questions.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender The extender menu displays. 5. Select Do More > Access Schedule. The Access Schedule page displays. 6. Select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Manually Set the Extender Clock If you turned on the access schedule, you can set the extender clock. The extender clock makes sure that the WiFi access schedules are accurate. To manually set the extender clock: 1.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration When the extender works correctly after initial setup, we recommend that you back up the extender configuration settings. After you back up the settings, if you change the extender configuration settings but are not content with the new settings, you can restore the extender configuration to the backed-up settings. Back Up the Configuration Settings You can back up the configuration file of the extender.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Restore the Configuration Settings You can restore the configuration settings of the extender to a previously saved configuration file. To restore the extender configuration settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings Under some circumstances (for example, if you lose track of the changes that you made to the extender settings), you might want to erase the configuration and reset the extender to factory default settings. To reset the extender to factory default settings, you can either use the Reset button on the back panel or log in to the extender and reset it.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Firmware Update. The Firmware Update page displays. 6. Click the BROWSE button. 7. Locate and select the new firmware file.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Other. The Other Settings page displays. 6. Click the RESTART button and click the Yes button to confirm.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender 6. To turn the LED on, select the ON radio button. To turn the LED off, select the OFF radio button. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Extender 5 This chapter describes how to access and configure a USB storage drive attached to your extender. The USB port on the extender can be used to connect only USB storage devices such as flash drives or hard drives, or a printer. Do not connect computers, USB modems, CD drives, or DVD drives to the extender USB port.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender USB Device Requirements The extender works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the extender supports, visit http://kbserver.netgear.com/readyshare. 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. Such USB storage devices do not work with the extender.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender When you connect the USB storage device to the extender USB port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN). 3. Select Start > Run. 4. Enter \\readyshare in the dialog box. 5. Click the OK button. A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Access a Storage Device That Is Connected to the Extender From a Mac From a computer or device on the network, you can access a storage device that is connected to the extender. To access the device from a Mac: 1. Insert your USB storage device into a USB port on your extender. 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 extender.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Do More > USB Port. The USB Port page displays. 6. To turn the USB port on, select the USB Port On radio button. 7. To turn the USB port off, select the USB Port Off radio button. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender 7. Browse and select a folder on the USB device. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Password-Protect a Folder on a USB Storage Device To password-protect a folder: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To share a printer: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext - Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP Address on page 61. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4.
Use the Extender as a Media Server This chapter contains the following sections: • • Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings Set Up the Extender to Work With TiVo 55 6
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings By default, the extender acts 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 your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Set Up the Extender to Work With TiVo You can set up your TiVo to access media files stored on a USB device that is connected to your extender. The TiVo must be on the same network as the extender. This feature supports the following file formats: • Video. See and play mpeg1, and mpeg2 files. • Music. See and play MP3 files. • Pictures. View images in .jpg format.
FAQs and Troubleshooting This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • FAQs Cannot Connect to the Extender Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message Cannot Access mywifiext.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender FAQs This section provides answers for difficulties you might experience with the extender. The web browser setup keeps asking me for my network password (passphrase) or security key, and I am sure that I entered the correct password. What can I do? The extender is probably placed at the borderline of the range covered by the router or access point.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To restore factory settings: 1. Use a sharp object such as a pen or paper clip to press and hold the Reset button on the extender for seven seconds until the Power LED lights amber. 2. Release the Reset button and wait for the extender to reboot. The extender resets and returns to the factory default settings. Cannot Connect to the Extender If you cannot connect to the extender, determine what prevents you from connecting: • If you cannot access www.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Cannot Access mywifiext.net When you try to access www.mywifiext.net to set up your extender, you might receive an error message that says you are not connected to the extender's WiFi network. This website is not a regular Internet website. It is a local web address used to log in to the extender web interface and view the extender’s settings. Your computer or mobile device must be connected to your extender network to access www.mywifiext.net.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender To log in to your extender and find your extender’s 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. 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 BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Supplemental Information This appendix covers the following topics: • • Factory Default Settings Technical and Environmental Specifications 63 8
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Factory Default Settings To reset the extender to factory default settings, you can use the Reset button on the side panel or you can log in and click the onscreen RESET button. For more information, see Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings on page 41. The following table shows the factory default settings. Table 2.
Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender Technical and Environmental Specifications The following table shows the technical and environmental specifications. Table 3. Technical specifications Technical Specifications Network protocol and standards compatibility Data and routing protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP server and client, DNS relay Physical specifications • Dimensions: 22.71 x 16.97 x 9.27 cm (8.94 x 6.68 x 3.65 in.) • Weight: 0.86 kg (1.
