User Manual Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Models: Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Router Model MR80 Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Satellite Model MS80 December 2020 202-12138-01 NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Support and Community Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest downloads. You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at community.netgear.com. Regulatory and Legal Si ce produit est vendu au Canada, vous pouvez accéder à ce document en français canadien à https://www.netgear.com/support/download/. (If this product is sold in Canada, you can access this document in Canadian French at https://www.netgear.
Contents Chapter 1 Overview Router hardware and LED overview...................................................8 Router hardware features................................................................8 Router LED behavior........................................................................9 Satellite hardware and LED overview..............................................10 Satellite hardware features...........................................................10 Satellite LED behavior....................
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Set up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet connection..................................32 Use auto config for an IPv6 Internet connection........................34 Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection.......................................35 Manage the MTU size.........................................................................37 MTU concepts.................................................................................37 Change the MTU size.......................................
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Set up a static route.......................................................................71 Edit a static route...........................................................................72 Delete a static route.......................................................................73 Hide your mesh network's SSID........................................................73 Enable or disable implicit beamforming.........................................
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Chapter 9 Use VPN to Access Your Network Set up a VPN connection.................................................................102 Specify VPN Service in the Router..................................................102 Install OpenVPN Software...............................................................103 Install OpenVPN Software on Your Windows Computer.......103 Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer................106 Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device...
1 Overview The Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Router (model MR80) connects to your modem or gateway. The Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Satellite (model MS80) connects to the Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Router and extends the WiFi signal throughout your home. This manual describes how to manage your Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 router and satellite from your router web interface. Note: You can manage your satellite from the router web interface.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Router hardware and LED overview The following sections are an overview of the router hardware features and LED behavior. Router hardware features The following figure shows the router hardware features. Figure 1. Router front and back views 1. Router LED 2. Sync button 3. Reset button 4. Ethernet ports 5. Internet port 6.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Router LED behavior The following table describes the LED behavior for the LED that is on the front of the router. Table 1. Router LED behavior LED color Description Blinking white The router LED blinks white for one of the following reasons: • You connected the power adapter to the router. Now the router is booting and attempting to sync with the satellite. • You pressed the Sync button and the router is attempting to sync with the satellite.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Satellite hardware and LED overview The following sections are an overview of the satellite hardware features and LED behavior. Satellite hardware features The following figures shows the satellite hardware features. Figure 2. Satellite front and back views 1. Satellite LED 2. Sync button 3. Reset button 4. Ethernet ports 5.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Satellite LED behavior The following table describes the LED behavior for the LED that is on the front of the satellite. Table 2. Satellite LED behavior LED color Description Blinking white The satellite LED blinks white for one of the following reasons: • You connected the power adapter to the satellite. Now the satellite is booting and attempting to sync with the router. • You pressed the Sync button and the satellite is attempting to sync with the router.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The satellite label also displays the WiFi network name and password, the satellite’s MAC address, and the satellite’s serial number. The following is an example of what the satellite label might look like: Figure 4. Satellite label Connect your router Power on your router and connect it to a modem. Figure 5. Connect your router To connect your router: 1. Unplug your modem’s power, leaving the modem connected to the wall jack for your Internet service.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 5. If the Router LED does not light, make sure that the power adapter is properly connected to your router and power outlet. Place your satellite Your satellite must be within range of your router’s WiFi signal in order for it to sync with your router. Use your satellite's LED to help you determine where to place your satellite. Figure 6. Place your satellite If you own more than one satellite, your satellites can sync with each other or with your router.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The satellite LED then lights one of the following colors: • Blue. The router and satellite successfully synced, and the connection between the router and satellite is good. • Amber. The router and satellite failed to sync. Move the satellite closer to the router and try again. 3. If the satellite LED is amber, do the following: a. Unplug your satellite, move the satellite closer to the router, and plug it back in. b. Press the Sync button on the back of the router. c.
2 Connect to the Network and Access the Router You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection. This chapter explains the ways you can connect and how to access the router and log in.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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). Connect to the network using a wired connection You can connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable and join the router’s local area network (LAN). To connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 4. Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for WPS connections. Your WPS-enabled device connects to the WiFi network. Types of logins Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand the differences so that you know which login to use when. Several types of logins are associated with the router: • ISP login.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you all the information needed to connect to the Internet. For DSL service, you might need the following information to set up your router: • The ISP configuration information for your DSL account • ISP login name and password • Fixed or static IP address setting (special deployment by ISP; this setting is rare) If you cannot locate this information, ask your ISP to provide it.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • If the computer is set to a static or fixed IP address (this setting is uncommon), change it to obtain an IP address automatically from the router. 6. If the router does not connect to the Internet, do the following: a. Review your settings. Make sure that you selected the correct options and typed everything correctly. b. Contact your ISP to verify that you are using the correct configuration information. c. Read Troubleshooting on page 113.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 firmware, allows you to personalize your WiFi network, and even helps register your mesh system with NETGEAR. The Nighthawk app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices. Note: If you own any satellites, make sure they are powered on before installing your mesh system with the Nighthawk app. To install your mesh system using the Nighthawk app: 1. To download the app, visit Nighthawk-app.com. 2.
3 Specify Your Internet Settings Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow your router to detect the Internet connection automatically when you first access the router web interface. You can also customize and manually specify your Internet settings.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. To use the Setup Wizard: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. Select Internet. The Internet Setup page displays. 5. In the Does your Internet connection require a login? section, leave the No radio button selected. 6.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see Troubleshooting on page 113. Specify an Internet connection that uses a login To view or change the basic Internet setup: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • Use Static IP Address. Enter the IP address, IP subnet mask, and the gateway IP address that your ISP assigned. The gateway is the ISP router to which your router connects. 13. Select a Domain Name Server (DNS) Address radio button: • Get Automatically from ISP. Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your DNS servers. Your ISP automatically assigns this address. • Use These DNS Servers. If you know that your ISP requires specific servers, select this option.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. • If your Internet connection does not use PPPoe or DHCP, or is not fixed, but is IPv6, select Auto Config. Your Internet service provider (ISP) can provide this information. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The router automatically detects the information in the following fields: • Connection Type. This field indicates the connection type that is detected. • Router’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s WAN (or Internet) interface. The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • 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 pass-through Internet connection To set up a pass-through IPv6 Internet connection: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Fixed. The page adjusts. 6. Configure the fixed IPv6 addresses for the WAN connection: • IPv6 Address/Prefix Length. The IPv6 address and prefix length of the router WAN interface. • Default IPv6 Gateway. The IPv6 address of the default IPv6 gateway for the router’s WAN interface. • Primary DNS Server.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Your settings are saved. Set up an IPv6 DHCP Internet connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection with a DHCP server: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 8. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server. This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems might not support the DHCv6 client function. • Auto Config. This is the default setting. This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (the LAN). 9.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The router automatically detects the information in the following fields: • Router’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s WAN (or Internet) interface. The number after the slash (/) is the length of the prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available. • Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • 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. 12. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Use auto config for an IPv6 Internet connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through auto configuration: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. For example, Earthlink Cable might require a host name of home, and Comcast sometimes supplies a domain name. 8. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 With a 6rd tunnel configuration, the router follows the RFC5969 standard, supporting two ways to establish a 6rd tunnel IPv6 WAN connection: • Auto Detect mode. In IPv6 Auto Detect mode, when the router receives option 212 from the DHCPv4 option, autodetect selects the IPv6 as 6rd tunnel setting. The router uses the 6rd option information to establish the 6rd connection. • Manual mode. Select 6rd Tunnel.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 7. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server. This method passes more information to LAN devices but some IPv6 systems might not support the DHCPv6 client function. • Auto Config. This is the default setting. This setting specifies how the router assigns IPv6 addresses to the devices on your home network (the LAN). 8.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 For example, if a secure website does not open, or displays only part of a web page, you might need to change the MTU. • You use VPN and experience severe performance problems. • You used a program to optimize MTU for performance reasons and now you are experiencing connectivity or performance problems. CAUTION: An incorrect MTU setting can cause Internet communication problems.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup. The WAN Setup page displays. 5. In the MTU Size field, enter a value from 64 to 1500. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
4 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet You can use access control to block or allow access to the Internet through your router. To set up access control: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The list displays. 8. To allow the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device you’re currently using to continue to access the Internet, select the check box next to your computer or device, and click the Allow button. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Manage network access control lists You can manage network access control lists (ACLs) that block or allow access to the Internet through your router. To manage devices that are allowed or blocked: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Use keywords to block Internet sites You can use keywords to block certain Internet sites from your network. You can use blocking all the time or based on a schedule. To block Internet sites: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Block services from 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 services: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 9. Select a filtering option: • Only This IP Address. Block services for a single computer. • IP Address Range. Block services for a range of computers with consecutive IP addresses on your network. • All lP Addresses. Block services for all computers on your network. 10. Click the Add button. Your settings are saved. Delete keywords from the blocked list To delete keywords from the list: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Prevent blocking on a trusted computer You can exempt one trusted computer from blocking. The computer that you exempt must be assigned a fixed IP address. You can use the reserved IP address feature to specify the IP address. See Manage reserved LAN IP addresses on page 62. 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. Select ADVANCED > Security > Schedule. The Schedule page displays. 5. Specify when to block keywords and services: • Days to Block.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 6. In the Send to This E-mail Address field, type the email address to which logs and alerts are to be sent. This email address is also used for the From address. If this field is blank, log and alert messages are not sent. 7. In the Sender field, enter the email sender's name. 8. In the Your Outgoing Mail Server field, enter the name of your ISP outgoing (SMTP) mail server (such as mail.myISP.com).
5 Optimize Performance You can set up the router to optimize performance for applications such as Internet gaming, high-definition video streaming, and VoIP communication. By default, the router uses Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS).
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Use Dynamic QoS to optimize Internet traffic management Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) helps improve your router’s Internet traffic management capabilities through better application and device identification, bandwidth allocation, and traffic prioritization techniques. Dynamic QoS resolves traffic congestion when the Internet bandwidth is limited and different demands compete for bandwidth.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • I want to define my Internet Bandwidth. If you know what your download and upload speed are, select this radio button and enter your download and upload speeds in the fields. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Enable or disable the automatic QoS database update The router uses a QoS database of the most popular applications and services to implement Dynamic QoS. By default, the router automatically updates this database.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To manually update the Dynamic QoS database: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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. Select QoS. The QoS page displays.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > UPnP. The UPnP page displays. 5. Select the Turn UPnP On check box. By default, this check box is selected. UPnP for automatic device configuration can be enabled or disabled.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 AX WiFi is enabled by default. To enable or disable AX WiFi: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
6 Manage Network Settings 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 View or change the 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. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • Disable SIP ALG. Some voice and video communication applications do not work well with the SIP ALG. Disabling the SIP ALG might help your voice and video applications to create and accept a call through the router. 5. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set up a default DMZ server The default DMZ server feature is helpful when you are using some online games and videoconferencing applications that are incompatible with Network Address Translation (NAT).
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. This device name displays in the file manager when you browse your network. To change the router’s device name: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 These addresses are part of the designated private address range for use in private networks and are suitable for most applications. If your network requires a different IP addressing scheme, you can change these settings. You might want to change these settings if you need a specific IP subnet that one or more devices on the network use, or if you use competing subnets with the same IP scheme. To change the LAN TCP/IP settings: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • RIP-2B. RIP-2 carries more information than RIP-1. RIP-2B sends the routing data in RIP-2 format and uses subnet broadcasting. • RIP-2M. This format carries more information. RIP-2M sends the routing data in RIP-2 format and uses multicasting. Note: Multicasting can reduce the load on non-router machines because they do not listen to the RIP multicast address and will not receive RIP packets.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Make sure that the Use Router as DHCP Server check box is selected. 6. Specify the range of IP addresses that the router assigns: a. In the Starting IP Address field, type the lowest number in the range. This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router. b. In the Ending IP Address field, type the number at the end of the range of IP addresses.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Clear the Use Router as DHCP Server check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 7.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 7. Type the MAC address of the computer or server. Tip: If the computer is already on your network, you can copy its MAC address from the Attached Devices page and paste it here. 8. Click the Apply button. The reserved address is entered into the table. The reserved address is not assigned until the next time the computer contacts the router’s DHCP server. Reboot the computer, or access its IP configuration and force a DHCP release and renew.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Delete a reserved IP address entry To delete a reserved address entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The WPS page displays. 6. Select a setup method: • Push button. Click the WPS button on this page. • PIN Number. The page adjusts. Enter the client security PIN and click the Next button. 7. Within two minutes, go to the WPS-enabled device and use its WPS software to connect to the WiFi network. The WPS process automatically sets up yourr WPS-enabled device with the network password when it connects. The router WPS page displays a confirmation message.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 You must enter a phrase of 8 to 63 characters. The Password (Network Key) field displays if the WPA2-PSK [AES], WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES], or WPA3-Personal security radio button is selected. 6. To change the WiFi security, select a Security Options radio button. • None. An open WiFi network that does not provide any security. Any WiFi device can join the WiFi network. We recommend that you do not use an open WiFi network. • WPA2-PSK [AES].
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The Wireless AP page displays. 6. Select the Enable AP Mode check box. The page adjusts. 7. Select an IP address setting: • Get dynamically from existing router. The other router on the network assigns an IP address to this router while it is in AP mode. • Use fixed IP settings on this device (not recommended). Use this setting if you want to manually assign a specific IP address to this router while it is in AP mode.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 A bridge with a port group prevents packets that are sent between the IPTV device and the router’s Internet port from being processed through the router’s network address translation (NAT) service. To configure a port group and enable the bridge: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To add a VLAN tag group and enable the bridge: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Set up an IPTV port You can set up the router to create an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) port that can lease an IP address from your IPTV service provider. Use this feature only if you subscribe to an IPTV service and your IPTV service requires an intranet address. Some IPTV ports cannot work behind NAT because the IPTV port requires an IP address within the Internet service provider's network (intranet address).
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 As an example of when a static route is needed, consider the following case: • Your main Internet access is through a cable modem to an ISP. • Your home network includes an ISDN router for connecting to the company where you are employed. This router’s address on your LAN is 192.168.1.100. • Your company’s network address is 134.177.0.0. When you set up your router, two implicit static routes were created.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The page adjusts. 6. In the Route Name field, type a name for this static route (for identification purposes only). 7. To limit access to the LAN only, select the Private check box. If the Private check box is selected, the static route is not reported in RIP. 8. To prevent the route from becoming active, clear the Active check box. In some situations, you might want to set up a static route but keep it disabled until a later time.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Static Routes. The Static Routes page displays. 5. In the table, select the radio button for the route. 6. Click the Edit button. The Static Routes page adjusts. 7. Edit the route information. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Delete a static route To delete a static route: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To hide your mesh network’s SSID: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 5. Scroll down below the WPS Settings section and select or clear the Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING check box. Selecting this check box enables implicit beamforming. Clearing this check box disables implicit beamforming. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you connected over WiFi to the network, you are disconnected from the network and must reconnect.
7 Manage your network This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and mesh network.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Update the router and satellite firmware You can use the router web interface to check if new firmware is available and update your router and satellite, or you can manually update the firmware for your router and satellite. Check for firmware updates To check for new firmware and update your and satellite: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.com. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 WARNING: We recommend that you always update the firmware on your satellite first, and then update your router. Also, do not update the firmware on your router and satellite at the same time, and do not update more than one mesh device (router or satellite) at a time. If you need to update more than one mesh device, wait for the first mesh device to finish updating before updating your next mesh device.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 The firmware file name ends in .img or .chk. 8. Click the Upload button. The firmware on your satellite is updated. It takes a few minutes to complete the process. 9. After satellite finishes updating, on the satellite web interface, select Status and double-check the firmware version on the Status page. Manually update router firmware We recommend that you update your satellite’s firmware before you update the router’s firmware.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Note: The ideal password contains no dictionary words from any language and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It can be up to 30 characters. To change the password for the admin user name: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password. The Set Password page displays. 5. Select the Enable Password Reset check box. 6. Select two security questions and provide answers to them. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Reset the admin password If you set up the password reset feature, you can reset your router admin password if you forgot it. To reset your admin password: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 A login window opens. 10. With your new admin password, log in to the router. View information about the router and the Internet and WiFi settings You can view router information, the Internet port status, and WiFi settings. To view information about the router and the Internet, modem, and WiFi settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Display the statistics of the Internet port To display the statistics of the Internet port: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 6. To change the polling frequency, enter a time in seconds in the Poll Interval field and click the Set Interval button. To stop the polling entirely, click the Stop button. Check the Internet connection status To check the Internet connection status: 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 6. To release (stop) the Internet connection, click the Release button. 7. To renew (restart) the Internet connection, click the Renew button. 8. To exit the screen, click the Close Window button. View and manage logs of router activity The logs are a detailed record of the websites you accessed or attempted to access and many other router actions. Up to 256 entries are stored in the log. To view and manage logs: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 You must set up email notifications in order to receive the logs. The router to emails the logs to the address that you specified when you set up email notifications. For more information, see Set up security event email notifications on page 47. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. View devices currently on the network You can view all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network. To view devices on the network: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To monitor Internet traffic: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Traffic Meter.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 10. Click the Apply button. The Internet Traffic Statistics section helps you to monitor the data traffic. 11. To update the Traffic Statistics section, click the Refresh button. 12. To display more information about the data traffic on your router and to change the poll interval, click the Traffic Status button.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings. The Backup Settings page displays. 5. Click the Back Up button. 6. Follow the direction of your browser to save the file. A copy of the current settings is saved in the location that you specified. Erase the settings CAUTION: This process erases all settings that you configured in the router. To erase the settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 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. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings. The Backup Settings page displays. 5. Click the Browse button to find and select the .cfg file. 6. Click the Restore button.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To reset the router to factory default settings: 1. On the back of the router, locate the Reset button. 2. Using a straightened paper clip, press and hold the Reset button for at least five seconds. 3. Release the Reset button. When the reset is complete, the router restarts. This process takes about two minutes. WARNING: To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the reset.
8 Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering You can use port forwarding and port triggering to set up rules for Internet traffic. You need networking knowledge to set up these features.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server 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. The router can forward incoming traffic with specific protocols to computers on your local network.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 11. Click the Add button. The service displays in the menu. Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service The router lists default services and applications that you can use in port forwarding rules. If the service or application is not predefined, you can add a port forwarding rule with a custom service or application. To add a custom service: 1. Find out which port number or range of numbers the application uses.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 You can enter a port range and fixed ports in one rule, for example, external (30–50, 78, 100–102), internal (40–60, 99, 200–202). With this rule, external ports 30–50 are forwarded to internal ports 40–60. 12. In the Internal IP address field, type the IP address or select the radio button for an attached device listed in the table. 13. Click the Apply button. The service is now in the list on the Port Forwarding/Port Triggering page.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Delete a Port Forwarding Entry To delete a port forwarding entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule The following sequence shows the effects of a port forwarding rule: 1. When you type the URL www.example.com in your browser, the browser sends a web page request message with the following destination information: • Destination address. The IP address of www.example.com, which is the address of your router. • Destination port number. 80, which is the standard port number for a web server process. 2.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Add a Port Triggering Service To add a port triggering service: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Enable Port Triggering To enable port triggering: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 also allow incoming traffic on port 113 to reach the originating computer.” The following sequence shows the effects of this port triggering rule: 1. You open an IRC client program to start a chat session on your computer. 2. Your IRC client composes a request message to an IRC server using a destination port number of 6667, the standard port number for an IRC server process. Your computer then sends this request message to your router. 3.
9 Use VPN to Access Your Network You can use OpenVPN software to remotely access your router using virtual private networking (VPN). This chapter explains how to set up and use VPN access.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Set up a VPN connection A virtual private network (VPN) lets you use the Internet to securely access your network when you aren’t home. This type of VPN access is called a client-to-gateway tunnel. The computer is the client, and the router is the gateway. To use the VPN feature, you must log in to the router and enable VPN, and you must install and run VPN client software on the computer. VPN uses DDNS or a static IP address to connect with your router.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 6. To change the service type, scroll down and select the TCP radio button. 7. To change the port, scroll down to the Service Port field, and type the port number that you want to use. 8. Click the Apply button. Your changes are saved. VPN is enabled in the router, but you must install and set up OpenVPN software on your computer before you can use a VPN connection.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 9. In the Windows Installer section of the page, double-click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe link. 10. Download and install the Open VPN software on your computer, click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe file. 11. Click the Next button. 12. Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button. 13. Leave the check boxes selected as shown, and click the Next button.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 14. To specify the destination folder, click the Browse button and select a destination folder. 15. Click the Install button. The window displays the progress of the installation and then displays the final installation page. 16. Click the Finish button. 17. Unzip the configuration files that you downloaded and copy them to the folder where the VPN client is installed on your device. For a client device with Windows 64-bit system, the VPN client is installed at C:\Program f
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 c. Select the local area connection and change its name (not its device name) to NETGEAR-VPN. If you do not change the VPN interface name, the VPN tunnel connection will fail. For more information about using OpenVPN on your Windows computer, visit https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html#quick. Install OpenVPN Software on Your Mac Computer You must install this software on each Mac computer that you plan to use for VPN connections to your router.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device You must install this software on each iOS device that you plan to use for VPN connections to your router. To install VPN client software on an iOS device: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected your mesh 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To install VPN client software on an Android device: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your mesh network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router 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.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 established, you cannot access your home router or your home network with the OpenVPN software. The default LAN IP address scheme for the router is 192.x.x.x. The most common IP schemes are 192.x.x.x, 172.x.x.x, and 10.x.x.x. If you experience a conflict, change the IP scheme either for your home network or for the network with the client VPN computer. For information about changing these settings, see Change the LAN TCP/IP settings on page 58. To open a VPN tunnel: 1.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Use VPN to Access Your Internet Service at Home When you’re away from home and you access the Internet, you usually use a local Internet service provider. For example, at a coffee shop you might be given a code that lets you use the coffee shop’s Internet service account to surf the web. Nighthawk lets you use a VPN connection to access your own Internet service when you’re away from home.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 8. Click the For Windows or For Non Windows button and download the configuration files for your VPN clients. 9. Unzip the configuration files and copy them to the folder where the VPN client is installed on your device. For a client device with Windows 64-bit system, the VPN client is installed at C:\Program files\OpenVPN\config\ by default.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 For a client device with Windows 64-bit system, the VPN client is installed at C:\Program files\OpenVPN\config\ by default. Use a VPN Tunnel to Access Your Internet Service at Home To access your Internet service: 1. Set up the router to allow VPN access to your Internet service. See Set Up VPN Client Internet Access in the Router on page 110. 2. On your computer, launch the OpenVPN application. The OpenVPN icon displays in the Windows taskbar. 3.
10 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information to help you diagnose and solve problems you might experience with your router or satellite. If you do not find the solution here, check the NETGEAR support site at support.netgear.com for product and contact information.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Quick Tips This section describes tips for troubleshooting some common problems. Sequence to Restart Your Network When you restart your network, follow this sequence: 1. Turn off and unplug the modem. 2. Turn off the router. 3. Plug in the modem and turn it on. Wait two minutes. 4. Turn on the router and wait two minutes. WiFi Settings Make sure that the WiFi settings in the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device and the router match.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To sync the router and the satellite: 1. Place the satellite in the same room as the router. Use this satellite location only during the sync process. 2. Connect the satellite to a power source. 3. Press the Sync button on the router and then within two minutes, press the Sync button on the satellite. 4. Wait for the satellite LED to light. The satellite LED blinks white while it attempts to sync with the router.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Cannot Access the Internet Check your network and Internet connections: 1. Make sure that your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to your mesh network. 2. If you are connected to your mesh network but you cannot access the Internet, check to see if your Internet connection is working. 3. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network. 4. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 5.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • Your ISP might check for your computer’s host name. Assign the computer host name of your ISP account as the account name on the Internet Setup page. • If your ISP allows only one Ethernet MAC address to connect to Internet and checks for your computer’s MAC address, do one of the following: - Inform your ISP that you bought a new network device and ask them to use the router’s MAC address. - Configure your router to clone your computer’s MAC address.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 To troubleshoot a PPPoE connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the 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. Click the ADVANCED tab. The ADVANCED Home page displays. 5.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 • To view the WiFi settings for the router, use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to the Ethernet port on the router. Then log in to the router, and select BASIC > Wireless. Note: Be sure to click the Apply button if you change settings.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 If the path is not functioning correctly, you might be experiencing one of the following problems: • Wrong physical connections Check that the appropriate LEDs are on for your network devices. If your router and computer are connected to a separate Ethernet switch, make sure that the link LEDs on the switch are lit for the switch ports that your computer and router are connected to.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Many broadband ISPs restrict access by allowing traffic only from the MAC address of your broadband modem. Some ISPs additionally restrict access to the MAC address of a single computer connected to that modem. If your ISP does this, configure your router to “clone” or “spoof” the MAC address from the authorized computer.
11 Supplemental Information This appendix covers the following topics: • • Factory Settings Technical Specifications 122
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Factory Settings You can return your router or satellite 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 or satellite for at least seven seconds until the router or satellite LED blinks. The router or satellite resets, and returns to the factory settings. Factory Settings for Router Model MR80 The following table shows the factory default settings for the router. Table 4.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Table 4.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Table 5. Factory default settings for the satellite (Continued) Feature Internet connection Local network (LAN) WiFi Default Setting WAN MAC address Use default hardware address WAN MTU size 1500 Port speed AutoSensing LAN IP 192.168.1.250 Subnet mask 255.255.255.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Technical Specifications The following are the technical specifications for your router and satellite Technical Specifications for Router Model MR80 The following table shows the technical specifications for the router. Table 6.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Table 6. Technical specifications for the router (Continued) Feature Description Operating frequency range 2.4 GHz: • 2.412–2.462 GHz (US) • 2.412–2.472 GHz (Europe ETSI) 5 GHz: • 5.18 GHz–5.24 GHz and 5.745 GHz–5.825 GHz (US) • 5.18 GHz–5.24 GHz and 5.5 GHz–5.7 GHz (Europe) • 5.26 GHz–5.32 GHz (Europe) 802.11 security WPA-PSK [TKIP], WPA2-PSK [AES], WPA3-Personal 3 Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications.
Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 Table 7. Technical specifications for the satellite (Continued) Feature Description Radio data rates 2.4 GHz: Max 600 Mbps 5 GHz Front haul: Max 1200 Mbps 5 GHz Back haul: Max 1800 Mbps Data encoding standards IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz–1024 QAM support IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac 5 GHz–1024 QAM support Maximum number of computers per wireless network Limited by the amount of WiFi network traffic generated by each node (typically 50–70 nodes). 2.
Quick Start 1 Download the Nighthawk app to install your mesh system On your mobile phone, download the Nighthawk app and follow the setup instructions. 2 Secure your devices with NETGEAR Armor Tap the Security icon in your Nighthawk app to verify that NETGEAR Armor™ is activated. Your Nighthawk comes with NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity. Armor blocks online threats like hackers and phishing attempts on your devices.
Troubleshooting Contents If you’re having problems with the installation, try one of the following: • Turn off your modem and router and disconnect them. Restart your modem. Reconnect your router to your modem, and try installing with the Nighthawk app again. • If you’re still unable to install your router using the Nighthawk app, manually install it using the router web interface. Visit http://www.routerlogin.net to access the router web interface. For more information, visit netgear.com/meshhelp.
