Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router User Manual Model R7800 December 2015 202-11596-02 350 E.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Support Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit http://support.netgear.com 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 regulatory compliance information, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.. Compliance For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.
Contents Chapter 1 Hardware Setup Unpack Your Router...............................................................................................9 Top View.................................................................................................................9 Rear Panel...........................................................................................................11 Turn the LEDs On or Off..................................................................................
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Change the Router’s Device Name......................................................................51 Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings........................................................................51 Specify the IP Addresses That the Router Assigns.............................................53 Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router.................................................55 Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses......................................
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Restore Configuration Settings.......................................................................94 Remote Access....................................................................................................95 Set Up Remote Management..........................................................................95 Use Remote Access........................................................................................
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Use the Scan Feature of a Multifunction USB Printer........................................127 Change NETGEAR USB Control Center Settings.............................................127 Turn Off Automatic Startup for NETGEAR USB Control Center....................127 Change the Language for the NETGEAR USB Control Center....................128 Specify the USB Control Center Time-Out....................................................
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility..............................................154 Test the LAN Path to Your Router..................................................................154 Test the Path From Your Computer to a Remote Device...............................155 Chapter 14 Supplemental Information Factory Settings.................................................................................................158 Technical Specifications.........
Hardware Setup 1 The Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router with four high-performance antennas and quad-stream X4S architecture combines four WiFi streams to deliver WiFi connection speeds of up to 1.73 Gbps, and a combined speed of 2.53 Gbps: • 800 Mbps WiFi speed on the 2.4 GHz band • 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Unpack Your Router Your package contains the router, 4 antennas, the power adapter, and an Ethernet cable. Figure 1. Package contents Top View The status LEDs and buttons are located on the top of the router. Figure 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Table 1. LED and button descriptions LED Power Internet 2.4 GHz WiFi 5 GHz WiFi USB 3.0 port 1 and USB 3.0 port 2 eSATA Description • Solid amber. The router is starting. • Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed. • Solid white. The router is ready. • Blinking white. The firmware is corrupted. • Off. Power is not supplied to the router. • Solid white. The Internet connection is ready. • Solid amber.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router LED Description Ethernet ports 1–4 The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections. WiFi On/Off button with LED • Solid. A powered-on device is connected to the Ethernet port. • Blinking. The port is sending or receiving traffic. • Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port. Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios on and off.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Turn the LEDs On or Off To turn the LEDs on or off: • Slide the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel to the On or Off position. The Power LED stays lit even if the LED On/Off switch is in the Off position. Attach the Antennas The modem router comes with four antennas. To attach the antennas: 1. To determine where to attach the antennas, match the labels on the antennas with the labels on the router. 2. Align the antennas with the antenna posts on the router. 3.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router USB Ports on the Left Panel Two 3.0 USB ports are located on the left panel. Figure 4. USB ports eSATA Port on the Right Panel An eSATA port is located on the right panel. Figure 5.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Connect an eSATA Device To connect an eSATA device: • Use an eSATA cable to connect your device to the eSATA port on the side of the modem router as shown. Position Your Router The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • • Base of a cordless phone • 2.4 GHz cordless phone Place the router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated walls, and items such as these: • Solid metal door • Aluminum studs • Fish tanks • Mirrors • Brick • Concrete Cable Your Router The following image shows how to cable your router: Figure 6. Router cabling To cable your router: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 3. Connect your modem to the Internet port of your router with the yellow Ethernet cable that came with your router. 4. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet. 5. Slide the LED On/Off switch on the rear panel to the On position. 6. Press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the router.
Specify Your Internet Settings 2 Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow the genie to detect the Internet connection when you first access the router with a web browser.You can also customize or specify your Internet settings.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Use the Internet Setup Wizard You can use the Setup Wizard to detect your Internet settings and automatically set up your router. The Setup Wizard is not the same as the pages that display the first time you connect to your router to set it up. To use the Setup Wizard: 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 user name and password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Specify an Internet Connection Without a Login To specify the Internet connection settings: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Internet.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • 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. 9. 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 5. For the Does your Internet connection require a login? setting, select the Yes radio button. 6. From the Internet Service Provider menu, select the encapsulation method: PPPoE, L2TP, or PPTP. 7. In the Login field, enter the login name that your ISP gave you. This login name is often an email address. 8. In the Password field, type the password that you use to log in to your Internet service. 9.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • 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. Enter the IP address of your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter it also. 14. Select a Router MAC Address radio button: • Use Default Address. Use the default MAC address. • Use Computer MAC Address.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Set Up an IPv6 6to4 Tunnel Internet Connection on page 26 • Set Up an IPv6 Pass Through Internet Connection on page 27 • Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection on page 28 • Set Up an IPv6 DHCP Internet Connection on page 29 • Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection on page 31 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 9. (Optional) Select the Use This Interface ID check box and specify the interface ID to be used for the IPv6 address of the router’s LAN interface. If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet Connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through auto detection: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • 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. • Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select 6to4 Tunnel. The router automatically detects the information in the Router’s IPv6 Address on LAN field. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s LAN 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. 6.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The IPv6 page displays. The Basic Settings page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select Pass Through. The page adjusts, but no additional fields display. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up an IPv6 Fixed Internet Connection To set up a fixed IPv6 Internet 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.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • 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. The primary DNS server that resolves IPv6 domain name records for the router. • Secondary DNS Server.The secondary DNS server that resolves IPv6 domain name records for the router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select DHCP. 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.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router If you do not specify an ID here, the router generates one automatically from its MAC address. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set Up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet Connection To set up a PPPoE IPv6 Internet connection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net . A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • 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. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s LAN interface.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router If a device in the data path uses a lower MTU setting than the other devices, the data packets must be split or “fragmented” to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU. The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup. 5. In the MTU Size field, enter a value from 64 to 1500. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you suspect an MTU problem, a common solution is to change the MTU to 1400. If you are willing to experiment, you can gradually reduce the MTU from the maximum value of 1500 until the problem goes away. The following table describes common MTU sizes and applications. Table 2.
Control Access to the Internet 3 The router comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your home network from unwanted intrusions from the Internet.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Set Up Parental Controls The first time that you select Parental Controls from the BASIC Home page, your browser goes to the Live Parental Controls website, where you can learn more about Parental Controls and download the application. After you set up and enable parental controls, you can change the web filtering level for each device on the network through the network map page on the genie app. To set up Parental Controls: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router a. Complete the fields. b. Click the Next button. After you log on or create your account, the filtering level page displays. 10. Select a filtering level and click the Next button. The Setup is complete page displays. 11. Click the Take me to the status screen button. The Status page displays. Parental controls are now set up for the router. 12. To enable Parental Controls, click the Enable Live Parental Controls.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control. 5. Select the Turn on Access Control check box. You must select this check box before you can specify an access rule and use the Allow and Block buttons. When this check box is cleared, all devices are allowed to connect, even if a device is in the blocked list. 6. Select an access rule: • Allow all new devices to connect. With this setting, if you add a new device, it can access your network.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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 wireless device that is connected to the 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 default password is password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Keyword blocking takes effect. 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 wireless device that is connected to the 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 6. Click the Add button. 7. To add a service that is in the Service Type menu, select the application or service. The settings for this service automatically display in the fields. 8. To add a service or application that is not in the menu, select User Defined, and do the following: a. If you know that the application uses either TCP or UDP, select the appropriate protocol. Otherwise, select TCP/UDP (both). b. Enter the starting port and ending port numbers.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is admin. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites. The Block Sites page displays. 5. Do one of the following: • To delete a single word, select it and click the Delete Keyword button. The keyword is removed from the list.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Your settings are saved. Manage Network Access Control Lists You can use access control to block or allow access to your network. To manage devices that are allowed or blocked: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The list displays. 7. Select the check box for a device. 8. Use the Add button, Edit button, and Remove from the list button as needed. 9. Click the Apply button. Your changes take effect. Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services When you schedule blocking, the same schedule is used to block sites and to block services.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Schedule. 5. Specify when to block keywords and services: • Days to Block. Select the check box for each day that you want to block the keywords, or select the Every Day check box, which automatically selects the check boxes for all days. • Time of Day to Block. Select a start and end time in 24-hour format, or select the All Day check box for 24-hour blocking. 6. Select your time zone from the menu. 7.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > E-mail. 5. Select the Turn E-mail Notification On check box. 6. In the Your Outgoing Mail Server field, enter the name of your ISP outgoing (SMTP) mail server (such as mail.myISP.com). You might be able to find this information in the configuration window of your email program.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Your settings are saved. Logs are sent automatically according to the schedule that you set. If the log fills before the specified time, it is sent. After the log is sent, it is cleared from the router memory. If the router cannot email the log and the log buffer fills, the router overwrites the log.
Network Settings 4 The router comes ready for WiFi, Ethernet, and USB connections. You can customize the router’s network settings. NETGEAR recommends that you install the router and connect it to the Internet before you change its network settings.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router View or Change WAN Settings You can view or configure wide area network (WAN) settings for the Internet port.You can set up a DMZ (demilitarized zone) server, change the maximum transmit unit (MTU) size, and enable the router to respond to a ping to its WAN (Internet) port. To view or change the WAN settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Disable IGMP Proxying. IGMP proxying allows a computer on the local area network (LAN) to receive the multicast traffic it is interested in from the Internet. If you do not need this feature, you can select this check box to disable it. • MTU Size (in bytes). The normal MTU (maximum transmit unit) value for most Ethernet networks is 1500 bytes, or 1492 bytes for PPPoE connections. Change the MTU only if you are sure that it is necessary for your ISP connection.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup. The WAN Setup page displays. 5. Select the Default DMZ Server check box. 6. Type the IP address. 7. Click the Apply button. Your change takes effect. Change the Router’s Device Name The router’s default device name is based on its model number, such as R7500 or R7800. This device name displays in the file manager when you browse your network. To change the router’s device name: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net . A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router a. Select a RIP direction: • Both. The router broadcasts its routing table periodically and incorporates information that it receives. • Out Only. The router broadcasts its routing table periodically. • In Only. The router incorporates the RIP information that it receives. b. Select a RIP version: • Disabled. This is the default setting. • RIP-1. This format is universally supported. It is adequate for most networks, unless you are using an unusual network setup.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. Your router might display information that is different from this example. 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Router By default, the router acts as a DHCP server. The router assigns IP, DNS server, and default gateway addresses to all computers connected to the LAN. The assigned default gateway address is the LAN address of the router. You can use another device on your network as the DHCP server or specify the network settings of all your computers. To disable the DHCP server feature in the router: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5. In the Address Reservation section, click the Add button. 6. In the IP Address field, type the IP address to assign to the computer or server. Choose an IP address from the router’s LAN subnet, such as 192.168.1.x. 7. Type the MAC address of the computer or server.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Your changes are saved. Delete a Reserved IP Address Entry To delete a reserved address entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net . A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The WPS page displays. 6. Select a setup method: • Push button. Click the WPS button on this screen. • PIN Number. The screen adjusts. Enter the client security PIN and click the Next button. 7. Within two minutes, go to the client device and use its WPS software to connect to the WiFi network. The WPS process automatically sets up your wireless computer with the network password when it connects. The router WPS screen displays a confirmation message.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select Wireless. You can specify the settings for the 2.4 GHz band and for the 5 GHz band. Your router might display information that is different from this example. 5. From the Region menu, select your region. In some locations, you cannot change this setting. 6. To control the SSID broadcast, select or clear the Enable SSID Broadcast check box.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router If you connected wirelessly to the network and you changed the SSID, you are disconnected from the network. 10. Make sure that you can connect wirelessly to the network with its new settings. If you cannot connect wirelessly, check the following: • Is your computer or wireless device connected to another wireless network in your area? Some wireless devices automatically connect to the first open network without wireless security that they discover.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Change the WiFi Mbps Settings The data rate for high-speed transmissions is commonly identified as megabits per second (Mbps). By default, the router is set to operate with up to 600 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz WiFi band and up to 1,733 Mbps in the 5 GHz WiFi band. You can select slower settings. To change the WiFi Mbps settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net .
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Up to 1733 Mbps is the default setting, which allows 802.11ac and 802.11a wireless devices to join the network. The other settings are Up to 800 Mbps and Up to 347 Mbps. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Change the WiFi Password or Security Level Your router comes with preset WPA2 or WPA security. The password that you enter to connect to your network is unique to your router and is on the router label.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Enable or Disable WiFi MU-MIMO MU-MIMO improves performance when multiple MU-MIMO-capable WiFi clients transfer data at the same time. Note that the WiFi clients must have MU-MIMO support, and they must be connected to the 5GHz WiFi radio. You can enable or disable WiFi MU-MIMO. If your computer is connected with WiFi when you change the MU-MIMO setting, you are disconnected when you click the Apply button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless Settings. 5. Select the Enable HT160 check box.. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Enable a WiFi Video Network Guest networks allows visitors at your home to use the Internet without using your wireless security key.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Set Up a Guest WiFi Network Guest networks allow visitors at your home to use the Internet without using your wireless security key. You can add a guest network for the 2.4 GHz WiFi band and the 5.0 GHz WiFi band. To set up a guest network: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Allowing the router to broadcast its wireless network name (SSID) makes it easier to find your network and connect to it. If you clear this check box, that creates a hidden network. 7. Give the guest network a name. The guest network name is case-sensitive and can be up to 32 characters. You then manually configure the wireless devices in your network to use the guest network name in addition to the main SSID. 8.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select Guest Network. Your router might display information that is different from this example. 5. Scroll to the Wireless Network (5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac) section. 6. Select the Enable Video Network check box. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Control the WiFi Radios The router’s internal WiFi radios broadcast signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ranges. By default, they are on so that you can connect over WiFi to the router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Enable or Disable the WiFi Radios If you used the WiFi On/Off button to turn off the WiFi radios, you can’t log in to the router to turn them back on. You must press the WiFi On/Off button again for two seconds to turn the WiFi radios back on. To enable or disable the WiFi radios: 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.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Set Up a WiFi Schedule You can turn off the WiFi signal from your router at times when you do not need a WiFi connection. For example, you might turn it off for the weekend if you leave town. To set up the WiFi schedule: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Specify WPS Settings Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password. To specify WPS Settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2. Type http://www.routerlogin.net. A login screen displays. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To set up the router as an AP: 1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Internet port of this router to a LAN port in the other router. 2. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 3. Type http://www.routerlogin.net . A login window opens. 4. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 5.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Enable 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. Using this option effectively requires advanced network experience. Note To avoid interference with other routers or gateways in your network, NETGEAR recommends that you use different wireless settings on each router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • You can take advantage of gigabit WiFi speeds on current devices. • Use gigabit WiFi for applications like video and gaming. • Connect multiple devices like NAS, Smart TV, NeoTV, Blu-ray player, and game consoles at gigabit WiFi speeds using a WiFi link. • Avoid the need for separate WiFi adapters for each device. For example, you could install the first router in a room such as a home office where your Internet connection is located.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 8. Enter the settings of the other router: a. Select the wireless network frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). b. For 802.11ac mode, select 5 GHz. c. In the Name (SSID) field, enter the wireless network name (SSID). d. In the Security Option section, select a radio button. e. If prompted, type the passphrase (the WiFi password that you use to connect with WiFi to the other router). 9. Click the Apply button.
Optimize Performance 5 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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. Figure 8.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 5. Select the Dynamic QoS check box. 6. Specify your Internet bandwidth. You must specify your Internet bandwidth so that Dynamic QoS can perform bandwidth allocation and traffic prioritization. We recommend that you use Speedtest to detect your Internet bandwidth. To use Speedtest, do the following: a. For more accurate Speedtest results, make sure that no other devices are accessing the Internet. b. Click the Speedtest button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Manually Update the Dynamic QoS Database 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 when you enable Dynamic QoS, but if you turned off the automatic update feature, you can manually update the database. To manually update the Dynamic QoS database: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the network. 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select Dynamic QoS. The Dynamic QoS page displays. 5. Make sure that you enabled Dynamic QoS. For more information about enabling Dynamic QoS, see Enable Dynamic QoS on page 76. 6. Select the Help improve the Dynamic QoS feature by sharing analytics with NETGEAR check box. A pop-up window displays detailed information about sharing analytics. The Yes radio button is selected by default. 7. Read the information and click the Submit button. 8. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The advertisement period specifies how often the router broadcasts its UPnP information. This value can range from 1 to 1440 minutes. The default period is 30 minutes. Shorter durations ensure that control points receive current device status at the expense of more network traffic. Longer durations can compromise the freshness of the device status but can significantly reduce network traffic. 7. Type the advertisement time to live in hops.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 7. Clear the Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5 GHz a/n/ac) check box. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Manage Your Network 6 This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Update the Router Firmware The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory. You might see a message at the top of the router pages when new firmware is available. You can respond to that message to update the firmware or you can check to see if new firmware is available and update your product. To check for new firmware and update your router: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network. 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Note Be sure to change the password for the user name admin to a secure password. 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 set the password for the user name admin: 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.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To set up password recovery: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password. The Set Password page displays. 5.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router A login window opens. 8. With your recovered password, log in to the router. View Router Status To view the router status and usage information: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Display Internet Port Statistics To display Internet port statistics: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Up Time. The time elapsed since this port acquired the link. • Poll Interval. The interval at which the statistics are updated on this page. 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.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • IP Address. The IP address that is assigned to the router. • Subnet Mask. The subnet mask that is assigned to the router. • Default Gateway. The IP address for the default gateway that the router communicates with. • DHCP Server. The IP address for the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server that provides the TCP/IP configuration for all the computers that are connected to the router. • DNS Server.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Logs. The Logs screen shows the following information: • Action. The action that occurred, such as whether Internet access was blocked or allowed. • Source IP. The IP address of the initiating device for this log entry. • Target address. The name or IP address of the website or news group visited or to which access was attempted. • Date and time. The date and time the log entry was recorded. 5.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To view devices on the network: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Attached Devices.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Traffic Meter. 5. Select the Enable Traffic Meter check box. 6. To control the volume of Internet traffic, use either the traffic volume control feature or the connection time control feature: • • Select the Traffic volume control by radio button and then select one of the following options: • No Limit. No restriction is applied when the traffic limit is reached. • Download only.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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. Manage the Router Configuration File The configuration settings of the router are stored within the router in a configuration file.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Erase the Current Configuration Settings You can erase the current configuration and restore the factory default settings. You might want to do this if you move the router to a different network. (See Factory Settings on page 158.) To erase the configuration settings: 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 user name and password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router WARNING: Do not interrupt the reboot process. Remote Access You can access your router over the Internet to view or change its settings. You must know the router’s WAN IP address to use this feature. For information about remote access using Dynamic DNS, see Dynamic DNS on page 110. Note Be sure to change the password for the user name admin to a secure password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 6. In the Allow Remote Access By section, specify the external IP addresses to be allowed to access the router’s remote management. Note For enhanced security, restrict access to as few external IP addresses as practical. Select one of the following: • Only This Computer. Allow access from a single IP address on the Internet. Enter the IP address to be allowed access. • IP Address Range. Allow access from a range of IP addresses on the Internet.
Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router 7 This chapter describes how to access and manage storage devices attached to your router. ReadySHARE lets you access and share USB storage devices connected to the router. (If your storage device uses special drivers, it is not compatible.) Note The USB ports on the router can be used only to connect USB storage devices like flash drives or hard drives or a printer. Do not connect computers, USB modems, CD drives, or DVD drives to the router USB port.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router USB Device Requirements The router works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the router supports, visit 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 device. Such USB devices do not work with the router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To connect a USB device: 1. Insert your USB storage drive into a USB port on the side panel of the router. 2. If your USB device uses a power supply, connect it. You must use the power supply when you connect the USB device to the router. When you connect the USB device to the router USB port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Click the OK button. 5. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. 6. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 7. Click the Finish button. The USB device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified. 8. To connect to the USB storage device as a different user, select the Connect using different credentials check box, click the Finish button, and do the following: a. Type the user name and password. b. Click the OK button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Back Up Windows Computers With ReadySHARE Vault Your router comes with free backup software for all the Windows computers in your home. Connect a USB hard disk drive (HDD) or an ESATA storage device to the router for centralized, continuous, and automatic backup. The following operating systems support ReadySHARE Vault: • Windows XP SP3 • Windows 7 • Windows 8 • Windows 8.1 To back up your Windows computer: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 9. Click the OK button. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data Before you back up a large amount of data with Time Machine, NETGEAR recommends that you follow this procedure. To prepare to back up a large amount of data: 1. Upgrade the operating system of the Mac computer. 2. Verify and repair the backup disk and the local disk. 3. Verify and repair the permissions on the local disk. 4. Set Energy Saver: a.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To back up your Mac onto a USB hard disk drive: 1. Prepare your USB device with a compatible format and partitions. For more information, see Set Up a USB Hard Drive on a Mac on page 101. 2. If you plan to back up a large amount of data, see Prepare to Back Up a Large Amount of Data on page 102 3. Connect your USB HDD to a USB port on the router. Note If your USB HDD uses a power supply, you must use it when you connect the USB HDD to the router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Use FTP Within the Network File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you send and receive large files faster. To set up FTP access: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or wireless device that is connected to the 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 default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > ReadySHARE > ReadySHARE Storage > Advanced Settings. 5. Scroll down to the Available Networks Folder section and adjust the following settings: • Share Name. If only one USB device is connected, the default share name is USB_Storage. You can click the name or you can type it in the address field of your web browser. If Not Shared is shown, the default share was deleted and no other share for the root folder exists.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Add a Network Folder on a Storage Device You can add network folders on a USB or eSATA storage device connected to the router ports. To add a network folder: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The user name (account name) for All–no password is guest. The password for admin is the same one that is used to log in to the router. By default, it is password. 8. Click the Apply button. The folder is added on the storage device. Edit a Network Folder on a Storage Device You can edit network folders on storage devices connected to the router USB ports or the eSATA port. To edit a network folder: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 6. Change the settings in the fields as needed. 7. Click the Apply button. Your changes are saved. Safely Remove a USB Device Before you physically disconnect a USB device from the router USB port, log in to the router and take the drive offline. To remove a USB disk drive safely: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network. 2. Enterhttp://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet 8 With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access USB devices attached to the router’s USB ports when you’re not home.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Dynamic DNS Internet service providers (ISPs) assign numbers called IP addresses to identify each Internet account. Most ISPs use dynamically assigned IP addresses. This means that the IP address can change at any time. You can use the IP address to access your network remotely, but most people don’t know what their IP addresses are or when this number changes.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Your Personal FTP Server With your customized free URL, you can use FTP to access your network when you aren’t home through Dynamic DNS. To set up your FTP server, you must register for a NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account and specify the account settings. See Set Up a New Dynamic DNS Account on page 112. Figure 10.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Your router must use a direct Internet connection. It cannot connect to a different router to access the Internet. 3. Connect a storage device to the router. You can connect USB hard disk drives to the USB ports on the router. 4. Set up FTP access in the router. See Set Up FTP Access Through the Internet on page 110. 5. On a remote computer with Internet access, you can use FTP to access your router using ftp://yourname.mynetgear.com.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 7. Select the No radio button. 8. In the Host Name field, type the name that you want to use for your URL. The host name is sometimes called the domain name. Your free URL includes the host name that you specify and ends with mynetgear.com. For example, specify MyName.mynetgear.com. 9. In the Email field, type the email address for your account. 10. In the Password (6-32 characters) field, type the password for your account. 11. Click the Register button. 12.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 6. From the Service Provider menu, select your provider. 7. Select the Yes radio button. The page adjusts and displays the Show Status, Cancel, and Apply buttons. 8. In the Host Name field, type the host name (sometimes called the domain name) for your account. 9. For a No-IP or Dyn account, in the User Name field, type the user name for your account. 10. For a NETGEAR account at No-IP, in the Email field, type the email address for your account. 11.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet You can access USB devices through the Internet when you’re not home. To access devices from a remote computer: 1. Launch a web browser on a computer that is not on your home network. 2. Connect to your home router: • To connect with Dynamic DNS, type the DNS name. To use a Dynamic DNS account, you must enter the account information on the Dynamic DNS page. See Dynamic DNS on page 110.
Use the Router as a Media Server 9 The router comes set up to work as a ReadyDLNA media server. You can set up the router to play music from iTunes Server and media from TiVo.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings By default, the router 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 WiFi device that is connected to the network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Figure 11. Play music on a USB device with iTunes Set Up the Router's iTunes Server with iTunes You can play music from a USB device that is connected to your router with iTunes on your Windows or Mac computer using Home Sharing. To set up Home Sharing, you need an Apple account and the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. To set up the router's iTunes server to play music on iTunes: 1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router. 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 6. Select ADVANCED > ReadySHARE > Media Server. The Media Server (Settings) page displays. 7. Select the Enable iTunes Media Server (Music Only) check box and click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 8. On your Windows or Mac computer, launch iTunes. 9. Select File > Home Sharing > Turn On Home Sharing. The Home Sharing page displays. 10. Enter your Apple ID email address and password and click the Turn On Home Sharing button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 6. Click the Add a Device button. 7. Specify the passcode in the router to set up your iTunes server. a. Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to your router's network. b. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net . A login window opens. c. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. d.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Your iPhone or iPad pairs with the router adn the iTunes Server is ready. The router displays in the Remote app. 8. In the Remote app, tap the router your iPhone or iPad is connected to. The music that is on the USB device that is connected to the router displays in the app. Play Media From a USB Device on TiVo You can set up your TiVo to access media files stored on a USB device that is connected to your router. The TiVo must be on the same network as the router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Play Videos on TiVo To play videos: 1. On the TiVo, select TiVo Central > My Shows. 2. Go to the bottom of the list and select the R8500. Play Music or View Photos on TiVo To play music or view photos: 1. On the TiVo, select TiVo Central > Music, Photos, & Showcases. 2. Select an item to play or watch.
Share a USB Printer 10 The ReadySHARE Printer utility lets you share a USB printer that is connected to the USB port on your router. You can share this USB printer among the Windows and Mac computers on your network. For more information about the features available in the NETGEAR USB Control Center, see the ReadySHARE Printer User Manual, which is available at http://downloadcenter.netgear.com.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Install the Printer Driver and Cable the Printer Some USB printer manufacturers (for example, HP and Lexmark) request that you do not connect the USB cable until the installation software prompts you to do so. To install the driver and cable the printer: 1. On each computer on your network that shares the USB printer, install the driver software for the USB printer. If you do not have the printer driver, contact the printer manufacturer. 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To install the utility: 1. If necessary, unzip the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file. 2. Double-click the ReadySHARE Printer utility setup file that you downloaded. 3. Follow the wizard instructions to install the NETGEAR USB Control Center. 4. Select a language from the menu and click the OK button. The USB printer connected to the router displays in the NETGEAR USB Control Center window.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Print Using the NETGEAR USB Control Center For each computer, after you click the Connect and Disconnect buttons once, the utility automatically manages the printing queue and handling. By default, the utility starts automatically whenever you log on to Windows and runs in the background. To print a document using the NETGEAR USB Control Center: 1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router a. Click the Connect button on your computer. On the other user’s computer, a message displays that another user wants to connect to the printer. b. On the other user's computer, click the Accept button. The printer is released from the connection and the status changes to Available. The printer is released from the connection and the status changes to Available. 3. To print from your computer when the status shows Waiting to Connect, do the following: a.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To turn off automatic NETGEAR USB Control Center startup: 1. Click the NETGEAR USB Control Center icon . The NETGEAR USB Control Center page displays. 2. Select Tools > Configuration. The Control Center - Configuration page displays. 3. Clear the Automatically execute when logging on Windows check box. 4. Click the OK button. Your settings are saved. Change the Language for the NETGEAR USB Control Center To change the language: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The time-out is the number of minutes that a computer holds its connection to the printer when the connection isn’t being used. 4. Click the OK button. Your settings are saved.
Customize Internet Traffic Rules for Ports 11 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router If the service that you want to add is not in the menu, create a custom service. See Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service on page 132. 10. In the Server IP Address field, enter the IP address of the computer that will provide the service. 11. Click the Add button. The service displays in the menu. Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service To add a custom service: 1. Find out which port number or range of numbers the application uses.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 9. From the Protocol menu, select the protocol. If you are unsure, select TCP/UDP. 10. In the External port range field, enter the port numbers. 11. Specify the internal ports by one of these methods: • Leave the Use the same port range for Internal port check box selected. • Type the port numbers in the Internal Port Range field. 12. In the Internal IP address field, type the IP addressor select the radio button for an attached device listed in the table. 13.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Delete a Port Forwarding Entry To delete a port forwarding entry: 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 therouter user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding/Port Triggering.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding/Port Triggering. The Port Forwarding/Port Triggering page displays. 5. Select the Port Triggering radio button. 6. Click the Add Service button. 7. In the Service Name field, type a descriptive service name. 8.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 10. In the Triggering Port field, enter the number of the outbound traffic port that will open the inbound ports. 11. In the Connection Type, Starting Port, and Ending Port fields, enter the inbound connection information. 12. Click the Apply button. The service is now in the Portmap Table. You must enable port triggering before the router uses port triggering. See Enable Port Triggering on page 137. Enable Port Triggering To enable port triggering: 1.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router This value controls how long the inbound ports stay open when the router detects no activity. This value is required because the router cannot detect when the application terminates. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat Some application servers, such as FTP and IRC servers, send replies to multiple port numbers.
Use VPN to Access Your Network 12 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 X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 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. Figure 12. VPN provides a secure tunnel between your home network and a remote computer This type of VPN access is called a client-to-gateway tunnel.The computer is the client, and the router is the gateway.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VPN Service. The VPN page displays. 5. Select the Enable VPN Service check box. By default, the VPN uses the UDP service type and uses port 12974.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 4. To install the Open VPN software on your computer, click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe file. 5. Click the Next button. 6. Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button. 7. Leave the check boxes selected as shown, and click the Next button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router 8. To specify the destination folder, click the Browse button and select a destination folder. 9. Click the Install button. The window displays the progress of the installation and then displays the final installation page. 10. Click the Finish button. 11. Unzip the configuration files that you downloaded and copy them to the folder where the VPN client is installed on your device.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Use a VPN Tunnel After you set up the router to use VPN and install the OpenVPN application on your computer, you can open a VPN tunnel from your computer to your router over the Internet. For the VPN tunnel to work, the local LAN IP address of the remote router must use a different LAN IP scheme from that of the local LAN where your VPN client computer is connected.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Launch a web browser and log in to your router. • Use Windows file manager to access the router’s USB device and download files. Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Device and Media To access a USB device and download files: 1. In Windows file manager, select the Network folder. The network resources display. The ReadySHARE icon is in the Computer section and the remote R8500 icon is in the Media Devices section (if DLNA is enabled in the router). 2.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router To allow VPN clients to use your home Internet service: 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 user name and password. The user name is admin. The default password is password. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VPN Service. The VPN page displays. 5.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VPN Service. The VNP page displays. 5. Select the Enable VPN Service radio button. 6. Scroll down to the Clients will use this VPN connection to access section, and select the Home Network only radio button. This is the default setting. The VPN connection is only to your home network, not to the Internet service for your home network. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 8.
Troubleshooting 13 This chapter provides information to help you diagnose and solve problems you might experience with your router. If you do not find the solution here, check the NETGEAR support site at http://support.netgear.com for product and contact information.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Quick Tips This section describes tips for troubleshooting some common problems. Sequence to Restart Your Network If you must restart your network, follow this sequence: 1. Turn off and unplug the modem. 2. Turn off the router. 3. Plug in the modem and turn it on. Wait two minutes. 4. Turn on the router and wait two minutes. Check Ethernet Cable Connections If your device does not power on, make sure that the Ethernet cables are securely plugged in.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Standard LED Behavior When the Router Is Powered On After you turn on power to the router, verify that the following sequence of events occurs: 1. When power is first applied, verify that the Power LED is lit. 2. After about two minutes, verify the following: • • • The Power LED is solid white. The Internet LED is lit. The WiFi LED is lit unless you turned off the WiFi radio. You can use the LEDs on the front panel of the router for troubleshooting.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Cycle the power to see if the router recovers. • Press and hold the Reset button to return the router to its factory settings. For more information, see Factory Settings on page 158. If the error persists, a hardware problem might be the cause. Contact technical support at netgear.com/support.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Make sure that you are using the correct login information. The user name is admin, and the default password is password. Make sure that Caps Lock is off when you enter this information. • If you are attempting to set up your NETGEAR router as a replacement for an ADSL gateway in your network, the router cannot perform many gateway services. For example, the router cannot convert ADSL or cable data into Ethernet networking information.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • 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. If your router obtained an IP address, but your computer is does not load any web pages from the Internet, it might be for one or more of the following reasons: • Your computer might not recognize any DNS server addresses.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Changes Are Not Saved If the router does not save the changes that you make on the routerweb pages, do the following: • When entering configuration settings, always click the Apply button before moving to another page or tab, or your changes are lost. • Click the Refresh or Reload button in the web browser. It is possible that the changes occurred, but the old settings might be in the web browser’s cache.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router ping www.routerlogin.net 3. Click the OK button.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router • Check to see that IP address of your router is listed as the default gateway for your computer. If DHCP assigns the IP configuration of your computers, this information is not visible in your computer Network Control Panel. Verify that the IP address of the router is listed as the default gateway.
Supplemental Information This appendix includes technical information about your router.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Factory Settings You can return the router to its factory settings. Use the end of a paper clip or a similar object to press and hold the Reset button on the back of the router for at least seven seconds. The router resets and returns to the factory configuration settings shown in the following table. Table 3. Factory default settings Feature Router login Internet connection Local network (LAN) Firewall Default Behavior User login URL www.routerlogin.com or www.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Feature Wireless Default Behavior Wireless communication Enabled SSID name See router label Security WPA2-PSK (AES) Broadcast SSID Enabled Transmission speed Auto Country/region United States in the US; otherwise, varies by region RF channel Auto for 2.4GHz, CH 44 for WW SKU and CH 153 for North America SKU Operating mode Up to 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 1733 Mbps at 5 GHz 1 1 Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications.
Nighthawk X4S AC2600 Smart WiFi Router Feature Description Electromagnetic emissions FCC Part 15 Class B EN 55 022 (CISPR 22), Class B C-Tick N10947 LAN 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T, RJ-45 WAN 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T, RJ-45 Wireless Maximum wireless signal rate complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard. Radio data rates Auto Rate Sensing Data encoding standards 2 • IEEE® 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz–256 QAM support • IEEE® 802.11 a/n/ac 5.
