User Manual Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Models RAX41 RAX42 RAX43 April 2022 202-12556-04 NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 Hardware Setup Unpack your router...............................................................................9 Top panel LEDs and buttons.............................................................10 Rear panel............................................................................................12 Router label.........................................................................................13 Attach and position the antennas...............................................
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Set up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet connection..................................38 Manage the MTU size.........................................................................40 MTU concepts.................................................................................40 Change the MTU size....................................................................41 Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet Network access control list..................................................
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Manage custom static routes............................................................80 Set up a static route.......................................................................81 Edit a static route...........................................................................82 Delete a static route.......................................................................83 Enable or disable implicit beamforming.........................................
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Return the router to its factory default settings............................114 Use the Reset button...................................................................114 Erase the settings.........................................................................115 Chapter 8 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router USB device requirements................................................................117 Connect a USB storage device to the router.................
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Chapter 11 Manage port forwarding and port triggering Manage port forwarding to a local server.....................................144 Set up port forwarding to a local server...................................144 Add a custom port forwarding service.....................................145 Edit a port forwarding service....................................................146 Delete a port forwarding entry..................................................
1 Hardware Setup This chapter contains the following sections: • • • • • • • • Unpack your router Top panel LEDs and buttons Rear panel Router label Attach and position the antennas Position your router Wall-Mount Your Router Cable your router For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear.com/support.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Unpack your router Your package contains the router, the power adapter, four antennas, and an Ethernet cable. Figure 1.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Top panel LEDs and buttons The status LEDs and two buttons are located on the top panel of the router. Figure 2. Top view The following table describes the LEDs and buttons. Table 1. LED descriptions LED and Button Description Power LED • Solid white. The router is ready. • Blinking white. The router is not ready, firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed. • Off. Power is not supplied to the router. Internet LED • Solid white.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED and Button Description Ethernet LEDs for ports 1–4 The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections. • Solid white. The router detected a 1 Gbps link with a powered-on device. • Blinking white. The port is sending or receiving traffic at 1 Gbps. • Solid amber. The router detected a 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps link with a powered-on device. • Blinking amber.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Rear panel The following figure shows the rear panel connectors and buttons. Figure 3. Rear panel The rear panel contains the following components: 1. Reset button. Pressing the Reset button resets the router. If the Reset button is pressed for at least 10 seconds and the Power LED blinks, the router returns to its factory settings. 2. USB 3.0 port. Use the USB 3.0 port to connect USB storage device. 3. Ethernet ports. Four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Router label The router label shows the login information, WiFi network name (SSID), password, serial number, and MAC address. The following image shows an example of what your router label might look like: Figure 4. Router label Attach and position the antennas Before you install your router, attach the antennas to the router. Note: If the antennas for your router do not have labels, they can be attached to any antenna post on the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Position your router The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your WiFi network. However, the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. In addition, position your router according to the following guidelines: • Place your router near the center of the area where your computers and other devices operate, and within line of sight to your WiFi devices.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Wall-Mount Your Router You can wall-mount your router using the wall-mounting holes on the bottom of your router. Note: We recommend using M3 x 20 mm screws. The following image shows an example of what the wall-mount holes on your router might look like: Figure 6. Bottom of the router To wall-mount your router: 1. Drill holes in the wall where you want to wall-mount your router. 2. Insert wall anchors in the holes. 3.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Cable your router Power on your router and connect it to a modem. Figure 7. Cable your router To cable your router: 1. Unplug your modem, remove and reinsert the backup battery if it uses one, and then plug the modem back in. 2. Use the Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the yellow Internet port on the router. Note: If your Internet connection does not require a modem, connect your main Ethernet cable to the yellow Internet port on the router. 3.
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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Connect to the router network You can connect to the router network using a wired, WiFi, or WPS connection. Note: 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 router 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).
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router To use WPS to connect to the WiFi network: 1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit). 2. Check the WPS instructions for your WPS-enabled device. 3. Press the WPS button on the router. 4. Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for how to connect using WPS. Your WPS-enabled device connects to the WiFi network. Types of logins Separate types of logins serve different purposes.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router information and make sure that the computers and devices in the network are using the settings described here. When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you all the information needed to connect to the Internet.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • Close and reopen the browser or clear the browser cache. • Browse to http://www.routerlogin.net. • 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The Nighthawk app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices. Note: Your router is not connected to the Internet until you finish setting it up with the app. If you are connected to your router’s WiFi network before the setup, you do not have Internet access and cannot download the app. Use your cellular data or connect to your previous router’s WiFi network to download the app.
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 AX5 5-Stream 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 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You cannot access the Internet on page 157. 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 the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • Get Dynamically from ISP. Your ISP uses DHCP to assign your IP address. Your ISP automatically assigns these addresses. • 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select the IPv6 connection type: • If you are not sure, select Auto Detect so that the router detects the IPv6 type that is in use. • If your Internet connection does not use PPPoE or DHCP, or is not fixed, but is IPv6, select Auto Config. If you are not sure about your type of IPv6 connection, you can also ask your Internet service provider (ISP). 6.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The page adjusts. 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 11. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 12. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Use auto detect for an IPv6 Internet connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection through autodetection: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • 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). 7. (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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. Select a Remote 6to4 Relay Router radio button: • Auto.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection The 6rd protocol makes it possible to deploy IPv6 to sites using a service provider’s IPv4 network. 6rd uses the service provider’s own IPv6 address prefix. This limits the operational domain of 6rd to the service provider’s network and is under direct control of the service provider. The IPv6 service provided is equivalent to native IPv6.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available. 6. Select an IPv6 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • Secondary DNS Server. The secondary DNS server that resolves IPv6 domain name records for the router. Note: If you do not specify the DNS servers, the router uses the DNS servers that are configured for the IPv4 Internet connection on the Internet Setup page. (See Manually set up the Internet connection on page 24.) 7. Select an IP Address Assignment radio button: • Use DHCP Server.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select DHCP. The page adjusts. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 10. (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. 11. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 12. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router prefix, which is also indicated by the underline (_) under the IPv6 address. If no address is acquired, the field displays Not Available. 6. In the Login field, enter the login information for the ISP connection. This is usually the name that you use in your email address. For example, if your main mail account is JerAB@ISP.com, you would type JerAB in this field.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 13. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Manage the MTU size The maximum transmission unit (MTU) is the largest data packet a network device transmits. MTU concepts When one network device communicates across the Internet with another, the data packets travel through many devices along the way.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Table 2. Common MTU sizes MTU Application 1500 The largest Ethernet packet size. This setting is typical for connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches. 1492 Used in PPPoE environments. 1472 Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.) 1468 Used in some DHCP environments. 1458 Used in PPPoA environments. 1436 Used in PPTP environments or with VPN.
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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Network access control list You can use the network access control list (ACL) on the router to block or allow access to your network and the Internet. The ACL identifies a WiFi or wired device by its MAC address. The router detects the MAC addresses of the devices on the network and either allows or denies access.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router allowed, but you can choose to block one or more of these devices from accessing the network. To enable and manage the network access control list for the entire network and allow or block connected devices: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Note: Selecting an access rule does not affect previously blocked or allowed devices. It applies only to new devices trying to access the network after you apply this setting. 8. To change access for devices that are connected or were connected to the network, do the following: • Currently connected devices: In the table that contains the ACL, the Status column shows either Allowed or Blocked for a device.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Access Control. The Access Control page displays. 5. Click the View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network link.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 9. To change the device name for a device on the list of allowed devices, do the following: a. Select the check box for the device. b. Click the Edit button. The Edit Device Name page displays. c. In the Device Name field, enter a name. d. On the Edit Device Name page, click the Apply button. The device name is changed on the list of allowed devices. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router In the following steps, we refer to the list of blocked devices not currently connected to the network as the list of blocked devices. 6. To add a device to the list of blocked devices, do the following: a. Click the Add button. The Add Blocked Device page displays. b. Enter the MAC address and device name for the device that you want to block. c. On the Add Blocked Device page, click the Apply button. The device is added to the list of blocked devices. 7.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream 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. Note: Keyword blocking only works for website URLs that begin with http:// only. It does not work for URLs that begin with https://. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 7. Click the Add Keyword button. The keyword is added to the keyword list. The keyword list supports up to 32 entries. 8. Click the Apply button. Keyword blocking takes effect. Delete keywords from the blocked list To delete keywords from the list: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. 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 > Block Services.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • All lP Addresses. Block services for all computers on your network. 10. Click the Add button. Your settings are saved. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router To schedule blocking: 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. Select ADVANCED > Security > Schedule.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Security > E-mail. The E-mail page displays. 5. Select the Turn E-mail Notification On check box. 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.
5 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 device name is preconfigured with the router's model number. You can edit the device name from the LAN Setup page. To change the router’s device name: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • RIP-2. This format carries more information. Both RIP-2B and RIP-2M send the routing data in RIP-2 format. RIP-2B uses subnet broadcasting. RIP-2M uses multicasting. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you changed the LAN IP address of the router, you are disconnected when this change takes effect. 9. To reconnect, close your browser, relaunch it, and log in to the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. (Optional) If this service is disabled and no other DHCP server is on your network, set your computer IP addresses manually so that the computers can access the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. Edit a reserved IP address To edit a reserved address entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Select the radio button next to the reserved address that you want to delete. 6. Click the Delete button. The address is removed.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 7. Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for how to connect using WPS. A success page displays if your WPS-enabled device successfully connects to the WiFi network. Specify basic WiFi settings The router comes with preset security. This means that the WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and security option (encryption protocol) are preset in the factory.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router When this check box is selected, the router broadcasts its network name (SSID) so that it displays when you scan for local WiFi networks on your computer or mobile device. 7. To change the network name (SSID), type a new name in the Name (SSID) field. The name can be up to 32 characters long and it is case-sensitive. The default SSID is randomly generated and is on the router label. If you change the name, make sure to write down the new name and keep it in a safe place.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Change the WiFi mode if AX WiFi is enabled To change the WiFi mode settings if AX WiFi is enabled: 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 you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router limits 802.11ax devices to functioning at up to 1800 Mbps. This mode is the default mode. • Up to 3600 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz band of the network and allows 802.11ax devices to function at up to 3600 Mbps. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Change the WiFi mode if AX WiFi is disabled To change the WiFi mode settings if AX WiFi is disabled: 1.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 6. In the Wireless Network (5 GHz a/n/ac/ax) section, select a WiFi mode from the Mode menu. • Up to 360 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz band of the network but limits 802.11ax, 802.11ac, and 802.11n devices to functioning at up to 360 Mbps. • Up to 750 Mbps. This mode allows for reduced interference with neighboring WiFi networks. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. In the Wireless Network (2.4 GHz b/g/n) section, select a percentage from the Transmit Power Control menu. 6. In the Wireless Network (5 GHz a/n/ac) section, select a percentage from the Transmit Power Control menu. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Change the WiFi password or the WiFi security The WiFi password is different from the admin password that you use to log in to the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 6. To change the WiFi security for the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi network, 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]. This option is the default setting. This type of security enables WiFi devices that support WPA2 to join the router’s WiFi network.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router By default, these networks are configured as open networks without security but are disabled. You can enable one or both networks. You can also change the SSIDs for these networks. To set up a guest network: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • WPA2-PSK [AES]. WPA2 provides a secure and fast connection but some older WiFi devices do not detect WPA2 and support only WPA. Select WPA2-PSK [AES] security to allow 802.11n devices to connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz guest WiFi network at the fastest speed. If your network includes older devices that do not support WPA2, select WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES] security. To use WPA2 security, in the Password (Network Key) field, enter a phrase of 8 to 63 characters.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router To enable or disable the WiFi radios: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 5. Click the Add a new period button. The page adjusts. 6. Use the menus, radio buttons, and check boxes to set up a period during which you want to turn off the WiFi signal. 7. Click the Apply button. The Wireless Settings page displays. 8. Select the Turn off wireless signal by schedule check box to activate the schedule. 9. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • 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. Using this option effectively requires advanced network experience. Note: To avoid interference with other routers or gateways in your network, we recommend that you use different WiFi settings on each router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VLAN/Bridge Settings. The VLAN/Bridge Settings page displays. 5. Select the Enable VLAN/Bridge Setup check box. The page expands. 6. Select the By bridge group radio button. The page expands. 7.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 11. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Note: You must select at least one Wired Ports or Wireless check box. You can select more than one check box. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Manage custom static routes For almost all Internet traffic, routes are automatically and dynamically selected. You can also set up a fixed, static route. Typically, you only need to add static routes when you have more than one router or multiple IP subnets on your network.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Here is an example static route setting for this configuration: • Destination IP address and subnet mask settings: The route applies to all addresses at the remote site, so set the destination IP address to 134.177.0.0 and the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. • Gateway IP address: Traffic for addresses in the 134.177.0.0 network must be forwarded to the ADSL router, so set the gateway IP address to 192.168.1.100 (the ADSL router’s address on your LAN).
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 9. Enter the following settings: • Destination IP Address. Enter the IP address for the final destination of the route. • IP Subnet Mask. Enter the IP subnet mask for the final destination of the route. If the destination is a single host, enter 255.255.255.255. • Gateway IP Address. Enter the IP address of the gateway. The IP address of the gateway must be on the same LAN segment as the router. • Metric. Enter a number from 2 through 15.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Delete a static route To delete a static route: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Enable or disable PMF Protected Management Frames (PMF) is a security feature that protects unicast and multicast management frames from being intercepted and changed for malicious purposes. To enable or disable PMF: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • Connect multiple devices like NAS, Smart TV, 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 can install the first router in a room like a home office where your Internet connection is located, then set up the second router in bridge mode. Place the router in bridge mode in a different room with your home entertainment center.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 9. Click the Apply button. The settings for the other router are saved and the Router / AP / Bridge Mode page displays. 10. Click the Apply button on the Router / AP / Bridge Mode page. Your settings are saved.
6 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 AX5 5-Stream 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router To manually update the Dynamic QoS database: 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. Select QoS. The QoS page displays.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router benefits of WMM QoS, WMM must be enabled for both it and the client running that application. Legacy applications that do not support WMM and applications that do not require QoS are assigned to the best effort category, which receives a lower priority than voice and video. Note: We recommend that you do not disable the WMM settings. If you disable the WMM settings for 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, the maximum link rate your router can reach is 54 Mbps.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router To enable or disable AX WiFi: 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. Select Wireless. The Wireless Setup page displays. 5.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Wireless. The Wireless Setup page displays. 5. Select or clear the Enable Smart Connect check box. Selecting this check box turns on Smart Connect and clearing this check box turns off Smart Connect. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Wireless. The Wireless Setup page displays. 5. Select or clear the Enable OFDMA in 2.4GHz check box. Selecting this check box turns on OFDMA in the 2.4 GHz radio band and clearing this check box turns off OFDMA in the 2.4 GHz radio band. 6.
7 Manage Your Router This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Update the router firmware You can log in to the router and check if new firmware is available, or you can manually load a specific firmware version to your router. Check for new firmware and update the router The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory. You might see a message at the top of the router pages when new firmware is available.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router When the upload is complete, your router restarts. The update process typically takes about one minute. Read the new firmware release notes to find out if you must reconfigure the router after updating. Manually upload firmware to the router If you want to upload a specific firmware version, or your router fails to update its firmware automatically, follow these instructions.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Change the admin password The admin password is the one you specified the first time you logged in. You can change this password. 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 the router network. 2. Enter http://www.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 8. With your new admin password, log in to the router. Always use HTTPS to access the router You can configure the router to require HTTPS connections between your web browser and the router web interface, for example, “https://www.routerlogin.net”. When you enable the HTTPS requirement, connection requests to the router web interface that specify HTTP are automatically converted to HTTPS. Note: After you enable the HTTPS requirement, when you enter http://www.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi 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 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Click the ADVANCED tab. The ADVANCED Home page displays. 5. In the Internet Port pane, click the Show Statistics button. The Show Statistics window opens and displays following information: • System Up Time.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Traffic Meter. The Traffic Meter page displays. 5. Select the Enable Traffic Meter check box. 6.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Manage the router configuration file The configuration settings of the router are stored within the router in a configuration file. You can back up (save) this file to your computer, restore it, or reset it to the factory default settings. Back up the settings To back up the router’s configuration settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Backup Settings. The Backup Settings page displays. 5. Click the Erase button. The configuration is reset to factory default settings. 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. For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page. Do not turn off the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Connect to your router with Anywhere Access The Anywhere Access feature on the Nighthawk app allows you to connect to your router when you're away from home and change its settings. Before you can use the Anywhere Access feature on the Nighthawk app, you must update your router’s firmware and download the latest Nighthawk app for your mobile device.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Set the NTP server By default, the router uses the NETGEAR NTP server to sync the network time. You can change the NTP server to your preferred NTP server. To set the NTP 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > NTP Settings. The NTP Settings page displays. 5. Select your time zone from the menu. 6. If you live in a region that observes daylight saving time, select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 7. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router with All – no password in Read Access can be scanned for media files. To scan for new media files immediately, click the Rescan media files button. • Media Server Device Name. Click the Edit button to change the router's media server name. Note: If you change the media server name, you can also change the ReadySHARE storage folder access path to the new name or keep the access path as \\readyshare . 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Release the Reset button. The Power LED starts blinking. 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. For example, if you are connected to the router web interface, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page. Do not turn off the router. Wait until the router finishes restarting.
8 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router 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: You can use a USB port on the router to connect a USB storage device like a flash drive or hard drive. Do not connect a computer, USB modem, CD drive, or DVD drive to a USB port on the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream 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 kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18985/~/readyshare-usb-drives-compatibility-list. Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to load the drivers onto the computer before the computer can access the USB storage device. Such USB storage devices do not work with the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Access a storage device connected to the router from a Windows-based computer To access the USB storage device from a Windows-based computer: 1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router. 2. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it. You must use the power supply when you connect the USB storage device to the router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 6. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. The Map Network Drive window opens. 7. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 8. Click the Finish button. The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified. 9. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device. Enable FTP access within your network File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you download (receive) and upload (send) large files faster. To enable FTP access within your network: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. Scroll down to the Available Networks Folder section to view 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 5. In the Available Network Folders section, select the USB storage device. If a single device is attached to the USB port, the radio button is selected automatically. 6. Click the Create Network Folder button. The Add Folder window opens. If this window does not open, your web browser might be blocking pop-ups. If it is, change the browser settings to allow pop-ups. 7. From the USB Device menu, select the USB drive.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. In the Available Network Folders section, select the USB storage device. 6. Click the Edit button. The Edit Network Folder window opens.
9 Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access a USB device that's connected to a USB port on the router when you’re not home.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Set up and manage 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. Follow the onscreen instructions to register for your NETGEAR Dynamic DNS service.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 10. In the Password (6-32 characters) field, type the password for your DDNS account. 11. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 12. To verify that your Dynamic DNS service is enabled in the router, click the Show Status button. A message displays the Dynamic DNS status. Change the Dynamic DNS settings You can change the settings for your Dynamic DNS account. To change your settings: 1.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Set up your personal FTP server To set up your personal account and use FTP: 1. Get your NETGEAR Dynamic DNS domain name. For more information, see Set up a new Dynamic DNS account on page 125. 2. Make sure that your Internet connection is working. 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. 4. If your USB storage device uses a power supply, connect it.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The default port is number 21. Password protection is enabled by default. We recommend that you keep password protection enabled. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. The link that lets you access the device over the Internet is ftp://public-ip-address/shares. In this link, public-ip-address represents one of the following: • The IP address that is assigned to the router’s Internet port. You can view this IP address on the ADVANCED Home page.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. Select the HTTPS (via Internet) check box. The default port is number 443. Password protection is enabled by default. We recommend that you keep password protection enabled. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. The link that lets you access the device over the Internet is https://public-ip-address/shares.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The link that lets you access the device over the Internet is https://public-ip-address/shares. In this link, public-ip-address represents one of the following: • The IP address that is assigned to the router’s Internet port. You can view this IP address on the ADVANCED Home page. • If you set up a DDNS account, the router’s DNS name, for example, yourname.mynetgear.com. For information about using Dynamic DNS, see Set up and manage Dynamic DNS on page 125. 3.
10 Use OpenVPN to Access Your Network You can use OpenVPN software to remotely access your router with virtual private networking (VPN). This chapter explains how to install and use OpenVPN software to set up a VPN tunnel.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router About VPN connections 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 do the following: • Log in to the router to enable and configure OpenVPN (see Enable OpenVPN service in the router on page 134).
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Enable OpenVPN service in the router You must enable the OpenVPN service settings in the router before you can use a VPN connection. To enable OpenVPN service: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 7. To change the TAP mode settings, do the following: • To change the TAP mode service type, select the UDP or TCP radio button. The default protocol for TAP mode is UDP. • To change the TAP mode service port, type the port number that you want to use in the field. The default port number for TAP mode is 12974. The TAP port number is used in the .ovpn file of the OpenVPN configuration software package for Windows clients. 8. Click the Apply button.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router To download and install the OpenVPN client utility and OpenVPN configuration files on a Windows-based computer: 1. To download the OpenVPN client utility on your Windows-based computer, visit openvpn.net/community-downloads/. 2. Select the Windows package with the installer files. In most situations, you can download the Windows 32-bit or Windows 64-bit installer files, depending on your Windows operating system. 3.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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. You can now open a VPN tunnel to the router. For more information about installing and using OpenVPN on your Windows-based computer, visit https://openvpn.net/community-resources/how-to/#quick.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router You can now open a VPN tunnel to the router. For more information about installing and using OpenVPN on your Mac computer, visit https://openvpn.net/vpn-server-resources/installation-guide-for-openvpn-connect-client-on-macos/. Install OpenVPN software on an iOS device You must install both the OpenVPN Connect app and OpenVPN configuration files on each iOS device where you want to use a VPN connection to your router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router You can now open a VPN tunnel to the router. For more information about installing and using OpenVPN on your iOS device, visit https://www.vpngate.net/en/howto_openvpn.aspx#ios. Install OpenVPN software on an Android device You must install both the OpenVPN Connect app and OpenVPN configuration files on each Android device where you want to use a VPN connection to your router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router LAN IP addressing in VPN networks For the VPN connection to work, your computer or device (the VPN client) must be connected to a network that uses a different LAN IP address scheme than your router. The default LAN IP address scheme for the router is 192.168.1.x. (The most common IP schemes are 192.168.x.x, 172.x.x.x, and 10.x.x.x.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VPN Service. The VPN Service page displays. 5. Make sure that the Enable VPN Service check box is selected. For more information about the VPN configuration for the router, see Enable OpenVPN service in the router on page 134. 6.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router For more information about the VPN configuration for the router, see Enable OpenVPN service in the router on page 134. 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.
11 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 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 AX5 5-Stream 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router 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 150. Enable port triggering To enable port triggering: 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router but also sends an “identify” message to your computer on port 113. Using port triggering, you can tell the router, “When you initiate a session with destination port 6667, you must 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.
12 Troubleshooting This chapter provides information to help you diagnose and solve problems you might experience with your router. If you do not find the solution here, check the NETGEAR support site at netgear.com/support for product and contact information.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream 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 the power adapter and Ethernet cable connections If the router does not start, make sure that the power adapter cable is securely plugged in.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Some Internet service providers require you to use the MAC address of the computer initially registered on the account, but this is an unusual situation. You can view the MAC address on the Attached Devices page of the router web interface. Troubleshoot with the LEDs By default, the router uses standard LED settings. 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.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Power LED is off or blinking This could occur for a number of reasons. Check the following: • Make sure that the power adapter is securely connected to your router and securely connected to a working power outlet. • Make sure that you are using the power adapter that NETGEAR supplied for this product. • If the Power LED blinks slowly and continuously, the router firmware is corrupted.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router You cannot log in to the router If you are unable to log in to the router from a computer or mobile device on your local network, check the following: • If you are using an Ethernet-connected computer, check the cable connection between the computer and the router. • If you are using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, check the WiFi connection between the computer or mobile device and the router. • Make sure that you are using the correct login information.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router example, the router cannot convert ADSL or cable data into Ethernet networking information. NETGEAR does not support such a configuration. You cannot access the Internet If you can access your router but not the Internet, check to see if the router can obtain a WAN IP address from your Internet service provider (ISP). Unless your ISP provides a fixed IP address, your router requests an IP address from the ISP.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router • 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Changes are not saved If the router does not save the changes that you make in the router web interface, 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 AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility Most network devices and routers contain a ping utility that sends an echo request packet to the designated device. The device then responds with an echo reply. You can easily troubleshoot a network using the ping utility in your computer or workstation. Test the LAN path to your router You can ping the router from your computer to verify that the LAN path to your router is set up correctly.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device To test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device: 1. From the Windows toolbar, click the Start button and select Run. 2. In the Windows Run window, type ping -n 10 where is the IP address of a remote device such as your ISP DNS server.
A Supplemental Information This chapter includes technical information about your router.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream 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 Default setting User login URL www.routerlogin.com or www.routerlogin.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Table 3. Factory default settings (Continued) Feature 1 Default setting RF channel Auto for 2.4 GHz, CH 44 for WW SKU, and CH 153 for North America SKU Operating mode Up to 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz Up to 3600 Gbps at 5 GHz Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual throughput can vary.
Nighthawk AX5 5-Stream WiFi Router Table 4. Router specifications (Continued) Feature Description Radio data rates Auto Rate Sensing Data encoding standards IEEE 802.11ax 2.4GHz 1024 QAM support IEEE 802.11ax 5.0GHz 80 MHz 1024 QAM support Maximum computers per wireless network Limited by the amount of WiFi network traffic generated by each node (typically 50–70 nodes). 802.11 security WPA2-PSK and WPA/WPA2 2 Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE 802.11 specifications.
