Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP User Manual August 2013 202-11242-01 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Support Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products. After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit http://support.netgear.com. Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Table of Contents Chapter 1 Getting Started Get to Know the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Find the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Use the Pass-Through Power Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Joining Wireless Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Appendix A Supplemental Information Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. 1 Getting Started This chapter covers the following topics: • Get to Know the Extender • Hardware Features • Install the Extender • Log In to the Extender • Restore Factory Settings For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at http://support.netgear.com.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Get to Know the Extender The Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender lets you extend WiFi coverage to locations outside the range of your wireless router or gateway. • Arrow LEDs on the front of the extender help you find the best location for the extender. • With the extender pass-through socket, you retain the use of a socket in your electrical outlet. The appearance of the extender varies according to country or region.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place. When to Use Your Extender NETGEAR recommends that you connect to the extender only when your home network connection is poor. Because data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly from the network, the computer should stay on the network if the connection is good enough.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP move the extender to a different location half-way between the computer and the router or gateway. Use the Pass-Through Power Socket The extender provides a pass-through power socket. After you have the extender positioned correctly, you can plug in the equipment that was previously plugged in the wall socket before you plugged in your extender. Figure 3. Pass-through power socket use The pass-through power socket can carry up to 16A and 250 VAC.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Hardware Features The extender has features to connect it to your network and show how it is working. Front and Right Side View The front and right side of the extender have LEDs, the pass-through power socket, and an Ethernet port. Right Arrow LED Router Link LED Left Arrow LED Client Link LED Power LED WPS LED Ethernet port Pass-through power socket Figure 4.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • - Blinking blue. Move the extender closer to the client. - Off. The extender is close enough to the client. Client Link. This LED is lit when the extender is connected to the router or gateway. - Green. The WiFi connection is good. - Amber. The WiFi connection is fair. - Red. The WiFi connection is weak. • Power. This LED is lit when the extender is turned on. - Green. The extender is on. - Amber. The extender is powering up. - Off.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Rear and Left Side View The rear and left side of the extender have the product label, power connector, and control buttons. Product label WPS button Factory Reset button Device On/Off switch Power connector Figure 5. Rear and left side view The left side panel has the following features: • Factory Reset button. To use this button, stick a paper clip into the reset hole and hold it until the Power LED flashes. • WPS button.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • Product label. The product label provides access information, WPS PIN, serial number, and MAC address. Default access information WPS PIN Serial number MAC address Antennas For best performance, position the antennas pointing up. Antennas Figure 6.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Range extender in the family room Wireless router in a home office Access the Internet with a Blu-ray player Figure 7. Ethernet port connection To connect a computer to the extender with an Ethernet cable: 1. Connect your computer to the extender with an Ethernet cable. 2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. CAUTION: Do not use Ethernet cable to connect the extender to a router or gateway.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • Make sure that your Ethernet cable is securely connected to the extender and to the computer. If the cable is not securely connected, reconnect the Ethernet cable and relaunch your Internet browser. Install the Extender Place the extender, apply power, and connect it to your WiFi network. Place the Extender and Power It On 1. Place the extender halfway between your router or gateway and the location that has poor WiFi coverage.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Network Do not cable the extender to the router or gateway. The extender connects to your wireless network only with WiFi. You can use the extender’s Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or the web browser method. To connect using WPS: 1. Press the WPS button on the side of the extender. The WPS LED blinks. 2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your wireless router or gateway. The Router Link LED lights.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP If the network is secure, the WPS LED lights green. New Extender WiFi Network Name The first time the extender connects to a WiFi network, the extender WiFi network name (SSID) changes to that network name, with _EXT at the end. For example: • WiFi network name. MyNetworkName • Extender network name. MyNetworkName_EXT If the extender does not connect to the WiFi network, move the extender to a different location with a better WiFi signal.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Monitor Extender Performance The Router Link LED indicates performance between the router or gateway and the extender. If this LED is off, the extender is not connected to a WiFi network. The Client Link LED indicates the performance between the extender and the client. If this LED is off, no computer or wireless device is connected to the extender network. These LEDs display the following colors: • Green indicates the best performance.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • The Status screen displays with the menu on the left. This screen shows what the current settings are for the extender: Menu Status screen Use the Smart Wizard to Change the Settings The Smart Wizard can help you set up your extender to connect to a wireless network. For information about more configuration options, see Chapter 2, Extender Network Settings.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP A screen similar to the following displays: This is the same Smart Wizard that displays during installation as described in the installation guide. 3. Select the network from the list that you want to connect to and click the Continue button. 4. A screen similar to the following displays: 5. Enter the passphrase for your wireless network and click the Continue button.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP The extender connects to your existing wireless network. A screen similar to the following displays: 7. To use the same password to access the extender’s wireless network that you use for wireless access to your existing network, click the copy password button. 8. Connect your wireless device to the extender’s wireless network. Use the wireless manager of your wireless device to find the wireless network name (SSID) of the extender’s network.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP To connect the extender with WiFi: 1. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. 2. Launch an Internet browser on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. 3. Type http://mywifiext.net and log in to the extender (see Connect the Extender to an Existing Network on page 24). 4. Select the Setup Wizard on the extender menu. 5. Follow the wizard steps to connect the extender to the local WiFi network, but leave its network name and security settings the same.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Restore Factory Settings You can use the extender Factory Reset button to restore the factory settings. To restore the factory settings: 1. Insert a paper clip into the Factory Reset hole and hold it until the Power LED blinks amber. 2. Release the button. All LEDs turn off for about 3 seconds. The Power LED lights solid amber for about 30 seconds. The Power LED lights solid green.
2. Extender Network Settings 2 To change settings, connect the extender to your computer and use your Internet browser to go to http://mywifiext.net as described in Extender Port Connection on page 12.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Connect the Extender to an Existing Network You can connect the extender to your home network. Only a wireless connection is supported. The extender is not able to connect to your home network with a cable. To connect the extender to an existing network: 1. Select Setup > Connect to an Existing Network. The extender scans for wireless networks and displays a list.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s Wireless Network Use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) to connect a computer or wireless device to the extender network without entering the wireless network passphrase or key. Instead, you use a WPS button or enter a PIN to connect. WPS supports WPA and WPA2 wireless security.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP The following screen displays: 2. Click the Next button. 3. Select a radio button. • Push Button (recommended). Either click the button on the side of the extender.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • PIN Number. Select the PIN number radio button and enter the client PIN in the field that displays. The extender tries to find the wireless client (the computer) that is attempting to join the network. If you are using a WPS button, it tries for two minutes. If you are using a PIN, it tries for four minutes. 4. Use the WPS software on your wireless computer to connect to the extender.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP A screen similar to the following displays: 2. In the Name (SSID) field, type a new name to customize your extender network. 3. In the Region field, select the region where your extender operates. 4. In the Security Options field, select the type of wireless security that you want to use on your network: • None. This is an open wireless network. Any wireless computer or device is allowed to join this network. • WEP.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Set Up WEP 1. Select Setup > Wireless Settings. 2. In the Security Options section, select the WEP radio button. 3. Select the authentication type: Automatic, Open System, or Shared Key. The default is Open System. Note: The authentication is separate from the data encryption. You can select authentication that requires a shared key, but still leaves data transmissions unencrypted.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Set Up WPA, WPA2, or WPA + WPA2 Both WPA and WPA2 provide strong data security. WPA with TKIP can be used on Windows systems with Service Pack 2 or later. WPA2 with AES is a hardware implementation; see your device documentation before implementing it. To set up WPA or WPA2 in the extender: 1. Select Setup > Wireless Settings. 2. In the Security Options section, select the radio button for the WPA or WPA2 option of your choice. 3.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • Use Static IP Address. Specify a static IP address. This is not usually necessary. If you set this up, you should be technically experienced or have a technically experienced person help you. - IP Address. The static IP address. - IP Subnet Mask. The subnet mask associated with the IP address. - Gateway IP Address. The IP address for the gateway. - Primary DNS. The primary domain name server (DNS). - Secondary DNS.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • • - Link Rate. The actual transmission (Tx) and receive (Rx) link rate in the current wireless connection. - Connection Status. The status of your wireless connection (connected or disconnected). Extender IP Info: - MAC Address. The physical address of the extender, as seen from the local area network (LAN). - IP Address. The IP address of the extender. The default is 192.168.1.250. - DHCP Client.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Table 1. Show statistics fields Field Description LAN or WLAN (Port) The statistics for the LAN (local) and wireless LAN (WLAN) ports. Status The link status of the port. TxPkts The number of packets transmitted on this port since reset or manual clear. RxPkts The number of packets received on this port since reset or manual clear. Collisions The number of collisions on this port since reset or manual clear.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Back Up and Manage Extender Settings The Backup and Restore options in the Backup Settings screen let you save and retrieve a file containing your extender’s configuration settings. Once you have your extender working correctly, back up the information to have it available if something goes wrong. When you back up the settings, they are saved as a file on your computer. You can restore the device’s settings from this file.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Under some circumstances (for example, if you have lost track of the changes that you made to the extender settings), you might want to erase the configuration. After an erase, the extender returns to its factory settings (see Factory Settings on page 43).
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP A new Set Password screen displays. 4. Select the two questions and enter the answers. 5. Click the Apply button. Update the Firmware The extender checks for new firmware automatically at login. To check for firmware and upgrade if it is available: 1. Select Maintenance > Firmware Update. The following screen displays: 2. Click the Check button to see if new firmware is available.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP CAUTION: Once you start the firmware upgrade, do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting. Advanced Wireless Settings The extender is set up with the optimum settings. Do not alter these settings unless directed by NETGEAR support. Incorrect settings might disable the extender unexpectedly. To view or change the advanced wireless settings: 1.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP If you use an access list, then computers that are not on the list are not allowed to join the wireless network. The computers that are allowed to join are identified by their MAC addresses. To add a device to the wireless card access list: 3. Click the Setup Access List button. A screen similar to the following displays: 4. Enter the device name and MAC address. 5. Click the Add button. The device is added to the list. 6.
3. 3 Troubleshooting This chapter covers the following topics: • Smart Wizard FAQs • Connecting to http://mywifiext.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Smart Wizard FAQs 1. When I connect to the network, Smart Wizard keeps asking me for my passphrase, and I am sure I’ve entered the correct passphrase. What can I do? It is very likely that the extender is placed at the borderline of the range covered by the router or gateway. See Place the Extender and Power It On on page 14. 2. I got an error message in the Review Settings screen in the Smart Wizard.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • Amber indicates a workable performance. • Red indicates a poor connection or no connection. If you cannot get a wireless connection working, you can use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the extender. See Extender Port Connection on page 12. Joining Wireless Networks To join a wireless network you must know its network name (also called the SSID) so that you can select it.
A.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Factory Settings You can press and hold the Factory Settings button on the side panel for seven seconds. The extender resets and returns to its factory settings. Factory Settings Smart Wizard Enabled Wireless Wireless communication Enabled Wireless Network Name (SSID) NETGEAR_EXT Security Disabled Transmission speed Auto1 Country/Region United States (varies by region) Operating mode 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b Data rate Up to 300 Mbps 1.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP Safety Information Follow these safety guidelines to ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your system from potential damage. • For national approvals (approval schemes other than CB), relevant national standards for plug, socket-outlet, and direct plug-in units (for example, US) shall also be consulted while you are testing and approving such products according to the national standards.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP • The peripheral power cables are equipped with three-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. • Observe extension cable and power strip ratings. Make sure that the total ampere rating of all products plugged into the extension cable or power strip does not exceed 80 percent of the ampere ratings limit for the extension cable or power strip.
B. Notification of Compliance N E T GEAR wirele ss po wer line pr oduc t s B Safety Instructions and Precautions WARNING: Use the following safety guidelines to ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your product from potential damage. To reduce the risk of bodily injury, electrical shock, fire, and damage to the equipment, observe the following precautions. • The socket-outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible. • Observe and follow service markings.
Universal Pass Through WiFi Range Extender WN3100RP The voltage and current rating of the cable should be greater than the ratings marked on the product. • To help prevent electric shock, plug the system and peripheral power cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. • Do not use adapter plugs. If you must use an extension cable, use a three-wire cable with properly grounded plugs. • Observe extension cable and power strip ratings.
