Hardware Setup

11

N450 Wireless Router WNR2500

Back Panel

The back panel has the following ports and connector:

LAN ports

Internet port

AC power connector

Figure 3. Back panel

Table 2.

Back panel port and connector descriptions

Port or Connector

Description

LAN ports

Four local area networks (LAN) 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting

the router to your local computers.

Internet port

Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable broadband modem or DSL

broadband modem. The Internet port is also referred to as the WAN port.

AC power connector

AC power connector to connect the power adapter to the router.

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N450 Wireless Router WNR2500

Label

The label of the router shows the default login information, default WiFi network name

(SSID), network key (also referred to as wireless network password or passphrase), serial

number, MAC address, and other information.

Figure 4. Label on the back panel

Position Your Router

The router lets you access your network from virtually anywhere within the operating range of

your wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless connection

can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. For example, the

thickness and number of walls the wireless signal passes through can limit the range. For

best results, place your router:

•

Near the center of the area where your computers and other devices operate and

preferably within line of sight to your wireless devices.

•

So it is accessible to an AC power outlet and near Ethernet cables for wired computers.

•

In an elevated location such as a high shelf, keeping the number of walls and ceilings

between the router and your other devices to a minimum.

•

Away from electrical devices that are potential sources of interference, such as ceiling

fans, home security systems, microwaves, computers, or the base of a cordless phone or

2.4

GHz cordless phone.

•

Away from any large metal surfaces, such as a solid metal door or aluminum studs. Large

expanses of other materials such as glass, insulated walls, fish tanks, mirrors, brick, and

concrete can also affect your wireless signal.

Hardware Setup

13

N450 Wireless Router WNR2500



To prepare your router for installation:

1.

Carefully peel off the protective film covering your router.

2.

Place your router in a suitable area for installation (near an AC power outlet and accessible

to the Ethernet cables for your wired computers).

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N450 Wireless Router WNR2500

Cable Your Router

The installation guide that came in the box has a cabling diagram on the first page. This

section describes how to connect the router, the computer, and the cable or DSL broadband

modem, and provides detailed illustrations.

1.

Unplug and turn off the cable or DSL broadband modem.

2.

If your modem has a backup battery, remove it.

3.

Locate the Ethernet cable (

1

) that connects your computer to the modem.

1

2

4.

Disconnect the cable from the modem (

2

).

You connect it to the router later.

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N450 Wireless Router WNR2500

5.

Insert the Ethernet cable that came with your NETGEAR router into your modem and into

the router’s Internet port.

6.

Securely insert the cable that you removed from the modem in

Step

4

into the LAN port of

the router.

Your network cables are connected and you are ready to start your network. It is important

that you start your network in the correct sequence.



To start your network:

1.

Power on the modem.

2.

After the modem turns on, connect the router’s power adapter to an AC outlet and then to

the AC power connector on the back of the router.