Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

21

AC1600 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Connect to the Network

You can connect to the modem router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you

set up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic

Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

Connect to the Modem Router Through an Ethernet Cable

You can connect your computer to the modem router using an Ethernet cable and join the

modem router’s local area network (LAN).



To connect your computer to the modem router with an Ethernet cable:

1.

Make sure that the modem router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2.

Connect an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on your computer.

3.

Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to one of the numbered Ethernet LAN ports on

the modem router.

Your computer connects to the LAN. A message might display on your computer screen

to notify you that an Ethernet cable is connected.

Join the WiFi Network of the Modem Router

Choose either the manual or the WPS method to add a WiFi device such as a computer,

iPhone, iPad, or gaming device to the WiFi network of the modem router.

Manual Method



To connect a device manually to the WiFi network of the modem router:

1.

Make sure that the modem router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2.

On the WiFi device that you want to connect to your modem router, open the software

application that manages your WiFi connections.

This software scans for all WiFi networks in your area.

3.

Look for your network and select it.

If you did not change the name of your network during the setup process, look for the

default WiFi network name (SSID) and select it. The default SSID is on the product label.

4.

Enter the modem router password.

The default WiFi password (also referred to as passphrase or key) is on the product label.

5.

Click the

Connect

button.

The device connects to the WiFi network of the modem router.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

22

AC1600 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Wi-Fi Protected Setup Method

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a standard for easily adding computers and other devices to

a home network while maintaining security. To use WPS (Push 'N' Connect), make sure that

all WiFi devices to be connected to the network are Wi-Fi certified and support WPS. During

the connection process, the client gets the security settings from the modem router so that

every device in the network supports the same security settings.



To use WPS to connect a device to the WiFi network of the modem router:

1.

Make sure that the modem router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2.

Check the WPS instructions for your computer or wireless device.

3.

Press the

WPS

button on the side panel of the modem router for three seconds.

4.

Within two minutes, press the

WPS

button on your WiFi device, or follow the WPS

instructions that came with the device.

The WPS process automatically sets up the device with the network password and

connects the device to the WiFi network of the modem router.

For more information, see

Use the WPS Wizard to Add a Device to the WiFi Network

on

page

45.

Types of Logins and Access

The modem router supports separate types of logins that serve different purposes. It is

important that you understand the difference so that you know which of the following logins to

use when:

•

Modem router login

. This login logs you in to the modem router interface from

NETGEAR genie. For more information, see

Access NETGEAR genie

on page

23.

•

WiFi network key or password

. Your modem router is preset with a unique WiFi

network name (SSID) and password for WiFi access. This information is on the product

label (see

Product Label

on page

23). For information about joining the WiFi network, see

Join the WiFi Network of the Modem Router

on page

21.

Note:

Your modem router broadcasts dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi

signals. The label shows the SSID for the 2.4 GHz signal. For

information about 5 GHz WiFi settings, see

Manage the Basic WiFi

Settings and WiFi Security of the Main Network

on page

36.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

23

AC1600 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Product Label

The label on the bottom panel of the modem router shows the login information, WiFi network

name, WiFi password (key), serial number, and MAC address.

Preset WiFi SSID

Preset WiFi password

Serial number

MAC address

Figure 4. Product label

Access NETGEAR genie

NETGEAR genie runs on any device with a web browser.

The following procedure assumes that you installed the modem router and that your

computer or another device is connected with an Ethernet cable or over WiFi with the preset

security settings that are listed on the product label.



To access NETGEAR genie to change the settings and monitor your modem router:

1.

Apply power to the modem router.

2.

Launch an Internet browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the

network.

3.

Type

.

Note:

You can also type

, or

.

This manual uses

.

4.

Type

admin

for the user name and

password

for the password.

5.

Click the

OK

button.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

24

AC1600 WiFi Cable Modem Router

The modem router BASIC Home page provides a dashboard that lets you see the status

of your Internet connection and network at a glance. You can click any of the sections of

the dashboard to view more detailed information. The left column provides the menus,

and at the top is the

ADVANCED

tab that you can use to access more menus and pages.

If you cannot log in to the modem router or your browser does not display the NETGEAR

genie page, check the following:

•

Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the two Ethernet LAN ports or over

WiFi to the modem router.

•

Make sure that your browser does not cache the previous page by closing and reopening

the browser.

•

If your computer is set to a static or fixed IP address (this type of setting is uncommon),

change the setting to obtain an IP address automatically from the modem router (see

View or Manually Set Up the IPv4 Internet Settings

on page

30).

For more troubleshooting information, see

You Cannot Log In to the Modem Router

on

page

186.

Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router

25

AC1600 WiFi Cable Modem Router

Access the Modem Router with the NETGEAR genie App

The genie app

is the easy dashboard for managing, monitoring, and repairing your

home network from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The genie app can help you with the

following:

•

Automatically repair common WiFi network problems.

•

Easily manage modem router features such as Live Parental Controls, guest access,

speed test, and more.

•

Share and stream music or videos.



To use the genie app to access the modem router:

1.

Visit the NETGEAR genie web page at

netgear.com/genie

.

2.

Follow the onscreen instructions to install the app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

3.

Launch the genie app.

The genie app dashboard page displays. The following figure shows the genie app

dashboard for a Windows computer.