16

2

2.

Install and Access the Modem

Router and Its Network

This chapter describes how you can install and access the modem router and its network.

The chapter contains the following sections:

•

Position Your Modem Router

•

Connect to the Modem Router

•

Types of Logins

•

NETGEAR genie Automatic Setup Utility

•

Set Up Your Modem Router for DSL Service

•

Set Up Your Modem Router for Cable or Fiber Service

•

Log In to the Modem Router After Setup to View or Change Settings

•

Change the Language

•

Change the admin Password and Automatic Login Time-Out Period

•

Set Up Password Recovery

•

Let the Modem Router Automatically Update Its Firmware

•

Access the Modem Router with the NETGEAR genie App

Install and Access the Modem Router and Its Network

17

AC1600 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Model D6400

Position Your Modem Router

The modem 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 modem router. For example, the

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

Additionally, other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your modem

router’s signal. WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any

other device that emits a WiFi signal for network access.

Position your modem router according to the following guidelines:

•

Place your modem router near the center of the area where your computers and other

devices operate and within line of sight to your WiFi devices.

•

Make sure that the modem router is within reach of an AC power outlet and near Ethernet

cables for wired computers.

•

Place the modem router in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings

between the modem router and your other devices.

•

Place the modem router away from electrical devices such as these:

-

Ceiling fans

-

Home security systems

-

Microwaves

-

Computers

-

Base of a cordless phone

-

2.4 GHz cordless phone

•

Place the modem router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated

walls, and items such as these:

-

Solid metal door

-

Aluminum studs

-

Fish tanks

-

Mirrors

-

Brick

-

Concrete

If you are using adjacent access points, use different radio frequency channels to reduce

interference.

Install and Access the Modem Router and Its Network

18

AC1600 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Model D6400

Connect to the Modem Router

During and after installation, 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 of your computer 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 has 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 ports.

Your computer connects to the local area network (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 has 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.

WiFi network name (SSID)

Network Key (password)

4.

Enter the modem router password.

Install and Access the Modem Router and Its Network

19

AC1600 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Model D6400

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

the product label.

5.

Click the

Connect

button.

The device connects to the WiFi network of the 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 has 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 WPS to Add a Device to the WiFi Network

on page

100.

Types of Logins

Separate types of logins serve different purposes. This section describes the differences so

that you know which login to use when.

Types of logins:

•

ISP login

. The login that your Internet service provider (ISP) gave you logs you in to your

Internet service. Your ISP gave you this login information in a letter or some other way. If

you cannot find this login information, contact your ISP.

•

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. Use this information to connect a WiFi device to the WiFi network of the modem

router.

•

Modem router login

. This logs you in to the modem router interface from an Internet

browser as admin.

Install and Access the Modem Router and Its Network

20

AC1600 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Model D6400

NETGEAR genie Automatic Setup Utility

You can use the NETGEAR genie automatic setup utility during initial installation and setup

of your modem router. This utility functions with both types of Internet service that the modem

router supports:

•

DSL service

. If you install your modem router for DSL service (the modem router

supports ADSL and VDSL service), you can set up your modem router with the

NETGEAR genie automatic setup utility, which launches the first time that you set up the

Internet connection for your modem router. The NETGEAR genie automatic setup utility

runs on any device with a web browser.

For more information, see

Set Up Your Modem Router for DSL Service

on page

21.

•

Cable or fiber service

. If you install your modem router for cable or fiber service, you can

set up your modem router with the NETGEAR genie automatic setup utility, which

launches the first time that you set up the Internet connection for your modem router. The

NETGEAR genie automatic setup utility runs on any device with a web browser.

For more information, see

Set Up Your Modem Router for Cable or Fiber Service

on

page

29.

Note:

After initial installation and setup, the NETGEAR genie Setup Wizard

is always accessible to assist you with setting up an installation with

DSL service or an installation with cable or fiber service. For more

information, see

Use the Internet Setup Wizard After Initial Setup

on

page

42.

Whether you install your modem router for DSL service or for cable or fiber service, you can

always use the genie menus and screens to set up your modem router manually.

Before you start the setup process, get your ISP information and make sure that the settings

that are described here are specified for the computers and devices in the network.

When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you all

the information that you need to connect to the Internet. For DSL service, you might need the

following information to set up your modem router:

•

The ISP configuration information for your DSL account

•

ISP login name and password

•

Fixed or static IP address settings (special deployment by ISP; this setting is rare)

If you cannot locate this information, ask your ISP to provide it. When your Internet

connection is working, you no longer need to launch the ISP login program on your computer

to access the Internet. When you start an Internet application, your modem router

automatically logs you in.