N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 Setup Manual

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

3

Front Panel

You can use the status lights on the front of the wireless router to verify various conditions.

Figure 2

Table 1.

Status Light Descriptions

Item

Function

Activity

Description

1.

Power

Solid Amber

The unit is starting up after being powered on.

Solid Green

The unit startup has completed; the unit is ready.

Blinking Green

Firmware is corrupted. See

“Checking Basic Router Functions” on

page 31

for instructions on restoring your router firmware.

Blinking Amber

1.

Firmware is upgrading.

2.

Restore factory settings button pressed; restoring factory default

settings.

Off

Power is not supplied to the router.

2.

2.4 GHz

Mode

Solid Green

The unit is operating in 11n mode at 2.4 GHz.

Blinking Green

Data is being communicated over a wireless network.

Off

The 11n mode at 2.4 GHz is off.

3.

5 GHz

Mode

Solid Blue

The unit is operating in 11n mode at 5 GHz.

Blinking Blue

Data is being communicated over the wireless network.

Off

The 11n mode at 5 GHz is off.

N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 Setup Manual

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

4

4.

USB

Solid Green

The USB device has been accepted by the Router and is ready to be

used.

Fast Blinking

Green

The USB device is in use.

Off

No USB device is connected, or the “Safely Remove Hardware”

button has been pressed and it is now safe to remove the attached

USB device.

5.

Internet

Off

No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.

Solid Amber

The Ethernet cable connection to the modem has been detected.

Blinking Amber

Initializing connection and obtaining an IP address.

Solid Green

An IP address has been received; ready to transmit data.

Blinking Green

Data is being transmitted and received.

6.

LAN

(Ports 1–4)

Solid Green

The LAN port has detected a 100 Mbps link with an attached device.

Blinking Green

Data is being transmitted at 100 Mbps.

Solid Amber

The LAN port has detected a 10 Mbps link with an attached device.

Blinking Amber

Data is being transmitted at 10 Mbps.

Off

No link is detected on this port.

For more information on modes, see

“Configuring Your Wireless Settings and

Security Options” on page 23

, and the online

Reference Manual

, available on the

Resource CD

.

Table 1.

Status Light Descriptions

(continued)

Item

Function

Activity

Description

N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 Setup Manual

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

5

Back Panel

The rear panel of the WNDR3400 router contains the items in the list that follows the figure.

The back of the wireless router includes:

1.

AC power adapter outlet

2.

Power on/off button

3.

Four local (LAN) 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the router to local computers

4.

Internet (WAN) Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable or DSL modem

5.

WLAN on/off button

6.

Restore factory settings button

7.

USB port (backward compatible to USB 1.0/1.1) for attaching a USB storage device

Figure 3

N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 Setup Manual

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

6

Top Panel

The top of the wireless router includes a dome that performs two functions:

1.

Antenna display lights

.

The lights identify the activity of the eight internal antennas, flashing

to show which combination of antennas is receiving the strongest signals. These status lights

are off by default but can be turned on.

2.

Push 'N' Connect (WPS)

. The dome acts as a push-button for the router to enable WPS

security with other WPS-enabled devices. Pushing on the dome for over 5 seconds opens a 2-

minute window for the router to connect with other WPS-enabled devices.

To use the WPS method to implement security, see

“Using Push 'N' Connect (WPS) to

Configure Your Wireless Network” on page 26

.

To turn the antenna display lights on or off:

1.

Push the dome, then release. If lights are off, they will turn on.

2.

Push the dome, then release. If lights are on, they will turn off.

Figure 4

Before using these WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) push-button procedures, verify

that your device (a notebook, adapter, or other device) supports WPS.

N600 Wireless Dual Band Router WNDR3400 Setup Manual

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

7

Router Label

View the label on the bottom of the wireless router to identify the serial number, port connectors,

status lights, and default login information.

Positioning Your Wireless Router

The wireless 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 must pass through may limit the

range. For best results, place your router:

•

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

within line of sight to your wireless devices.

•

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 wireless router and your other devices to a minimum.

•

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

home security systems, microwaves, or the base for a cordless phone.

Figure 5