Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

2

To prepare your router for installation:

1.

Carefully remove the protective film from the top of your router.

2.

Set up your N600 wireless gigabit router by aligning the arrow on the base with the arrow on

the back of the case, and sliding the router onto the base.

3.

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

the Ethernet cables for your wired computers).

Hardware Features

Before you install and connect your router, take a moment to become familiar with the front and

back panels of the router—especially the LEDs on the front panel.

Figure 1

Reset

Factory

button

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

3

Front Panel

The front panel has nine status lights that you can use to monitor and verify various conditions.

There are also two switch buttons on the right (or at the top if the router is in its stand). The status

lights are described in

Table 1

, and the switch buttons in

Table 2

.

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.

Off

Power is not supplied to the router.

Blinking Green

Firmware is corrupted. See

“Checking Basic Router Functions” on

page 27

for instructions on restoring your router firmware.

Blinking Amber

1.

Firmware is upgrading.

2.

Restore factory settings button pressed; restoring factory default

settings.

2.

Internet

Off

No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.

Solid Amber

The Ethernet cable connection to the modem has been detected.

Solid Green

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

3.

2.4 GHz

Mode

Off

The radio at 2.4 GHz is off.

Solid Green

The 2.4 GHz radio is operating on the unit.

4.

5 GHz

Mode

Off

The radio at 5 GHz is off.

Solid Blue

The 5 GHz.radio is operating on the unit.

5.

LAN

(Ports 1–4)

Solid Green

The LAN port has detected a 1 Gbps link with an attached device.

Solid Amber

The LAN port has detected a 10/100 Mbps link with an attached

device.

Off

No link is detected on this port.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

4

The WLAN button toggles the WLAN function on and off. The WPS button turns on the WPS

function.

6.

USB

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.

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.

Table 2.

Switch Button Descriptions

Item

Function

Activity

Description

7.

WLAN

On/Off

On

Pressing the wireless LAN button turns on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

wireless radios, indicated by 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz LEDs being lit.

Off

The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios are off, and their LEDs are turned off.

8.

WPS On

On

The WPS function is turned on.

When you first push the WPS button, the WPS LED blinks green for

two minutes, during which it is synchronizing security for the wireless

client device.

Before turning on the WPS button, be sure that the WLAN button is

on. If both wireless radios are off (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz LEDs are off),

the WPS will not work.

For more information on modes, see

“Configuring Your Wireless Settings and

Security Options” on page 20

, and the online

Reference Manual

, available on the

Resource CD

.

Table 1.

Status Light Descriptions

(continued)

Item

Function

Activity

Description

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

5

Back Panel

The rear panel of the WNDR3700v3 router contains the items in the list that follows the figure.

The back of the N600 wireless gigabit router includes:

1.

A USB 2.0 port (backward compatible to USB 1.0/1.1) for attaching a USB storage device.

2.

Four local (LAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the router to local

computers.

3.

An Internet (WAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable or

DSL modem.

4.

An AC power adapter outlet.

5.

A Power On/Off button.

Figure 3

1

2

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

6

Router Label

View the label on the bottom of the N600 wireless gigabit router to identify the security PIN, serial

number, port connectors, status lights, and default login information.

Positioning Your Wireless Router

The N600 wireless gigabit 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 N600 wireless gigabit 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.

•

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.

Figure 4

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation

or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.