6

1

1.

Hardware Setup

This chapter covers the following topics:

•

Unpack Your Router

•

Front Panel

•

Rear Panel

•

Position Your Router

•

Cable Your Router

For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at

Hardware Setup

7

N300 WiFi Router

Unpack Your Router

Your package contains the following items.

Ethernet cable

Power adapter

Router

Figure 1. Package contents

Front Panel

The router has status LEDs and buttons on the front.

Power LED

Internet LED

WPS button

WiFi On/Off button

WiFi LED

Figure 2. Router front view

Hardware Setup

8

N300 WiFi Router

You can use the LEDs to verify status and connections. The following table lists and

describes each LED and button on the front panel of the router.

Table 1.

LED and button descriptions

Button or LED

Description

WiFi On/Off

button

Pressing this button for two seconds turns the WiFi radio in the router on and off.

WPS button

This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password.

Power

•

Solid green

. The power is on, and the router is ready.

•

Solid amber

. When you apply power to the router, the Power LED lights and turns

amber within a few seconds. This indicates that the self-test is running.

•

Blinking green

. A firmware update is in progress.

•

Off

. Power is not supplied to the router.

Internet

•

Solid green

. The Internet connection is ready.

•

Solid amber

. The router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem.

•

Off

. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.

WiFi

•

Solid green

. The WiFi radio is operating.

•

Off

. The wireless radio is off.

Hardware Setup

9

N300 WiFi Router

Rear Panel

The rear panel has the connections and button shown the following figure.

Power adapter input

Ethernet LAN ports

Power On/Off button

Internet port

Figure 3. Router rear panel

Position Your Router

The router lets you access your network 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.

Additionally, other wireless access points in and around your home might affect your router’s

signal. Wireless access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other

device that emits a wireless signal for network access.

Position your router according to the following guidelines:

•

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

operate and within line of sight to your wireless devices.

•

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

for wired computers.

•

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

between the router and your other devices.

•

Place the router away from electrical devices such as these:

-

Ceiling fans

-

Home security systems

Hardware Setup

10

N300 WiFi Router

-

Microwaves

-

Computers

-

Base of a cordless phone

-

2.4 GHz cordless phone

•

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

and items such as these:

-

Solid metal doors

-

Aluminum studs

-

Fish tanks

-

Mirrors

-

Brick

-

Concrete

Cable Your Router



To cable your router:

1.

Connect the power adapter provided in the package to the router and plug the power

adapter in to an electrical outlet.

DSL or cable

Power adapter

Power On/Off button

Ethernet cable

2.

Press the

Power On/Off

button on the rear panel of the router.

The Power LED lights green.

You can log in to the router to view or change its settings.