Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

2

If any of the parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your NETGEAR dealer. Keep the

carton, including the original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.

To prepare your router for installation:

1.

Carefully peel off the protective film covering both sides of your router (see

Figure 1

).

2.

Set up your N300 Wireless router by inserting the tabs of the stand (supplied with your router)

into the slots on the bottom of your router as shown in

Figure 2

. Then, remove the protective

film covering the status light panel of the router.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

3

3.

Place your router in a suitable area 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 important

information on the label, and with the front and back panels of the router—especially the status

lights on the front panel.

Front Panel

The router front panel, shown in

Figure 3

, contains status lights. (For more information on

interpreting the status lights, see

“Verifying Your Connection” on page 17

and

“Checking Basic

Router Functions” on page 31

.)

To ensure proper heat dissipation and for router stability, it is important that you

connect the stand and place your router in an upright position.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

4

Figure 3

Power

On – Amber

The router is performing the power-on self-test diagnostic.

On – Green

The power is on and the router is ready.

Blink – Amber

A software update is in progress.

Blink – Green

The firmware is corrupt. See

“Checking Basic Router

Functions” on page 31

for instructions on restoring your

firmware.

Off

Power is not being supplied to the router.

Internet

On – Amber

No IP address acquired.

On – Green

The N300 Wireless router has acquired an Internet address.

Blink – Green

Data is being communicated with the Internet.

Off

No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.

Wireless

On – Blue

The wireless interface is enabled.

Blink – Blue

Data is being communicated over the wireless network.

Off

The wireless interface is turned off.

LAN (Ports 1–4)

On – Green

The local port is connected to a 1000 Mbps device.

Blink – Green

Data is being transmitted at 1000 Mbps.

On – Amber

The local port is connected to a 10/100 Mbps device.

Blink – Amber

Data is being transmitted at 10/100 Mbps.

Off

No link is detected on this port.

WPS button/light

Blink – Green

Indicates WPS activity; the device is in the 2 minute interval

to synchronize security or there is a WPS error.

On – Green

Security set to WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

5

Back Panel

The router back panel contains port connections described in

Figure 4

.

Router Label

The label on the back of the N300 Wireless router shows the router’s MAC address, serial number,

security PIN, power on/off button, and factory default access login information.

The ports on the router are color-coded to distinguish your Internet port from the other four ports

that connect to the wired computer(s) on your Local Area Network (LAN).

Figure 4

Figure 5

1.

Restore factory settings button. Press for approximately 5

seconds to reset the router to the factory default settings.

2.

USB port

3.

Four Local Area Network (LAN) 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet

ports for connecting the router to your local computers.

4.

Internet/Wide Area Network (WAN) Ethernet port for connecting

the router to a cable or DSL modem.

5.

Power on/off push-button.

6.

AC power adapter outlet for connecting the power adapter.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

6

Positioning Your Wireless Router

The N300 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 might 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 N300 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.

•

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.

Installing Your N300 Wireless Gigabit Router

To help you set up your router and get on the Internet quickly, the

Resource CD

contains a Smart

Wizard™. The Smart Wizard walks you through the steps required to connect your router, modem,

and PC(s); configure your wireless settings; and enable wireless security for your network. When

•

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance

degradation or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.

Warning:

Do not install this device on top of any other electrical equipment or install

any other equipment on top of this device. Keep this device away from any

heat sources such as direct sunlight, heaters, radiators, or other A/V

receivers or devices that emit heat.