Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

7

you have finished, you will be Internet ready! If you have a Linux system, you need to use the

manual installation method (see

“Manually Installing Your Router” on page 12

).

You can set up your N300 Wireless router using one of two methods:

•

Smart Wizard Setup

: The Smart Wizard setup is available on your

Resource CD

. See

“Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard” on page 9

to use the Smart Wizard.

This is the easiest option. The wizard guides you through the setup process. It automates many

of the steps and verifies that the steps have been successfully completed.

•

Manual Setup

: If you cannot or prefer not to use the Smart Wizard, see

“Manually Installing

Your Router” on page 12

. For example, if you are using a Linux operating system, or are

technically knowledgeable, select this option. If you choose to use this option and install your

router manually, for best results, install and set up your router in this order:

1.

Install and connect your wireless router to your network (see

“Connecting Your N300

Wireless Gigabit Router” on page 13

).

2.

Set up your wireless router for Internet access (see

“Setting Up Your Router for Internet

Access” on page 18

).

3.

Configure your wireless network and select wireless security settings to protect your

wireless network (see

“Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 22

).

Updating Your Router Firmware

NETGEAR is always improving the operability and features included with your router. To make it

easy for you to receive the best, most up-to-date features of your router, NETGEAR provides a

variety of methods for updating your product.

•

The Smart Wizard lets you check for and install updates as part of the setup activity (see

“Using the Smart Wizard” on page 9

).

NETGEAR does not recommend or support adding a NETGEAR router behind

another router, or replacing a gateway with a a NETGEAR router.

Before running the Smart Wizard on a corporate PC to set up your home

router, check with your company’s network support staff. Corporate

network settings or Virtual Private Network (VPN) client software might

conflict with the default settings of a home router. If you are unsure about

whether there might be a conflict, use a different computer.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

8

•

The router includes an update feature that lets you check for and install updates. You must log

in to the router to use this feature see

“Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access” on

page 18

, or the online

User Manual

).

Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard

9

Installing Your Router

Using the Smart Wizard

The Smart Wizard setup procedure should take about 15 minutes to complete. Before using the

Smart Wizard, ensure that:

•

You are using a PC with either a Mac operating system or a Windows operating system

(Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, or Windows XP with Service Pack 2); and a

wired Ethernet connection, not a wireless connection.

•

You have an Internet service connection through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

•

You have the configuration information provided by your ISP.

Using the Smart Wizard

The NETGEAR Smart Wizard takes you through the procedure to connect your router, modem,

and PCs. It then helps you to configure your wireless settings and enable wireless security for your

network.

The Smart Wizard guides you through the setup process by automating many of the

steps. At each step in the setup process, the Smart Wizard checks to ensure that the steps you

perform are successfully completed.

To set up your router using the Smart Wizard:

1.

To start the Smart Wizard:

•

For Windows users

,

–

Insert the

Resource CD

into your PC. The CD will automatically start and detect the

language you are using on your PC. Select a different language option, if you prefer.

–

In the CD’s menu, click

Setup

to start the Smart Wizard.

•

For Mac users

, double-click the MacWizard program.

If the CD does not automatically start, browse the CD and double-click

on

.

Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard

10

2.

When

the Smart Wizard prompts you about updates, click

Yes

to check for updates for your

router, or

No

, to update later (for more information, see

“Setting Up Your Router for Internet

Access” on page 18

, or the online

User Manual

).

3.

Follow the remaining instructions and prompts.

The Smart Wizard guides you through installing your router, connecting your router to the

Internet, configuring your wireless network settings, and selecting the optimum security

protection for your network. If you choose not to select a security option during installation,

you can always access the router’s user interface later to select a security option (see

“Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 22

).

At the close of installation:

•

For Windows users

, the Smart Wizard places a

Router_Setup.html

file on your

computer’s desktop so that you can view the router settings. It also places the Router

Login

shortcut on the desktop for you to access the router’s main menu.

•

For Mac users

, the Smart Wizard places a Router_Setup.pdf file on your desktop.

You are now connected to the Internet.

To ensure optimum performance of your high-speed wireless router, the

wireless adapter card for each computer in your network should support the

same technology as your router. For more information, see the online

User

Manual

.

Figure 6

Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard

11

To set up additional wireless computers in your network to access the router and connect to the

Internet, see

“Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 22

.

Accessing Your Router After Installation

The Smart Wizard only appears when you first install the router or when the router is in its factory

default state (for example, if you have reset the router to its default factory settings). If you want to

change the settings after installing and configuring your router using the Smart Wizard, you must

open a browser window and log in to the router. You will also be prompted to check for new router

firmware. For more information, see

“Configuring Your Wireless Network” on page 22

.