Netgear A6100 Ac600 Dual Band Wifi Usb Mini Adapter User Manual

							350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USASeptember 2013
202-11274-01
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter
User Manual 
						

							2 A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 
Support
Thank you for choosing NETGEAR. 
After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product 
at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web 
support, visit http://support.netgear.com.
Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.
NETGEAR recommends that you use only the official NETGEAR support resources.
Trademarks
NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and Connect with Innovation are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of 
NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Information is subject to change 
without notice. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective 
holders. © NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved. 
						

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Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Set Up the Mini Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
View Network Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Join a Network  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Join a Network Using WPS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Join a Network Using NETGEAR genie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Join a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Join a Network Using a Standalone Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
View Connection Details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Chapter 2 Maintenance
Update the Mini Adapter’s Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Get Diagnostic Information for the Mini Adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
View Additional Information About the Mini Adapter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Uninstall the Mini Adapter’s Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Chapter 3 Troubleshooting and  
Frequently Asked Questions
Troubleshooting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Frequently Asked Questions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Appendix A Factory Default Settings and 
Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Appendix B Notification of Compliance 
						

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1
1.   Getting Started
The A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter wirelessly connects your notebook or desktop computer to an 
11ac network for applications such as lag-free video streaming throughout your home, online 
gaming, and secure and reliable Internet connections. 
In addition, Beamforming+ technology boosts the speed, reliability, and range of WiFi 
connections. The mini adapter automatically uses NETGEAR Beamforming+ technology to 
enhance WiFi performance with 802.11ac WiFi devices. Because its automatic, you dont have 
to turn on Beamforming+ or configure it. When you connect to the WiFi network, Beamforming+ 
focuses on your location for even better WiFi performance and speed. Beamforming+ locks onto 
your laptop, tablet, or smartphone and follows as you move from place to place, so you keep 
your optimal WiFi connection.
This chapter describes how to set up the A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter, which involves these 
high-level steps:
•Set Up the Mini Adapter 
•View Network Details 
•Join a Network 
•View Connection Details 
Note:Software updates with new features and bug fixes are made 
available from time to time on 
http://support.netgear.com. Some 
products can regularly check the site and download new software, 
or you can check for and download new software manually. If the 
features or behavior of your product do not match what is described 
in this guide, you might need to update your software. 
						

							Getting Started5
 A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter
Set Up the Mini Adapter
Before you begin using your mini adapter, set up the mini adapter using \
the resource CD that 
came in the package.
To set up your mini adapter:
1.
Insert the resource CD in your computer CD drive.
Note: If your computer does not have a CD drive, or if you do not have 
your resource CD, download the resource CD driver by visiting 
http://support.netgear.com . Click the Support for Home Products 
button and enter A6100 in the search field.
If the NETGEAR Resource CD screen does not display, browse the files on the CD and 
double-click  Autorun.exe.
The NETGEAR Resource CD screen displays:
2. Click the  Setup button. 
						

							Getting Started6
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 
The Software Update Check screen displays:
3.
Install the setup software.
Choose an option based on whether you are connected to the Internet:
• Connected to the Internet. If you are connected to the Internet, click the Check for 
Updates button. 

After the software checks for software updates, the Update Check 
Complete screen displays. Click the  Continue button. The Welcome screen displays:
•Not Connected to the Internet. If you are not connected to the Internet, click the 
Install from CD button. 
Note:   If you are not connected to the Internet, the software cannot check for \
software updates. 
						

							Getting Started7
 A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter
The Welcome screen displays:
4.
Click the  I agree radio button to accept the license agreement and click the  Next button.
A message displays asking you to wait while the software is installed. After a few  minutes, NETGEAR genie prompts you to insert your mini adapter. 
						

							Getting Started8
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 
5.
Insert the mini adapter into a USB port on your computer.
The NETGEAR genie screen displays:
The NETGEAR genie icon also displays in the Windows system try and on th\
e desktop.
The color of the icon indicates the strength of your wireless connection\
:
• White. 
 
 3–5 bars (strong connection)
•  Y
ellow. 1–2 bars (weak connection)
•  Red.     
 0 (zero) bars (no connection)
Note:   If you remove your mini adapter, NETGEAR genie is not available, and the\
 
icon is not displayed. When you insert the mini adapter again, the icon \
returns.
6. (Optional) In NETGEAR genie, from the Select Language  drop-down menu, select a 
language.
NETGEAR genie screens are displayed in the language that you select. 
						

							Getting Started9
 A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter
View Network Details
Before you join a network, you can view details to help you determine wh\
ich network to join:
•
Network name (SSID) . 
 The name assigned to a wireless network. As a security 
measure, some wireless access points do not broadcast their SSIDs. In su\
ch cases, the 
network is hidden. The name (SSID) field is blank even though the rest of the information\
 
is displayed.
• Channel. 
 The channel on which the wireless network operates. NETGEAR recommends 
that you choose a network that uses a different channel from that of neighboring 
networks.
• W
ireless Mode. The wireless technology used for the router or access point, such as N, \
A, G, B, or AC.
• WPS support. Identifies whether the router or access point for this network support\
s 
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
• MAC address. 
 The unique hardware address of the wireless device broadcasting this 
information. Typically, the wireless device is a wireless router or access point.
To view network details:
1. Insert the adapter into a USB port on your computer
 .
2. Click the NETGEAR genie icon that displays on the Windows systems tray o\
r on the 
desktop.
The NETGEAR genie Home screen displays.
3. Click the  Join a Network  button.
The Join a Network screen displays:
4. Click a network name. 
						

							Getting Started10
A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter 
The Details button and Connect button display.
5. Click the  Details button.
The Details pop-up window displays:
6.Click the  OK button to close the Details pop-up window.
Join a Network
The mini adapter can join a network using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WP\
S) method, through 
the mini adapter’s NETGEAR genie, or by installing the mini adapter’s standalone driver. You 
can also join hidden networks. For more information, see  Join a Hidden Network on page  14.