Netgear C6900 High Speed Cable Modem Router User Manual

							350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 
USAJanuary 2017
202-11720-01
Nighthawk 
AC1900
 
WiFi Cable   Modem   Router
Model C6900
User Manual 
						

							 
2 Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router 
Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR 
support resources.
Conformity
For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are 
used for reference purposes only. 
						

							3
Contents
Chapter 1 Hardware Setup
Unpack Your Modem Router  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Position Your Modem Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Cable Your Modem Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Cable the Modem Router in a Simple Network  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Cable Your Modem Router to a Router and Use Bridge Mode . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
Activate Your Internet Service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast XFINITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Modem Router
Connect to the Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Wired Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
WiFi Connection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
Types of Logins  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
Log In to the Modem Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
Access the Modem Router with NETGEAR genie App  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings
Specify the Cable Connection Starting Frequency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
View Modem Router Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
Manually Set Up the Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Specify an IPv6 Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Change the MTU Size  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet
Set Up Parental Controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Block Access to Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Use Keywords to Block Internet Sites  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
Block Services from the Internet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
Schedule When to Block Internet Sites and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
Avoid Blocking on a Trusted Computer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
Set Up Security Event Email Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36 
						

							 
4 Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router 
Chapter 5 Specify Network Settings
View WAN Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
Set Up a Default DMZ Server  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
Change the Modem Router’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
Specify the IP Addresses that the Modem Router Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
Disable the DHCP Server Feature in the Modem Router. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
Reserve LAN IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
Improve Network Connections with Universal Plug and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
Specify Basic WiFi Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Change the WiFi Security Option  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Set Up a Guest Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
Control the Wireless Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
Use the WiFi On/Off Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
Enable or Disable the Wireless Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
Set Up a Wireless Schedule  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53
Specify WPS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
Chapter 6 Manage Your Network
Change the admin Password  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  56
View Modem Router Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  56
Display Internet Port Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
Check the Internet Connection Status  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
View Logs of Modem Router Activity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  59
View Event Logs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
Run the Ping Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Run the Traceroute Utility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
Monitor Internet Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
View Devices Currently on the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
Manage the Modem Router Configuration File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
Back Up Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
Restore Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
Erase the Current Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
View Wireless Access Points in Your Area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
View or Change the Modem Router Wireless Channel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69
Dynamic DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
Specify a DNS Account  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
Change the Dynamic DNS Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
Remote Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
Chapter 7 Specify Internet Port Settings
Set Up Port Forwarding to a Local Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  76
Edit a Port Forwarding Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
Delete a Port Forwarding Entry  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78 
						

							 
5  Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router
Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78
How the Modem Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule . . . . . . . . . .  78
Set Up Port Triggering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
Add a Port Triggering Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot with the LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
Power LED Is Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
LEDs Never Turn Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
Internet LED Is Off  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
Troubleshoot the Cable Internet Connection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
Cannot Log In to the Modem Router  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  84
Changes Not Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  85
Wireless Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  85
Troubleshoot Your Network Using the Ping Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  86
Test the LAN Path to Your Modem Router  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  86
Test the Path from Your Computer to a Remote Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Technical Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91 
						

							6
1
1.   Hardware Setup
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Unpack Your Modem Router 
•Front Panel 
•Rear Panel 
•Position Your Modem Router 
•Cable Your Modem Router 
•Activate Your Internet Service 
•Activate Your Internet Service With Comcast XFINITY 
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at 
http://support.netgear.com. 
						

							Hardware Setup 7
 Nighthawk AC1900
 WiFi Cable Modem  Router
Unpack Your Modem Router
Your package contains the following items.
Ethernet cable
Power adapter
Modem router
Figure 1. Package contents
Front Panel
The  modem router  has status LEDs and buttons on the front.
Power LED
Downstream LED
Upstream LED
Internet LED
WPS button / LED WiFi On/Off button
5 GHz LED
2.4 GHz LED
Ethernet LED
Figure 2. Modem router front view 
						

							Hardware Setup 8
Nighthawk AC1900
 WiFi Cable Modem  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 modem router.
LEDDescription
Power 
•  Green. Power is supplied to the modem router.
•  Off. No power is supplied to the modem router.
•  Solid red . 
 Thermal cutoff mode. Power off the unit, let it cool, and move it away from 
heat sources (such as a TV, DVD player, or speakers) and keep it vertical in open air.
Downstream 
•  Solid amber . One downstream channel is locked.
•  Solid green . T
 wo or more downstream channels are locked.
•  Blinking green . 
 The modem router is scanning for a downstream channel.
•  Off. No downstream channel is locked. 
Upstream 
•  Solid amber . One upstream channel is locked.
•  Solid green . T
 wo or more upstream channels are locked.
•  Blinking green . 
 The modem router is scanning for an upstream channel.
•  Off. No upstream channel is locked.
Internet 
•  Solid green . The modem router is online.
•  Blinking green . 
 The modem router is synchronizing with the cable provider’s cable 
modem termination system (CMTS).
•  Slow blinking amber and green . 
 The modem router reached the traffic meter limit. 
(For information about the traffic meter, see  Monitor Internet Traffic on page  64.)
•  Off. 
The modem router is offline.
2.4 GHz radio 
•  Green. The 2.4 GHz radio is on.
•  Off. The 
 2.4 GHz radio is off.
5 GHz radio  
• Green. The 5 GHz radio is on.
•  Off. The 
 5 GHz radio is off.
Ethernet 
•  Green. A device is connected to an Ethernet port and powered on. Each Ethernet \
port 
has LEDs on the rear panel.
•  Off. No device is connected to an Ethernet port.
WiFi On/Off but-
ton with LED 
Pressing this button for two seconds turns the WiFi radios in the modem \
router on and off. If 
this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned off and 
you cannot use WiFi to connect to the modem router.
WPS button with 
LED  
This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the\
 WiFi password. 
The WPS LED blinks during this process and then lights solid.  
						

							Hardware Setup 9
 Nighthawk AC1900
 WiFi Cable Modem  Router
Rear Panel
The rear panel has the connections and button shown the following figure\
.
Power adapter inputEthernet LAN ports
Coaxial cable connector
Reset button
Figure 3. Modem router rear panel
Position Your Modem Router
The modem router lets you access your network anywhere within the operat\
ing 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 modem rou\
ter. 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 modem  router’
 s signal. Wireless access points are modem routers, repeaters, WiFi rang\
e extenders, 
or any other device that emits a wireless signal for network access.
Position your modem router according to the following guidelines:
• Place your modem 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 modem router is within reach of an 
 AC power outlet and near Ethernet 
cables for wired computers.
• Place the modem router in an elevated location, minimizing the number wa\
lls and ceilings 
between the modem router and your other devices. 
						

							Hardware Setup 10
Nighthawk AC1900
 WiFi Cable Modem  Router 
•Place the modem router away from electrical devices such as these:
- Ceiling fans
- Home security systems
- Microwaves
- Computers
- Base of a cordless phone
- 2.4 GHz cordless phone
• Place the modem router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfa\
ces, and 
insulated walls such as these:
- Solid metal doors
- Aluminum studs
- Fish tanks
- Mirrors
- Brick
- Concrete
Cable Your Modem Router
The most common way to cable your modem router is the simplest, without \
any other routers 
or gateways on the same network. You can also cable the modem router to another router or 
gateway and log in to the modem router to specify this setting.
Cable the Modem Router in a Simple Network
The modem router comes configured to work as both a modem and a router. You can share your Internet connection without connecting the modem router to a router\
 or gateway.
Internet
Power adapter Ethernet cable
Figure 4. Modem router in a simple network