Netgear Extender WPN824EXT User Manual

							RangeMax WiFi Range Extender WPN824EXT User Manual 
About This Manualxi
v1.0, April 2008
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Part NumberVe r s i o n
NumberDate Description
202-10310-02 1.0 April 2008 First publication 
						

							RangeMax WiFi Range Extender WPN824EXT User Manual 
xiiAbout This Manual
v1.0, April 2008 
						

							1-1
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Chapter 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR® RangeMax WiFi Range Extender 
WPN824EXT. The WiFi range extender provides connection for multiple computers to the 
Internet through an external broadband access device (such as a gateway/router). 
Key Features
The RangeMax WiFi Range Extender WPN824EXT is easy to use and provides features that are 
described in the following sections:
•“RangeMax™ Multi-In, Multi-Out (MIMO) Technology”
•“802.11g Wireless Networking”
•“Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink”
•“Wireless Repeater Capability”
•“Quality of Service (QoS)”
•“Automatic Firmware Updates”
RangeMax™ Multi-In, Multi-Out (MIMO) Technology
NETGEAR’s RangeMax Multi-In, Multi-Out (MIMO) technology provides 10 times more 
coverage than standard 802.11g alone by eliminating “dead spots” in the area of coverage where 
you use your wireless computers. Your whole house or office suite now becomes a “hot spot” 
without requiring any range extenders, repeaters, or external antennas. RangeMax maintains a 
high speed throughout your home, not just when you are close to your WiFi range extender.
RangeMax is an advanced Smart MIMO (Multi-In, Multi-Out) technology that uses seven internal 
antennas. RangeMax constantly surveys your home environment for physical barriers and 
interference and adjusts the wireless signal to compensate for these performance blockers.
Note: For first-time installation and basic troubleshooting of your WiFi range extender, 
refer to the NETGEAR RangeMax WiFi Range Extender Setup Manual.  
						

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For example, if you carry your laptop from the family room to the bedroom, RangeMax 
automatically senses the change and selects from multiple possible antenna configurations to 
deliver you the fastest, clearest connection so that everyone can enjoy consistently high-speed 
connections, everywhere in your house, with no drop-outs and no dead spots.
RangeMax is also 100 percent compatible with your existing 802.11b/g products (for example, 
802.11b, 802.11g, Centrino, and SuperG™ wireless clients) and boosts their range and speed by up 
to 50 percent.
802.11g Wireless Networking
The WiFi range extender acts as an 802.11g wireless access point, providing continuous, high-
speed 108 Mbps access between your wireless and Ethernet devices. The extender provides the 
folowing functions:
• 802.11g wireless networking at up to 108 Mbps.
• 802.11g wireless networking, with the ability to operate in 802.11g-only, 802.11b-only, or 
802.11g and b modes, providing backwards compatibility with 802.11b devices or dedicating 
the wireless network to the higher-bandwidth 802.11g devices.
• 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption security.
• WEP keys that can be generated manually or by passphrase.
• WPA-PSK support. Support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) data encryption, which 
provides strong data encryption and authentication based on a pre-shared key.
• Wireless access that can be restricted by MAC address.
• Wireless network name broadcast that can be turned off so that only devices that have the 
network name (SSID) can connect.
Autosensing Ethernet Connections with Auto Uplink
The WiFi range extender can connect to a standard Ethernet network. The LAN interface is 
autosensing and capable of full-duplex or half-duplex operation.
The WiFi range extender incorporates Auto Uplink
TM technology. The Ethernet port automatically 
senses whether the Ethernet cable plugged into the port should have a normal connection, such as 
to a computer, or an uplink connection, such as to a switch or hub. That port then configures itself 
to the correct configuration. This feature also eliminates the need to worry about crossover cables, 
as Auto Uplink accommodates either type of cable to make the right connection. 
						

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Wireless Repeater Capability
The WiFi range extender is configurable as a base or repeater station in order to extend range. This 
allows you to use it with wireless access points (APs) to build large bridged wireless networks. For 
more information, see “Wireless Repeating Function” on page 4-1.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Built-in Quality of Service (QoS) ensures prioritization of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and 
gaming traffic. For more information, see “QoS Setup” on page 4-6.
Automatic Firmware Updates
The WiFi range extender is automatically updated with the latest router firmware during 
installation and at login. For more information, see “Using Automatic Firmware Update upon 
Login” on page 1-6 and “Firmware Update” on page 3-11. 
Compatible and Related NETGEAR Products
NETGEAR products related to the RangeMax WiFi Range Extender WPN824EXT are as follows:
• RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (WPN111)
• RangeMax Wireless PCI Adapter (WPN311)
• RangeMax Wireless PC Card (WPN511)
Performance, Placement, and Range Guidelines
You should select the physical placement of your WiFi range extender to maximize the network 
speed. The operating distance or range of your wireless connection can vary significantly based on 
the physical placement of the WiFi range extender. The latency, data throughput performance, and 
notebook power consumption of wireless adapters also vary depending on your configuration 
choices. 
						

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For best results, place your WiFi range extender:
• Near the center of the area in which your computers will operate.
• In an elevated location such as a high shelf where the wirelessly connected computers have 
line-of-sight access (even if through walls).
• Away from sources of interference, such as computers, microwaves, and 2.4 GHz cordless 
phones.
• Away from large metal surfaces.
The time it takes to establish a wireless connection can vary depending on both your security 
settings and placement. WEP connections can take slightly longer to establish. Also, WEP and 
WPA-PSK \encryption can consume more battery power on a notebook computer.
When used on a metallic surface, MIMO units must be oriented vertically to ensure proper 
operation:
Note: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance 
degradation or inability to wirelessly connect to the WiFi range extender. For 
complete range and performance specifications, see Appendix A, “Technical 
Specifications.”
Figure 1-1 
						

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Logging In
To access the extender using its login name and password:
1. Type http://www.mywifiext.net or http://www.mywifiext.com in the address field of your 
browser, and then press Enter.
A login window similar to the one shown in Figure 1-2 displays.
2. When prompted, enter admin for the extender user name and password for the extender 
password, both in lowercase letters. (For security reasons, the extender has its own user name 
and password.) If you later change the user name and password from the defaults, use what 
you have set up.
Note: For first-time installation and basic troubleshooting of your WiFi range 
extender, refer to the setup manual, the NETGEAR RangeMax WiFi Range 
Extender Setup Manual. 
Figure 1-2
Note: The extender user name and password are not the same as any other user name 
or password you might use to log in to your Internet connection. 
						

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Using Automatic Firmware Update upon Login
The Checking for Firmware Updates screen appears when you log in in unless you previously 
cleared the Check for Updated Firmware Upon Log-in check box. For information about checking 
for new firmware through the main menu, see “Firmware Update” on page 3-11.
1.Allow the update feature to check for firmware updates more recent than the firmware 
currently installed in your WiFi range extender.
If the update feature discovers a newer version of software, you are asked if you want to 
upgrade to the new software.
2.To download and install a newer version, click Ye s.
Figure 1-3
Figure 1-4 
						

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The update feature automatically installs the most recent firmware.
The thank you window also displays.
If no new firmware is available, the following message appears.
Wa r n i n g :  Do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or 
do anything else to the extender until the extender finishes downloading! 
Figure 1-5
Figure 1-6
Figure 1-7 
						

							RangeMax WiFi Range Extender WPN824EXT User Manual 
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About the WiFi Range Extender Main Menu
When you log in to the WiFi range extender, the main menu displays.
To find information about the selections on the main menu, see the following topics in this manual:
Figure 1-8
Table 1-1.  WiFi Range Extender Main Menu
WiFi Range Extender Main MenuTopic in Manual
Setup Basic Settings“Basic Settings” on page 3-1
Wireless SettingsChapter 2, “Implementing Appropriate Wireless Security
Maintenance Wireless Extender Status“Wireless Extender Status” on page 3-3
Attached Devices“Attached Devices” on page 3-7
Backup Settings“Backup Settings” on page 3-8
Set Password“Set Password” on page 3-9
Firmware Update“Firmware Update” on page 3-11