Netgear N 300 Manual

							September 2009
208-10416-01
v1.0
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria Drive 
San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Wireless-N 300 Router 
Setup Manual 
						

							ii ©2009 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are trademarks of NETGEAR. Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are 
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Other 
brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to 
make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit 
layout(s) described herein. 
						

							iii
Contents
Wireless-N 300 Router Setup Manual
 Getting to Know Your Wireless Router................................................................................ 1
Unpacking Your New Router  ............................................................................................. 1
Hardware Features  ............................................................................................................ 3
Front Panel .................................................................................................................. 3
Back Panel  .................................................................................................................. 5
Router Label ................................................................................................................ 6
Positioning Your Wireless Router  ...................................................................................... 6
Installing Your Wireless Router  ......................................................................................... 7
Updating Your Router Firmware  ........................................................................................ 8
 Installing Your Router Using the Smart Wizard.................................................................. 9
Using the Smart Wizard ..................................................................................................... 9
Accessing Your Router After Installation  ......................................................................... 11
 Manually Installing Your Router......................................................................................... 12
Connecting Your Wireless Router  ................................................................................... 13
Verifying Your Connection  ............................................................................................... 16
Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access  .................................................................... 17
 Configuring Your Wireless Network................................................................................... 21
Specifying Wireless Settings  ........................................................................................... 21
Setting Your SSID and Wireless Security Manually  .................................................. 21
Using Push N Connect (WPS) to Configure Your Wireless Network ....................... 23
Testing Basic Wireless Connectivity ................................................................................ 26
 Troubleshooting................................................................................................................... 28
Basic Setup Checklist  ...................................................................................................... 28
Checking Basic Router Functions  ................................................................................... 29
Troubleshooting Login Problems  ..................................................................................... 31
Checking the Internet Service Connection  ...................................................................... 32 
						

							iv
Obtaining an Internet IP Address  .................................................................................... 32
Troubleshooting PPPoE  ............................................................................................ 33
Troubleshooting Internet Browsing  ........................................................................... 34
Using the Ping Utility to Troubleshoot  ............................................................................. 34
Testing the Path from Your Computer to Your Router  .............................................. 34
Testing the Path from a Computer to the Internet  ..................................................... 35
 Technical Specifications..................................................................................................... 36
Default Configuration Settings  ......................................................................................... 36
Restoring the Default Password and Configuration Settings ........................................... 38
 Related Documents............................................................................................................. 39
Registration and Certifications............................................................................................ 40 
						

							Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 1
Getting to Know Your Wireless Router
Congratulations on your purchase of a NETGEAR® high-speed wireless router, the Wireless-N 
300 Router Model WNR2000v2.
Before you begin installing your router, check the package contents (see “Unpacking Your New 
Router” on page 1). Become familiar with the front and back panels of your router—especially the 
status lights—and the important information on the router label (see “Hardware Features” on 
page 3). Then, read the section on “Positioning Your Wireless Router” on page 6 to ensure that 
you have selected the best location to install your router. 
Unpacking Your New Router
Your product package should contain the following items:
• The Wireless-N 300 Router
• A snap-on stand for your wireless router
• An AC power adapter (varies by region)
• A yellow Ethernet cable
• The Resource CD, which includes:
– The Smart Wizard Installation Assistant (Autorun.exe)
– A PDF version of this manual
– A link to the online documentation.
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. 
						

							Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 2
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 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. 
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). 
Figure 1
Figure 2
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 3
Hardware Features
Before you install and connect your router, take a moment to become familiar 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 16 and “Checking Basic 
Router Functions” on page 29.)
Figure 3
1
2
3
4
5 
						

							Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 4
You can use the status lights to verify various conditions.
Table 1. Status Light Descriptions  
LabelActivityDescription
1. PowerSolid Amber
Solid Green
Fast blink–Green
Slow blink–Green
OffThe router is performing the power-on self-test diagnostic.
The power is on and the router is ready.
A software update is in progress.
Firmware is corrupted. See “Checking Basic Router Functions” on 
page 29 for instructions on restoring your router firmware.
Power is not being supplied to the router.
2. InternetSolid Amber
Solid Green
Blinking Green
OffNo IP address acquired.
The wireless router has acquired an Internet address.
Data is being communicated with the Internet.
No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.
3. WirelessSolid Blue
Blinking Blue
OffThe wireless interface is enabled.
Data is being communicated over the wireless network.
The wireless interface is turned off.
4. LAN 
(Ports 1–4)Solid Green
Blinking Green
Solid Amber
Blinking Amber
OffThe local port is connected to a 100 Mbps device.
Data is being transmitted at 100 Mbps.
The local port is connected to a 10 Mbps device.
Data is being transmitted at 10 Mbps.
No link is detected on this port.
5. Push N 
ConnectSolid Green
Blinking Green
OffIndicates that wireless security (WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK) is 
on.
WPS-capable device can associate with the router within 2 minutes.
No WPS connection exists. 
						

							Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 5
Back Panel
The router back panel, shown in Figure 4, contains port connections.
Viewed from top to bottom, the rear panel contains the following elements:
1. Wireless On/Off button.
2. Restore factory settings button. Press for approximately 5 seconds to reset the router to the 
factory default settings.
3. Four Local Area Network (LAN) 10/100 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.
Figure 4
1
5 4
6 2
3 
						

							Getting to Know Your Wireless Router 6
Router Label
The label on the back of the wireless router shows the router’s MAC address, serial number, 
security PIN, and factory default login information. 
1.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). 
Positioning Your Wireless Router
The 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 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.
Figure 5
Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation 
or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.