Netgear R8300 Nighthawk X8 Ac5000 Smart Wifi Router User Manual

Figure 8. A tri-band network includes two dedicated 5 GHz bands
In this tri-band network, the first 5 GHz band provides a speed of 200 Mbps, and the second 5 GHz band provides
a speed of 1300 Mbps.
The slower and faster devices are separated in different WiFi connections to ensure that you get the best speed on
each device. So in the previous figure, all three mobile devices are on one 5 GHz band with a combined maximum
speed of 200 Mbps, and the other 5 GHz WiFi band is used for the faster 802.11ac...

Figure 9. Load balancing
Slower devices like printers, older computers, or IP cameras connect to the 2.4 GHz band.The presence of two 5
GH bands prevents overloading when many devices use WiFi at the same time.
Benefits of Tri-Band WiFi
The tri-band WiFi network outperforms the dual-band network in several ways:
•More bandwidth is available.
Even with more devices connected to the network, because the connections are spread across two different
bands, each device gets a larger share of the available WiFi...

Figure 10. Smart Connect
For Smart Connect to work, both 5 GHz radio bands must use the same WiFi network name (SSID) and network
key (password).That means that when you connect to the router with WiFi, you see only one 5 GHz SSID that
connects to both 5 GHz radio bands.
If you enable Smart Connect and the SSID and passwords for both 5 GHz radio bands do
not match, the WiFi settings for 5 GHz radio 1 overwrite the WiFi settings for 5 GHz radio 2.
Note
Enable or Disable Smart Connect
To enable or disable...

The Wireless Setup page displays.
5.Select or clear the the Smart Connect – One Wireless Network Name (SSID) for both 5 GHz radios check
box.
Selecting this check box turns on Smart Connect and clearing this check box turns off Smart Connect.
6.Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Beamforming
Beamforming means that your router actively tracks clients and directs Wifi to the client, rather than just blasting it
out in all directions.This means better WiFi range and performance for your WiFi...

6
Network Settings
The router comes ready for WiFi, Ethernet, and USB connections.You can customize the router’s network settings.We
recommend that you install the router and connect it to the Internet before you change its network settings.
This chapter includes the following sections:
•View or Change WAN Settings on page 66
•Set Up a Default DMZ Server on page 67
•Ethernet Port Aggregation on page 68
•Change the LAN TCP/IP Settings on page 71
•Change the Router’s Device Name on page 73
•Specify the IP...

View or Change WAN Settings
You can view or configure wide area network (WAN) settings for the Internet port.You can set up a DMZ (demilitarized
zone) server, change the maximum transmit unit (MTU) size, and enable the router to respond to a ping to its WAN
(Internet) port.
To view or change the WAN settings:
1.Launch a web browser from a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the network.
2.Enter http://www.routerlogin.net.
A login window opens.
3.Enter the router user name and password.
The user...

•MTU Size (in bytes).The normal MTU (maximum transmit unit) value for most Ethernet networks is 1500
bytes, or 1492 bytes for PPPoE connections. Change the MTU only if you are sure that it is necessary for
your ISP connection. See Change the MTU Size on page 43.
•NAT Filtering. Network Address Translation (NAT) determines how the router processes inbound traffic.
Secured NAT protects computers on the LAN from attacks from the Internet but might prevent some Internet
games, point-to-point applications, or...

5.Select the Default DMZ Server check box.
6.Type the IP address.
7.Click the Apply button.
Your settings are saved.
Ethernet Port Aggregation
Ethernet aggregation lets you combine two Gigabit Ethernet ports to improve the aggregated file transfer speed.
Note that Ethernet port aggregation is also referred to as link aggregation, teaming port, and port trunking. If a device
supports Ethernet aggregation, you can use the Ethernet aggregate ports 1 and 2 to cable the device that supports
Ethernet port...

Figure 11. Ethernet port aggregation
Network Settings
69
Nighthawk X8 AC5000 Tri-Band WiFi Router 

Set Up Ethernet Port Aggregation
To set up Ethernet port aggregation:
1.If you are connecting a switch, make sure that the switch supports 802.3ad LACP.
You must configure the switch before you connect the Ethernet cables to the router.
WARNING:
To avoid causing broadcast looping, which can shut down your network, do not
connect an unmanaged switch to Ethernet aggregate port 1 and port 2 on the router.
2.Use Ethernet cables to connect a device that supports Ethernet port aggregation, such as a NAS or...