Contents
1. Access the AirBridge and Use the Easy Setup Method
2. Manually Configure or Change the Operation Mode
3. Manage the Wired Network Settings
4. Manage the WiFi and Radio Features
5. Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features
6. Maintain the AirBridge
7. Monitor the AirBridge and its Network Connections
8. Perform Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
A. Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications
- Factory default settings
- Technical specifications

NETGEAR WBC502 User Manual

Displayed below is the user manual for WBC502 by NETGEAR which is a product in the Wireless Access Points category. This manual has pages.

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User Manual

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502

NETGEAR, Inc.

350 E. Plumeria DriveApril 2020

San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-12051-03

Support and Community

Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest

downloads.

You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at

community.netgear.com.

Regulatory and Legal

Si ce produit est vendu au Canada, vous pouvez accéder à ce document en français

canadien à https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.

(If this product is sold in Canada, you can access this document in Canadian French at

https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.)

For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit

https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy.

By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at

https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the

device to your place of purchase within your return period.

Trademarks

Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.

Revision History

CommentsPublish DatePublication Part

Number

Throughout the manual, we added information that you cannot

use NETGEAR Insight to configure and manage the AirBridge

if the operation mode is access point or client bridge.

We revised Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight

Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111 and added two

subsections: Change the management mode to NETGEAR

Insight Mode on page 112 and Change the management mode

to Standalone Mode on page 113.

April 2020202-12051-03

We made multiple refinements, adjustments, and corrections.March 2020202-12051-02

First publication.February 2020202-12051-01

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Contents

Chapter 1 Access the AirBridge and Use the Easy Setup Method

Related documentation.......................................................................8

Overview................................................................................................8

About NETGEAR Insight......................................................................9

AirBridge label....................................................................................10

Operation mode: AirBridge Master, AirBridge Satellite, Access Point,

or Client Bridge...................................................................................10

AirBridge mode..................................................................................12

Access the AirBridge for initial configuration.................................14

Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or

Android mobile device.................................................................15

Connect over the Internet using the NETGEAR Insight Cloud

portal...............................................................................................17

Connect over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile

device..............................................................................................18

Connect over Ethernet using a computer connected to the same

network............................................................................................23

Connect over Ethernet using a directly connected computer..28

Operation mode and default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup

configuration.......................................................................................33

Change the language of the local browser UI................................35

Chapter 2 Manually Configure or Change the Operation Mode

Recommendations for configuration...............................................38

Configure the AirBridge as a master in a point-to-point or

point-to-multipoint setup..................................................................38

Configure the AirBridge as a satellite in a point-to-point setup....40

Configure the AirBridge as an access point....................................42

Configure the AirBridge as a client bridge.....................................45

Chapter 3 Manage the Wired Network Settings

Specify a static IPv4 address for the AirBridge...............................50

Specify a link-local IPv6 address for the AirBridge.........................51

Reenable the DHCP client of the AirBridge....................................52

Manage the STP settings...................................................................53

Chapter 4 Manage the WiFi and Radio Features

Recommended configuration order................................................57

Change the device name of the AirBridge......................................57

Change the country and region of operation.................................58

Change the AirBridge mode.............................................................59

Scan for neighboring access points.................................................62

Specify the approximate distance for the WiFi connection..........64

Manage the 5 GHz SSIDs and WiFi security....................................65

Change the 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a satellite...67

Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the

AirBridge mode enabled..............................................................68

Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the

AirBridge mode disabled.............................................................71

Change the 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a client

bridge..............................................................................................75

Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access point............76

Configure a guest network on an access point..........................80

Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master or access point.81

Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client

bridge..............................................................................................84

Manage the settings for the 2.4 GHz management SSID..............86

Change the passphrase for the 2.4 GHz management SSID....86

Disable the idle time-out for the 2.4 GHz management SSID...87

Disable the 2.4 GHz management SSID.....................................88

Chapter 5 Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features

Recommended configuration order................................................91

Manage the channel high throughput mode.................................91

Manage the channel or channels.....................................................92

Manage the radio transmit power....................................................94

Change the bit rate............................................................................95

Manage client limits...........................................................................96

Manage time slot assignments to satellites.....................................98

Manage the satellite priority.............................................................99

Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a 5 GHz SSID...........................100

Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID..............................................102

Set up a RADIUS accounting server on a master or access point.104

Manually block a WiFi client or connection from a 5 GHz SSID..105

Configure traffic shaping for a 5 GHz SSID...................................106

Change the DHCP server settings for a guest WiFi network......108

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Chapter 6 Maintain the AirBridge

Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode or

Standalone Mode.............................................................................111

Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode.112

Change the management mode to Standalone Mode..........113

Upgrade the firmware on the AirBridge.......................................113

Reboot the AirBridge from the local browser UI..........................115

Schedule the AirBridge to reboot..................................................116

Manage the configuration file of the AirBridge............................117

Back up the AirBridge configuration settings..........................117

Restore the AirBridge configuration settings...........................118

Reset the AirBridge to factory default settings.............................119

Manage the date and time settings...............................................120

Configure and view the logs...........................................................122

View and manage the system log..............................................122

Set up a remote log server.........................................................124

Set up email alerts............................................................................125

Manage access security settings....................................................127

Change the local login password..............................................127

Manage the HTTPS settings.......................................................128

Manage the SSH settings............................................................129

Specify a management VLAN.........................................................130

Chapter 7 Monitor the AirBridge and its Network Connections

View the device status and other information..............................133

View the 5 GHz WiFi connections..................................................137

View the CPU load on the AirBridge..............................................139

View the 5 GHz WiFi and LAN traffic load.....................................140

Chapter 8 Perform Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

Send a ping.......................................................................................142

Send a traceroute request...............................................................143

Send a name server lookup request..............................................144

Perform a speed test........................................................................145

Quick tips for troubleshooting.......................................................146

Troubleshoot with the LEDs............................................................149

Power LED remains off................................................................150

WLAN LED is off...........................................................................150

A LAN LED is off while a device is connected..........................151

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity...............................................152

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity between a satellite and a

master............................................................................................152

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity between a client bridge and

an access point.............................................................................153

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity between a WiFi client and a

master or access point................................................................154

You cannot log in to the AirBridge over a LAN connection.......155

Changes are not saved....................................................................156

Troubleshoot your network using your computer ping utility....156

Test the LAN path from your computer to the AirBridge.......156

Test the path from your computer to a remote device...........157

Appendix A Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications

Factory default settings...................................................................159

Technical specifications...................................................................161

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Access the AirBridge and Use the

Easy Setup Method

This user manual is for the NETGEAR Insight Instant Wireless AirBridge WBC502, in this

manual, referred to as the AirBridge.

The AirBridge can provide an outdoor, long-distance, WiFi connection in a

master–satellite configuration that lets you extend your main network to a detached

site. You can also use the AirBridge as a long-range, point-to-point access point or client

bridge.

This user manual complements the installation guide that came with your AirBridge and

the hardware installation guide, which you can download by visiting

netgear.com/support/download/. This chapter describes how you can access the

AirBridge and configure the operation mode for your selected setup. The chapter

includes the following sections:

• Related documentation

• Overview

• About NETGEAR Insight

• AirBridge label

•Operation mode: AirBridge Master, AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge

• AirBridge mode

• Access the AirBridge for initial configuration

• Operation mode and default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration

• Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup

• Change the language of the local browser UI

Note: For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the

support website at netgear.com/support/.

Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time

to time at netgear.com/support/download/. You can check for and download new

firmware manually. If the features or behavior of your product does not match what is

described in this manual, you might need to update the firmware.

Related documentation

The following related AirBridgedocumentation is available at

netgear.com/support/download/:

•Installation guide

•Hardware installation guide

•Data sheet

For information about the NETGEAR Insight app and the Insight Cloud portal, visit

insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR knowledge base at

netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

Overview

The AirBridge is intended for environments where you need to extend your network to

another building or across a large outdoor campus or yard while no wired network

infrastructure is available.

The AirBridge can provide a long-distance, high performance, IEEE 802.11ac WiFi

connection in the following setups:

•Single master to single satellite. Point-to-point setup between two AirBridges in

a configuration with a single master and single satellite with a long-distance reach

of 1.8 miles (3 km) or more. This setup requires a line of sight between the main and

detached sites.

•Single master to multiple satellites. Point-to-multipoint setup between multiple

AirBridges in a configuration with a single master and up to four satellites with a

long-distance reach of 1.8 miles (3 km) or more. This setup requires a line of sight

between the main and detached sites.

•Outdoor access point. A setup that allows for a long-range WiFi reach in which an

AirBridge functions as an access point that provides connections to WiFi clients,

client bridges, or both.

•Outdoor client bridge. A setup in which an AirBridge functions as a client bridge,

providing a network connection to a wired device, such as an IP surveillance camera.

The client bridge connects to the main network through a backhaul WiFi connection

to a WiFi access point.

For information about application examples, see the hardware installation guide, which

you can download from netgear.com/support/download/.

User Manual8Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

You can mount the AirBridge outside to a wall or pole and provide power to the

AirBridge through an Ethernet cable that is connected to the provided power adapter,

which must be installed indoors. The AirBridge integrates a high-gain directional antenna

for a line of sight connection to other AirBridges or WiFi clients.

The AirBridge provides two 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 LAN ports for network

connections. One LAN port must be connected to the provided power adapter. Use

Category 5e (Cat 5e) or higher-rated Ethernet cables terminated with RJ-45 connectors

to make Gigabit connections.

For more information about the hardware, see the hardware installation guide.

The AirBridge provides administrative management options that let you configure,

monitor, and control the AirBridge and the WiFi network:

•Using the local browser user interface (UI) you can configure the AirBridge and set

up a WiFi connection between two or more units in any of the supported operation

modes. This manual (the user manual) describes the options that are available to

you when you use the local browser UI.

•Using NETGEAR Insight, you can set up a pair or a group of AirBridges, with one

AirBridge functioning as the master and one or more other AirBridges functioning

as satellites.

For more information about NETGEAR Insight, visit netgear.com/insight and see the

NETGEAR knowledge base articles at netgear.com/support.

About NETGEAR Insight

To configure and manage the AirBridge as a master or satellite in a point-to-point or

point-to-multipoint setup, you can use NETGEAR Insight app on your iOS or Android

mobile device and connect to the Insight cloud-based management platform. For Insight

Premium and Insight Pro subscribers, the AirBridge also supports the Insight Cloud

portal, which is the website that provides access to the Insight cloud-based management

platform.

Note: At this time, NETGEAR Insight does not support the access point and client

bridge operation modes. To configure and manage the AirBridge as an access point

or client bridge, you first must change the management mode to Standalone Mode,

and then use the local browser UI. For more information, see Change the management

mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111.

This user manual describes the local browser UI. For more information about NETGEAR

Insight, visit insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR knowledge base at

netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

User Manual9Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

If you install the AirBridge as a NETGEAR Insight managed device, the settings for

features that you can manage through the Insight app and Insight Cloud portal are

masked out in the local browser UI. However, using the local browser UI, you can still

manage the settings for certain features that are not yet supported in Insight. For more

information, visit the NETGEAR knowledge base at

netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx and search for What is Hybrid Management

Mode.

AirBridge label

The label on the back panel of the AirBridge shows the serial number, MAC address,

default management WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and default

Operation mode: AirBridge Master,

AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client

Bridge

The AirBridge can function in one of the following operation modes: AirBridge Master,

AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge.

With a WiFi link partner such as another AirBridge, you can provide network and Internet

connectivity to a detached site where no wired infrastructure is available.

Note: Closely related to the AirBridge operation mode is the AirBridge mode (that is,

without the term operation). If the operation mode for the AirBridge is AirBridge Master

or AirBridge Satellite, you can enable or disable the AirBridge mode. For more

information, see AirBridge mode on page 12.

The AirBridge can function in one of the following operation modes:

•AirBridge Master. The AirBridge functions as a master in a point-to-point setup or

point-to-multipoint setup. You install the master at a main site to provide long-distance

network and Internet connectivity to a satellite at one or more detached sites. This

setup requires a line of sight between the main site and each detached site. By

default, the AirBridge mode is enabled, which is the setting that we recommend for

a master-to-satellite setup. Depending on your network situation, your WiFi

requirements, and your understanding of the consequences, you can disable the

AirBridge mode.

User Manual10Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Note: We do not recommend that you use a master and several satellites to create

a multi-building campus network backbone.

•AirBridge Satellite. The AirBridge functions as a satellite in a master-to-satellite

setup. You install the satellite at a detached site. The master provides long-distance

network and Internet connectivity to the satellite. This setup requires a line of sight

between the detached site and main site. By default, the AirBridge mode is enabled,

which is the setting that we recommend for a master-to-satellite setup. However, the

AirBridge mode must be the same as on the master with which the satellite associates.

If the AirBridge mode is disabled on the master, you must also disable it on the

satellite.

•Access Point. The AirBridge functions as a regular WiFi access point to provide

network and Internet connectivity to any of the following types of WiFi link partners:

-An AirBridge that functions as a client bridge

- WiFi clients at an extended range

-Another type of access point

Note: To configure and manage the AirBridge as an access point, you first must

change the management mode to Standalone Mode, and then use the local browser

UI. For more information, see Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight

Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111. At this time, NETGEAR Insight does not

support the access point operation mode.

•Client Bridge. The AirBridge functions as a client bridge at a detached site to provide

network and Internet connectivity to a wired device such as an IP surveillance camera.

The client bridge connects to a WiFi access point at the main site. This access point

can be an AirBridge or another type of access point.

Note: To configure and manage the AirBridge as a client bridge, you first must

change the management mode to Standalone Mode, and then use the local browser

UI. For more information, see Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight

Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111. At this time, NETGEAR Insight does not

support the operation mode.

For information about configuring the operation mode, see Access the AirBridge for

initial configuration on page 14 and Manually Configure or Change the Operation Mode

on page 37.

The following table shows the features that are determined by the operation mode that

you select. For the AirBridge Master and AirBridge Satellite operation modes, the table

User Manual11Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

also shows the features that are determined by whether the AirBridge mode is enabled

or disabled.

Table 1. Features determined by the operation mode and the AirBridge mode

Client BridgeAccess PointAirBridge SatelliteAirBridge MasterFeature

AirBridge

mode N/A

AirBridge

mode N/A

AirBridge

mode

disabled1

AirBridge

mode

enabled1

AirBridge

mode

disabled

AirBridge

mode

enabled

Extended

range3

Extended

range3

Extended

range3

Long

distance2

Extended

range3

Long

distance2

WiFi range

N/AN/AN/ARequiredN/ARequiredLine of sight

AirBridge AP

or any WiFi AP

WiFi clients,

AirBridge AP,

and any WiFi

AirBridge

master only

AirBridge

master only

AirBridge, any

WiFi AP, and

WiFi clients

AirBridge

satellite only

WiFi link

partners

181141Number of

5 GHz SSIDs

Standalone

Mode4only

Standalone

Mode4only

Standalone

Mode4or

NETGEAR

Insight

Standalone

Mode4or

NETGEAR

Insight

Standalone

Mode4or

NETGEAR

Insight

Standalone

Mode4or

NETGEAR

Insight

Management

option

1. The AirBridge mode setting on the satellite must be the same as the one on the master.

2. Reliable long-distance WiFi connection of 1.8 miles (3 km) or more for a limited number of satellites.

3. Powerful antenna for a reliable extended-range WiFi connection for multiple individual WiFi clients.

4. Standalone Mode lets you use all options of the local browser UI.

AirBridge mode

The AirBridge mode specifies the type of multiple access method that the AirBridge

uses.

Note: Closely related to the AirBridge mode is the AirBridge operation mode (that is,

with the term operation). For more information, see Operation mode: AirBridge Master,

AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge on page 10.

You can select the AirBridge mode only if the operation mode of the AirBridge is

AirBridge Master or AirBridge Satellite. In a master-to-satellite setup, you must either

enable or disable the AirBridge mode on both the master and the satellite. (Do not

enable it on one and disable it on the other.)

User Manual12Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

The AirBridge mode determines the following characteristics on the AirBridge:

AirBridge mode enabled:

•Highly reliable connections for a limited number of WiFi devices. Provides

reliable point-to-point connections between a master and a satellite and

point-to-multipoint connections between a master and a limited number of satellites.

•Best suited for long distance for a limited number of WiFi devices. A master can

connect over a long distance of 1.8 miles (3 km) or more to a satellite at a detached

site.

•Single 5 GHz SSID. A single 5 GHz SSID provides the backhaul WiFi connection

between the master and the satellites.

•No individual WiFi clients supported. Other than the satellites, individual WiFi

clients cannot connect to the 5 GHz SSID. However, by connecting a switch and a

WiFi access point to the satellite, you can support multiple WiFi clients at the detached

site.

•Another AirBridge as a link partner only. An AirBridge and one or more other

AirBridges can establish WiFi connections. You cannot use any other types of access

points as link partners.

AirBridge mode disabled:

•Reliable connections for multiple WiFi devices. Provides reliable

point-to-multipoint connections between an access point and multiple individual

WiFi clients.

•Best suited for extended range for multiple WiFi devices. The powerful antenna

of the AirBridge supports a WiFi range that extends beyond the range of most access

points.

•Multiple 5 GHz SSIDs. Multiple 5 GHz SSIDs can support satellites, client bridges,

and individual WiFi clients.

•Individual WiFi clients supported. Individual WiFi clients can connect to the

AirBridge.

•Any access point as a link partner. Any access point, including third-party access

points, can establish a WiFi connection with an AirBridge.

Note: For information about configuring the AirBridge mode, see Manually Configure

or Change the Operation Mode on page 37, and Change the AirBridge mode on page

59.

User Manual13Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Access the AirBridge for initial configuration

Depending on your network situation, setup, and preference, you can use different

management options to connect to the AirBridge for initial configuration.

Table 2. Operation mode and management mode options

Management Mode

NETGEAR Insight Mode2

Management Mode

Standalone Mode1

Operation Mode

SupportedSupportedAirBridge Master, point-to-point or

point-to-multipoint setup

SupportedSupportedAirBridge Satellite, point-to-point

or point-to-multipoint

Not supportedSupportedAccess Point

Not supportedSupportedSatellite

1. Standalone Mode lets you use all options of the local browser UI.

2. NETGEAR Insight Mode lets you use the Insight app or Cloud Portal.

Depending on the operation mode (see Change the management mode to NETGEAR

Insight Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111), you can access and configure the

AirBridge by using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device, by

using the Insight Cloud portal, or by using the local browser UI. You cannot combine

Insight management with management over the local browser UI. These types of

management are mutually exclusive. However, even if you use Insight management,

you can still access the local browser UI for a limited number of options.

The Insight app and the Insight Cloud portal provide ease of access and let you configure

most features that are available on the AirBridge, except for the access point and client

bridge operation modes. However, the local browser UI lets you configure all features

that are available on the AirBridge, including the access point and client bridge operation

modes.

CAUTION: This device must be professionally installed. It is the installer’s responsibility

to follow local country regulations, including operations within legal frequency channels,

output power, and DFS requirements. The vendor, reseller, or distributor is not

responsible for illegal wireless operations. For more details, see the device’s terms and

conditions.

User Manual14Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Determine your access and configuration method and then see the information in the

relevant section in this manual:

•Insight app or the Insight Cloud portal. If you use the Insight app or the Insight

Cloud portal to access and configure the AirBridge as a master or satellite, see one

of the following sections:

- Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile

device on page 15

- Connect over the Internet using the NETGEAR Insight Cloud portal on page 17

•Local browser UI. If you use the local browser UI to access and configure the

AirBridge in any operation mode, see one of the following sections:

- Connect over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device on page 18

- Connect over Ethernet using a computer connected to the same network on

page 23

- Connect over Ethernet using a directly connected computer on page 28

Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight app on an

iOS or Android mobile device

You can install the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device to

configure and manage the AirBridge as a master or satellite.

Note: At this time, the NETGEAR Insight app does not support the access point and

client bridge operation modes. To configure and manage the AirBridge as an access

point or client bridge, you first must change the management mode to Standalone

Mode, and then use the local browser UI. For more information, see Change the

management mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111.

IMPORTANT: If you add the AirBridge to a NETGEAR Insight network location and

manage the AirBridge through the Insight app or Insight Cloud portal, the local device

password for the AirBridge changes. That is, the Insight network password for that

location replaces the local device password. To access the local browser UI, you must

then enter the Insight network password and not the local device password. If you later

decide to remove the AirBridge from the Insight network location or change the

management mode to Standalone Mode (see Change the management mode to

Standalone Mode on page 113), you must continue to use the Insight network password

to access the local browser UI until you manually change the local device password on

the AirBridge.

User Manual15Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

For more information about the Insight app, visit insight.netgear.com and see the

NETGEAR knowledge base at netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

To connect to the AirBridge over WiFi using an iOS or Android mobile device:

1. On your iOS or Android mobile device, go to the app store, search for NETGEAR

Insight, and download the latest version of the Insight app.

2. For initial discovery and configuration, connect your mobile device to the WiFi

network that is connected to the same network to which the AirBridge is connected.

Note: For initial discovery and configuration, do not connect your smartphone to

the default management SSID of the AirBridge.

3. Open the Insight app.

4. If you did not set up a NETGEAR account, tap Create NETGEAR Account and follow

the onscreen instructions.

5. Enter the email address and password for your account and tap LOG IN.

After you log in to your account, the IP address of the AirBridge displays in the device

list.

6. Write down the AirBridge IP address.

You can use the IP address to connect to the local browser UI of the AirBridge using

an Ethernet connection when your computer is connected to the same network as

the AirBridge. For more information, see Connect over Ethernet using a computer

connected to the same network on page 23.

7. To use the Insight app (instead of the local browser UI) to configure and manage

the AirBridge, tap the AirBridge, and follow the prompts to register the AirBridge

and add it to an Insight network location.

User Manual16Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Connect over the Internet using the NETGEAR Insight Cloud

portal

The Insight Cloud portal is available for Insight Premium or Insight Pro subscribers. To

use the NETGEAR Insight Cloud portal to configure and manage the AirBridge as a

master or satellite, the AirBridge must already be connected to the Internet.

Note: At this time, the NETGEAR Insight Cloud portal does not support the access

point and client bridge operation modes. To configure and manage the AirBridge as

an access point or client bridge, you first must change the management mode to

Standalone Mode, and then use the local browser UI. For more information, see Change

the management mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode or Standalone Mode on page 111.

IMPORTANT: If you add the AirBridge to a NETGEAR Insight network location and

manage the AirBridge through the Insight app or Insight Cloud portal, the local device

password for the AirBridge changes. That is, after you add the AirBridge to an Insight

network location, the Insight network password for that location replaces the local device

password. To access the local browser UI, you must then enter the Insight network

password and not the local device password. If you later decide to remove the AirBridge

from the Insight network location or change the management mode to Web-browser

mode (see Change the management mode to Standalone Mode on page 113), you must

continue to use the Insight network password to access the local browser UI until you

manually change the local device password on the AirBridge.

For more information about the Insight Cloud portal and the configuration and

management options that are available through the Insight Cloud portal, visit

insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR knowledge base at

netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

To connect to the AirBridge over the Internet through the Insight Cloud portal:

1. Visit insight.netgear.com.

The NETGEAR Account Login page displays.

2. Enter your Insight email address and password.

If you do not own an Insight account, you can create one.

3. Click the Login button.

After you log in, you can do the following:

•Add the AirBridge to the Cloud portal by entering its serial number.

•Add the AirBridge to an Insight network location.

•Configure and manage the AirBridge.

User Manual17Access the AirBridge and Use

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Connect over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or

mobile device

This section describes how to connect to the AirBridge for the first time over WiFi using

a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device (without using the NETGEAR Insight app).

For this procedure, do not connect the AirBridge to a network with a DHCP server,

otherwise you cannot access the AirBridge at its default IP address of 192.168.0.100.

To connect to the AirBridge over WiFi using a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile

device:

1. From your computer or mobile device, connect over WiFi to the AirBridge’s

management WiFi network.

The management SSID is on the AirBridge label on the bottom of the AirBridge and

is shown in the format NETGEARxxxxxx-SETUP, where xxxxxx is the last six

hexadecimal digits of the AirBridge’s MAC address. The default password is

sharedsecret.

2. On the computer or mobile device, open a web browser and, in the address bar,

enter https://192.168.0.100.

When the AirBridge is not connected to a network with a DHCP server, the default

IP address of the AirBridge is 192.168.0.100.

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

3. If your browser does not open the Day Zero Easy Setup page but displays a security

message and does not let you proceed, do one of the following:

•Google Chrome. If Google Chrome displays a Your connection is not private

message, click the ADVANCED link. Then, click the Proceed to 192.168.0.100

(unsafe) link.

•Apple Safari. If Apple Safari displays a This connection is not private message,

click the Show Details button. Then, click the visit this website link. If a warning

pop-up window opens, click the Visit Website button. If another pop-up window

User Manual18Access the AirBridge and Use

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

opens to let you confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, enter your Mac

user name and password and click the Update Setting button.

•Mozilla Firefox. If Mozilla Firefox displays a Your connection is not secure

message, click the ADVANCED button. Then, click the Add Exception button.

In the pop-up window that opens, click the Confirm Security Exception button.

•Microsoft Internet Explore. If Microsoft Internet Explorer displays a There is a

problem with this website’s security certificate message, click the Continue to

this website (not recommended) link.

•Microsoft Edge. If Microsoft Edge displays a There is a problem with this website’s

security certificate message or a similar warning, select Details > Go on to the

webpage.

4. Select the Standalone Mode radio button.

Note: After you save the basic settings that are shown on the page, the Day Zero

Easy Setup page no longer displays when you log in. Instead, a login window opens.

After you log in, the Dashboard page displays.

5. Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

User Manual19Access the AirBridge and Use

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

DescriptionSetting

From the menu, select the country and region in which the AirBridge is operating.

Note: Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device is operating. You

are responsible for complying with the local, regional, and national regulations that are

set for channels, power levels, and frequency ranges.

Note: It might not be legal to operate the AirBridge in a region other than the regions

listed in the menu. If your country or region is not listed, check with your local government

agency.

Country/Region

From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the AirBridge is

operating.

Time Zone

By default, the DHCP client of the AirBridge allows the AirBridge to receive an IP address

from a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) in your network.

To set up the AirBridge with a static (fixed) IP address, do the following:

a. Select the Disable radio button.

Additional fields display.

b. Specify the IP address, IP subnet mask, IP address of the default gateway, and IP address

of the DNS server.

DHCP Client

As an option, enter a new device name for the AirBridge. The name must contain

alphanumeric characters, cannot be longer than 15 characters, and cannot contains spaces.

The name can contain hyphens, but cannot start or end with a hyphen.

By default, the device name is WBC502, which is the AirBridge’s model number.

AP Name

Enter a new local device password. This is the password that you must use to log in to the

AirBridge’s local browser UI. (It is not the password that you use for WiFi access.)

The password must be 8 to 32 characters in length and must contain at least one uppercase

letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. The following special characters are allowed:

!@#$%^&*()

Write down and save the password for future use.

AP Login New

Password

Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password field.Confirm New

Password

User Manual20Access the AirBridge and Use

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

From the menu, select the operation mode that the AirBridge must function in:

•AirBridge Master

•AirBridge Satellite

•Access Point

•Client Bridge

For information about the operation modes, see Operation mode: AirBridge Master,

AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge on page 10 and Operation mode and

default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration on page 33.

Operation Mode

Enter a name for the 5 GHz SSID. You can use a maximum of 32 characters with a

combination of alphanumeric and special characters, except for quotation marks (") and

a backslash (\).

The function of the 5 GHz SSID depends on the operation mode:

•AirBridge master and satellite. The 5 GHz SSID is the backhaul WiFi connection

between the master and the satellite.

•Access point. The 5 GHz SSID is the WiFi network that the access point broadcasts.

•Client bridge. The 5 GHz SSID is the WiFi extension between the client bridge and the

base station.

SSID

From the menu, select one of the following authentication types for the 5 GHz SSID:

•Open. Authentication is not required and data encryption is not supported. This setting

does not provide any security and is not appropriate for most situations.

•WPA2-AES. This option allows the 5 GHz SSID to be secured with a WPA2 passphrase.

This option uses AES encryption. All devices that use the 5 GHz SSID must be capable

of supporting WPA2-AES.

After you complete the setup process, you can set up WPA2 Enterprise security with

RADIUS servers. For more information, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81 or Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client

bridge on page 84.

Authentication

Unless you selected Open from the Authentication Type menu, enter a new passphrase

(network key or WiFi password) for the 5 GHz SSID.

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Passphrase

User Manual21Access the AirBridge and Use

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The management SSID lets you connect from your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile

device to the AirBridge to configure and manage the it. This management SSID is not

used for backhaul or regular WiFi client connections.

For more information, see Manage the settings for the 2.4 GHz management SSID on

page 86.

Management

SSID

Enter a new passphrase (network key or WiFi password) for the management SSID. This

passphrase replaces the default passphrase (sharedsecret).

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Management

WPA2

Passphrase

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

After about one minute the AirBridge is back online.

This process takes about one minute.

7. Reconnect over WiFi to the AirBridge’s management SSID using the new passphrase

that you just defined on the Day Zero Easy Setup page.

8. In the web browser, enter https://192.168.0.100.

If you assigned a static IP address to the AirBridge, enter that IP address.

The login page displays.

9. If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see the information in Step 3.

10. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you just defined

on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

11. In the TERMS OF USE section, click the NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions link, and

read the terms of use.

12. If you agree, select the check box to acknowledge that you read and agree with the

You need to select this check box only once. Subsequent times that you log in, the

check box is preselected.

13. Click the Login button.

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

You can now customize the AirBridge settings for your network environment.

User Manual22Access the AirBridge and Use

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Connect over Ethernet using a computer connected to the

same network

The following procedure assumes that your network includes a DHCP server (or router

that functions as a DHCP server) and that the AirBridge and the computer are on the

same network. By default, the AirBridge functions as a DHCP client. If you want to set

up the AirBridge with a static (fixed) IP address, see Connect over Ethernet using a

directly connected computer on page 28.

To connect to the AirBridge using a computer that is connected to the same network

as the AirBridge:

1. To determine the IP address that the DHCP server assigned to the AirBridge, use

one of the following methods:

•Windows-based computer. If you use a Windows-based computer, open

Windows Explorer, and click the Network link. If prompted, enable the Network

Discovery feature. Under Network Infrastructure, locate the WBC502 (assuming

that you did not change the device name), and double-click WBC502.

•DHCP server. Access the DHCP server in your network and open the page the

shows the network connections.

•IP network scanner. Use an IP network scanner to scan for the IP address that

is assigned to the AirBridge.

•NETGEAR Insight app. Use the NETGEAR Insight app to discover the IP address

that is assigned to the AirBridge. For more information, see Connect over WiFi

using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page

15.

2. On the computer, open a web browser and, in the address bar, enter the IP address

that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

User Manual23Access the AirBridge and Use

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3. If your browser does not open the Day Zero Easy Setup page but displays a security

message and does not let you proceed, do one of the following:

•Google Chrome. If Google Chrome displays a Your connection is not private

message, click the ADVANCED link. Then, click the Proceed to x.x.x.x (unsafe)

link, in which x.x.x.x represents the IP address of the AirBridge.

•Apple Safari. If Apple Safari displays a This connection is not private message,

click the Show Details button. Then, click the visit this website link. If a warning

pop-up window opens, click the Visit Website button. If another pop-up window

opens to let you confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, enter your Mac

user name and password and click the Update Setting button.

•Mozilla Firefox. If Mozilla Firefox displays a Your connection is not secure

message, click the ADVANCED button. Then, click the Add Exception button.

In the pop-up window that opens, click the Confirm Security Exception button.

•Microsoft Internet Explore. If Microsoft Internet Explorer displays a There is a

problem with this website’s security certificate message, click the Continue to

this website (not recommended) link.

•Microsoft Edge. If Microsoft Edge displays a There is a problem with this website’s

security certificate message or a similar warning, select Details > Go on to the

webpage.

4. Select the Standalone Mode radio button.

Note: After you save the basic settings that are shown on the page, the Day Zero

Easy Setup page no longer displays when you log in. Instead, a login window opens.

After you log in, the Dashboard page displays.

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5. Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

DescriptionSetting

From the menu, select the country and region in which the AirBridge is operating.

Note: Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device is operating. You

are responsible for complying with the local, regional, and national regulations that are

set for channels, power levels, and frequency ranges.

Note: It might not be legal to operate the AirBridge in a region other than the regions

listed in the menu. If your country or region is not listed, check with your local government

agency.

Country/Region

From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the AirBridge is

operating.

Time Zone

By default, the DHCP client of the AirBridge allows the AirBridge to receive an IP address

from a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) in your network.

To set up the AirBridge with a static (fixed) IP address, do the following:

a. Select the Disable radio button.

Additional fields display.

b. Specify the IP address, IP subnet mask, IP address of the default gateway, and IP address

of the DNS server.

DHCP Client

As an option, enter a new device name for the AirBridge. The name must contain

alphanumeric characters, cannot be longer than 15 characters, and cannot contains spaces.

The name can contain hyphens, but cannot start or end with a hyphen.

By default, the device name is WBC502, which is the AirBridge’s model number.

AP Name

Enter a new local device password. This is the password that you must use to log in to the

AirBridge’s local browser UI. (It is not the password that you use for WiFi access.)

The password must be 8 to 32 characters in length and must contain at least one uppercase

letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. The following special characters are allowed:

!@#$%^&*()

Write down and save the password for future use.

AP Login New

Password

Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password field.Confirm New

Password

User Manual25Access the AirBridge and Use

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

From the menu, select the operation mode that the AirBridge must function in:

•AirBridge Master

•AirBridge Satellite

•Access Point

•Client Bridge

For information about the operation modes, see Operation mode: AirBridge Master,

AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge on page 10 and Operation mode and

default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration on page 33.

Operation Mode

Enter a name for the 5 GHz SSID. You can use a maximum of 32 characters with a

combination of alphanumeric and special characters, except for quotation marks (") and

a backslash (\).

The function of the 5 GHz SSID depends on the operation mode:

•AirBridge master and satellite. The 5 GHz SSID is the backhaul WiFi connection

between the master and the satellite.

•Access point. The 5 GHz SSID is the WiFi network that the access point broadcasts.

•Client bridge. The 5 GHz SSID is the WiFi extension between the client bridge and the

base station.

SSID

From the menu, select one of the following authentication types for the 5 GHz SSID:

•Open. Authentication is not required and data encryption is not supported. This setting

does not provide any security and is not appropriate for most situations.

•WPA2-AES. This option allows the 5 GHz SSID to be secured with a WPA2 passphrase.

This option uses AES encryption. All devices that use the 5 GHz SSID must be capable

of supporting WPA2-AES.

After you complete the setup process, you can set up WPA2 Enterprise security with

RADIUS servers. For more information, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81 or Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client

bridge on page 84.

Authentication

Unless you selected Open from the Authentication Type menu, enter a new passphrase

(network key or WiFi password) for the 5 GHz SSID.

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Passphrase

User Manual26Access the AirBridge and Use

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The management SSID lets you connect from your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile

device to the AirBridge to configure and manage the it. This management SSID is not

used for backhaul or regular WiFi client connections.

For more information, see Manage the settings for the 2.4 GHz management SSID on

page 86.

Management

SSID

Enter a new passphrase (network key or WiFi password) for the management SSID. This

passphrase replaces the default passphrase (sharedsecret).

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Management

WPA2

Passphrase

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

After about one minute the AirBridge is back online.

The login page displays.

7. If the login page does not display automatically, take one of the following actions:

•If you assigned a static IP address to the AirBridge, enter that IP address in the

address bar of the web browser.

•If you did not assign a static IP address, reenter the IP address that is displayed

in the address bar of the web browser. If that does not work, write down the IP

address, close the web browser, reopen the web browser, and then reenter the

IP address in the address bar of the web browser.

•If you did not assign a static IP address and you closed the page so that you

cannot see the IP address of the AirBridge, use an IP scanner tool, use a network

discovery tool, or access the DHCP server to discover the IP address of the

AirBridge in your network. Then, open a browser and enter the IP address in the

address bar of the web browser.

•If your browser does not open the login page but displays a security message

and does not let you proceed, see the information in Step 3.

8. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you just defined

on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

9. In the TERMS OF USE section, click the NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions link, and

read the terms of use.

User Manual27Access the AirBridge and Use

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10. If you agree, select the check box to acknowledge that you read and agree with the

You need to select this check box only once. Subsequent times that you log in, the

check box is preselected.

11. Click the Login button.

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

You can now customize the AirBridge settings for your network environment.

Connect over Ethernet using a directly connected computer

If your network does not include a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP

server), you can use a computer that is connected through an Ethernet cable to the LAN

port of the AirBridge.

To connect to the AirBridge using a computer that is connected to a LAN port of

the AirBridge:

1. Record the IP address and subnet mask of your computer so that you can reinstate

these IP address settings later.

2. Temporarily change the IP address on your computer to 192.168.0.210 with

255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask.

(You can actually use any IP address in the 192.168.0.2–192.168.0.254 range, with

the exception of IP address 192.168.0.100, which is the default IP address of the

AirBridge.)

For more information about changing the IP address on your computer, see the help

or documentation for your computer.

3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the LAN2 port on the AirBridge.

4. On the computer, open a web browser and enter 192.168.0.100 in the address

bar.

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

User Manual28Access the AirBridge and Use

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5. If your browser does not open the Day Zero Easy Setup page but displays a security

message and does not let you proceed, do one of the following:

•Google Chrome. If Google Chrome displays a Your connection is not private

message, click the ADVANCED link. Then, click the Proceed to 192.168.0.100

(unsafe) link.

•Apple Safari. If Apple Safari displays a This connection is not private message,

click the Show Details button. Then, click the visit this website link. If a warning

pop-up window opens, click the Visit Website button. If another pop-up window

opens to let you confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, enter your Mac

user name and password and click the Update Setting button.

•Mozilla Firefox. If Mozilla Firefox displays a Your connection is not secure

message, click the ADVANCED button. Then, click the Add Exception button.

In the pop-up window that opens, click the Confirm Security Exception button.

•Microsoft Internet Explore. If Microsoft Internet Explorer displays a There is a

problem with this website’s security certificate message, click the Continue to

this website (not recommended) link.

•Microsoft Edge. If Microsoft Edge displays a There is a problem with this website’s

security certificate message or a similar warning, select Details > Go on to the

webpage.

6. Select the Standalone Mode radio button.

Note: After you save the basic settings that are shown on the page, the Day Zero

Easy Setup page no longer displays when you log in. Instead, a login window opens.

After you log in, the Dashboard page displays.

User Manual29Access the AirBridge and Use

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7. Enter the settings that are described in the following table.

DescriptionSetting

From the menu, select the country and region in which the AirBridge is operating.

Note: Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device is operating. You

are responsible for complying with the local, regional, and national regulations that are

set for channels, power levels, and frequency ranges.

Note: It might not be legal to operate the AirBridge in a region other than the regions

listed in the menu. If your country or region is not listed, check with your local government

agency.

Country/Region

From the menu, select the time zone for the country and region in which the AirBridge is

operating.

Time Zone

By default, the DHCP client of the AirBridge allows the AirBridge to receive an IP address

from a DHCP server (or router that functions as a DHCP server) in your network.

To set up the AirBridge with a static (fixed) IP address, do the following:

a. Select the Disable radio button.

Additional fields display.

b. Specify the IP address, IP subnet mask, IP address of the default gateway, and IP address

of the DNS server.

DHCP Client

As an option, enter a new device name for the AirBridge. The name must contain

alphanumeric characters, cannot be longer than 15 characters, and cannot contains spaces.

The name can contain hyphens, but cannot start or end with a hyphen.

By default, the device name is WBC502, which is the AirBridge’s model number.

AP Name

Enter a new local device password. This is the password that you must use to log in to the

AirBridge’s local browser UI. (It is not the password that you use for WiFi access.)

The password must be 8 to 32 characters in length and must contain at least one uppercase

letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. The following special characters are allowed:

!@#$%^&*()

Write down and save the password for future use.

AP Login New

Password

Enter exactly the same password that you entered in the AP Login New Password field.Confirm New

Password

User Manual30Access the AirBridge and Use

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

From the menu, select the operation mode that the AirBridge must function in:

•AirBridge Master

•AirBridge Satellite

•Access Point

•Client Bridge

For information about the operation modes, see Operation mode: AirBridge Master,

AirBridge Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge on page 10 and Operation mode and

default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration on page 33.

Operation Mode

Enter a name for the 5 GHz SSID. You can use a maximum of 32 characters with a

combination of alphanumeric and special characters, except for quotation marks (") and

a backslash (\).

The function of the 5 GHz SSID depends on the operation mode:

•AirBridge master and satellite. The 5 GHz SSID is the backhaul WiFi connection

between the master and the satellite.

•Access point. The 5 GHz SSID is the WiFi network that the access point broadcasts.

•Client bridge. The 5 GHz SSID is the WiFi extension between the client bridge and the

base station.

SSID

From the menu, select one of the following authentication types for the 5 GHz SSID:

•Open. Authentication is not required and data encryption is not supported. This setting

does not provide any security and is not appropriate for most situations.

•WPA2-AES. This option allows the 5 GHz SSID to be secured with a WPA2 passphrase.

This option uses AES encryption. All devices that use the 5 GHz SSID must be capable

of supporting WPA2-AES.

After you complete the setup process, you can set up WPA2 Enterprise security with

RADIUS servers. For more information, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81 or Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client

bridge on page 84.

Authentication

Unless you selected Open from the Authentication Type menu, enter a new passphrase

(network key or WiFi password) for the 5 GHz SSID.

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Passphrase

User Manual31Access the AirBridge and Use

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The management SSID lets you connect from your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile

device to the AirBridge to configure and manage the it. This management SSID is not

used for backhaul or regular WiFi client connections.

For more information, see Manage the settings for the 2.4 GHz management SSID on

page 86.

Management

SSID

Enter a new passphrase (network key or WiFi password) for the management SSID. This

passphrase replaces the default passphrase (sharedsecret).

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Management

WPA2

Passphrase

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved.

After about one minute the AirBridge is back online.

The login page displays.

9. If the login page does not open automatically, enter 192.168.0.100 in the address

bar of your browser.

If you changed the IP address (that is, you specified a static IP address), enter the

new IP address.

10. If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see the information in Step 5.

11. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you just defined

on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

12. In the TERMS OF USE section, click the NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions link, and

read the terms of use.

13. If you agree, select the check box to acknowledge that you read and agree with the

You need to select this check box only once. Subsequent times that you log in, the

check box is preselected.

14. Click the Login button.

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

You can now customize the AirBridge settings for your network environment.

User Manual32Access the AirBridge and Use

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15. After you complete the setup process, or both the setup process and your

configurations, you can change the computer back to its original IP address settings.

Operation mode and default settings after

the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration

After you complete the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration and specify the AirBridge to

function in one of four operation modes, the default settings are as stated in the following

table.

Note: In some countries and regions, the default settings might differ from the settings

that are stated in the following table.

Table 3. Operation mode default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration

Client BridgeAccess PointAirBridge SatelliteAirBridge MasterDefault Setting

N/AN/AEnabledEnabledAirBridge mode

EnabledEnabledEnabledEnabledAuto RF

N/A40 MHzN/A40 MHzChannel HT mode

N/A32N/AN/AClient Limit

1 km (0.6 miles)1 km (0.6 miles)1 km (0.6 miles)1 km (0.6 miles)Distance

N/AN/AN/AAutoMaster Time Slot

N/AN/AHighN/ASatellite Priority

Note: For information about manually configuring the operation mode, see Manually

Configure or Change the Operation Mode on page 37.

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After initial setup, the AirBridge is ready for use and you can change the settings and

monitor traffic.

When you access the local browser UI of the AirBridge, your browser might display a

security message. You can either ignore this message or install the AirBridge’s security

certificate. Consider the following examples:

•Google Chrome. If Google Chrome displays a Your connection is not private

message, click the ADVANCED link. Then, click the Proceed to x.x.x.x (unsafe)

link, in which x.x.x.x represents the IP address of the AirBridge.

•Apple Safari. If Apple Safari displays a This connection is not private message, click

the Show Details button. Then, click the visit this website link. If a warning pop-up

window opens, click the Visit Website button. If another pop-up window opens to

let you confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, enter your Mac user name

and password and click the Update Setting button.

•Mozilla Firefox. If Mozilla Firefox displays a Your connection is not secure message,

click the ADVANCED button. Then, click the Add Exception button. In the pop-up

window that opens, click the Confirm Security Exception button.

•Microsoft Internet Explore. If Microsoft Internet Explorer displays a There is a

problem with this website’s security certificate message, click the Continue to this

website (not recommended) link.

•Microsoft Edge. If Microsoft Edge displays a There is a problem with this website’s

security certificate message or a similar warning, select Details > Go on to the

webpage.

To log in to the AirBridge’s local browser UI:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see the information in the introduction of this task.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for that location (see Connect over

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WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page

15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

The following figure shows the Device Status page and the Device Information

section.

For more information about the sections on the Device Status page, see View the

device status and other information on page 133.

Change the language of the local browser UI

You can change the language of the local browser UI.

To change the language of the local browser UI:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

User Manual35Access the AirBridge and Use

the Easy Setup Method

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. From the menu at the top right of the page, select another language.

After a few seconds, the language changes.

User Manual36Access the AirBridge and Use

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Manually Configure or Change the

Operation Mode

When you access the AirBridge for the first time, you must select an operation mode

on the Day Zero Easy Setup page. After you do so, you can also manually change the

operation mode and settings.

This chapter describes how you can manually configure the operation mode of the

AirBridge and the settings that are associated with the selected operation mode. For

an overview of the operation modes, see Operation mode: AirBridge Master, AirBridge

Satellite, Access Point, or Client Bridge on page 10.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Recommendations for configuration

• Configure the AirBridge as a master in a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint setup

• Configure the AirBridge as a satellite in a point-to-point setup

• Configure the AirBridge as an access point

• Configure the AirBridge as a client bridge

CAUTION: This device must be professionally installed. It is the installer’s responsibility

to follow local country regulations, including operations within legal frequency channels,

output power, and DFS requirements. The vendor, reseller, or distributor is not

responsible for illegal wireless operations. For more details, see the device’s terms and

conditions.

Recommendations for configuration

For a master-to-satellite, site-to-site setup, we recommend that you complete the initial

pairing of the AirBridges at a staging area with easy access to the network that is to

supply connectivity to the master and access point. For information about the hardware

setup, see the hardware installation manual, which you can download by visiting

netgear.com/support/download/.

We recommend the following configuration order:

•If you manually configure AirBridges in a master-to-satellite setup (or change such

an existing configuration), we recommend that you first configure the satellite and

then configure the master. After you complete the configurations, the WiFi backhaul

connection between the master and satellite is automatically established.

Note: If you first configure the master and then configure the satellite, the WiFi

backhaul connection between the master and satellite is not (or no longer)

operational, and you might not be able to access the satellite.

•Similarly, if you manually configure an AirBridge as a client bridge in an access

point-to-client bridge setup (or change such an existing configuration), we

recommend that you first configure the client bridge and then configure the access

point. (The access point can be an AirBridge or another type of access point.) After

you complete the configurations, the WiFi backhaul connection between the access

point and client bridge is automatically established.

Note: If you first configure the access point and then configure the client bridge,

the WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client bridge is not (or

no longer) operational, and you might not be able to access the client bridge.

Configure the AirBridge as a master in a

point-to-point or point-to-multipoint setup

You can configure the AirBridge as a master in a point-to-point or point to-multipoint

setup. You install the master at a main site to provide network and Internet connectivity

to one or more satellites at detached sites where no wired infrastructure is available.

This setup requires a line of sight between the main site and each detached site.

Note: We do not recommend that you use a master and several satellites to create a

multi-building campus network backbone.

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To configure the AirBridge as a master in a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint

setup:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. From the Operation Mode menu, select AirBridge Master.

6. Select the AirBridge Enable radio button.

By default, the AirBridge mode is enabled, which is the setting that we recommend

for a master-to-satellite setup. Depending on your network situation, your WiFi

requirements, and your understanding of the consequences, you can disable the

AirBridge mode.

Note: For information about optional advanced settings that display on the page,

such as changing the Auto RF mode (so that you can set a specific transmission

power), channel HT mode, channel, bit rate, and master time slot, see Manage

Advanced WiFi and Radio Features on page 90. We recommend that you do not

change these advanced settings while you perform the current task.

7. In the Distance field, enter the approximate distance at which the satellite or satellites

are located.

Enter the distance in km. (1 km is 0.6 miles.) For example, if the distance is 2 km

(1.2 miles), enter 2.

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Note: For information about changing the name or security settings of the

5 GHz backhaul SSID to which the satellite or satellites must connect, see Manage

the 5 GHz SSIDs and WiFi security on page 65.

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Configure the AirBridge as a satellite in a

point-to-point setup

You can configure the AirBridge as a satellite in a point-to-point setup with an AirBridge

master that is located at a main site. You install the satellite at a detached site, where

no wired infrastructure is available. This setup requires a line of sight between the

detached site and the main site.

To configure the AirBridge as a satellite:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

5. From the Operation Mode menu, select AirBridge Satellite.

6. Select the AirBridge Enable radio button.

By default, the AirBridge mode is enabled, which is the setting that we recommend

for a master-to-satellite setup. Depending on your network situation, your WiFi

requirements, and your understanding of the consequences, you can disable the

AirBridge mode.

Note: For information about optional advanced settings that display on the page,

such as changing the Auto RF mode (so that you can set a specific transmission

power), bit rate, and satellite priority, see Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features

on page 90. We recommend that you do not change these advanced settings while

you perform the current task.

7. In the Distance field, enter the approximate distance at which the master is located.

Enter the distance in km. (1 km is 0.6 miles.) For example, if the distance is 2 km

(1.2 miles), enter 2.

8. In the Wireless Settings - 5GHZ section, click the Edit button.

A new page opens.

IMPORTANT: The first time that you set up a satellite to connect to a master, the

master must be offline to prevent a network loop. Therefore, you must enter the

5 GHZ SSID backhaul settings manually (see the next step). For more information

about the master-to-satellite hardware setup that we recommend, see the hardware

installation guide.

Tip: If you are changing an existing 5 GHZ SSID backhaul setting for a satellite, the

master might already be online, allowing you to use the AP detection scanning

function to scan for a master (see Scan for neighboring access points on page 62).

9. To manually configure the 5 GHZ SSID backhaul settings, specify the following

settings:

a. To enter the basic service set ID (BSSID) of one particular master, select the

Preferred SSID check box, and enter the MAC addresses of the 5 GHZ radio of

the AirBridge master.

This option is useful if your network includes more than one master. If your network

includes a single master, you can skip this option.

b. In the SSID field, enter the name of the 5 GHZ SSID of the master with which you

want the satellite to connect.

c. From the Security Mode menu, select the type of security, if any, for the

connection to the selected SSID.

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d. If the type of security is WPA2-PSK, in the Passphrase field, enter the WiFi

passphrase (also referred to as WiFi password or network key).

If the type of security is WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security

on a satellite or client bridge on page 84.

e. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

10. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied. The WiFi connection is reestablished. The page

displays the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Configure the AirBridge as an access point

You can configure the AirBridge as an access point that can support multiple

5 GHZ SSIDs. You install the access point at a main site to provide network and Internet

connectivity to individual WiFi clients, client bridges, other access point that extend the

WiFi network, or a combination of these. This setup does not require a line of sight

between the access point and the WiFi clients, client bridge, or other access point. The

powerful antenna of the AirBridge allows for an extended WiFi range.

To configure the AirBridge as an access point:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

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The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. From the Operation Mode menu, select Access Point.

Note: For information about optional advanced settings that display on the page,

such as changing the Auto RF mode (so that you can set a specific transmission

power), channel HT mode, channel, and bit rate, see Manage Advanced WiFi and

Radio Features on page 90. We recommend that you do not change these advanced

settings while you perform the current task.

6. To limit the number of clients that can connect to the AirBridge, keep the Clients

Limits Enable radio button selected and enter a number in the Client Limits field.

By default, the limit is 32 clients. You can specify a lower or higher number of

maximum WiFi clients. The range is from 1 to 32. The maximum number applies to

all clients connected to all 5 GHZ SSIDs on the AirBridge. You can disable client

limits entirely by selecting the Clients Limits Disable check box.

7. To scan for neighboring access points, click the AP Detection Scan button.

A new page opens. For more information, see Scan for neighboring access points

on page 62.

8. In the Distance field, enter the approximate distance at which most WiFi devices or

client bridges are located.

Enter the distance in km. (1 km is 0.6 miles.) For example, if the distance is 2 km

(1.2 miles), enter 2.

9. In the Wireless Settings - Access Point section, do one of the following:

•To change the default 5 GHZ SSID or another previously enabled 5 GHZ SSID,

click the Edit button for the 5 GHZ SSID.

•To enable and configure a new 5 GHZ SSID, select the Enabled check box for a

disabled 5 GHZ SSID, and then click the Edit button for the 5 GHZ SSID.

A new page opens.

10. To configure the 5 GHZ SSID settings, specify the settings that are described in the

following table:

DescriptionSetting

Wireless Setting - Access Point 5GHz

This check box is selected, otherwise you cannot configure the SSID settings.Enable

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The service set ID (SSID), which is the name for the WiFi network with which WiFi clients

can connect.

SSID

To hide the WiFi network name and prevent it from displaying in the scanning list of a WiFi

client, select the Enable radio button. To connect to the WiFi network, a user must know

the WiFi network name.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Hidden SSID

To prevent WiFi clients that are associated with the same or different WiFi networks on the

access point from communicating with each other, select the Enable radio button. If you

enable client isolation, WiFi clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

When the AirBridge mode is disabled, by default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Client Isolation

To prevent clients on different VLANs from communicating with each other, select the

Enable radio button, and enter the VLAN ID in the ID field. This VLAN ID must already be

defined in your network. The default VLAN ID is 1. The range is from 1 to 4094.

If you enable VLAN isolation, clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

VLAN Isolation

To prevent WiFi and LAN clients on the same access point from communicating with each

other, select the Enable radio button. If you enable L2 isolation, clients can still communicate

with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

L2 Isolation

Wireless Security

From the Security Mode menu, select WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise for the connection

to the selected SSID.

For information about WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81.

Note: We recommend that you set up security, although in certain situations, and if you

are aware of the risks, you can select None.

Security Mode

This field is fixed at AES. You cannot select another option.Encryption

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, enter a passphrase (network key

or WiFi password) that WiFi clients must enter to connect to the SSID.

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

Passphrase

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The period in seconds that the group key changes. The period can be from 30 to 3600

seconds. The default period is 3600 seconds (1 hour).

If you enter 0, the update interval is disabled and the group key is not changed. For greater

security, we recommend that you do not disable the update interval so that the group key

can be changed automatically.

Group Key

Update Interval

Fast Roaming

To enable fast roaming, select the Enable radio button. By default, the Disable radio button

is selected.

If your network includes WiFi clients that must be able to roam from one access point to

another, enable fast roaming so that certain client applications can quickly reassociate with

a new access point.

Fast roaming is not available if you select None from the Security Mode menu.

Status

For information about other WiFi features such as setting up a MAC filter and traffic

shaping, see Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features on page 90.

11. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but no yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

12. To enable the guest network on an SSID, in the Wireless Settings - Access Point

section, select the Guest Network check box for the SSID.

13. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

14. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied. The WiFi connection is reestablished. The page

displays the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Configure the AirBridge as a client bridge

You can configure the AirBridge as a client bridge. You install the client bridge at a

detached site to provide network and Internet connectivity to a single wired device that

is not WiFi-capable on its own. For example, you could connect a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ)

camera to a client bridge.

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This setup does not require a line of sight between the access point at the main site and

the client bridge. The access point with which the client bridge associates can be either

another AirBridge or a different model access point.

To configure the AirBridge as a client bridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. From the Operation Mode menu, select Client Bridge.

Note: For information about optional advanced settings that display on the page,

such as changing the Auto RF mode (so that you can set a specific transmission

power) and bit rate, see Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features on page 90.

We recommend that you do not change these advanced settings while you perform

the current task.

6. Click the AP Detection Scan button.

A new page opens. After the AirBridge completes its scan for neighboring access

points, the page displays (for each detected access point) the information that is

described in the following table.

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DescriptionSetting

The basic service set ID (BSSID) in the format of a MAC address.

This is usually the MAC address of the radio on the AirBridge master or access point that

broadcasts the SSID.

BSSID

The service set ID (SSID), which is the name for the WiFi network with which the AirBridge

satellite, client bridge, or access point can connect.

SSID

The radio channel on which the SSID is being broadcast.Channel

The strength of the WiFi signal that is being broadcast, expressed in –dBm.

A lower value means a stronger signal. For example, –40 dBm indicates a stronger signal

than –60 dBm.

Signal Level

The type of security that is configured for the SSID.Security

The operation mode of the detected access point.Mode

7. Select the access point with which you want the client bridge to associate by clicking

the row for the access point.

The page changes.

8. To select the BSSID of the selected access point as the preferred BSSID, select the

check box.

After you select the BSSID, in most situations, you do not need to change the detected

SSID, security mode, and encryption.

9. If the security mode is WPA2-PSK, in the Passphrase field, enter the passphrase that

is required to connect to the SSID.

If the type of security is WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on

a satellite or client bridge on page 84.

10. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

11. In the Distance field, enter the approximate distance at which the access point is

located.

Enter the distance in km. (1 km is 0.6 miles.) For example, if the distance is 2 km

(1.2 miles), enter 2.

12. Click the Save button.

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Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The pop-up window shows the number

of changes to be applied.

13. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage the Wired Network

Settings

This chapter describes how you can manage the wired network settings of the AirBridge.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Specify a static IPv4 address for the AirBridge

• Specify a link-local IPv6 address for the AirBridge

• Reenable the DHCP client of the AirBridge

• Manage the STP settings

Specify a static IPv4 address for the AirBridge

By default, the DHCP client of the AirBridge is enabled, allowing a DHCP server (usually,

a router) in your network to assign an IPv4 address to the AirBridge. You can disable

the DHCP client and specify static (fixed) IP address settings for the AirBridge.

To specify static IPv4 address settings for the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Basic.

The page that displays shows the IPv4 Settings, IPv6 Settings, and Spanning Tree

Protocol (STP) Settings sections.

5. In the IPv4 Settings section, select the Static IP radio button.

The IPv4 address fields display.

6. Specify the static IPv4 address, subnet mask, gateway IPv4 address, and primary and

secondary DNS addresses.

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Note: To log back in to the AirBridge, you now must use the static IP address that you

assigned.

Specify a link-local IPv6 address for the

AirBridge

By default, the DHCP client of the AirBridge is enabled, allowing a DHCPv6 server

(usually, a router) in your network to assign an IPv6 address to the AirBridge. You can

disable the DHCP client and specify link-local IPv6 address settings for the AirBridge.

To specify link-local IPv6 address settings for the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Basic.

The page that displays shows the IPv4 Settings, IPv6 Settings, and Spanning Tree

Protocol (STP) Settings sections.

5. In the IPv4 Settings section, select the Static IP radio button.

The IPv4 address fields display.

6. In the IPv6 Settings section, clear the Link-local Address check box.

The IPv6 address fields display.

7. Specify the static IPv6 address, subnet prefix length, IPv6 gateway address, and

primary and secondary DNS addresses.

8. Click the Save button.

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Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Note: To log back in to the AirBridge, you now must use the IPv6 address that you

assigned.

Reenable the DHCP client of the AirBridge

If you disabled the DHCP client of the AirBridge, you can reenable it.

To reenable the DHCP client of the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Basic.

The page that displays shows the IPv4 Settings, IPv6 Settings, and Spanning Tree

Protocol (STP) Settings sections.

5. In the IPv4 Settings section, select the DHCP radio button.

The IPv4 address fields no longer display.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

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A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Note: To log back in to the AirBridge, you now must use the IP address that is assigned

by the DHCP (or DHCPv6) server in your network.

To determine the IP address that the DHCP server assigned to the AirBridge, use one

of the following methods:

•Windows-based computer. If you use a Windows-based computer, open Windows

Explorer, and click the Network link. If prompted, enable the Network Discovery

feature. Under Network Infrastructure, locate the WBC502 (assuming that you did

not change the device name), and double-click WBC502.

•DHCP server. Access the DHCP server in your network and open the page the shows

the network connections.

•IP network scanner. Use an IP network scanner to scan for the IP address that is

assigned to the AirBridge.

•NETGEAR Insight app. Use the NETGEAR Insight app to discover the IP address

that is assigned to the AirBridge. For more information, see Connect over WiFi using

the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15.

Manage the STP settings

By default, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is enabled on the AirBridge.

You can change the settings for STP, or disabled it entirely. However, we recommend

that you keep STP enabled because it helps to prevent network loops.

To manage the STP settings:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

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If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Basic.

The page that displays shows the IPv4 Settings, IPv6 Settings, and Spanning Tree

Protocol (STP) Settings sections.

5. In the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Settings section, specify the settings that are

described in the following table:

DescriptionSetting

Select one of the following radio buttons:

•Enable. STP is enabled. This is the default setting.

•Disable. STP is disabled.

Status

The interval in seconds between handshake packets the AirBridge sends to

communicate information about the topology throughout the entire bridged LAN.

The range is 1–10 seconds. The default is 2 seconds.

Hello Time

The period in seconds within which the AirBridge must receive a hello packet from

another device in the spanning tree before the AirBridge assumes that the device is

inactive.

The range is 6–40 seconds. The default is 20 seconds.

Max Age

The period in seconds that a device spends in each of the listening and learning

states before entering the forwarding state. This delay is provided so that when a

new device enters a busy network, the device analyzes data traffic before participating

in the network.

The range is 4–30 seconds. The default is 15 seconds.

Forward Delay

The priority of the AirBridge in the spanning tree. A smaller number means a higher

priority.

The range is 0–65535. The default is 32768.

Priority

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

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Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage the WiFi and Radio

Features

This chapter describes how you can manage the WiFi and radio settings of the AirBridge.

For information about advanced WiFi and radio settings, see Manage Advanced WiFi

and Radio Features on page 90.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Recommended configuration order

• Change the device name of the AirBridge

• Change the country and region of operation

• Change the AirBridge mode

• Scan for neighboring access points

• Specify the approximate distance for the WiFi connection

• Manage the 5 GHz SSIDs and WiFi security

• Manage the settings for the 2.4 GHz management SSID

CAUTION: This device must be professionally installed. It is the installer’s responsibility

to follow local country regulations, including operations within legal frequency channels,

output power, and DFS requirements. The vendor, reseller, or distributor is not

responsible for illegal wireless operations. For more details, see the device’s terms and

conditions.

Recommended configuration order

We recommend the following configuration order:

•If you change an existing configuration for AirBridges in a master-to-satellite setup,

we recommend that you first change the satellite and then change the master. After

you complete the configurations, the WiFi backhaul connection between the master

and satellite is automatically reestablished.

Note: If you first change the master and then change the satellite, the WiFi backhaul

connection between the master and satellite is no longer operational, and you might

not be able to access the satellite.

•Similarly, if you change an existing configuration for an AirBridge that functions as

a client bridge in an access point-to-client bridge setup, we recommend that you

first change the client bridge and then change the access point. (The access point

can be an AirBridge or another type of access point.) After you complete the

configurations, the WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client

bridge is automatically reestablished.

Note: If you first change the access point and then change the client bridge, the

WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client bridge is no longer

operational, and you might not be able to access the client bridge.

Change the device name of the AirBridge

The device name is also referred to as the AP name or system name. It is the AirBridge

name that displays in the network. By default, the device name is WBC502, which is the

AirBridge’s model number. You can change this name.

To change the name of the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

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The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In the AP Name field, enter a new name.

The name must contain alphanumeric characters, cannot be longer than 15 characters,

and cannot contains spaces. The name can contain hyphens, but cannot start or end

with a hyphen.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change the country and region of operation

After initial configuration, you can change the country and region of operation of the

AirBridge.

WARNING: Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device is

operating. You are responsible for complying with the local, regional, and national

regulations that are set for channels, power levels, and frequency ranges.

WARNING: It might not be legal to operate the AirBridge in a region other than the

regions listed in the menu. If your country or region is not listed, check with your local

government agency.

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To change the country and region of operation of the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. From the Country / Region menu, select the country and region in which the

AirBridge is operating.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change the AirBridge mode

You can select the AirBridge mode only if the operation mode of the AirBridge is

AirBridge Master or AirBridge Satellite. In a master-to-satellite setup, you must either

enable the AirBridge mode on both the master and the satellite or disable it on both

the master and the satellite. That is, do not enable it on the master and disable it on the

satellite, or the other way around.

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The AirBridge mode specifies the type of multiple access method that the AirBridge

uses.

•AirBridge mode enabled. The characteristics of the AirBridge are as follows:

-Highly reliable connections for a limited number of WiFi devices. Provides

reliable point-to-point connections between a master and a satellite and

point-to-multipoint connections between a master and a limited number of

satellites.

-Best suited for long distance for a limited number of WiFi devices. A master

can connect over a long distance of 1.8 miles (3 km) or more to a satellite at a

detached site.

-Single 5 GHz SSID. A single 5 GHz SSID provides the backhaul WiFi connection

between the master and the satellites.

-No individual WiFi clients supported. Other than the satellites, individual WiFi

clients cannot connect to the 5 GHz SSID. However, by connecting a switch and

a WiFi access point to the satellite, you can support multiple WiFi clients at the

detached site.

-Another AirBridge as a link partner only. An AirBridge and one or more other

AirBridges can establish WiFi connections. You cannot use any other types of

access points as link partners.

•AirBridge mode disabled. The characteristics of the AirBridge are as follows:

-Reliable connections for multiple WiFi devices. Provides reliable

point-to-multipoint connections between an access point and multiple individual

WiFi clients.

-Best suited for extended range for multiple WiFi devices. The powerful

antenna of the AirBridge supports a WiFi range that extends beyond the range

of most access points.

-Multiple 5 GHz SSIDs. Multiple 5 GHz SSIDs can support satellites, client bridges,

and individual WiFi clients.

-Individual WiFi clients supported. Individual WiFi clients can connect to the

AirBridge.

-Any access point as a link partner. Any access point, including third-party access

points, can establish a WiFi connection with an AirBridge.

By default, the AirBridge mode is enabled, which is the setting that we recommend for

a master-to-satellite setup. Depending on your network situation, your WiFi requirements,

and your understanding of the consequences, you can disable the AirBridge mode.

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CAUTION: The behavior of the AirBridge changes when you disable the AirBridge

mode. Change the AirBridge mode only if you understand the consequences.

To change the AirBridge mode:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Select one of the following AirBridge radio buttons:

•Enable. The AirBridge is enabled.

This is the default setting.

•Disable. The AirBridge mode is disabled.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Scan for neighboring access points

Scanning for neighboring access points is useful if you want to connect to another

device. Scan if you want to connect a satellite to a master or a client bridge to an access

point.

Note: In this task, a neighboring access point can function either as a master or as an

access point.

To scan for neighboring access points:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Click the AP Detection Scan button.

A new page opens. After the AirBridge completes its scan for neighboring access

points, the page displays (for each detected access point) the information that is

described in the following table.

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DescriptionSetting

The basic service set ID (BSSID) in the format of a MAC address.

This is usually the MAC address of the radio on the AirBridge master or access point

that broadcasts the SSID.

BSSID

The service set ID (SSID), which is the name for the WiFi network with which the

AirBridge satellite, client bridge, or access point can connect.

SSID

The radio channel on which the SSID is being broadcast.Channel

The strength of the WiFi signal that is being broadcast, expressed in –dBm.

A lower value means a stronger signal. For example, –40 dBm indicates a stronger

signal than –60 dBm.

Signal Level

The type of security that is configured for the SSID.Security

The operation mode of the detected access point.Mode

6. Either select the master with which you want the satellite to associate or the access

point with which you want the client bridge to associate by clicking the row for the

master or access point.

The page changes.

7. To select the BSSID of the selected master or access point as the preferred BSSID,

select the check box.

After you select the BSSID, in most situations, you do not need to change the detected

SSID, security mode, and encryption.

8. If the security mode is WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK, in the Passphrase field, enter the

passphrase that is required to connect to the SSID.

If the type of security is WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on

a satellite or client bridge on page 84.

9. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

10. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Specify the approximate distance for the

WiFi connection

You can specify the approximate distance at which a master, satellite, client bridge, or

access point is located. Depending on your site, network setup, and network

configuration, an AirBridge can support a long distance WiFi connection of 3 km

(1.8 miles) or more to another AirBridge. The powerful antenna of the AirBridge also

supports WiFi connections over an extended (longer) range than most access points.

Setting the approximate distance configures the signal sensitivity of the AirBridge,

specifically the Layer 2 acknowledgement time-out period.

Round to the nearest km. For example, if the distance between a master and a satellite

is 600 meters (1,968 ft), round to 1 km (0.6 mile). However, if the distance is less than

500 meters (1,640 ft), enter 0.

In a point-to-multipoint setup with one master and multiple satellite, enter the distance

between the master and the satellite that is located the furthest away.

To specify the approximate distance for the WiFi connection between two

AirBridges:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In the Distance field, enter the approximate distance which a master, satellite, client

bridge, or access point is located or at which most WiFi clients are located

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Enter the distance in km. (1 km is 0.6 miles.) For example, if the distance is 2 km (1.2

miles), enter 2.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Manage the 5 GHz SSIDs and WiFi security

The following table lists the number of 5 GHz SSIDs that the AirBridge can support,

depending on the operation mode and the AirBridge mode. In addition, the table lists

the possible link partners with which you can establish a WiFi connection on the SSIDs.

Table 4. 5 GHz SSIDs on the AirBridge

WiFi Link PartnersNumber of

5 GHz SSIDs

AirBridge ModeOperation

Mode

AirBridge only1EnabledMaster

AirBridge, any WiFi AP, and WiFi clients4Disabled

AirBridge master only1Enabled or disabled (must

follow the mode on the master)

Satellite

WiFi clients, AirBridge, and any WiFi AP8N/AAccess Point

AirBridge or any WiFi AP1N/AClient Bridge

The number of 5 GHz SSIDs that you can configure depends on the following settings:

•Operation mode (see Operation mode: AirBridge Master, AirBridge Satellite, Access

Point, or Client Bridge on page 10)

•AirBridge mode (see Change the AirBridge mode on page 59)

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The AirBridge supports the following WiFi security:

•For an individual 5 GHz SSID, you can configure WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise

security. For more information on configuring WPA2-PSK security, see one of the

following sections:

-Change the 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a satellite on page 67

-Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode

enabled on page 68

-Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode

disabled on page 71

-Change the 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a client bridge on page 75

-Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access point on page 76

For more information on configuring WPA2-Enterprise security with a RADIUS

authentication server, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client

bridge on page 84 or Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master or access point

on page 81.

Note: In addition to WPA2-Enterprise security with a RADIUS authentication server,

you can set up a RADIUS accounting server, which you also can use with WPA2-PSK.

That is, the WiFi security can be WPA-PSK and you can use a RADIUS accounting

server.

•Depending on the operation mode and AirBridge mode, you can configure security

settings such as a hidden SSID, client isolation, VLAN isolation, an L2 isolation, and

you can entirely disable a 5 GHz SSID that is not the default 5 GHz SSID.

For more information, see on of the following sections:

-Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode

enabled on page 68

-Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode

disabled on page 71

-Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access point on page 76

•Depending on the operation mode, you can enable and configure a guest network.

For more information, see Configure a guest network on an access point on page

80.

•Depending on the operation mode and AirBridge mode, you can set up a WiFi MAC

filter.

For more information, see Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID on page 102.

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Change the 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a satellite

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Satellite.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the name of the default 5 GHz SSID. If you kept WPA2-PSK as

the WiFi security mode, you were also required to change the passphrase.

You can manually change the default 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode again.

Note: For information about scanning for neighboring access points and selecting a

preferred BSSID and SSID, which is a method to automatically change the SSID, see

Scan for neighboring access points on page 62.

To manually change the default 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a satellite:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

6. To configure the 5 GHz SSID settings, specify the settings that are described in the

following table:

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DescriptionSetting

If you want the satellite to connect to a particular master, select the Preferred BSSID check

box and enter the basic service set ID (BSSID) of the master in the format of a MAC address.

The BSSID is usually the MAC address of the radio on the AirBridge master that broadcasts

the SSID.

BSSID

In the SSID field, enter the service set ID (SSID), that is, the name of the WiFi network on

the AirBridge master with which the satellite must connect.

SSID

From the Security Mode menu, select the same security mode that is defined on the

AirBridge master. You can select WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise for the connection to

the selected SSID.

For information about WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite

or client bridge on page 84.

Security Mode

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, this field is fixed at AES. You cannot

select another option.

Encryption

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, enter the passphrase (network

key or WiFi password). The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

You must enter the same passphrase that is defined on the AirBridge master so that the

satellite can connect to the master.

Passphrase

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with

the AirBridge mode enabled

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master and the AirBridge

mode is enabled.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the name of the default 5 GHz SSID. If you kept WPA2-PSK as

the WiFi security, you were also required to change the passphrase.

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If the AirBridge mode is enabled, the master supports a single 5 GHz SSID. You can

change this default 5 GHz SSID again.

CAUTION: If you change the 5 GHz SSID to which satellite connects, we recommend

that you first change the satellite and then change the master so that the WiFi backhaul

connection between the master and satellite can be automatically reestablished. If you

first change the master and then change the satellite, the WiFi backhaul connection

between the master and satellite is no longer operational, and you might not be able

to access the satellite.

To change a 5 GHz SSID or enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master

with the AirBridge mode enabled:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Go to the Wireless Settings - Access Point section.

The following information displays:

•A single 5 GHz SSID only is supported.

•The Enabled check box is selected. You cannot clear the check box, which means

that you cannot disable the SSID.

•The SSID field shows the name for the WiFi network to which satellites can connect.

You can change the SSID name.

6. Click the Edit button for the default 5 GHz SSID.

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A new page opens.

7. To configure the 5 GHz SSID settings, specify the settings that are described in the

following table:

DescriptionSetting

Wireless Setting - AirBridge Access Point 5GHz

To hide the WiFi network name and prevent it from displaying in the scanning list of a WiFi

client, select the Enable radio button. To connect to the WiFi network, a user must know

the WiFi network name.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Hidden SSID

To prevent WiFi clients that are associated with the same or different WiFi networks on the

master from communicating with each other, select the Enable radio button. If you enable

client isolation, WiFi clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

If L2 isolation is enabled, the Client Isolation radio buttons are disabled.

Client Isolation

To prevent clients on different VLANs from communicating with each other, select the

Enable radio button, and enter the VLAN ID in the ID field. For the first 5 GHz SSID, the

default VLAN ID is 1, for the second 5 GHz SSID, the default VLAN ID 2, for the third

5 GHz SSID, the VLAN ID is 3, and so on. The range is from 1 to 4094.

If you enable VLAN isolation, clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

VLAN Isolation

To prevent WiFi and LAN clients on the same AirBridge from communicating with each

other, select the Enable radio button. If you enable L2 isolation, clients can still communicate

with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

L2 Isolation

Wireless Security

From the Security Mode menu, select WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise for the connection

to the selected SSID.

For information about WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81.

Note: We recommend that you set up security, although in certain situations, and if you

are aware of the risks, you can select None.

Security Mode

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, this field is fixed at AES. You cannot

select another option.

Encryption

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, enter a passphrase (network key

or WiFi password). The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

You must enter the same passphrase on a satellite that must connect to the master.

Passphrase

The period in seconds that the group key changes. The period can be from 30 to 3600

seconds. The default period is 3600 seconds (1 hour).

If you enter 0, the update interval is disabled and the group key is not changed. For greater

security, we recommend that you do not disable the update interval so that the group key

can be changed automatically.

Group Key

Update Interval

For information about other WiFi features such as setting up a RADIUS accounting

and a MAC filter, see Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features on page 90.

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with

the AirBridge mode disabled

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master and the AirBridge

mode is disabled.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the name of the default 5 GHz SSID. If you kept WPA2-PSK as

the WiFi security, you were also required to change the passphrase.

If the AirBridge mode is disabled, the master can support up to four 5 GHz SSIDs. In

that situation, you can enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID, or change such a

5 GHz SSID if you previously enabled it.

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CAUTION: If you change the 5 GHz SSID to which satellite connects, we recommend

that you first change the satellite and then change the master so that the WiFi backhaul

connection between the master and satellite can be automatically reestablished. If you

first change the master and then change the satellite, the WiFi backhaul connection

between the master and satellite is no longer operational, and you might not be able

to access the satellite.

To change a 5 GHz SSID or enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master

with the AirBridge mode disabled:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Go to the Wireless Settings - 5G section.

The following information displays:

•Up to four 5 GHz SSIDs are available.

•The Enabled check box is selected for the enabled SSIDs and cleared for the

disabled SSIDs. You can either enable or disable SSIDs.

•The SSID fields shows the names for the WiFi networks to which satellites and

WiFi clients can connect. You can change the SSID names.

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6. Do one of the following:

•To change the default or another previously enabled 5 GHz SSID, click the Edit

button for the 5 GHz SSID.

•To enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID, select the Enabled check box for a

disabled 5 GHz SSID, and then click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

7. To configure the 5 GHz SSID settings, specify the settings that are described in the

following table:

DescriptionSetting

Wireless Setting - AirBridge Access Point 5GHz

To hide the WiFi network name and prevent it from displaying in the scanning list of a WiFi

client, select the Enable radio button. To connect to the WiFi network, a user must know

the WiFi network name.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Hidden SSID

To prevent WiFi clients that are associated with the same or different WiFi networks on the

master from communicating with each other, select the Enable radio button. If you enable

client isolation, WiFi clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

If L2 isolation is enabled, the Client Isolation radio buttons are disabled.

Client Isolation

To prevent clients on different VLANs from communicating with each other, select the

Enable radio button, and enter the VLAN ID in the ID field. For the first 5 GHz SSID, the

default VLAN ID is 1, for the second 5 GHz SSID, the default VLAN ID 2, for the third

5 GHz SSID, the VLAN ID is 3, and so on. The range is from 1 to 4094.

If you enable VLAN isolation, clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

VLAN Isolation

To prevent WiFi and LAN clients on the same AirBridge from communicating with each

other, select the Enable radio button. If you enable L2 isolation, clients can still communicate

with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

L2 Isolation

Wireless Security

From the Security Mode menu, select WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise for the connection

to the selected SSID.

For information about WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81.

Note: We recommend that you set up security, although in certain situations, and if you

are aware of the risks, you can select None.

Security Mode

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, this field is fixed at AES. You cannot

select another option.

Encryption

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, enter a passphrase (network key

or WiFi password). The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

You must enter the same passphrase on a satellite that must connect to the master.

Passphrase

The period in seconds that the group key changes. The period can be from 30 to 3600

seconds. The default period is 3600 seconds (1 hour).

If you enter 0, the update interval is disabled and the group key is not changed. For greater

security, we recommend that you do not disable the update interval so that the group key

can be changed automatically.

Group Key

Update Interval

Fast Roaming

To enable fast roaming, select the Enable radio button. By default, the Disable radio button

is selected.

If your network includes WiFi clients that must be able to roam from one AirBridge to

another AirBridge or access point, enable fast roaming so that certain client applications

can quickly reassociate with a new AirBridge or access point.

Fast roaming is not available if you select None from the Security Mode menu.

Status

For information about other WiFi features such as setting up a RADIUS accounting,

a MAC filter, and traffic shaping, see Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio Features

on page 90.

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Change the 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a client

bridge

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is Client Bridge.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the name of the default 5 GHz SSID. If you kept WPA2-PSK as

the WiFi security mode, you were also required to change the passphrase.

You can manually change the default 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode again.

Note: For information about scanning for neighboring access points and selecting a

preferred BSSID and SSID, which is a method to automatically change the SSID, see

Scan for neighboring access points on page 62.

To manually change the default 5 GHz SSID or WiFi security mode for a client

bridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

6. To configure the 5 GHz SSID settings, specify the settings that are described in the

following table:

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DescriptionSetting

If you want the client bridge to connect to a particular access point, select the Preferred

BSSID check box and enter the basic service set ID (BSSID) of the access point in the format

of a MAC address. (The access point can be an AirBridge or another type of access point.)

The BSSID is usually the MAC address of the radio on the access point that broadcasts the

SSID.

BSSID

In the SSID field, enter the service set ID (SSID), that is, the name of the WiFi network with

which the client bridge must connect.

SSID

From the Security Mode menu, select the same security mode that is defined on the access

point. You can select WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise for the connection to the selected

SSID.

For information about WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite

or client bridge on page 84.

Security Mode

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, this field is fixed at AES. You cannot

select another option.

Encryption

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, enter the passphrase (network

key or WiFi password). The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

You must enter the same passphrase that is defined on the access point so that the client

bridge can connect to the access point.

Passphrase

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access point

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is Access Point.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the name of the default 5 GHz SSID. If you kept WPA2-PSK as

the WiFi security, you were also required to change the passphrase.

The access point can support up to eight 5 GHz SSIDs. You can enable and configure

a new 5 GHz SSID, or change such a 5 GHz SSID if you previously enabled it.

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CAUTION: If you change the 5 GHz SSID to which a client bridge connects, we

recommend that you first change the client bridge and then change the access point

so that the WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client bridge can

be automatically reestablished. If you first change the access point and then change

the client, the WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client bridge is

no longer operational, and you might not be able to access the client bridge.

CAUTION: If you change the 5 GHz SSID or associated security settings, existing WiFi

connections to clients are terminated. For a WiFi client to reconnect, the client must be

configured with the new SSID, security settings, or both.

To change a 5 GHz SSID or enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID for an access

point:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Go to the Wireless Settings - Access Point section.

The following information displays:

•Up to eight 5 GHz SSIDs are available.

•The Enabled check box is selected for the enabled SSIDs and cleared for the

disabled SSIDs. You can either enable or disable SSIDs.

•The SSID fields shows the names for the WiFi networks to which client bridges

and WiFi clients can connect. You can change the SSID names.

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Note: For information about guest networks, see Configure a guest network on an

access point on page 80.

6. Do one of the following:

•To change the default 5 GHz SSID or another previously enabled 5 GHz SSID,

click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

•To enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID, select the Enabled check box for a

disabled 5 GHz SSID, and then click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

7. To configure the 5 GHz SSID settings, specify the settings that are described in the

following table:

DescriptionSetting

Wireless Setting - Access Point 5GHz

The 5G check box is selected for an enabled SSID and cleared for an disabled SSID. You

can either enable or disable the SSID.

Note: The 5G check box serves the same purpose as the Enabled check box (see Step 5).

The SSID field shows the name for the WiFi network to which client bridges and WiFi clients

can connect. You can change the name.

Note: The 5G check box serves the same purpose as the Enabled check box (see Step 5).

SSID

To hide the WiFi network name and prevent it from displaying in the scanning list of a WiFi

client, select the Enable radio button. To connect to the WiFi network, a user must know

the WiFi network name.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Hidden SSID

To prevent WiFi clients that are associated with the same or different WiFi networks on the

access point from communicating with each other, select the Enable radio button. If you

enable client isolation, WiFi clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

If L2 isolation is enabled, the Client Isolation radio buttons are disabled.

Client Isolation

To prevent clients on different VLANs from communicating with each other, select the

Enable radio button, and enter the VLAN ID in the ID field. For the first 5 GHz SSID, the

default VLAN ID is 1, for the second 5 GHz SSID, the default VLAN ID 2, for the third

5 GHz SSID, the VLAN ID is 3, and so on. The range is from 1 to 4094.

If you enable VLAN isolation, clients can still communicate with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

VLAN Isolation

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

To prevent WiFi and LAN clients on the same AirBridge from communicating with each

other, select the Enable radio button. If you enable L2 isolation, clients can still communicate

with each other over the Internet.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

If you enable L2 isolation, to exclude a device from L2 isolation, enter the MAC address of

the device in a Whitelist field.

L2 Isolation

Wireless Security

From the Security Mode menu, select WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise for the connection

to the selected SSID.

For information about WPA2-Enterprise, see Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master

or access point on page 81.

Note: We recommend that you set up security, although in certain situations, and if you

are aware of the risks, you can select None.

Security Mode

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, this field is fixed at AES. You cannot

select another option.

Encryption

If you select WPA2-PSK from the Security Mode menu, enter a passphrase (network key

or WiFi password). The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

You must enter the same passphrase on a client bridge that must connect to the access

point. WiFi clients must enter the same passphrase enter to connect to the SSID.

Passphrase

The period in seconds that the group key changes. The period can be from 30 to 3600

seconds. The default period is 3600 seconds (1 hour).

If you enter 0, the update interval is disabled and the group key is not changed. For greater

security, we recommend that you do not disable the update interval so that the group key

can be changed automatically.

Group Key

Update Interval

Fast Roaming

To enable fast roaming, select the Enable radio button. By default, the Disable radio button

is selected.

If your network includes WiFi clients that must be able to roam from one AirBridge to

another AirBridge or access point, enable fast roaming so that certain client applications

can quickly reassociate with a new AirBridge or access point.

Fast roaming is not available if you select None from the Security Mode menu.

Status

For information about other WiFi features such as setting up a RADIUS accounting

server, a MAC filter, and traffic shaping, see Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio

Features on page 90.

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8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Configure a guest network on an access point

If the operation mode of the AirBridge is Access Point, you can configure one or more

5 GHz SSIDs as guest networks.

For information about changing the DHCP server settings for the guest networks, see

Change the DHCP server settings for a guest WiFi network on page 108.

To configure a guest network when the AirBridge functions as an access point:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

If the AirBridge mode is disabled, eight 5 GHz SSIDs are available for an access point.

5. In the Wireless Settings - Access Point section, do one of the following:

•To change an existing 5 GHz SSID (one that is already enabled and configured)

into a guest network, select the Guest Network check box for the 5 GHz SSID.

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•To enable and configure a new 5 GHz SSID as a guest network, do the following:

a. Select the Enabled check box for the 5 GHz SSID.

b. Select the Guest Network check box for the 5 GHz SSID.

c. Click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

d. Configure the settings for the 5 GHz SSID.

For more information, see Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access

point on page 76.

e. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless

Settings page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied. The WiFi connection is reestablished. The page

displays the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master or access point

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master or Access Point.

When you set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master or access point, you must specify

the RADIUS authentication server settings. As an option, you can also specify a RADIUS

accounting server, or you can set up a RADIUS accounting server separate from

WPA2-Enterprise security (see Set up a RADIUS accounting server on a master or access

point on page 104).

The link partner or partners of the master or access point must use the same RADIUS

authentication server settings.

To set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a master or access point:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

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The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In either the Wireless Settings - Access Point section or, if the AirBridge mode is

disabled on a master, the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, do one of the following:

•To configure WPA2-Enterprise security for the default 5 GHz SSID or another

previously enabled 5 GHz SSID, click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

•To enable and configure WPA2-Enterprise security for a new 5 GHz SSID, select

the Enabled check box for a disabled 5 GHz SSID, and then click the Edit button

for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

6. Wireless Security section, from the Security Mode menu, select WPA2-Enterprise.

Additional fields display.

7. In the Wireless Security section, configure the WPA2-Enterprise and RADIUS

authentication server settings as described in the following table.

DescriptionSetting

This field is fixed at AES. You cannot select another option.Encryption

The period in seconds that the group key changes. The period can be from 30 to

3600 seconds. The default period is 3600 seconds (1 hour).

If you enter 0, the update interval is disabled and the group key is not changed. For

greater security, we recommend that you do not disable the update interval so that

the group key can be changed automatically.

Group Key Update

Interval

Enter the IPv4 address of the RADIUS authentication server. The AirBridge must be

able to reach this IP address.

Radius Server

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(Continued)

DescriptionSetting

Enter the number of the UDP port on the AirBridge that is used to access the RADIUS

authentication server. The default port number is 1812.

Radius Port

Enter the password (shared key) that is used between the AirBridge and the RADIUS

authentication server during the authentication process.

Radius Secret

8. To specify a RADIUS accounting server, in the Radius Accounting section, configure

the settings as described in the following table.

DescriptionSetting

To enable RADIUS accounting, select the Enable radio button.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Radius Accounting

Enter the IPv4 address of the RADIUS accounting server. The AirBridge must be able

to reach this IP address.

Radius Accounting

Server

Enter the number of the UDP port on the AirBridge that is used to access the RADIUS

accounting server. The default port number is 1813.

Radius Accounting

Port

Enter the password (shared key) that is used between the AirBridge and the RADIUS

accounting server during the authentication process.

Radius Accounting

Secret

Enter the period in seconds between each accounting update message that the

AirBridge sends to the RADIUS accounting server. The default period is 600 seconds.

Interim Accounting

Interval

9. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

10. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client

bridge

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Satellite or Client Bridge.

When you set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client bridge, you must

specify the same RADIUS server authentication settings that you specify on the master

or access point.

Note: For a client bridge, you can also set up WPA-Enterprise if the link partner is not

an AirBridge functioning as an access point but another type of access point that supports

WPA-Enterprise.

To set up WPA2-Enterprise security on a satellite or client bridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

6. From the Security Mode menu, select WPA2-Enterprise.

Additional fields display.

Note: For a client bridge, you can also select WPA-Enterprise. Use that option only

if the link partner is not an AirBridge functioning as an access point but another type

of access point that supports WPA-Enterprise.

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7. Configure the WPA2-Enterprise settings as described in he following table.

The settings that you must enter depend on the configuration of the master or access

point and the RADIUS server.

DescriptionSetting

From the EAP Method menu, select one of the following Extensible Authentication

Protocol (EAP) methods:

•TTLS. Tunneled Transport Layer Security.

•PEAP. Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol.

EAP Method

From the EAP Authentication menu, select one of the following EAP authentication

methods:

•MSCHAP. Microsoft Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol version 1

(MS-CHAPv1).

•MSCAPV2. Microsoft Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol version 2

(MS-CHAPv2).

EAP Authentication

Enter the user name that is required for the AirBridge to access the authentication

RADIUS server during the authentication process.

Authentication Identity

Enter the password (shared key) that is required for the AirBridge to access the

authentication RADIUS server during the authentication process. This password must

be the same as the one that is configured on the master or satellite.

Authentication

Password

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage the settings for the 2.4 GHz

management SSID

You can use the 2.4 GHz management SSID only to access the local browser UI of the

AirBridge from a WiFi device for management purposes.

The 2.4 GHz SSID cannot be used for backhaul WiFi connections or for regular WiFi

clients connections to the AirBridge. For these types of connections, use a 5 GHz SSID.

Note: The SSID (the name of the management WiFi network) is

NETGEARXXXXXX-SETUP, in which XXXXXX represents the last six digits of the MAC

address of the LAN interface of the AirBridge. You cannot change this name.

Change the passphrase for the 2.4 GHz management SSID

Other than the passphrase (WiFi password or network key), you cannot change the

settings for the 2.4 GHz management SSID.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the passphrase for the 2.4 GHz management SSID. You can

change the passphrase again.

To change the passphrase for the 2.4 GHz management SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

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5. In the Management Interface - 2.4G section, click the Edit button.

A new page opens.

6. In the Passphrase field, enter a new passphrase (network key or WiFi password) that

you must enter to connect to local browser UI of the AirBridge.

The length of the passphrase must be from 8 to 63 characters.

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Disable the idle time-out for the 2.4 GHz management SSID

By default, the idle time-out for the 2.4 GHz management SSID is 15 minutes. That is, if

no WiFi client is connected to the 2.4 GHz management SSID for 15 minutes, the 2.4 GHz

management SSID is turned off.

Only after you reboot the AirBridge can you reconnect to the 2.4 GHz management

SSID. However, you can disable the idle time-out so that the 2.4 GHz management SSID

stays always on.

To disable the idle time-out for the 2.4 GHz management SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

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The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In the Management Interface - 2.4G section, select the Always on radio button.

By default, the Turn off if idle in 15 minutes radio button is selected.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Disable the 2.4 GHz management SSID

As a security measure, you can entirely disable the 2.4 GHz management SSID. If you

do so, access to the AirBridge local browser UI is possible only over a wired connection.

To disable the 2.4 management SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

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5. In the Management Interface - 2.4G section, clear the Enabled check box.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage Advanced WiFi and Radio

Features

This chapter describes how you can manage advanced WiFi and radio settings. For

other WiFi and radio settings, see Manage the WiFi and Radio Features on page 56.

The settings that are described in this chapter apply to the 5 GHz radio and 5 GHz SSIDs,

because you can use the 2.4 GHz radio and 2.4 GHz SSID only for management of the

AirBridge.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Recommended configuration order

• Manage the channel high throughput mode

• Manage the channel or channels

• Manage the radio transmit power

• Change the bit rate

• Manage client limits

• Manage time slot assignments to satellites

• Manage the satellite priority

• Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a 5 GHz SSID

• Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID

• Set up a RADIUS accounting server on a master or access point

• Manually block a WiFi client or connection from a 5 GHz SSID

• Configure traffic shaping for a 5 GHz SSID

• Change the DHCP server settings for a guest WiFi network

CAUTION: This device must be professionally installed. It is the installer’s responsibility

to follow local country regulations, including operations within legal frequency channels,

output power, and DFS requirements. The vendor, reseller, or distributor is not

responsible for illegal wireless operations. For more details, see the device’s terms and

conditions.

Recommended configuration order

We recommend the following configuration order:

•If you change an existing configuration for AirBridges in a master-to-satellite setup,

we recommend that you first change the satellite and then change the master. After

you complete the configurations, the WiFi backhaul connection between the master

and satellite is automatically reestablished.

Note: If you first change the master and then change the satellite, the WiFi backhaul

connection between the master and satellite is no longer operational, and you might

not be able to access the satellite.

•Similarly, if you change an existing configuration for an AirBridge that functions as

a client bridge in an access point-to-client bridge setup, we recommend that you

first change the client bridge and then change the access point. (The access point

can be an AirBridge or another type of access point.) After you complete the

configurations, the WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client

bridge is automatically reestablished.

Note: If you first change the access point and then change the client bridge, the

WiFi backhaul connection between the access point and client bridge is no longer

operational, and you might not be able to access the client bridge.

Manage the channel high throughput mode

The channel high throughput (HT) mode is also referred to as the channel width.

By default, the channel width is 40 MHz for the 5 GHz radio on the AirBridge. The other

options are 20 MHz and 80 MHz.

The wider the channel, the better the performance (that is, the greater the transmission

quality and speed), but the fewer channels are available for use. Before you change the

channel width, consider your network conditions and the applications that must be

supported.

To manage the channel HT mode:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

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If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. From the Channel HT Mode menu, select 20MHz,40MHz (the default setting), or

80MHz.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Manage the channel or channels

By default, a WiFi channel is automatically assigned for the 5 GHz radio on the AirBridge.

The channels that are available depend on the country and region that you selected for

the AirBridge.

You do not need to change the channel unless you experience interference (which is

indicated by lost connections).

If you use multiple access points, you can reduce interference by selecting different

channels for adjacent access points. We recommend a channel spacing of four channels

between adjacent access points (for example, use channels 44 and 60, or 112 and 128).

WARNING: Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device is

operating (see Change the country and region of operation on page 58). You are

responsible for complying with the local, regional, and national regulations that are set

for channels, power levels, and frequency ranges.

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To manage the channels:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Click the Channel Configuration button.

A new page opens,

6. Do one of the following:

•To select a specific channel, click the button for the channel and frequency.

•To enable automatic channel allocation, click the All button.

Note: The None button lets you reset all channels before you select one or more

specific channels. The U-NNI buttons lets you select specific groups of channels.

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage the radio transmit power

By default, the transmit power for the 5 GHz radio on the AirBridge is automatically

assigned.

You can disable automatic assignment and set a specific transmit power. However, note

the following:

•If you set the transmit power too high, the AirBridge might not be able to connect

to another WiFi device such as a master or access point.

•If you set the transmit power too low, WiFi clients might not be able to connect to

the AirBridge.

Make sure that you comply with the regulatory requirements for total radio frequency

(RF) output power in your country.

WARNING: Make sure that the country is set to the location where the device is

operating (see Change the country and region of operation on page 58). You are

responsible for complying with the local, regional, and national regulations that are set

for channels, power levels, and frequency ranges.

To manage the radio transmit power:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

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5. Do one of the following:

•Clear the Auto RF check box.

Automatic transmit power is disabled. You can now specify a specific transmit

power (see the next step).

•Select the Auto RF check box.

Automatic transmit power is enabled. This is the default setting.

6. If you cleared the Auto RF check box, from the Transmit Power menu, select the

transmit power.

The transmit power is expressed in dBm.

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change the bit rate

If the AirBridge functions as a master or access point, by default, data is automatically

sent at the lowest effective bit rate. We recommend that you do not manually change

the bit rate.

If you understand the consequences, you can manually select a higher bit rate. Client

devices must either use the selected bit rate or a higher bit rate. You cannot manually

set the bit rate for an AirBridge that functions as a satellite or client bridge.

WARNING: Be careful changing the bit rate. If you set the bit rate too high, some WiFi

devices might no longer be able to connect to the AirBridge.

To change the bit rate:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

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3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Click the Bit Rate Configuration button.

A new page opens.

6. Write down the current bit rate.

After you change the bit rate, if WiFi devices can no longer connect to the AirBridge,

you can reset the bit rate to the old value.

7. On the blue bar, select a new bit rate by clicking the white dot that represents the

bit rate.

The bit rate is expressed in Mbps.

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Manage client limits

If the AirBridge functions as a master with the AirBridge mode disabled or as an access

point, by default, a maximum of 32 WiFi client can associate with the AirBridge.

You can specify a lower or higher number of maximum WiFi clients. The range is from

1 to 32. The maximum number applies to all clients connected to all 5 GHz SSIDs on

the AirBridge. You cannot set client limits for individual 5 GHz SSIDs.

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You can also disable client limits entirely, allowing an unlimited number of clients to

associate with the AirBridge.

To manage client limits:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Do one of the following:

•Set client limits. Set client limits by doing the following:

a. Select the Clients Limits Enable check box.

By default, client limits are enabled.

b. In the Client Limits field, enter a number from 1 to 32.

The default is 32.

•Disable client limits. Disable client limits by selecting the Clients Limits Disable

check box.

By default, client limits are enabled.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage time slot assignments to satellites

If the AirBridge functions as a master with the AirBridge mode enabled, by default, the

AirBridge automatically assigns time slots to each satellite so that each satellite receives

equal opportunity. We recommend that you keep automatic time slot assignments. If

you understand the consequences, you can manually set the time slot to a value from

2 to 7. For example if you divide 1 second into 10 time slots, each time slot is 100 ms.

If you set the time slot to 3, each satellite receives 300 ms on a rotating basis.

Note: By default, each satellite receives the same number of time slots. However, the

higher the satellite priority that you set for a for a satellite (see Manage the satellite

priority on page 99), the more time slots the AirBridge assigns to the satellite.

To manage time slots on a master:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. From the Master Time Slot menu, select Auto, or a value from 2to 7.

By default, the selection is Auto. We recommend that you keep the selection at Auto.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

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7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Manage the satellite priority

If the AirBridge functions as a master with the AirBridge mode enabled, by default, the

AirBridge assigns time slots for the traffic to each satellite (see Manage time slot

assignments to satellites on page 98). By default, each satellite receives the same number

of time slots, that is, the same amount of time to transmit and receive. By default, the

priority for each satellite is set to High, but you can prioritize one satellite over another

and assign a lower priority to another satellite, causing the satellite to be assigned a

smaller number of time slots by the master.

You can assign a high, middle, or low satellite priority. The high priority receives 10

times as much time as the low priority. The middle priority receives 5 times as much

time as the low priority. (The relationship is 10:5:1.)

As a general guideline, give a higher priority to a satellite with a good WiFi connection

to the master (that is, a high-quality signal between the devices) and a lower priority to

a satellite with a poor WiFi connection to the master. A higher satellite priority means

that the satellite can perform better than a satellite with a lower satellite priority.

To manage the satellite priority:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

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5. From the Satellite Priority menu, select High,Middle,orLow.

The default selection is High.

6. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a

5 GHz SSID

If the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master or Access Point, you can set

up a WiFi on/off schedule. Scheduling a 5 GHz SSID to be turned off is a green feature

that allows you to turn off WiFi during scheduled vacations, office shutdowns, on

evenings, or on weekends. If more than one 5 GHz SSID is available, you can set up and

manage a WiFi on/off schedule for each 5 GHz SSID.

Before you enable and set up a WiFi on/off schedule, make sure that the time zone

settings are synchronized with your local time. For more information, see Manage the

date and time settings on page 120.

To set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a 5 GHz SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

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The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select WiFi Schedules.

A page displays the Auto Reboot Settings section and the Wi-Fi Scheduler section.

5. In the Wi-Fi Scheduler section, select the following:

•Status. Select the Enable radio button.

By default, the Disable button is selected, and the settings are masked out.

•SSID Selection. From the SSID Selection menu, select the 5 GHz SSID to which

the WiFi on/off schedule must apply.

If the configured AirBridge operation mode supports a single 5 GHz SSID only,

the SSID is already selected from the menu.

•Schedule Templates. From the Schedule Templates menu, select one of the

following templates:

-Always available.

-Available 8-17 daily.

-Available 8-17 daily except weekends.

-Custom schedule.

Based on your selection, the Schedule Table is preconfigured. You can refine

the settings.

6. To refine the settings in the Schedule Table, do the following as needed:

•For each day, from the Available menu, select available or unavailable:

-available. WiFi is turned on during the hours that you must specify in the

Duration fields for the selected day.

-unavailable. WiFi is turned off during the hours that you must specify in the

Duration fields for the selected day.

•For each day, in the Duration fields, specify the start hour and minutes and the

end hours and minutes.

If you selected available from the Available menu, WiFi is turned on during the

hours that you specify in the Duration fields for the selected day.

If you selected unavailable from the Available menu, WiFi is turned off during

the hours that you specify in the Duration fields for the selected day.

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

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8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID

By default, the AirBridge does not restrict access to a 5 G SSID based on a MAC address.

For each 5 GHz SSID, you can set up a MAC address filter, which is an access control

list (ACL) that is based on MAC addresses. An ACL provides added security to ensure

that only authorized WiFi devices connect to the SSID:

•MAC address allows access. An ACL with a policy that allows access functions as

follows:

-A WiFi device for which you place the MAC address in the ACL is allowed to

connect to the SSID.

- All other WiFi devices are denied a connection to the SSID.

•MAC address denies access. An ACL with a policy that denies access functions as

follows:

-A WiFi device for which you place the MAC address in the ACL is denied a

connection to the SSID.

- All other WiFi devices are allowed to connect to the SSID.

Note: If you manually block a WiFi client (that is, kick a client, see Manually block a WiFi

client or connection from a 5 GHz SSID on page 105), an ACL that denies the MAC address

of the client is automatically added to the 5 GHz SSID from which you blocked the client.

That ACL denies access to the client but allows access all other clients. You can manually

delete the client from the ACL, after which the client is no longer denied access to the

SSID.

To set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

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3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In either the Wireless Settings - Access Point section or, if the AirBridge mode is

disabled on a master, the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, click the Edit button for

the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

6. Scroll down to the Wireless MAC Filter section.

7. From the ACL Mode menu, select one of the following:

•Deny MAC in the List. The MAC addresses that you add to the list are denied

access but all other MAC address are allowed access.

•Allow MAC in the List. The MAC addresses that you add to the list are allowed

access but all other MAC address are denied access.

By default, the selection is Disabled and all MAC addresses are allowed.

8. To add MAC addresses to the list, do the following:

a. Enter the MAC address of a WiFi device in the fields.

b. Click the Add button.

The MAC address is added to the list. The address displays, together with an

entry number, and a Delete button, allowing you to remove the MAC address

from the list.

c. To add another MAC address, repeat steps a and b.

9. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

10. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

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Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Set up a RADIUS accounting server on a

master or access point

Use this task if the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master or Access Point.

You can set up a RADIUS accounting server without using WPA2-Enterprise security,

which requires setting up a RADIUS authentication server (see Set up WPA2-Enterprise

security on a master or access point on page 81).

To set up a RADIUS accounting server on a master or access point:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In either the Wireless Settings - Access Point section or, if the AirBridge mode is

disabled on a master, the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, do one of the following:

•To configure a RADIUS accounting server for the default 5 GHz SSID or another

previously enabled 5 GHz SSID, click the Edit button for the 5 GHz SSID.

•To enable and configure a RADIUS accounting server for a new 5 GHz SSID, select

the Enabled check box for a disabled 5 GHz SSID, and then click the Edit button

for the 5 GHz SSID.

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A new page opens.

6. In the Radius Accounting section, configure the settings as described in the following

table.

DescriptionSetting

To enable RADIUS accounting, select the Enable radio button.

By default, the Disable radio button is selected.

Radius Accounting

Enter the IPv4 address of the RADIUS accounting server. The AirBridge must be able

to reach this IP address.

Radius Accounting

Server

Enter the number of the UDP port on the AirBridge that is used to access the RADIUS

accounting server. The default port number is 1813.

Radius Accounting

Port

Enter the password (shared key) that is used between the AirBridge and the

accounting RADIUS server during the authentication process.

Radius Accounting

Secret

Enter the period in seconds between each accounting update message that the

AirBridge sends to the RADIUS accounting server. The default period is 600 seconds.

Interim Accounting

Interval

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Manually block a WiFi client or connection

from a 5 GHz SSID

You can manually block a WiFi client (that is, kick a client) or connection from a

5 GHz SSID.

If you do so, an ACL that denies the MAC address of the client is automatically added

to the 5 GHz SSID from which you blocked the client. That ACL denies access to the

client but allows access all other clients. You can manually delete the client from the

ACL, after which the client is no longer denied access to the SSID. For more information,

see Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID on page 102.

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To manually block a WiFi client or connection from a 5 GHz SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Overview, select Connections.

The page that displays shows the Connection List - 5GHz table.

For more information, see View the 5 GHz WiFi connections on page 137.

5. To block a client or device, click the associated Kick button in the Block column on

the right.

A pop-up window opens.

6. Click the OK button.

The client no longer displays on the page, but the automatically created ACL is not

yet saved.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied. The WiFi connection is reestablished. The page

displays the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Configure traffic shaping for a 5 GHz SSID

In a configuration with multiple 5 GHz SSIDs, the WiFi clients on all 5 GHz SSID are

allocated the same amount of bandwidth for downloading and uploading traffic. By

shaping the traffic for each 5 GHz SSID, you can control the total bandwidth usage on

the AirBridge, or you can control the way the bandwidth is allocated between the

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5 GHz SSIDs. For each 5 GHz SSID, you can shape the traffic by limiting the bandwidth

for downloading traffic and the bandwidth for uploading traffic.

You can configure traffic shaping for an AirBridge that functions as an access point. You

can do the same for a master with the AirBridge mode disabled. In a configuration in

which a single 5 GHz SSID is available, you cannot configure traffic shaping.

To configure traffic shaping for a 5 GHz SSID:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. In either the Wireless Settings - Access Point section or, if the AirBridge mode is

disabled on a master, the Wireless Settings - 5GHz section, click the Edit button for

the 5 GHz SSID.

A new page opens.

6. Scroll down to the Wireless Traffic Shaping section.

7. Select the Status Enable radio button.

By default, the Status Disable radio button is selected and traffic shaping is disabled.

8. In the Download Limit field, enter the limit in Mbps.

You can enter a limit from 1 to 999 Mbps. If you enable traffic shaping, do not enter 0.

Otherwise downloading traffic is disabled entirely.

9. In the Upload Limit field, enter the limit in Mbps.

You can enter a limit from 1 to 999 Mbps. If you enable traffic shaping, do not enter 0.

Otherwise uploading traffic is disabled entirely.

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10. To limit the configured limits to each individual user of the SSID, select the Per User

check box.

If you use the SSID to provide a WiFi connection to multiple individual users (as

opposed to, for example, a client bridge), this option is useful to the control the

bandwidth usage of individual users.

11. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied. The page closes. The Wireless Settings

page displays again.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

12. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

Change the DHCP server settings for a guest

WiFi network

By default, a WiFi client that connects to a guest network (see Configure a guest network

on an access point on page 80) is assigned an IP address in the range from

192.168.200.100 to 192.168.200.200. You can change this address range, which applies

to all WiFi guest networks on the AirBridge.

This setting applies only if the AirBridge functions as an access point. You can change

the DHCP server settings for a guest network only if you enabled at least one guest

network on a 5 GHz SSID.

To change the DHCP server settings for a guest WiFi network:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

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which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Scroll down to the Guest Network DHCP Server Settings section.

You can change the DHCP server settings for a guest network only of you enabled

at least one guest network on a 5 GHz SSID. Otherwise, the fields are masked out.

6. Configure the settings that are described in the following table, keeping in mind

that the IP address, starting IP address, and ending IP address must be in the same

range.

DescriptionSetting

The IP address for the guest network. The default IP address is 192.168.200.1.IP Address

The subnet mask associated with the IP address. The default subnet mask is

255.255.255.0.

Subnet Mask

The starting IP address in the address range from which a WiFi client on a guest

network can be assigned an IP address. The default starting IP address is

192.168.200.100.

Starting IP Address

The ending IP address in the address range from which a WiFi client on a guest

network can be assigned an IP address. The default ending IP address is

192.168.200.200.

Ending IP Address

The IP address of an optional Windows Internet Name Service.WINS Server IP

7. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

8. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Maintain the AirBridge

This chapter describes how you can maintain the AirBridge.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode or Standalone Mode

• Upgrade the firmware on the AirBridge

• Reboot the AirBridge from the local browser UI

• Schedule the AirBridge to reboot

• Manage the configuration file of the AirBridge

• Reset the AirBridge to factory default settings

• Manage the date and time settings

• Configure and view the logs

• Set up email alerts

• Manage access security settings

• Specify a management VLAN

110

Change the management mode to

NETGEAR Insight Mode or Standalone Mode

The AirBridge can function in one of the following management modes:

•NETGEAR Insight Mode. You can manage the AirBridge remotely from a mobile

device on which the NETGEAR Insight app is installed or, if you are an Insight Premium

or Insight Pro subscriber, through the Insight Cloud portal. The NETGEAR Insight

Mode is the default management mode. In this mode, you can connect to the

AirBridge over the local browser UI (which you normally use in the Standalone Mode),

but most fields, menus, and buttons are masked out. For information about the

Insight app and Insight Cloud portal, visit insight.netgear.com and see the NETGEAR

knowledge base at netgear.com/support/product/insight.aspx.

Note: At this time, NETGEAR Insight does not support the access point and client

bridge operation modes. To configure and manage the AirBridge as an access point

or client bridge, you first must change the management mode to Standalone Mode,

and then use the local browser UI.

IMPORTANT: When you change the management mode from Standalone Mode

to NETGEAR Insight Mode, the Insight cloud-based management platform pushes

the latest Insight configuration to the AirBridge.

•Standalone Mode. You can manage the AirBridge locally from a WiFi or wired

device through the local browser UI. (In this context, Standalone Mode and local

browser UI are the same management mode.) In this mode, the AirBridge functions

as a standalone device and is not connected to the Insight cloud-based management

platform. If the AirBridge functions in the access point or client bridge operation

mode, you must use the local browser UI.

Note: If you are already using the NETGEAR Insight Mode to manage the AirBridge

but want to change the management mode to Standalone Mode, you do not need

to manually remove the AirBridge from your Insight account, you do not need to

reset the AirBridge to factory default setting, and you do not need to entirely

reconfigure the AirBridge. Rather, you can use the local browser UI to change the

management mode. Even if the management mode is NETGEAR Insight Mode, you

can log in to the local browser UI using your Insight network password for the Insight

network location to which the AirBridge is assigned.

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IMPORTANT: If you first add the AirBridge to a NETGEAR Insight network location

and manage the AirBridge through the Insight app or Insight Cloud portal and then

you change the management mode to Standalone Mode, you might need to continue

to use the Insight network password for the Insight network location to access the

local browser UI until you manually change the local device password on the

AirBridge.

Change the management mode to NETGEAR Insight Mode

To change the management mode from Standalone Mode to NETGEAR Insight

Mode:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Advanced.

The page displays the advanced settings with the Management Mode section at the

top.

5. In the Management Mode section, select the NETGEAR Insight Mode radio button.

IMPORTANT: When you change the management mode from Standalone Mode

to NETGEAR Insight Mode, the Insight cloud-based management platform pushes

the latest Insight configuration to the AirBridge.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

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Change the management mode to Standalone Mode

To change the management mode from NETGEAR Insight Mode to Standalone

Mode:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Advanced.

The page displays the advanced settings with the Management Mode section at the

top.

5. In the Management Mode section, select the Standalone Mode radio button.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

Upgrade the firmware on the AirBridge

You can visit the NETGEAR support website to determine if new firmware is available

for the AirBridge.

If new firmware is available, download the firmware file to your computer. If needed,

unzip the firmware file. Then, update the AirBridge to the new firmware.

Note: Before you upgrade the firmware, we recommend that you read the firmware

release notes, if available. Although it is highly unlikely, a situation might occur that

requires you to reconfigure the AirBridge after a firmware upgrade.

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To upgrade the firmware on the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under System Manager, select Firmware.

The page displays the Firmware Upgrade section and the Backup/Restore Settings

section.

The current firmware version and the device version display.

5. Locate and select the firmware file on your computer by doing the following:

a. In the Firmware Upgrade section, click the Choose File button.

b. Navigate to the firmware file.

The filename ends in .bin.

c. Select the firmware file.

6. Click the Upload button.

The page displays the upgrade progress.

WARNING: To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the

upgrade. For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page.

Do not turn off the AirBridge. Wait until the AirBridge finishes.

When the upgrade is finished, the login page displays. The firmware version displays

on the login page.

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Reboot the AirBridge from the local

browser UI

You can use the local browser UI to reboot the AirBridge. This is very useful after you

installed the AirBridge at its permanent location, and the power adapter might not easily

reachable.

To reboot the AirBridge from the local browser UI:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. At the top right of the page, select the Reset tab.

The page displays the Reboot the device section and the Restore the device to

default settings section.

5. Click the Reboot the device button.

The page displays the reboot progress.

WARNING: To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the reboot.

For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page. Do not turn

off the AirBridge. Wait until the AirBridge finishes.

When the reboot is finished, the login page displays.

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Schedule the AirBridge to reboot

You can schedule the AirBridge to automatically reboot at a time that is convenient for

the network, for example, when you do not expect any WiFi traffic to be processed.

To schedule the AirBridge to automatically reboot:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select WiFi Schedules.

A page displays the Auto Reboot Settings section and the Wi-Fi Scheduler section.

5. In the Auto Reboot Settings section, select the Status Enable radio button.

6. Select one or more check boxes for the days on which you want the AirBridge to

automatically reboot.

7. In the fields under the days, enter the hour in the left field (for example, enter 23 for

11 p.m.) and the minutes in the right field (for example, enter 30 for 11:30 p.m.).

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Manage the configuration file of the

AirBridge

The configuration settings of the AirBridge are stored within the AirBridge in a

configuration file. You can back up (save) this file to your computer. After you do so,

you can restore the configuration from the file.

Back up the AirBridge configuration settings

You can save a copy of the current configuration settings. If necessary, you can restore

the configuration settings later.

To back up the AirBridge’s configuration settings:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under System Manager, select Firmware.

The page displays the Firmware Upgrade section and the Backup/Restore Settings

section.

5. In the Backup/Restore Settings section, click the Backup Settings Export button.

A pop-up window opens.

6. Choose a location to store the file on your computer.

The name of the backup file is backup-WBC502-yyyy-mm-dd.tar.gz, in which

yyyy is the year, mm is the month, and dd is the date.

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An example of a name of a backup file is backup-WBC502-2020-01-18.tar.gz.

7. Follow the directions of your browser to save the file.

Restore the AirBridge configuration settings

If you backed up the configuration settings (see Back up the AirBridge configuration

settings on page 117), you can restore the configuration settings from the backup file.

To restore the AirBridge’s configuration settings from the backup file:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under System Manager, select Firmware.

The page displays the Firmware Upgrade section and the Backup/Restore Settings

section.

5. In the Backup/Restore Settings section, click the Restore New Setting Choose File

button and navigate to and select the saved configuration file (that is, the backup

file).

The name of the backup file is backup-WBC502-yyyy-mm-dd.tar.gz, in which

yyyy is the year, mm is the month, and dd is the date.

An example of a name of a backup file is backup-WBC502-2020-01-18.tar.gz.

6. Click the Import button.

The page displays the restoration progress.

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WARNING: To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the

restoration. For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page.

Do not turn off the AirBridge. Wait until the AirBridge finishes.

When the restoration is finished, the login page displays.

Reset the AirBridge to factory default settings

Under some circumstances (for example, if you lost track of the changes that you made

to the configuration of the AirBridge or you move the AirBridge to a different network),

you might want to erase the configuration and reset the AirBridge to factory default

settings (see Factory default settings on page 159).

If you do not know the current IP address of the AirBridge, first try to use the NETGEAR

Insight app or an IP scanner application to detect the IP address before you reset the

AirBridge to factory default settings.

You can use either the physical Reset button on the back panel of the AirBridge or the

software Reset button in the local browser UI.

After you reset the AirBridge to factory default settings, the user name is admin, the

local login password is password, the LAN IP address is 192.168.0.100, the AirBridge’s

DHCP client is enabled, the default management SSID is shown in the format

NETGEARxxxxxx-SETUP, and the default password for WiFi access is sharedsecret. For

a list of factory default settings, see Factory default settings on page 159.

To reset the AirBridge to factory default settings using the local browser UI:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

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4. Under System Manager, select Firmware.

The page displays the Firmware Upgrade section and the Backup/Restore Settings

section.

5. In the Backup/Restore Settings section, click the Reset to Default Reset button.

The page displays the reset progress.

WARNING: To avoid the risk of corrupting the firmware, do not interrupt the reset.

For example, do not close the browser, click a link, or load a new page. Do not turn

off the AirBridge. Wait until the AirBridge finishes.

When the reset is finished, your address bar of your web browser might show

192.168.0.100, which is the default IP address of the AirBridge.

6. In the address bar, enter the IP address that was assigned to the AirBridge before

you reset the AirBridge to factory default settings.

The Day Zero Easy Setup page displays.

If you do not know the IP address, see Access the AirBridge for initial configuration

on page 14.

Manage the date and time settings

By default, the AirBridge is configured to automatically get the date and time from an

Network Time Protocol (NTP) server that is preconfigured.

You can also manually set the date and time, configure a different time zone from the

one that you specified on the Day One Easy Setup page, and specify daylight saving

time settings.

To manage the date and time settings:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

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If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Time Zone.

The page that displays shows the Date and Time Settings section and the Time Zone

section.

5. To configure the date and time, in the Date and Time Settings section, select one of

the following radio buttons:

•Manually Set Date and Time. Specify the date and time settings by doing one

of the following:

-Enter the setting manually by doing the following:

a. In the Date fields, specify the year, month, and date.

b. In the Time fields, specify the hour and minutes.

Use 24-hour format.

-Synchronize the date and time setting with the computer from which you log

in to the local browser UI of the AirBridge by clicking the Synchronize with

PC button.

•Automatically Get Date and Time. The AirBridge automatically gets the date

and time from the Network Time Protocol (NTP) server that is specified in the

NTP Server field.

This is the default setting. You can specify a different NTP server from the one

that is preconfigured.

6. To configure a different time zone from the one that you specified on the Day One

Easy Setup page, in the Time Zone section, do one of the following:

•Select the Auto Detect check box.

The AirBridge detects the time zone automatically.

•Clear the Auto Detect check box and select a time zone from the Time Zone

menu.

If you manually select a time zone, you can also manually configure daylight

saving time settings (see the next step).

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7. To manually enable and configure daylight saving time settings, in the Time Zone

section, do the following:

a. Select the Enable Daylight Saving check box.

b. From the Start menus, select the month, day, and time that daylight saving time

must start.

c. From the End menus, select the month, day, and time that daylight saving time

must end.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

Configure and view the logs

The AirBridge generates messages in response to events, faults, errors, changes in

configuration, and other occurrences. The messages are stored locally. In addition, you

can configure the AirBridge to forward the messages to a remote server for monitoring

purposes or long-term archival storage. Local and remote configuration of the logging

capability includes filtering of messages logged or forwarded based on their severity.

View and manage the system log

The system log stores messages in memory based on the severity of an event. You can

view these messages and specify the event severity that the AirBridge logs. You can

also download the messages and clear the message log.

To view and manage the system log:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

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which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under System Manager, select Log.

The System Log page displays.

5. To manage the log capability, select one of the following Status radio buttons:

•Enable. The AirBridge log messages.

This is the default settings.

•Disable. The AirBridge does not log messages.

6. From the Log type menu, select the event severity that the AirBridge logs:

•ALL. All events are logged. This is the default setting. A large number of events

might be logged.

•Debug. Events that provide very detailed device information, down to the

debugging level, are logged.

•Information. Events that provide device information are logged.

•Notice. Normal but significant device events are logged.

•Warning. The lowest level of device warnings are logged.

•Error. Device errors are logged. An example is a failure to request a device token.

•Critical. The third-highest device warning level. An critical event is logged if a

critical device malfunction occurs.

•Alert. The second-highest warning level. An alert event is logged if a serious

device malfunction occurs, such as all device features being down. Action must

be taken immediately.

•Emergency. The highest warning level. If the device is down, or not functioning

properly, an emergency event is logged.

Note: Events with the selected severity level and all events of greater severity are

logged. For example, if you select Error, the logged events include Error, Critical,

Alert, and Emergency.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

8. To refresh the information on the page, click the Refresh button.

The page refreshes and displays the most recent log messages.

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9. To download the log file to your computer, click the Download button, and save

the log file to a location on your computer.

10. To clear the log, click the Clear button.

The pages refreshes and all log messages are cleared.

Set up a remote log server

You can let the AirBridge send log messages to a remote log server, which is also

referred to as a remote syslog host.

You can also let the AirBridge send the traffic log to the remote log server. (The traffic

log is too large to be stored locally on the AirBridge.)

To set up a remote log server:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under System Manager, select Log.

The System Log page displays.

5. To manage the remote log server capability, select one of the following Remote Log

radio buttons:

•Enable. The AirBridge sends log messages to a remote log server.

You must specify the IP address of the remote log server (see Step 7).

•Disable. The AirBridge does not send log messages to a remote log server.

This is the default settings.

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6. If the remote log server capability is enabled, to manage whether the traffic log is

sent to the remote log server, select one of the following Traffic Log radio buttons:

•Enable. The AirBridge sends its traffic log to the remote log server.

•Disable. The AirBridge does not send its traffic log to the remote log server.

This is the default settings.

7. In the Log Server IP Address field, enter the IP address of the remote log server.

8. In the Log Server Port field, enter the port number that the AirBridge uses to contact

the remote log server.

By default, the port number is 514.

9. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

Set up email alerts

You can specify an email address to which the AirBridge automatically can send an

alerts when the configuration of the AirBridge is changed.

To set up email alerts:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Advanced.

The page displays the advanced settings with the Management Mode section at the

top.

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5. In the Email Alert section, configure the following settings:

a. Select the Status Enable check box.

The field and menus become available.

b. In the From field, enter the originating email address.

c. In the To field, enter the email address of the recipient.

d. In the Subject field, enter the subject information of the email or leave the default

subject information.

The subject information is [Email-Alert][WBC502][BC:A5:11:7E:EC:F8]

Configuration Changed.

e. In the Username field, enter the user name to access the originating email

account.

f. In the Password field, enter the password to access the originating email account.

g. In the SMTP Server field, enter the name of the outgoing email server name.

h. In the Port field, enter the port number that the AirBridge uses to contact the

SMTP server.

By default, the port number is 514.

i. From the Security Mode menu, select one of the following options, depending

on the security that the SMPT server uses:

•None. The SMPT server does not use security. This is the default setting.

•SSL/TLS. The SMPT server uses the SSL or TLS security protocol

•STARTLS. The SMPT server uses the STARTLS security protocol.

6. To send a test email, click the Send Test Mail button.

7. Verify that the recipient receives the email.

8. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

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Manage access security settings

You can change the local device password for access to the local browser UI of the

AirBridge. You can also manage the SSH and HTTPS settings.

Change the local login password

The local login password is the password that lets you log in to the local browser UI.

When you performed the initial configuration on the Day Zero Easy Setup page, you

were required to change the local login password. You can change it again.

The password must be 8 to 32 characters in length and must contain at least one

uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. The following special characters

are allowed:

!@#$%^&*()

To change the local login password:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under System Manager, select Account.

The Account Settings page displays.

5. In the Current Password field, enter your current local login password.

6. In the New Password and Verify Password fields, enter the new local login

password.

7. Click the Apply button.

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Your settings are saved and applied.

You are logged out from the local browser UI. If you log in again, use your new local

Manage the HTTPS settings

By default, secure HTTP (HTTPS) access is enabled on the AirBridge so that a connection

to the local browser UI is secure. Any attempt to log in over an HTTP connection is

automatically changed to an HTTPS connection, that is, HTTP access is automatically

forwarded to HTTPS access. Although you can disable HTTPS access so that you can

access the AirBridge over an HTTP connection, we recommend that you keep HTTPS

access enabled.

To manage the HTTPS settings:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Advanced.

The page displays the advanced settings with the Management Mode section at the

top.

5. In the HTTPS Setting section, select one of the following Status radio buttons:

•Enable. HTTPS access is enabled.

This is the default setting. We recommend that you keep HTTPS access enabled.

•Disable. HTTPS access is disabled.

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6. If HTTPS is enabled, in the HTTPS Setting section, select one of the following HTTPS

Forward radio buttons:

•Enable. An attempt to log in over an HTTP connection is automatically changed

to an HTTPS connection, that is, HTTP access is automatically forwarded to HTTPS

access.

This is the default setting. We recommend that you keep HTTPS forwarding

enabled.

•Disable. An attempt to log in over an HTTP connection is not automatically

changed to an HTTPS connection.

7. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

Manage the SSH settings

By default secure shell (SSH) access is disabled on the AirBridge. You can enable it.

To manage the SSH settings:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Advanced.

The page displays the advanced settings with the Management Mode section at the

top.

5. In the SSH Setting section, select one of the following Status radio buttons:

•Enable. SSH access is enabled.

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•Disable. SSH access is disabled.

This is the default setting. If you do not intend to use SSH, we recommend that

you keep SSH access disabled.

6. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied.

Specify a management VLAN

By default, you can access the local browser UI from any VLAN and management traffic

such as traffic from a DHCP server can reach the AirBridge from any VLAN. That is,

management traffic is untagged.

For additional security, you can specify a management VLAN ID so that you can access

the local browser UI from this VLAN only and management traffic can reach the AirBridge

over this VLAN only. That is, the management traffic is tagged with the VLAN ID.

CAUTION: The VLAN must be defined on your network, and the DHCP server, switch,

and router to which the AirBridge is connected must be able to reach the AirBridge

over this VLAN. Otherwise, when you change the VLAN, connectivity problems might

occur, and you might be locked out from the local browser UI.

To specify a management VLAN for the AirBridge:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Network, select Wireless.

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The Wireless Settings page displays.

5. Scroll to the Management VLAN Setting section at the bottom of the page.

6. Click the Status Enable radio button.

7. In the field that becomes available, enter the ID of the management VLAN.

8. Click the Save button.

Your settings are saved but not yet applied.

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be applied.

9. In the pop-up window, click the Apply button.

Your changes are applied. If the WiFi link must be reestablished, the page displays

the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

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Monitor the AirBridge and its

Network Connections

This chapter describes how you can monitor the AirBridge and its network connections.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• View the device status and other information

• View the 5 GHz WiFi connections

• View the CPU load on the AirBridge

• View the 5 GHz WiFi and LAN traffic load

132

View the device status and other information

You can view AirBridge device information, memory information, Ethernet LAN

information for IPv4 and IPv6, WiFi LAN information for the 5 GHz band, and statistics.

To view the device status and other information:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see the information in the introduction of this task.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for that location (see Connect over

WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page

15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

You cannot change any settings on this page.

The following tables describe the information on the page.

Table 5. Device Information section

DescriptionSetting

The device name (system name). For more information, see Change the device name

of the AirBridge on page 57.

AirBridge Name

The fixed serial number of the AirBridge.Serial Number

The fixed MAC address of the LAN2 port.MAC Address LAN

The fixed MAC address of the 5 GHz radio interface.MAC Address Wireless

LAN - 5GHz

The country and region that you set for the AirBridge operation. For more information,

see Change the country and region of operation on page 58.

Country

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Table 5. Device Information section (Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The time that the AirBridge detected. For more information, see Manage the date

and time settings on page 120.

Current Local Time

The period since that last time the AirBridge started or rebooted.Uptime

The firmware version. For more information, see Upgrade the firmware on the

AirBridge on page 113.

Firmware Version

The device version.Device Version

Shows whether management traffic is tagged or untagged. For more information,

see Specify a management VLAN on page 130.

Management VLAN ID

Table 6. Memory Information section

DescriptionSetting

The total memory in kB and the available memory in kB.Total Available

The total memory in kB and the free memory in kB.Free

The total memory in kB and the cached memory in kB.Cached

The total memory in kB and the buffered memory in kB.Buffered

Table 7. LAN Information - IPv4 section

DescriptionSetting

The IPv4 address that is assigned to the LAN port of the AirBridge. This is the IPv4

address over which you can reach the local browser UI. For more information, see

Specify a static IPv4 address for the AirBridge on page 50.

IP Address

The subnet mask that is associated with the IPv4 address.Subnet Mask

The IPv4 address of the gateway.Gateway

The IPv4 address of the primary DNS server.Primary DNS

The IPv4 address of the secondary DNS server, if any.Secondary DNS

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Table 7. LAN Information - IPv4 section (Continued)

DescriptionSetting

Shows whether the DHCP client of the AirBridge is enabled. For more information,

see Reenable the DHCP client of the AirBridge on page 52.

DHCP Client

Shows whether STP is enabled. For more information, see Manage the STP settings

on page 53.

Spanning Tree

Protocol (STP)

Table 8. LAN Information - IPv6 section

DescriptionSetting

The IPv6 address that is assigned to the LAN port of the AirBridge. This is the IPv6

address over which you can reach the local browser UI.

IP Address

The link-local IPv6 address of the AirBridge. For more information, see Specify a

link-local IPv6 address for the AirBridge on page 51.

Link-Local Address

The IPv6 address of the gateway.Gateway

The IPv6 address of the primary DNS server.Primary DNS

The IPv6 address of the secondary DNS server, if any.Secondary DNS

Table 9. Wireless LAN Information - 5GHz section

DescriptionSetting

The operation mode of the AirBridge. For more information, see Manually Configure

or Change the Operation Mode on page 37.

Operation Mode

The WiFi mode, which is fixed at 802.11 ac/n/a.Wireless Mode

The WiFi channel bandwidth. For for information, see Manage the channel high

throughput mode on page 91.

Channel Bandwidth

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Table 9. Wireless LAN Information - 5GHz section (Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The WiFi channel. For for information, see Manage the channel or channels on page

92.

Channel

The distance is specified for the link partner or partners of the AirBridge. For for

information, see Specify the approximate distance for the WiFi connection on page

64.

Distance

The information that is described in the following table displays only if the operation

mode is AirBridge Master or Access Point.

For more information about these settings, see Change or configure a new

5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode enabled on page 68, Change or

configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode disabled on page

71, or Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access point on page 76.

Table 10. Statistics

DescriptionSetting

The profile number, which depends on the number of SSIDs that are supported and

enabled on the AirBridge.

Profile

The WiFi network name.SSID

The type of WiFi security on the SSID.Security

The VLAN ID, if any, that is configured for the SSID.VID

Shows whether VLAN isolation is enabled.802.1Q

The amount of packets in Bytes and the number of packets that is received on the

SSID.

RX (Packets)

The amount of packets in Bytes and the number of packets that is transmitted on the

SSID.

TX (Packets)

4. To refresh the information on the page, click the Refresh button.

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View the 5 GHz WiFi connections

You can view all WiFi connections on the 5 GHz radio.

To view the 5 GHz WiFi connections:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Overview, select Connections.

The page that displays shows the Connection List - 5GHz table.

The information depends on the operation mode of the AirBridge and the type of

connected WiFi device or devices.

•If the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master or Access Point, for

each connected WiFi device, the page displays the information that is described

in the following table.

Table 11. Operation mode is AirBridge Master or Access Point: WiFi device information

DescriptionSetting

The 5 GHz SSID to which the WiFi device is connected.SSID

The MAC address of the connected WiFi device.MAC Address

The total amount of traffic in kilobytes that the WiFi device transmitted.TX (KB)

The total amount of traffic in kilobytes that the WiFi device received.RX (KB)

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Table 11. Operation mode is AirBridge Master or Access Point: WiFi device information (Continued)

DescriptionSetting

The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for the WiFi device. The RSSI is expressed

in decibel-milliwatts (dBm).

RSSI (dBm)

For more information, see Step 6.Block

•If the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Satellite or Client Bridge, the

page displays the 5 GHz backhaul SSID information that is described in the

following table.

Table 12. Operation mode is AirBridge Satellite or Client Bridge: 5 GHz backhaul SSID information

DescriptionSetting

The 5 GHz backhaul SSID to which the WiFi device is connected.SSID

The MAC address of the radio on the master or access point.BSSID

Shows whether the satellite is associated with the master or the client bridge is

associated with an access point.

Connection Status

The WiFi mode. For example, 802.11 ac/n/a.Wireless Mode

The WiFi channel. For example, 5.500 GHz (Channel 100).Current Channel

The WiFi security. For example, WPA2/PSK AES.Security

The WiFi transmit data rate in Mbps. For example, 400 Mb/s.Tx Data Rates (Mbps)

The noise level in dBm, For example, -95 dBm.Current noise level

The signal strength in dBm., For example, -52 dBm.Signal Strength

5. To refresh the information on the page, click the Refresh button.

6. If the operation mode of the AirBridge is AirBridge Master or Access Point, to block

(kick) a WiFi device, do the following:

a. Click the associated Kick button in the Block column on the right.

A pop-up window opens.

b. Click the OK button.

The WiFi device no longer displays on the page. An ACL that denies the MAC

address of the WiFi device is automatically added to the 5 GHz SSID from which

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you blocked the WiFi device. This ACL denies access to the WiFi device but allows

access all other WiFi devices. (For more information, see Set up a MAC filter for

a 5 GHz SSID on page 102.)

A pop-up window opens. The window shows the number of changes to be

applied. (The automatically-created ACL is not saved until you click the Apply

button.)

c. Click the Apply button.

Your settings are saved and applied. The WiFi connection is reestablished. The

page displays the number of seconds before the AirBridge is back online.

View the CPU load on the AirBridge

You can view the CPU load on the AirBridge.

To view the CPU load:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Overview, select Realtime.

The page that displays shows the CPU load. By default, the Load tab is selected.

The CPU load is displayed as a graph, which is updated every three seconds and

covers a maximum period of three minutes.

The page also displays the current load, average load, and peak load, each of which

is expressed as a percentage and is measured during the previous three minutes.

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View the 5 GHz WiFi and LAN traffic load

You can view the 5 GHz WiFi and LAN traffic load on the AirBridge.

To view the 5 GHz WiFi and LAN traffic load:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Overview, select Realtime.

The page that displays shows the CPU load. By default, the Load tab is selected.

5. Select the Traffic tab.

The page displays traffic information for the default 5 GHz SSID.

The traffic load is displayed as a graph, which is updated every three seconds and

covers a maximum period of three minutes.

The page also displays the current inbound and outbound traffic loads, the average

inbound and outbound traffic loads, and the peak inbound and outbound traffic

loads, each of which is expressed in kilobytes per second (KB/s), and is measured

during the previous three minutes.

6. If you configured one or more other 5 GHz SSIDs on the AirBridge), to view the traffic

information for another 5 GHz SSID, select the tab for the SSID.

The page displays traffic information for the selected 5 GHz SSID.

7. To view the traffic information for the wired connection, select the LAN tab.

The page displays traffic information for the Ethernet ports.

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Perform Diagnostics and

Troubleshooting

This chapter describes how you can perform diagnostics and troubleshoot AirBridge

and its network connections.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Send a ping

• Send a traceroute request

• Send a name server lookup request

• Perform a speed test

• Quick tips for troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot with the LEDs

• Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity

• You cannot log in to the AirBridge over a LAN connection

• Changes are not saved

• Troubleshoot your network using your computer ping utility

141

Send a ping

You can ping the IPv4 address of a device or network location from the AirBridge and

view the results of the ping test. You can use this option to check whether the AirBridge

can communicate with a particular IPv4 device or network location.

To send a ping:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Tools.

By default, the Ping tab is selected and the Ping Test Parameters page displays.

5. In the Target IP / Domain Name field, enter the IP address that the AirBridge must

ping.

6. In the Ping Packet Size field, enter the size in bytes of the each ping packet.

The default size is 64 bytes.

7. In the Number of Pings field, enter the number of ping packets that the AirBridge

must send.

The default number is 4.

8. Click the Start button.

The AirBridge sends the ping. The results display on the page.

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Send a traceroute request

You can configure the AirBridge to send a traceroute request to an IPv4 address or host

name and view the results of the traceroute request. You can use this option to discover

the paths that packets take to a remote destination.

To send a traceroute request:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Tools.

By default, the Ping tab is selected and the Ping Test Parameters page displays.

5. Select the Traceroute tab.

The Traceroute Test Parameters page displays.

6. In the Target IP / Domain Name field, enter the IP address or domain name for

which you want to send a traceroute request.

7. Click the Start button.

The AirBridge sends the traceroute request. By default, the traceroute request

consists of a 38-byte packet and can detect a maximum of 30 hops. The results

display on the page.

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Send a name server lookup request

You can configure the AirBridge to send a domain name server lookup (nslookup)

request to an IPv4 address or host name and view the results of the nslookup request.

You can use this option to discover the domain name of an IPv4 address or, the other

way around, the IPv4 address of a domain name.

To send a name server lookup request:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Tools.

By default, the Ping tab is selected and the Ping Test Parameters page displays.

5. Select the Nslookup tab.

The Nslookup Test Parameters page displays.

6. In the Target IP / Domain Name field, enter the IP address or domain name for

which you want to send a name server lookup request.

7. Click the Start button.

The AirBridge sends the name server lookup request. The results display on the

page.

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Perform a speed test

You can perform a speed test between the AirBridge and an IPv4 address or host name

and view the results of the speed test. You can also use this option to determine the

general network performance. The maximum speed that the AirBridge can measure is

100 Mbps.

Use the speed test to determine the point-to-point link speed between a master and a

satellite or between an access point and a client bridge. For example, after the

point-to-point link between a master and a satellite is established, you can do the

following:

•On the master, enter the IP address of the satellite, and perform the speed test to

determine the speed of the downlink, which is the link from the master to the satellite.

•On the satellite, enter the IP address of the master, and perform the speed test to

determine the speed of the uplink, which is the link from the satellite to the master.

To perform a speed test:

1. Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the

AirBridge or directly to the AirBridge through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

2. Enter the IP address that is assigned to the AirBridge.

The login page displays.

If your browser does not display the login page but displays a security message and

does not let you proceed, see Log in to the AirBridge after initial setup on page 34.

3. Enter the AirBridge user name and local device password.

The user name is admin. The local device password is the one that you specified

the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

The Device Status page displays the Device Information section and other sections.

4. Under Management, select Tools.

By default, the Ping tab is selected and the Ping Test Parameters page displays.

5. Select the Speed Test tab.

The Speed Test Parameters page displays.

6. In the Target IP / Domain Name field, enter the IP address or domain name for

which you want to perform a speed test.

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7. In the Time Period field, enter the duration in seconds of the entire speed test.

The default is 20 seconds.

8. In the Check Interval field, enter the interval in seconds between the intermediate

throughput results.

The default is 5 seconds.

The IPv4 Port field is fixed at port number 5201. The IPv6 Port field is fixed at port

number 60001.

9. Click the Start button.

The AirBridge performs the speed test. The results display on the page.

Quick tips for troubleshooting

* The AirBridge is unresponsive or does not function normally.

If the AirBridge is unresponsive or does not function normally, restart both the power

adapter and the AirBridge:

1. Unplug the power cable of the power adapter to which the AirBridge is connected.

Both the power adapter and the AirBridge power off.

2. Wait 30 seconds.

3. Plug in the power cable of the power adapter.

WARNING: Power the AirBridge only with an Ethernet cable that is connected from

the LAN1 (PoE-24V) port on the AirBridge to the PoE port on the supplied power

adapter. Do not use any other power source such as a PoE switch. The LAN1

(PoE-24V) port is not a standard PoE port. Using any other power source could

damage the device.

Both the power adapter and the AirBridge power on.

4. Wait two minutes.

* You cannot connect over WiFi to the local browser UI.

If you cannot connect over WiFi to the local browser UI of AirBridge, try the following:

•Make sure that the AirBridge is broadcasting a WiFi signal and is not disabled or

turned off.

•Make sure that the 2.4 GHz management interface was not automatically turned off

or disabled. For more information, see Disable the 2.4 GHz management SSID on

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page 88 and Disable the idle time-out for the 2.4 GHz management SSID on page

87.

•Make sure that the WiFi network name (SSID) and WiFi security settings of the 2.4 GHz

management interface on the AirBridge and the WiFi settings on your WiFi-enabled

computer or WiFi device match exactly. For more information, see Change the

passphrase for the 2.4 GHz management SSID on page 86.

* You cannot connect a satellite to a master or a client bridge to an access point.

If you cannot connect a satellite to an AirBridge that functions as a master or a client

bridge to an AirBridge that functions as a access point, try the following:

•Make sure that the AirBridge that functions as a master or access point is broadcasting

a WiFi signal and is not disabled or turned off.

•Make sure that the WLAN LED on the AirBridge is not off.

-Master or access point. If the WLAN LED is off on a master or access point, none

of the 5 GHz SSIDs might be enabled. For more information, see Change or

configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode enabled on

page 68, Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge

mode disabled on page 71, or Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access

point on page 76.

-Satellite or client bridge. If the WLAN LED is off on a satellite or client bridge,

the satellite did not connect to the master or the client bridge did not connect

to the access point.

Make sure that you configured the satellite or client bridge correctly. For more

information, see Configure the AirBridge as a satellite in a point-to-point setup

on page 40 or Configure the AirBridge as a client bridge on page 45.

For hardware setup troubleshooting information and information about the signal

strength indicator (SSI) LEDs, see the hardware installation guide, which you can

download by visiting netgear.com/support/download/.

•Make sure that the satellite or client bridge is not inadvertently blocked on the 5 GHz

SSID of the master or access point. For more information, see Set up a MAC filter

for a 5 GHz SSID on page 102.

•Make sure that a WiFi on/off schedule is not active on the 5 GHz SSID of the master

or access point. For more information, see Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a

5 GHz SSID on page 100.

•Wait to see if the 5 GHz radio on the AirBridge is in the process of changing to a

different channel. If the 5 GHz radio is functioning on a DFS channel that is also being

used as a weather channel or by a radar, the 5 GHz radio must halt operation for a

period from 1 to 10 minutes, and move to another channel. This delay causes a

satellite or client bridge to lose its WiFi connection while the AirBridge waits to

reestablish radio operation on a different channel.

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* You cannot connect a WiFi client to a 5 GHz SSID on a master or access point.

If you cannot connect a WiFi client to a 5 GHz SSID on an AirBridge that functions as a

master with the AirBridge mode disabled or as an access point:

•Make sure that the AirBridge that functions as the master or access point is

broadcasting a WiFi signal and is not disabled or turned off.

•Make sure that the WiFi network name (SSID) and WiFi security settings of the 5 GHz

SSID on the AirBridge and the WiFi settings on the WiFi client match exactly. For

more information, see Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the

AirBridge mode disabled on page 71 or Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an

access point on page 76.

•Make sure that the WiFi client supports the type of security that you are using for

the AirBridge 5 GHz SSID (WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise). For more information,

see Manage the 5 GHz SSIDs and WiFi security on page 65.

•Make sure that the WiFi signal is not blocked by objects between the AirBridge and

the WiFi client.

•Make sure that the AirBridge’s SSID broadcast is not disabled.

If the AirBridge’s SSID broadcast is disabled, the WiFi network name is hidden and

does not display in the WiFi client’s scanning list. To connect to a hidden network,

you must enter the network name and the WiFi password. For more information

about the SSID broadcast, see Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master

with the AirBridge mode disabled on page 71 or Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID

for an access point on page 76.

•Make sure that the WiFi client does not use a static IP address but is configured to

receive an IP address automatically with DHCP. (For most devices, DHCP is the default

setting.)

•Make sure that the WiFi client is not inadvertently blocked on the 5 GHz SSID of the

master or access point. For more information, see Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID

on page 102.

•Make sure that a WiFi on/off schedule is not active on the 5 GHz SSID of the master

or access point. For more information, see Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a

5 GHz SSID on page 100.

* You cannot connect over Ethernet to the local browser UI.

If you cannot access the local browser UI by connecting an Ethernet cable to the LAN2

port on the AirBridge, try the following:

•Make sure that the Ethernet cables are securely plugged in.

•Make sure that you use the correct IP address and subnet of the AirBridge.

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By default, the IP address of the AirBridge is 192.168.0.100 (see Connect over

Ethernet using a directly connected computer on page 28).

If the AirBridge is connected to a network with a DHCP server and you do not know

the IP address, determine the IP address that the DHCP server assigned to the

AirBridge by using one of the following methods:

-Windows-based computer. If you use a Windows-based computer, open

Windows Explorer, and click the Network link. If prompted, enable the Network

Discovery feature. Under Network Infrastructure, locate the WBC502 (assuming

that you did not change the device name), and double-click WBC502.

-DHCP server. Access the DHCP server in your network and open the page the

shows the network connections.

-IP network scanner. Use an IP network scanner to scan for the IP address that

is assigned to the AirBridge.

-NETGEAR Insight app. Use the NETGEAR Insight app to discover the IP address

that is assigned to the AirBridge. For more information, see Connect over WiFi

using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page

15.

Troubleshoot with the LEDs

When you connect the LAN1 (PoE-24V) port on the AirBridge to the supplied power

adapter and plug in the power adapter to an outlet, the AirBridge LEDs light as described

here:

1. The Power LED lights solid amber.

2. After about two minutes, the following occurs:

•The LAN1 LED lights solid amber if the LAN port on the power adapter is

connected to an Ethernet device.

The LAN1 (PoE-24V) port on the AirBridge must always be connected to the

supplied power adapter, but if the LAN port on the power adapter is not

connected to an Ethernet device, the LAN1 port on the AirBridge remains off.

•If the AirBridge is already set up and configured, the WLAN LED lights solid

amber.

•If a LAN device is connected to the LAN2 port on the AirBridge, the LAN2 LED

lights solid amber.

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You can use the LEDs for troubleshooting. For more information, see the following

sections:

•Power LED remains off on page 150

•WLAN LED is off on page 150

•A LAN LED is off while a device is connected on page 151

Note: For information about the signal strength indicator (SSI) LEDs, which indicate

the strength of the signal for the WiFi connection either between the satellite and the

master or between the client bridge and the access point, see the hardware installation

guide, which you can download by visiting netgear.com/support/download/.

Power LED remains off

When you connect the LAN1 (PoE-24V) port on the AirBridge to the supplied power

adapter, plug in the power adapter to an outlet, but the Power LED remains off, do the

following:

•Make sure that the Ethernet cable between the AirBridge and the power adapter is

correctly connected at both ends and that you use the correct ports:

- On the AirBridge, use the LAN1 (PoE-24V) port.

- On the power adapter, use the PoE port.

WARNING: Power the AirBridge only with an Ethernet cable that is connected from

the LAN1 (PoE-24V) port to the PoE port on the supplied power adapter. Do not use

any other power source such as a PoE switch. The LAN1 (PoE-24V) port is not a

standard PoE port. Using any other power source could damage the device.

•Make sure that the power cable of the power adapter is plugged into a functioning

electrical outlet. If it is plugged into a power strip, make sure that the power strip is

turned on. If it is plugged directly into the wall, verify that the outlet is not switched

off.

If the error persists, a hardware problem might exist. For recovery instructions or help

with a hardware problem, contact technical support at netgear.com/support.

WLAN LED is off

If the WLAN LED is off, check these items, depending on the operation mode of the

AirBridge:

•Master or access point. If the WLAN LED is off on a master or access point, none

of the 5 GHz SSIDs might be enabled. Make sure that at least one 5 GHZ SSID is

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enabled. For more information, see Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a

master with the AirBridge mode enabled on page 68, Change or configure a new

5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode disabled on page 71, or Change

or configure a 5 GHz SSID for an access point on page 76.

•Satellite or client bridge. If the WLAN LED is off on a satellite or client bridge, the

satellite did not connect to the master or the client bridge did not connect to the

access point.

Make sure that you configure the satellite or client bridge correctly so that it can

connect to its link partner. For more information, see Configure the AirBridge as a

satellite in a point-to-point setup on page 40 or Configure the AirBridge as a client

bridge on page 45.

For hardware setup troubleshooting information and information about the signal

strength indicator (SSI) LEDs, see the hardware installation guide, which you can

download by visiting netgear.com/support/download/.

If the error persists, a hardware problem might exist. For recovery instructions or help

with a hardware problem, contact technical support at netgear.com/support.

A LAN LED is off while a device is connected

The LAN1 LED and LAN2 LED on the AirBridge function as follows:

•LAN1 LED. The LAN1 (PoE-24V) port on the AirBridge must always be connected

to the supplied power adapter. If the LAN port on the power adapter is not connected

to an Ethernet device, the LAN1 LED on the AirBridge remains off. This is normal

behavior. When you connect a powered-on network device such as a switch to the

LAN port on the power adapter, the LAN1 LED on the AirBridge lights amber.

•LAN2 LED. When a powered-on device such as a PTZ camera is directly connected

to the LAN2 port on theAirBridge, the LAN2 LED on the AirBridge lights amber.

If the LAN1 LED or LAN2 LED remains off while a powered-on device is connected as

described above, a hardware connection problem might be occurring. Check these

items:

•Make sure that the Ethernet cable connectors are securely plugged in at the

AirBridge, the power adapter, and the network device.

•Make sure that the connected network device is actually turned on.

•Make sure that you are using the correct Ethernet cable. Use a standard Category

5 Ethernet patch cable. If the network device incorporates Auto Uplink™ (MDI/MDIX)

ports, you can use either a crossover cable or a normal patch cable.

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Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity

Tip: If you want to change the WiFi settings of the AirBridge’s network, use a wired

connection to avoid being disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity between a satellite and

a master

If you cannot connect a satellite to an AirBridge that functions as a master, check these

items:

•Make sure that the AirBridge that functions as a master is broadcasting a WiFi signal

and is not disabled or turned off.

•On the satellite, make sure that the right signal strength indicator (SSI) LED is solid

green or the middle SSI LED is solid amber.

For more information about hardware setup troubleshooting and about the SSI LEDs,

which indicate the strength of the signal for the WiFi connection either between the

satellite and the master, see the hardware installation guide, which you can download

by visiting netgear.com/support/download/.

•Make sure that the WLAN LED on the AirBridge is not off.

-Master. If the WLAN LED is off on a master, none of the 5 GHz SSIDs might be

enabled. For more information , see Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for

a master with the AirBridge mode enabled on page 68 or Change or configure

a new 5 GHz SSID for a master with the AirBridge mode disabled on page 71.

-Satellite. If the WLAN LED is off on a satellite, the satellite did not connect to the

master.

Make sure that you configured the satellite correctly. For more information, see

Configure the AirBridge as a satellite in a point-to-point setup on page 40.

•Make sure that the satellite is not inadvertently blocked on the 5 GHz SSID of the

master. For more information, see Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID on page 102.

•Make sure that a WiFi on/off schedule is not active on the 5 GHz SSID of the master.

For more information, see Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a 5 GHz SSID on page

100.

•Wait to see if the 5 GHz radio on the AirBridge is in the process of changing to a

different channel. If the 5 GHz radio is functioning on a DFS channel that is also being

used as a weather channel or by a radar, the 5 GHz radio must halt operation for a

period from 1 to 10 minutes, and move to another channel. This delay causes a

satellite to lose its WiFi connection while the AirBridge waits to reestablish radio

operation on a different channel.

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity between a client bridge

and an access point

If you cannot connect a client bridge to an AirBridge that functions as an access point,

check these items:

•Make sure that the AirBridge that functions as an access point is broadcasting a WiFi

signal and is not disabled or turned off.

•On client bridge, make sure that the right signal strength indicator (SSI) LED is solid

green or the middle SSI LED is solid amber.

For more information about hardware setup troubleshooting and about the SSI LEDs,

which indicate the strength of the signal for the WiFi connection between the client

bridge and the access point, see the hardware installation guide, which you can

download by visiting netgear.com/support/download/.

•Make sure that the WLAN LED on the AirBridge is not off.

-Access point. If the WLAN LED is off on an access point, none of the 5 GHz SSIDs

might be enabled. For more information , see Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID

for an access point on page 76.

-Client bridge. If the WLAN LED is off on a client bridge, the client bridge did not

connect to the access point. Make sure that you configured the client bridge

correctly. For more information, see Configure the AirBridge as a client bridge

on page 45.

•Make sure that the client bridge is not inadvertently blocked on the 5 GHz SSID of

the access point. For more information, see Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID on

page 102.

•Make sure that a WiFi on/off schedule is not active on the 5 GHz SSID of the access

point. For more information, see Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a 5 GHz SSID on

page 100.

•Wait to see if the 5 GHz radio on the AirBridge is in the process of changing to a

different channel. If the 5 GHz radio is functioning on a DFS channel that is also being

used as a weather channel or by a radar, the 5 GHz radio must halt operation for a

period from 1 to 10 minutes, and move to another channel. This delay causes a client

bridge to lose its WiFi connection while the AirBridge waits to reestablish radio

operation on a different channel.

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Troubleshoot the WiFi connectivity between a WiFi client

and a master or access point

If you cannot connect a WiFi client such as a smartphone to an AirBridge that functions

as a master with the AirBridge mode disabled or as an access point, check these items:

•Make sure that the master or access point is broadcasting a WiFi signal and is not

disabled or turned off.

•Make sure that the WiFi network name (SSID) and WiFi security settings of the 5 GHz

SSID on the master or access point and the WiFi settings on the WiFi client match

exactly. For more information, see Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a

master with the AirBridge mode disabled on page 71 or Change or configure a

5 GHz SSID for an access point on page 76.

•Make sure that the WiFi client supports the security that you are using for the

AirBridge 5 GHz SSID (WPA2-PSK or WPA2-Enterprise). For more information, see

Manage the 5 GHz SSIDs and WiFi security on page 65.

•Make sure that the WiFi signal is not blocked by objects between the AirBridge and

the WiFi client.

•Make sure that the AirBridge’s SSID broadcast is not disabled.

If the AirBridge’s SSID broadcast is disabled, the WiFi network name is hidden and

does not display in the WiFi client’s scanning list. To connect to a hidden network,

you must enter the network name and the WiFi password. For more information

about the SSID broadcast, see Change or configure a new 5 GHz SSID for a master

with the AirBridge mode disabled on page 71 or Change or configure a 5 GHz SSID

for an access point on page 76.

•Make sure that the WiFi client does not use a static IP address but is configured to

receive an IP address automatically with DHCP. (For most devices, DHCP is the default

setting.)

•Make sure that the WiFi client is not inadvertently blocked on the 5 GHz SSID of the

master or access point. For more information, see Set up a MAC filter for a 5 GHz SSID

on page 102.

•Make sure that a WiFi on/off schedule is not active on the 5 GHz SSID of the master

or access point. For more information, see Set up a WiFi on/off schedule for a

5 GHz SSID on page 100.

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You cannot log in to the AirBridge over a

LAN connection

If you are unable to log in to the AirBridge from a computer on your local network and

use the AirBridge’s local browser UI, check the following:

•If you are using an Ethernet-connected computer, check the Ethernet cable between

the computer and the AirBridge.

•Make sure that the IP address of your computer is in the same subnet as the AirBridge.

If you disabled the AirBridge’s DHCP client and configured a fixed (static) IP address

when you connected the AirBridge to your network (see Specify a static IPv4 address

for the AirBridge on page 50), change the IP address and subnet mask on your

computer to so that the IP addresses of your computer and the AirBridge are in the

same IP subnet.

•If the AirBridge is connected to a network with a DHCP server and you do not know

the IP address, determine the IP address that the DHCP server assigned to the

AirBridge by using one of the following methods:

-Windows-based computer. If you use a Windows-based computer, open

Windows Explorer, and click the Network link. If prompted, enable the Network

Discovery feature. Under Network Infrastructure, locate the WBC502 (assuming

that you did not change the device name), and double-click WBC502.

-DHCP server. Access the DHCP server in your network and open the page the

shows the network connections.

-IP network scanner. Use an IP network scanner to scan for the IP address that

is assigned to the AirBridge.

-NETGEAR Insight app. Use the NETGEAR Insight app to discover the IP address

that is assigned to the AirBridge. For more information, see Connect over WiFi

using the NETGEAR Insight app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page

15.

•Try quitting the browser and launching it again.

•Make sure that you are using the correct login information. The user name is admin

and the password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. Make

sure that Caps Lock is off when you enter this information.

If you previously managed the AirBridge through the NETGEAR Insight app or Insight

Cloud portal, enter the Insight network password for the Insight network location to

which the AirBridge was assigned (see Connect over WiFi using the NETGEAR Insight

app on an iOS or Android mobile device on page 15).

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Changes are not saved

If you are logged in to the AirBridge’s local browser UI and the AirBridge does not save

the changes that you make on a page, do the following:

•When entering configuration settings, always click the Save or Apply button before

moving to another page or tab. If you clicked the Save button, when you are ready

with entering configuration settings, click the Apply button to apply the configuration

settings. Otherwise, your changes are lost.

•Click the Refresh or Reload button in the web browser. It is possible that the changes

occurred but that the old settings remain in the web browser’s cache.

Troubleshoot your network using your

computer ping utility

Most computers contain a ping utility that can send an echo request packet to a

designated device. The device then responds with an echo reply. You can easily

troubleshoot a network using the ping utility in your computer.

Test the LAN path from your computer to the AirBridge

You can ping the AirBridge from your computer to verify that the LAN path to your

AirBridge is set up correctly.

To ping the AirBridge from a Windows-based computer:

1. From the Windows taskbar, click the Start button and select Run.

2. In the field provided, enter ping followed by the IP address of the AirBridge, as in

this example:

ping 192.168.0.100

3. Click the OK button.

A message such as the following one displays:

Pinging <IP address> with 32 bytes of data

If the path is working, you see this message:

Reply from < IP address >: bytes=32 time=NN ms TTL=xxx

If the path is not working, you see this message:

Request timed out

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If the path is not functioning correctly, one of the following problems might be occurring:

•Wrong physical connections

For a wired connection, make sure that the numbered LAN LED is lit for the port to

which you are connected.

Check that the appropriate LEDs are on for your network devices. If your AirBridge

and computer are connected to a separate Ethernet switch, make sure that the link

LEDs are lit for the switch ports that are connected to your computer and AirBridge.

•Wrong network configuration

Verify that the Ethernet card driver software and TCP/IP software are both installed

and configured on your computer.

Verify that the IP address for your AirBridge and your computer are correct and that

the addresses are in the same subnet.

Test the path from your computer to a remote device

After you verify that the LAN path works correctly, test the path from your computer to

a remote device.

To test the path from your computer to a remote device:

1. From the Windows toolbar, click the Start button and select Run.

2. In the field provided, enter ping -n 10 IP address.

IP address is the IP address of a remote device such as a remote DNS server.

If the path is functioning correctly, replies as described in Test the LAN path from your

computer to the AirBridge on page 156 display. If you do not receive replies, do the

following:

•Check to see that your computer lists the IP address of the router to which the

AirBridge is connected as the default router. If the IP configuration of your computer

is assigned by DHCP, this information is not visible in your computer’s Network

Control Panel.

•Check to see that the network address of your computer (the portion of the IP address

specified by the netmask) is different from the network address of the remote device.

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Factory Default Settings and

Technical Specifications

This appendix includes the following sections:

• Factory default settings

• Technical specifications

158

Factory default settings

You can reset the AirBridge to the factory default settings, which are shown in the

following table. However, many settings depend on the operation mode that you

configure on the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration page (see Operation mode and

default settings after the Day Zero Easy Setup configuration on page 33).

For information about resetting the AirBridge to its factory settings, see Reset the

AirBridge to factory default settings on page 119.

Table 13. AirBridge factory default settings

Default SettingFeature

Access

192.168.0.100Default IP address

EnabledDHCP client

admin (case-sensitive, nonconfigurable)Local login user name

password (case-sensitive, configurable)

The first time that you log in to the local browser UI, you must define a new local

Local login password

EnabledHTTPS

EnabledHTTP forwarded to HTTPS

DisabledSSH access

Operation modes and operation mode-dependent features

The default mode is AirBridge Satellite. However, you can select one of the following

operation modes the first time that you log in to the local browser UI:

AirBridge Master

AirBridge Satellite

Access Point

Client Bridge

Operation mode

Enabled when the operation mode is AirBridge Master or AirBridge Satellite

Not applicable when the operation mode is Access Point or Client Bridge

AirBridge mode

40 MHz when the operation mode is AirBridge Master or Access Point

Not applicable when the operation mode is AirBridge Satellite or Client Bridge

Channel HT mode

Auto when the operation mode is AirBridge Master

Not applicable in any other operation mode

Master time slot

High when the operation mode is AirBridge Satellite

Not applicable in any other operation mode

Satellite priority

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Table 13. AirBridge factory default settings (Continued)

Default SettingFeature

32 when the operation mode is Access Point

Not applicable in any other operation mode

Client limits

Enabled when the operation mode is Access Point and you enable a guest network.

Not applicable in any other operation mode or when no guest network is enabled.

Guest network DHCP server

Default radio features (not operation mode-dependent features)

Automatic (Auto RF)Radio transmission power

The available channels and the default channel depend on the configured region

and country and on the operation mode.

Channel

AutomaticBit rate

1 km (0.6 mil)Distance

WiFi networks (SSIDs)

NETGEARXXXXXX-SETUP

XXXXXX represents the last six digits of the MAC address of the LAN interface of

the AirBridge.

The WiFi security is WPA2-PSK

The default WiFi passphrase is sharedsecret.

2.4 GHz management SSID

The number of 5 GHz SSID that are supported depends on the operation mode and

the AirBridge mode:

NETGEARXXXXXX_1

NETGEARXXXXXX_2

NETGEARXXXXXX_3

NETGEARXXXXXX_4

NETGEARXXXXXX_5

NETGEARXXXXXX_6

NETGEARXXXXXX_7

NETGEARXXXXXX_8

XXXXXX represents the last six digits of the MAC address of the LAN interface of

the AirBridge.

For any 5 GHz SSID, the WiFi security is WPA2-PSK

For any 5 GHz SSID, the default WiFi passphrase is sharedsecret.

5 GHz SSIDs

DisabledHidden SSID

DisabledClient isolation

DisabledVLAN isolation

DisabledL2 isolation

DisabledFast roaming

DisabledWiFi MAC filter

DisabledWiFi traffic shaping

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Table 13. AirBridge factory default settings (Continued)

Default SettingFeature

Other

Obtained automatically form the default NTP serverDate and time settings

DisabledSTP

Automatically turned off after15 minutes of being idle2.4 GHz management SSID

time-out

Disabled (untagged)Management VLAN

Technical specifications

The following table shows the technical specifications of the AirBridge. For more

information, see the product data sheet, which you can download by visiting

netgear.com/support/download/.

Table 14. AirBridge technical specifications

DescriptionFeature

Proprietary 24V PoE (Power: 4, 5; Return: 7, 8) active Ethernet

The plug is localized to the country of sale.

Power consumption 8.93W maximum

Power adapter

7.54 x 4.49 x 1.88 in. (186 x 100 x 29 mm)Dimensions (L x W x H)

1.11 lb (504 g)Weight

AirBridge: –4º to 140ºF (–20° to 60°C)

Power adapter: 32º to 104ºF (0° to 40°C)

Operating temperature

0 to 90% maximum relative humidity, noncondensingOperating humidity

–22º to 176ºF (–40° to 80°C)Storage temperature

0 to 90% maximum relative humidity, noncondensingStorage humidity

LAN1 (PoE-24V). 10/100/1000 BASE-T RJ-45 Ethernet port used to connect to the

power adapter and network

LAN2. 10/100/1000 BASE-T RJ-45 Ethernet port used to connect an optional single

device

LAN interfaces

2.4 GHz radio for management access only

5 GHz radio for WiFi devices and WiFi clients, depending on the configuration

WiFi interfaces

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Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Table 14. AirBridge technical specifications (Continued)

DescriptionFeature

5150~5250 MHz

5250~5350 MHz

5470~5725 MHz

5725~5850 MHz

The supported channels depend on the configured regulatory domain.

Operating frequency range

5 GHz band

802.11n/ac: 2x2 MIMO with 2 streams

802.11ac supports very high throughput (VHT), 20/40/80 MHz

802.11n supports high throughput (HT), 20/40 MHz

802.11n/ac packet aggregation: AMPDU, ASPDU

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) under 802.11ac/a/n

AirBridge technology with Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) under 802.11ac/n

Supported radio

technologies

802.11a: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54

802.11n: 6.5 to 300 (MCS0 to MCS15)

802.11ac: 6.5 to 867 (MCS0 to MCS9, NSS=1 to 2)

Supported data rates in

Mbps

The supported number of clients depend on the operation mode and network

conditions.

Maximum number of

supported clients

WPA2-PSK

WPA2 Enterprise

Note: We recommend that you set up security. In certain situations, and if you are

aware of the risks, you can select and open network without security.

802.11 security

FCC/ ISED

Subpart 15 B

Subpart E 15.407

Subpart C/J RSS-102/247

EN 301 893

EN 301 489-1/-17

EN 50385

EN 55032

EN 55024/EN 55034

EN 60950-1/-22

IEC 60529

EN 62368-1

EC 1275

Electromagnetic compatibility

(2014/30/EU)

Regulatory compliance

User Manual162Factory Default Settings and

Technical Specifications

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 User Manual

Table of Contents

NETGEAR WBC502 User Manual

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