Summary of Contents for NETGEAR Nighthawk AX6 Series
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User Manual Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Model RAX45 NETGEAR, Inc. June 2020 350 E. Plumeria Drive 202-12055-02 San Jose, CA 95134, USA...
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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.
Contents Chapter 1 Hardware Setup Unpack your router................9 Top panel LEDs and buttons.............10 Rear panel....................12 Router label..................13 Attach and position the antennas.............13 Position your router................14 Wall-Mount Your Router..............15 Cable your router................16 Chapter 2 Connect to the Network and Access the Router Connect to the network..............18 Connect to the network using a wired connection....18 Find and connect to the WiFi network........18...
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Set up an IPv6 6rd Internet connection........37 Manage the MTU size.................39 MTU concepts.................39 Change the MTU size..............40 Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet..43 Use keywords to block Internet sites..........44 Block services from the Internet............46 Delete keywords from the blocked list..........47...
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Edit a static route................79 Delete a static route...............80 Enable or disable implicit beamforming.........81 Enable or disable MU-MIMO............81 Enable or disable AX WiFi..............82 Enable bridge mode................83 Chapter 6 Optimize Performance Use Dynamic QoS to optimize Internet traffic management..86 Enable Dynamic QoS..............86 Enable or disable the automatic QoS database update...87 Manually update the dynamic QoS database......87...
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Chapter 8 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router USB device requirements..............113 Connect a USB storage device to the router........113 Access a storage device connected to the router from a Windows-based computer..............114 Map a USB device to a Windows network drive......114 Access a storage device that is connected to the router from a Mac.....................115 Enable FTP access within your network.........116...
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service........142 Edit a Port Forwarding Service...........143 Delete a Port Forwarding Entry..........144 Application Example: Make a Local Web Server Public..144 How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule..145 Port Triggering.................145 Add a Port Triggering Service............146 Enable Port Triggering..............147 Application Example: Port Triggering for Internet Relay Chat port...
• Rear panel • Router label • Attach and position the antennas • Position your router • Wall-Mount Your Router • Cable your router For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear.com/support.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Unpack your router Your package contains the router, the power adapter, four antennas, and an Ethernet cable. Figure 1. Package contents Hardware Setup User Manual...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Top panel LEDs and buttons The status LEDs and two buttons are located on the top panel of the router. Figure 2. Top view Table 1. LED descriptions LED and Button Description Power LED •...
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED and Button Description Ethernet LEDs for ports 1–4 The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections. •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Rear panel The following figure shows the rear panel connectors and buttons. Figure 3. Rear panel The rear panel contains the following components: 1. Reset button. Pressing the Reset button resets the router. If the Reset button is pressed for at least 10 seconds and the Power LED blinks, the router returns to its factory settings.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Router label The router label shows the login information, WiFi network name (SSID), password, serial number, and MAC address. Figure 4. Router label Attach and position the antennas Before you install your router, attach the antennas to the router. Note: Make sure to match the labels on the antennas with the labels on the router.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Position your router The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your WiFi network. However, the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. In addition, position your router according to the following guidelines: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Wall-Mount Your Router You can wall-mount your router using the wall-mounting holes on the bottom of your router. Note: We recommend using M3 x 20 mm screws. Figure 6. Bottom of the router To wall-mount your router: 1.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Cable your router Power on your router and connect it to a modem. Figure 7. Cable your router To cable your router: 1. Unplug your modem, remove and reinsert the backup battery if it uses one, and then plug the modem back in.
Connect to the Network and Access the Router You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection. This chapter explains the ways you can connect and how to access the router and log in. The chapter contains the following sections: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Connect to the network You can connect to the router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you set up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
WiFi network name (SSID) and password for WiFi access. This information is on the router label. • NETGEAR account login. The free NETGEAR account that you need to register your router and manage your subscriptions. If you do not own a NETGEAR account, you can create one.
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4. Follow the onscreen instructions. The router connects to the Internet. 5. If the browser does not display the NETGEAR installation assistant, do the following: • Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the LAN Ethernet ports or over WiFi to the router.
With the Nighthawk app, you can easily install and manage your router. The app automatically updates the router to the latest firmware, allows you to personalize your WiFi network, and even helps register your router with NETGEAR. The Nighthawk app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To install your router using the Nighthawk app: 1. To download the app, visit Nighthawk-app.com. 2. On your mobile device, tap Settings > Wi-Fi and find and connect to your router’s WiFi network. Your router’s WiFi network name (SSID) and network key (WiFi password) are on the router label.
Specify Your Internet Settings Usually, the quickest way to set up the router to use your Internet connection is to allow your router to detect the Internet connection automatically when you first access the router web interface. You can also customize and manually specify your Internet settings. This chapter contains the following sections: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Use the Internet Setup Wizard You can use the Setup Wizard to detect your Internet settings and automatically set up your router. The Setup Wizard is not the same as the pages that display the first time you connect to your router to set it up.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 12. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You cannot access the Internet on page 154. Specify an Internet connection that uses a login To view or change the basic Internet setup: 1.
15. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 16. Click the Test button to test your Internet connection. If the NETGEAR website does not display within one minute, see You cannot access the Internet on page 154. Specify IPv6 Internet connections You can set up an IPv6 Internet connection if the router does not detect it automatically.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > IPv6. The IPv6 page displays. 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select the IPv6 connection type: • If you are not sure, select Auto Detect so that the router detects the IPv6 type that is in use.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The router automatically detects the information in the following fields: • Connection Type. This field indicates the connection type that is detected. • Router’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s WAN (or Internet) interface.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To set up an IPv6 Internet connection by using a 6to4 tunnel: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 10. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Set up an IPv6 DHCP Internet connection To set up an IPv6 Internet connection with a DHCP server: 1.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router xxx.yyy.zzz as the domain name. If your ISP provided a domain name, type it in this field. For example, Earthlink Cable might require a host name of home, and Comcast sometimes supplies a domain name. 8.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 5. From the Internet Connection Type menu, select PPPoE. The page adjusts. The router automatically detects the information in the following fields: • Router’s IPv6 Address on WAN. This field shows the IPv6 address that is acquired for the router’s WAN (or Internet) interface.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 11. Select an IPv6 Filtering radio button: • Secured. In secured mode, which is the default mode, the router inspects both TCP and UDP packets. • Open. In open mode, the router inspects UDP packets only. 12.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 7. (Optional) In the DHCP Domain Name (If Required) field, enter a domain name. You can type the domain name of your IPv6 ISP. Do not enter the domain name for the IPv4 ISP here. For example, if your ISP’s mail server is mail.xxx.yyy.zzz, type xxx.yyy.zzz as the domain name.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router With a 6rd tunnel configuration, the router follows the RFC5969 standard, supporting two ways to establish a 6rd tunnel IPv6 WAN connection: • Auto Detect mode. In IPv6 Auto Detect mode, when the router receives option 212 from the DHCPv4 option, autodetect selects the IPv6 as 6rd tunnel setting.
“fragmented” to accommodate the device with the smallest MTU. The best MTU setting for NETGEAR equipment is often the default value. In some situations, changing the value fixes one problem but causes another. Leave the MTU unchanged unless one of these situations occurs: •...
Application 1500 The largest Ethernet packet size. This setting is typical for connections that do not use PPPoE or VPN and is the default value for NETGEAR routers, adapters, and switches. 1492 Used in PPPoE environments. 1472 Maximum size to use for pinging. (Larger packets are fragmented.) 1468 Used in some DHCP environments.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > WAN Setup. The WAN Setup page displays. 5. In the MTU Size field, enter a value from 64 to 1500. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Control Access to the Internet The router comes with a built-in firewall that helps protect your home network from unwanted intrusions from the Internet. This chapter contains the following sections: • Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet You can use access control to block or allow access to the Internet through your router. To set up access control: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The list displays. 8. To allow the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device you’re currently using to continue to access the Internet, select the check box next to your computer or device, and click the Allow button. 9.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • Specify .com if you want to allow only sites with domain suffixes such as .edu or .gov. • Enter a period (.) to block all Internet browsing access. 7. Click the Add Keyword button. The keyword is added to the keyword list.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Block services from the Internet You can block Internet services on your network based on the type of service. You can block the services all the time or based on a schedule. To block services: 1.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • Only This IP Address. Block services for a single computer. • IP Address Range. Block services for a range of computers with consecutive IP addresses on your network. • All lP Addresses. Block services for all computers on your network. 10.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To specify a trusted computer: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 5. Select the Turn on Access Control radio button. 6. Click the View list of allowed devices not currently connected to the network link. The list displays. 7. Select the check box for a device. 8.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Your settings are saved. Set up security event email notifications The router can email you its logs of router activity. The log records router activity and security events such as attempts to access blocked sites or services. To set up email notifications: 1.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 11. To send alerts when someone attempts to visit a blocked site, select the Send Alerts Immediately check box. Email alerts are sent immediately when someone attempts to visit a blocked site. 12. To send logs based on a schedule, specify these settings: a.
Manage Network Settings The router comes ready for WiFi, Ethernet, and USB connections. You can customize the router’s network settings. We recommend that you install the router and connect it to the Internet before you change its network settings. This chapter contains the following sections: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router View or change the WAN settings You can view or configure wide area network (WAN) settings for the Internet port. You can set up a DMZ (demilitarized zone) server, change the maximum transmit unit (MTU) size, and enable the router to respond to a ping to its WAN (Internet) port.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • Disable IGMP Proxying. IGMP proxying allows a computer on the local area network (LAN) to receive the multicast traffic it is interested in from the Internet. If you do not need this feature, you can select this check box to disable it. 5.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 5. Select the Default DMZ Server check box. 6. Type the IP address. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Change the Router’s Device Name The router’s default device name is based on its model number. This device name displays in the file manager when you browse your network.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router These addresses are part of the designated private address range for use in private networks and are suitable for most applications. If your network requires a different IP addressing scheme, you can change these settings. You might want to change these settings if you need a specific IP subnet that one or more devices on the network use, or if you use competing subnets with the same IP scheme.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • RIP-2. This format carries more information. Both RIP-2B and RIP-2M send the routing data in RIP-2 format. RIP-2B uses subnet broadcasting. RIP-2M uses multicasting. 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. If you changed the LAN IP address of the router, you are disconnected when this change takes effect.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. Specify the range of IP addresses that the router assigns: a. In the Starting IP Address field, type the lowest number in the range. This IP address must be in the same subnet as the router. b.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The LAN Setup page displays. 5. Clear the Use Router as DHCP Server check box. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. 7. (Optional) If this service is disabled and no other DHCP server is on your network, set your computer IP addresses manually so that the computers can access the router.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 8. Click the Apply button. The reserved address is entered into the table. The reserved address is not assigned until the next time the computer contacts the router’s DHCP server. Reboot the computer, or access its IP configuration and force a DHCP release and renew.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Setup > LAN Setup. The LAN Setup page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The WPS process automatically sets up yourr WPS-enabled device with the network password when it connects. The router WPS page displays a confirmation message. Specify Basic WiFi Settings The router comes with preset security. This means that the WiFi network name (SSID), network key (password), and security option (encryption protocol) are preset in the factory.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 7. To change the network name (SSID), type a new name in the Name (SSID) field. The name can be up to 32 characters long and it is case-sensitive. The default SSID is randomly generated and is on the router label. If you change the name, make sure to write down the new name and keep it in a safe place.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Change the WiFi mode if AX WiFi is enabled To change the WiFi mode settings if AX WiFi is enabled: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router allows 802.11ac devices to function at up to 1920 Mbps. This mode is the default mode. • Up to 3840 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz-1 band of the network and allows 802.11ac devices to function at up to 3840 Mbps.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. In the Wireless Network (5 GHz a/n/ac/ax) section, select a WiFi mode from the Mode menu. • Up to 346 Mbps. This mode allows 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, and 802.11a devices to join the selected WiFi network in the 5 GHz-1 band of the network but limits 802.11ac and 802.11n devices to functioning at up to 246 Mbps.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The Wireless Settings page displays. 5. In the Wireless Network (2.4 GHz b/g/n) section, select a percentage from the Transmit Power Control menu. 6. In the Wireless Network (5 GHz a/n/ac) section, select a percentage from the Transmit Power Control menu.
Mbps mode in the 2.4 GHz band. The channel also depends on the channel selection of the main WiFi network. The router provides two default guest networks with the following names (SSIDs): • 2.4 GHz guest WiFi network SSID. NETGEAR_Guest • 5 GHz guest WiFi network SSID. NETGEAR-5G_Guest Manage Network Settings User Manual...
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• Guest Wireless Network Name (SSID). The SSID is the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz guest WiFi network name. The default 2.4 GHz SSID is NETGEAR_Guest. The default 5 GHz SSID NETGEAR-5G_Guest. To change the SSID, enter a 32-character (maximum), case-sensitive name in this field.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • WPA2-PSK [AES]. WPA2 provides a secure and fast connection but some older WiFi devices do not detect WPA2 and support only WPA. Select WPA2-PSK [AES] security to allow 802.11n devices to connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz guest WiFi network at the fastest speed.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To enable or disable the WiFi radios: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 5. Click the Add a new period button. The page adjusts. 6. Use the menus, radio buttons, and check boxes to set up a period during which you want to turn off the WiFi signal. 7.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router By default, the Keep Existing Wireless Settings check box is selected. We recommend that you leave this check box selected. If you clear this check box, the next time a new WiFi client uses WPS to connect to the router, the router WiFi settings change to an automatically generated random SSID and security key.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Note: To avoid interference with other routers or gateways in your network, we recommend that you use different WiFi settings on each router. You can also turn off the WiFi radio on the other router or gateway and use this router only for WiFi client access.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > VLAN/Bridge Settings. The VLAN/Bridge Settings page displays. 5. Select the Enable VLAN/Bridge Setup check box. The page expands. 6. Select the By bridge group radio button. The page expands.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Set up an IPTV port You can set up the router to create an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) port that can lease an IP address from your IPTV service provider. Use this feature only if you subscribe to an IPTV service and your IPTV service requires an intranet address.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 8. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved. Manage custom static routes Typically, you do not need to add static routes unless you use multiple routers or multiple IP subnets on your network. As an example of when a static route is needed, consider the following case: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Static Routes. The Static Routes page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Enable or disable implicit beamforming Implicit beamforming means that the router can use information from WiFi clients that support beamforming to improve the WiFi signal. To enable or disable implicit beamforming: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The Wireless Setup page displays. 5. Select or clear the Enable AX check box. Selecting this check box turns on AX WiFi and clearing this check box turns off AX WiFi. 6. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 5. Select the use other operation mode check box. 6. Select the Enable Bridge Mode radio button. 7. Click the setup bride mode wireless settings button. The Wireless Settings window opens. 8. Specify the settings of the other router to which this router will connect: a.
Optimize Performance You can set up the router to optimize performance for applications such as Internet gaming, high-definition video streaming, and VoIP communication. By default, the router uses Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service (WMM QoS). This chapter contains the following sections: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Use Dynamic QoS to optimize Internet traffic management Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) helps improve your router’s Internet traffic management capabilities through better application and device identification, bandwidth allocation, and traffic prioritization techniques. Dynamic QoS resolves traffic congestion when the Internet bandwidth is limited and different demands compete for bandwidth.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • I want to define my Internet Bandwidth. If you know what your download and upload speed are, select this radio button and enter your download and upload speeds in the fields. 7. Click the Apply button. Your settings are saved.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To manually update the Dynamic QoS database: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > UPnP. The UPnP page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router benefits of WMM QoS, WMM must be enabled for both it and the client running that application. Legacy applications that do not support WMM and applications that do not require QoS are assigned to the best effort category, which receives a lower priority than voice and video.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To enable or disable AX WiFi: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Manage Your Router This chapter describes the router settings for administering and maintaining your router and home network. The chapter contains the following sections: • Update the router firmware • Change the admin password • Enable admin password recovery • Recover the admin password •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Update the router firmware You can log in to the router and check if new firmware is available, or you can manually load a specific firmware version to your router. Check for new firmware and update the router The router firmware (routing software) is stored in flash memory.
To manually upload a firmware file to your router: 1. Download the firmware for your router from the NETGEAR Download Center, save it to your desktop, and unzip the file if needed. Note: The correct firmware file uses an .img or .chk extension.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Change the admin password The admin password is the one you specified the first time you logged in. You can change this password. Note: The ideal password contains no dictionary words from any language and contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router A login window opens. 9. With your recovered password, log in to the router. View information about the router and the Internet and WiFi settings You can view router information, the Internet port status, and WiFi settings. To view information about the router and the Internet, modem, and WiFi settings: 1.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Display the statistics of the Internet port To display the statistics of the Internet port: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. To change the polling frequency, enter a time in seconds in the Poll Interval field and click the Set Interval button. To stop the polling entirely, click the Stop button. Check the Internet connection status To check the Internet connection status: 1.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. To release (stop) the Internet connection, click the Release button. 7. To renew (restart) the Internet connection, click the Renew button. 8. To exit the screen, click the Close Window button. View and manage logs of router activity The logs are a detailed record of the websites you accessed or attempted to access and many other router actions.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router You must set up email notifications in order to receive the logs. The router to emails the logs to the address that you specified when you set up email notifications. For more information, see Set up security event email notifications on page 50. 9.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To monitor Internet traffic: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 10. Click the Apply button. The Internet Traffic Statistics section helps you to monitor the data traffic. 11. To update the Traffic Statistics section, click the Refresh button. 12. To display more information about the data traffic on your router and to change the poll interval, click the Traffic Status button.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To erase the settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The file is uploaded to the router and the router restarts. WARNING: Do not interrupt the restoration process. Manage remote access You can access your router over the Internet to view or change its settings. You must know the router’s WAN IP address to use this feature.
Nighthawk app for your mobile device. For more information about how to update your router’s firmware, see Check for new firmware and update the router on page 93. To download the latest Nighthawk app for your mobile device, visit https://www.netgear.com/home/apps-services/nighthawk-app/. Manage Your Router User Manual...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Turn off the router LEDs The LEDs on the front panel of the router indicate activities and behavior. You can turn off all LEDs except the Power LED. To turn off the LEDs: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The NTP Settings page displays. 5. Select your time zone from the menu. 6. If you live in a region that observes daylight saving time, select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 7.
By default, the router acts as a ReadyDLNA media server, which lets you view movies and photos on DLNA/UPnP AV-compliant media players, such as Xbox360, Playstation, and NETGEAR media players. To specify media server settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Return the router to its factory default settings Under some circumstances (for example, if you lost track of the changes that you made to the router settings or you move the router to a different network), you might want to erase the configuration and reset the router to factory default settings.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To erase the settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
• View network folders on a storage device • Add a network folder on a USB storage device • Edit a network folder on a USB storage device • Safely remove a USB storage device For more information about ReadySHARE features, visit netgear.com/readyshare.
The router works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the router supports, visit kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18985/~/readyshare-usb-drives-compatibility-list. Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to load the drivers onto the computer before the computer can access the USB storage device.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Access a storage device connected to the router from a Windows-based computer To access the USB storage device from a Windows-based computer: 1. Connect a USB storage device to a USB port on your router. 2.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. The Map Network Drive window opens. 7. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 8. Click the Finish button. The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified. 9.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. Click the Connect button. A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device. Enable FTP access within your network File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you download (receive) and upload (send) large files faster.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage. The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays. 5. In the Available Network Folders section, select the USB storage device. If a single device is attached to the USB port, the radio button is selected automatically.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 7. Physically disconnect the USB storage device. Share USB Storage Devices User Manual Attached to the Router...
Use Dynamic DNS to Access USB Storage Devices Through the Internet With Dynamic DNS, you can use the Internet to access USB devices attached to the router’s USB ports when you’re not home. This chapter contains the following sections: • Set up and manage Dynamic DNS •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Set up and manage Dynamic DNS Internet service providers (ISPs) assign numbers called IP addresses to identify each Internet account. Most ISPs use dynamically assigned IP addresses. This means that the IP address can change at any time. You can use the IP address to access your network remotely, but most people don’t know what their IP addresses are or when this number changes.
With your customized free URL, you can use FTP to access your network when you aren’t home through Dynamic DNS. To set up your FTP server, you must register for a NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account and specify the account settings. See Set up a new Dynamic DNS account on page 124.
12. Follow the onscreen instructions to register for your NETGEAR Dynamic DNS service. Specify a DNS account that you already created If you already created a Dynamic DNS account with NETGEAR, No-IP, or DynDNS, you can set up the router to use your account.
• No-IP account or DynDNS account. In the User Name field, type the user name for your account. • NETGEAR account. In the Email field, type the email address for your account. 10. In the Password (6-32 characters) field, type the password for your DDNS account.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To change your settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
Use VPN to Access Your Network You can use OpenVPN software to remotely access your router using virtual private networking (VPN). This chapter explains how to set up and use VPN access. The chapter contains the following sections: • Set up a VPN connection •...
To use a DDNS service, register for an account with a host name (sometimes called a domain name). You use the host name to access your network. The router supports these accounts: NETGEAR, No-IP, and Dyn. If your Internet service provider (ISP) assigned a static WAN IP address (such as 50.196.x.x or 10.x.x.x) that never changes to your Internet account, the VPN can use that IP address...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 6. To change the service type, scroll down and select the TCP radio button. 7. To change the port, scroll down to the Service Port field, and type the port number that you want to use. 8.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 9. In the Windows Installer section of the page, double-click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe link. 10. Download and install the Open VPN software on your computer, click the openVPN-install-xxx.exe file. 11. Click the Next button. 12. Read the License Agreement and click the I Agree button. 13.
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For a client device with Windows 64-bit system, the VPN client is installed at C:\Program files\OpenVPN\config\ by default. 18. For a client device with Windows, modify the VPN interface name to NETGEAR-VPN: a. On your computer, go to the Networks page. If you are using Windows 10, select Control Panel >...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router c. Select the local area connection and change its name (not its device name) to NETGEAR-VPN. If you do not change the VPN interface name, the VPN tunnel connection will fail. For more information about using OpenVPN on your Windows computer, visit https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html#quick.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Install OpenVPN Software on an iOS Device You must install this software on each iOS device that you plan to use for VPN connections to your router. To install VPN client software on an iOS device: 1.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To install VPN client software on an Android device: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router established, you cannot access your home router or your home network with the OpenVPN software. The default LAN IP address scheme for the router is 192.x.x.x. The most common IP schemes are 192.x.x.x, 172.x.x.x, and 10.x.x.x. If you experience a conflict, change the IP scheme either for your home network or for the network with the client VPN computer.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Use VPN to Access the Router’s USB Device and Media To access a USB device and download files from your Windows-based computer using VPN: 1. On your Windows-based computer, open the Windows file manager and select Network.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Set Up VPN Client Internet Access in the Router By default, the router is set up to allow VPN connections only to your home network, but you can change the settings to allow Internet access. Accessing the Internet remotely through a VPN might be slower than accessing the Internet directly.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router To allow VPN clients to access only your home network: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 4. When the VPN connection is established, launch your Internet browser. Use VPN to Access Your Network User Manual...
Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering You can use port forwarding and port triggering to set up rules for Internet traffic. You need networking knowledge to set up these features. This chapter contains the following sections: • Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Manage Port Forwarding to a Local Server If your home network includes a server, you can allow certain types of incoming traffic to reach the server. For example, you might want to make a local web server, FTP server, or game server visible and available to the Internet.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router 11. Click the Add button. The service displays in the menu. Add a Custom Port Forwarding Service The router lists default services and applications that you can use in port forwarding rules. If the service or application is not predefined, you can add a port forwarding rule with a custom service or application.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router You can enter a port range and fixed ports in one rule, for example, external (30–50, 78, 100–102), internal (40–60, 99, 200–202). With this rule, external ports 30–50 are forwarded to internal ports 40–60. 12.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Delete a Port Forwarding Entry To delete a port forwarding entry: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router How the Router Implements the Port Forwarding Rule The following sequence shows the effects of a port forwarding rule: 1. When you type the URL www.example.com in your browser, the browser sends a web page request message with the following destination information: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Add a Port Triggering Service To add a port triggering service: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Enable Port Triggering To enable port triggering: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin.
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Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router also allow incoming traffic on port 113 to reach the originating computer.” The following sequence shows the effects of this port triggering rule: 1. You open an IRC client program to start a chat session on your computer. 2.
Troubleshooting This chapter provides information to help you diagnose and solve problems you might experience with your router. If you do not find the solution here, check the NETGEAR support site at netgear.com/support for product and contact information. The chapter contains the following sections: •...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Quick tips This section describes tips for troubleshooting some common problems. Sequence to restart your network If you must restart your network, follow this sequence: 1. Turn off and unplug the modem. 2. Turn off the router. 3.
• Cycle the power to see if the router recovers. • Press and hold the Reset button to return the router to its factory settings. If the error persists, a hardware problem might be the cause. Contact Technical Support at netgear.com/support. Troubleshooting User Manual...
• Make sure that the power adapter is securely connected to your router and securely connected to a working power outlet. • Make sure that you are using the power adapter that NETGEAR supplied for this product. • If the Power LED blinks slowly and continuously, the router firmware is corrupted.
IP address, you don’t need to reset the router to factory default settings. • If you are attempting to set up your NETGEAR router as a replacement for an ADSL gateway in your network, the router cannot perform many gateway services. For...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router example, the router cannot convert ADSL or cable data into Ethernet networking information. NETGEAR does not support such a configuration. You cannot access the Internet If you can access your router but not the Internet, check to see if the router can obtain a WAN IP address from your Internet service provider (ISP).
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router • If your ISP allows only one Ethernet MAC address to connect to Internet and checks for your computer’s MAC address, do one of the following: Inform your ISP that you bought a new network device and ask them to use the router’s MAC address.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Changes are not saved If the router does not save the changes that you make in the router web interface, do the following: • When entering configuration settings, always click the Apply button before moving to another page or tab, or your changes are lost.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility Most network devices and routers contain a ping utility that sends an echo request packet to the designated device. The device then responds with an echo reply. You can easily troubleshoot a network using the ping utility in your computer or workstation.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device To test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote device: 1. From the Windows toolbar, click the Start button and select Run. 2.
Supplemental Information This chapter includes technical information about your router. The chapter covers the following topics: • Factory Settings on page 160 • Technical Specifications on page 161...
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Factory Settings You can return the router to its factory settings. Use the end of a paper clip or a similar object to press and hold the Reset button on the back of the router for at least seven seconds.
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router Table 3. Factory default settings (Continued) Feature Default setting Wireless SSID name See router label Security WPA2-PSK (AES) Broadcast SSID Enabled Transmission speed Auto Country/region United States in the US; otherwise, varies by region RF channel Auto for 2.4 GHz, CH 44 for WW SKU, and CH 153 for North America SKU...
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Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary and may be lowered by network and environmental conditions, including network traffic volume and building construction. NETGEAR makes no representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility with AX standards. Supplemental Information...
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