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NETGEAR XR500 Nighthawk User Manual

NETGEAR XR500 Nighthawk
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XR500 Nighthawk
Pro Gaming Router
User Manual
Model XR500
April 2018
202-11808-03
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA

Table of Contents

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NETGEAR XR500 Nighthawk Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandNETGEAR
ModelXR500 Nighthawk
Antennas4 external antennas
VPN SupportYes
BeamformingYes
RAM512MB
Flash Memory256MB
WiFi Technology802.11ac
WiFi SpeedAC2600 (800Mbps + 1733Mbps)
ProcessorDual Core 1.7GHz
Ethernet Ports5 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet (1 WAN & 4 LAN)
USB Ports2 x USB 3.0
QoSDynamic QoS
Security FeaturesVPN support

Summary

Hardware Setup

Unpack and Connect Router Components

Details on unpacking the XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router, antennas, power adapter, and Ethernet cable.

Identify Router LEDs, Buttons, and Ports

Description of status LEDs, buttons on top panel, and USB 3.0 ports on the left side panel.

Understand Rear Panel Connectors

Overview of rear panel components including LED On/Off switch, Reset button, antenna connectors, and ports.

Attach and Position Antennas

Instructions for attaching the four antennas to the router for optimal WiFi performance.

Positioning Your Router for Optimal WiFi

Guidelines for placing the router to maximize WiFi range and take advantage of advanced features.

Cable Your Router and Power On

Steps to connect the router to the modem and power outlet, and turn it on.

Connect to Network and Access Router

Connect to the Network

How to connect your computer to the router via wired Ethernet or WiFi connection.

Understand Router Login Types

Explanation of ISP login, WiFi password, and router login for accessing the web interface.

Access Router via Web Browser

Instructions on using a web browser to access the router for setup and configuration.

Install Router Using NETGEAR Up App

Guide to easily installing the router, updating firmware, and personalizing WiFi via the NETGEAR Up app.

Specify Your Internet Settings

Use the Internet Setup Wizard

Steps to automatically set up your router by detecting Internet settings using the Setup Wizard.

Manually Set Up Internet Connection

Guidance on viewing or changing the router's specific Internet connection settings manually.

Configure IPv6 Internet Connections

Steps to set up various IPv6 Internet connection types if the router does not detect it automatically.

Change the MTU Size

Guidance on adjusting the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size for network packet optimization.

Customize QoS and Optimize Gaming

Improve Response Time Using Geo Filter

Using the Geo Filter to limit game host distance, reducing lag and improving response time.

Manage Bandwidth Allocation

Allocating bandwidth to specific devices using Quality of Service (QoS) and Anti-Bufferbloat features.

Manage Traffic Prioritization

Prioritizing traffic for specific devices to reduce network lag and improve performance.

Monitor Devices and Network Information

View and Manage Connected Devices

View all connected devices, change display settings, prevent display, or block devices.

View Network Usage Information

Monitor devices, traffic categories, and applications using upload/download bandwidth.

View Router System Information

Access system information including firmware version, CPU usage, RAM, and network status.

Customize the Dashboard Layout

Add, remove, rearrange, and resize dashboard panes for a personalized view.

Control Access to the Internet

Block Access to Internet Sites

Block keywords, domains, or specific internet sites using content filtering rules.

Block Services and Applications via Firewall

Add outbound firewall rules to prevent access to specific services and applications.

Set Up Schedule for Blocking Rules

Create schedules for keyword blocking and outbound firewall rules to define active times.

Configure Email Notifications for Security

Set up email alerts for security events and log messages from the router.

Manage Router Network Settings

View or Change WAN Settings

Configure wide area network (WAN) settings, including DMZ, MTU size, and NAT filtering.

Set Up a Default DMZ Server

Configure a default DMZ server for applications incompatible with NAT, with security warnings.

Change Router LAN IP Address and RIP Settings

Modify the router's LAN IP address and Router Information Protocol (RIP) settings.

Specify IP Addresses Assigned by Router

Define the range of IP addresses the router's DHCP server assigns to LAN devices.

Manage Reserved LAN IP Addresses

Assign static IP addresses to specific devices for consistent network access.

Set Up Bridge to ISP Network

Configure bridging using Port Group or VLAN Tag Group for direct ISP network connection.

Manage Router WiFi Settings

Specify Basic WiFi Settings

Configure WiFi network name (SSID), password, security options, and region settings.

Change WiFi Password or Security Level

Update the WiFi password and select WPA2-PSK [AES] for strong security.

Set Up a Guest WiFi Network

Create a separate WiFi network for guests, providing Internet access without sharing security keys.

Configure WEP Legacy WiFi Security

Set up WEP security, a legacy mode limiting WiFi speed to 54 Mbps.

Control WiFi Radios On/Off

Enable or disable router's WiFi radios via the web interface or the physical WiFi On/Off button.

Maintain the Router

Update Router Firmware

Check for and install new router firmware to ensure optimal performance and security.

Change Admin Password

Modify the router's administrative password for secure access to settings.

Manage Router Configuration File

Back up, restore, or erase router configuration settings to preserve or reset settings.

Manage Remote Access Settings

Set up remote management to access router settings over the Internet securely.

Monitor and Meter Internet Traffic

Monitor internet traffic volume, set limits, and view live traffic usage updates.

View Router Activity Log

View and manage router actions, including website access attempts and security events.

Check Internet Connection Status

Verify the router's WAN Ethernet connection status and view IP address details.

Restart Router From Web Interface

Remotely restart the router using its web interface for troubleshooting or updates.

Share USB Storage Devices

USB Device Requirements and Connection

Requirements for USB devices and steps to connect them to the router's USB ports.

Access USB Storage on Windows

How to access USB storage devices connected to the router from Windows-based computers.

Access USB Storage on Mac

Instructions for accessing USB storage devices connected to the router from Mac computers.

Back Up Computers Using ReadySHARE Vault

Using ReadySHARE Vault for automatic backup of Windows-based computers.

Back Up Mac Computers Using Time Machine

Using Time Machine to back up Mac computers onto a USB hard drive connected to the router.

Manage USB Storage Access Settings

Configure workgroup names and access methods (Network Neighborhood, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP) for USB storage.

Approve USB Devices for Sharing

Set up the router to share only approved USB devices for enhanced security.

Safely Remove a USB Storage Device

Procedure to safely take a USB storage device offline before physically disconnecting it.

Use Dynamic DNS for Internet Access

Set Up Your Personal FTP Server

Steps to set up a personal FTP server using Dynamic DNS for remote network access.

Set Up and Manage Dynamic DNS

Guide to getting a free Dynamic DNS account for easier remote network access.

Access USB Storage Through the Internet

How to access USB storage devices remotely via the Internet using FTP or other methods.

Use Router as Media Server

Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings

Configure DLNA, TiVo, and iTunes media server functionality for playing media files.

Play Music via iTunes Server

Set up the router's iTunes server to play music from USB storage using iTunes.

Set Up Router to Work With TiVo

Configure the router to allow TiVo devices to access media files stored on a USB device.

Share a USB Printer

Install Printer Driver and Cable

Steps for installing the printer driver and connecting the USB printer to the router.

Download ReadySHARE Printer Utility

Download the ReadySHARE Printer utility for Windows, Mac, smartphones, and tablets.

Install ReadySHARE Printer Utility

Install the NETGEAR USB Control Center utility on computers sharing the printer.

Print Using NETGEAR USB Control Center

How to print documents using the NETGEAR USB Control Center utility.

View or Change Printer Status

Check the status of connected printers (Available, Connected, Manually Connected).

Use VPN to Access Your Network

Set Up a VPN Connection

Enabling VPN service in the router for secure remote network access.

Install OpenVPN Software

Instructions for installing OpenVPN client software on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

Use VPN Tunnel on Windows Computer

Opening a VPN tunnel from a Windows computer to the router over the Internet.

Access Router USB/Media via Windows VPN

Accessing USB storage and media from a Windows computer through a VPN tunnel.

Allow VPN Client Internet Access

Configure router to allow VPN clients to use home Internet service or block Internet access.

Use VPN to Access External Network

Set Up a VPN Client Connection

Configure router as a VPN client to securely access external networks.

Enable VPN Client and Connect to Server

Enable the router's VPN client and establish a connection to an external VPN server.

Disconnect Router From VPN Server

Procedure to disconnect the router from the VPN server and terminate the VPN connection.

Manage Internet Traffic Rules for Ports

Manage Port Forwarding for Services

Allow incoming traffic to a server by setting up port forwarding rules for services.

Add Custom Port Forwarding Service

Add custom port forwarding rules for applications not predefined in the router.

Manage Port Triggering for Services

Configure port triggering rules to dynamically open incoming ports for applications.

Disable Port Triggering

Temporarily disable port triggering without removing configured services or applications.

Troubleshooting

Quick Tips for Common Problems

Tips for troubleshooting common issues like network restart and cable connections.

Troubleshoot Using Router LEDs

Diagnose issues based on the behavior of the router's LED indicators.

Cannot Log In to the Router

Steps to resolve issues when unable to log in to the router's web interface.

Cannot Access the Internet

Troubleshooting steps when the router is accessible but the Internet connection fails.

Troubleshoot Internet Browsing

Resolve problems with loading web pages, including traffic meter and DNS issues.

Troubleshoot WiFi Connectivity

Steps to isolate and resolve issues with connecting to the router over WiFi.

Troubleshoot Network Using Ping Utility

Using the ping utility to test network paths and diagnose connectivity problems.

Supplemental Information

Factory Settings Overview

Default router configuration settings including login, network, and firewall parameters.

Router Technical Specifications

Detailed technical specifications for the XR500 router, including protocols, power, and wireless standards.

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