NETGEAR WAC104 AC1200 Dual Band Wireless Access Point Installation Guide

Introduction

This document provides installation instructions for the NETGEAR AC1200 Dual Band Wireless Access Point, Model WAC104.

Company Information:

NETGEAR, Inc.
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134, USA

NETGEAR INTERNATIONAL LTD
Floor 1, Building 3, University Technology Centre
Curraheen Road, Cork, T12EF21, Ireland

© NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. All other trademarks are used for reference purposes only.

Package Contents:

• Access Point Model WAC104
• Power Adapter (varies by region)
• Ethernet Cable

Device Overview

LED Indicators

During installation and configuration, the access point LEDs can display the following colors:

• Power LED: Solid green (AP is ready). Blinking green (AP is starting up or firmware is updating).
• WPS LED: Solid green (WPS is ready). Blinking green (WPS button pressed, device connecting). Default is off.
• WiFi LED: Solid green (One or both WiFi radios are active). Blinking green (One or both WiFi radios are transmitting or receiving traffic).
• LAN 1-4 LEDs: Solid green (LAN port detects a connection). Blinking green (LAN port is sending or receiving data).

Rear Panel Overview

The rear panel of the WAC104 features the following:

• [Power Connector] (6)
• [Power On/Off Button] (5)
• [WPS Button] (1)
• [WiFi On/Off Button] (2)
• [Ethernet Ports 1-4] (3)
• [Reset Button] (4)

Installation Steps

Step 1: Connect and Power On the AP

Connection Diagram Description: The diagram shows a typical network setup where a modem connects to a router, and the WAC104 access point connects to the router via an Ethernet cable. WiFi devices then connect wirelessly to the access point.

Important: The access point (AP) has WiFi and LAN connectivity but acts as a bridge, not a router. Connect the AP to a router that is connected to a modem. Do not connect the AP directly to a modem (like DSL or cable modem).

1. Connect the included Ethernet cable to one of the AP's Ethernet ports. All four LAN ports can be used.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to a LAN port on your router. Note: Do not connect the AP to your modem; it must connect to your router.
3. The AP uses a DHCP client, which is enabled by default. Most routers function as DHCP servers, allowing the AP to obtain an IP address via the router.
4. Power on the AP by pressing the [Power On/Off Button].

Step 2: Connect to the AP's WiFi Network

You can connect a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device manually or by using the WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) method.

Manual Method

1. On a WiFi-enabled device, open the software program used to manage WiFi connections. This utility scans for all WiFi networks in your vicinity.
2. Locate and select one of the AP's default WiFi network names (SSIDs): NETGEAR_11N and NETGEAR_11AC. Note: If you cannot find the SSIDs, press the [WiFi On/Off Button]. Wait one minute and check if the utility displays one or both SSIDs.
3. Enter the default WiFi password phrase: sharedsecret. Your device will connect to the AP's WiFi network.

WPS Method

If your WiFi-enabled device supports WPS, you can use it to connect to the AP's WiFi network.

For assistance with the WPS button on your device, consult its online help or instructions. Some older devices may not support WPS.

1. Press the [WPS Button] on the side panel of the AP.
2. Within 2 minutes, press the physical WPS button on your computer or mobile device, or click the WPS button on its screen. Your device will connect to the AP's WiFi network.

Logging into the Local Browser User Interface

Important: The steps to log into your AP's local browser user interface (UI) depend on the firmware version running on your AP.

• The steps in Step 3 (Log into the Local Browser User Interface) and Step 4 (Check for New Firmware) apply only if you update the AP firmware to version 1.0.4.15 or higher and then reset the AP to factory defaults. If you have already reset the AP after updating to version 1.0.4.15 and then update to a higher version, you do not need to reset it again.
• If your AP is running a firmware version older than 1.0.4.15 and you do not update it to 1.0.4.15 or higher, consult the old installation guide available at https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.
• It is highly recommended to download and install the latest firmware as soon as possible.

Step 3: Log into the Local Browser User Interface

These steps apply if you have updated the AP firmware to version 1.0.4.15 or higher and then reset the AP to factory defaults.

1. Start a web browser on a WiFi-enabled device connected to the AP via WiFi (see Step 2). Enter http://www.aplogin.net or http://www.aplogin.com in the address bar. These URLs are equivalent to the IP address 192.168.0.100. A login screen will appear.
2. Enter the AP's username and password. The username is admin. The default password is password. Username and password are case-sensitive. The initial setup page will appear, which is shown only on the first login to the local browser UI.
3. On the initial setup page:
   • Set a new administrator password.
   • Enable Password Recovery and set up security questions. This is optional but recommended.
   • For enhanced security, set new WiFi network names (SSIDs) and new WiFi password phrases for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands.
4. It is recommended to let the AP obtain the IP address of your router (default setting). However, you can use a static IP address for the AP if desired.
5. Click the [Apply] button. Your settings will be saved.
6. If you set a new SSID and password phrase, reconnect to the AP using the new SSID and password phrase.
7. Log back into the local browser user interface with your new password. You can now monitor and manage the AP.

Step 4: Check for New Firmware

These steps apply if you have updated the AP firmware to version 1.0.4.15 or higher and then reset the AP to factory defaults.

Before using your AP, it is recommended to use its automatic update function to check for new firmware.

1. Start a web browser on a WiFi-enabled device connected to the AP via WiFi (see Step 2). Enter http://www.aplogin.net or http://www.aplogin.com in the address bar. A login screen will appear.
2. Enter the AP's username and password. The username is admin. The password is the one you set on the initial setup page (or the default password if not changed). Username and password are case-sensitive. The start page will display.
3. Select Administration > Firmware Update. The Firmware Update screen will appear.
4. Click the [Check] button. The AP will detect new firmware if available and prompt you to download and install it.
5. Click the [Yes] button to download and install the new firmware. The AP will search for, download, and begin updating the firmware. A progress bar indicates the upload status. Firmware upload takes several minutes. Upon completion, your AP will restart.
6. WARNING: To prevent firmware corruption, do not interrupt the update. Do not close the browser, click links, load new pages, or power off the AP. Wait until the AP finishes loading the new firmware and restarts. The Power LED will stop blinking and remain solid green.
7. Log back into the local browser user interface. The start page will display. The firmware version is listed in the "Firmware Version" field within the "AP Information" panel.

Troubleshooting Tips

The following table provides tips for resolving common issues. For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to the user manual.

Support and Community

For answers to your questions and access to the latest downloads, visit netgear.com/support.

You can also consult the NETGEAR community for helpful advice at community.netgear.com.

Regulatory and Legal

For information on compliance and legal regulations, including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.

Review the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power adapter.

Do not use this device outdoors.

Applicable to 6GHz devices only: Use the device indoors only. Use of 6 GHz devices is prohibited on oil platforms, cars, trains, boats, and airplanes. However, operation of this device is permitted in large aircraft flying at altitudes above 10,000 feet. Use of 5,925-7,125 GHz transmitters is prohibited for the control of or communication with unmanned aircraft systems.