Linksys Velop User Guide

Product Overview

Front/top view

The light on the top of your node gives you information about the node's operation.

Bottom view

A top-down view of the node's base, showing ports and buttons. Labeled are: 1. Reset Button, 2. Ethernet Ports (two RJ45 ports), 3. Power Switch, 4. Power Port.

1. Reset button: Press and hold until the light on top of the node turns red, fades, and flashes bright red again to reset the node to its factory defaults.
2. Ethernet ports: Connect Ethernet cables to these Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) ports and to other wired devices on your network. If you have more than one node in your Velop system, use one of these ports to connect to your modem or modem router. Note: For best performance, use a CAT5e or higher rated cable on the Ethernet port.
3. Power switch: Press | (on) to power on the node.
4. Power port: Connect the included AC power adapter to this port.

Help

Where to find more help

• Visit Linksys.com/support/Velop
• Linksys app help (launch the app and click Help in the main navigation menu)

Note: Licenses and notices for third-party software used in this product may be viewed on http://support.linksys.com/en-us/license. Please contact http://support.linksys.com/en-us/gplcodecenter for questions or GPL source code requests.

Set Up

Download the Linksys app. You need this app to set up Velop. Go to the app store for your device and search for Linksys. Install the app, open it, and follow the instructions.

Note: The app works with iOS 8.x and later, and Android 4.0.3 and later.

An image of three Linksys Velop nodes, depicted as sleek, white, cylindrical devices arranged together, suggesting a mesh network. The text 'VELOP WHOLE HOME Wi-Fi' is displayed above them.

During setup, you will create a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account so you can use the app to view or change your Velop system settings from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Among the many things you can do with Linksys Smart Wi-Fi:

• Change your Wi-Fi name and password
• Set up guest access
• Connect devices to Wi-Fi with WPS
• Block internet with parental controls
• Test your internet connection speed

What you'll need

Note: During setup, we'll send a verification email. From your home network, click the link in the email.

Other than plugging in the power and the Ethernet cable, the app-based setup process does the work for you. Once connected, use the app to personalize your Wi-Fi by giving it a name and password. You can also give nodes names based on where they are so you can identify them in the rare case where things need attention.

An illustration showing the essential components for setup: a Velop node, an Ethernet cable, and a power cord.

Gather your new gear. Get the items pictured and take them to where your current internet equipment is set up.

[Button: Next]

Connecting to your modem

Find a power source near your modem or modem router. Connect to your first node.

An illustration showing a Velop node being connected to a modem via an Ethernet cable.

[Button: Next]

Node Placement

If you have more than one node, they can be set up anywhere within range of another working node. Only one node has to be wired to the modem or modem router. Don't worry, the app will help you place your nodes.

An illustration depicting two nodes in a home environment, with a dashed line indicating signal strength. The text 'A little too far' suggests the need for adjustment.

When you're ready, tap the button below.

[Button: I'd like to leave it here]

[Button: Try again]

Wi-Fi and Account Settings Reference

Print this page, then record your Wi-Fi and account settings in the table as a reference. Store your notes in a safe place.

Velop System Settings

Using your Linksys app, you can view or change Velop system settings to make your Wi-Fi more secure or to work better with a device or game. You can access settings from anywhere in the world if you have an internet connection, but you can also access your Velop system directly from your home network if you are not online.

Log in to your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi cloud account

1. Open the Linksys app.
2. Enter the email address you used when creating your account.
3. Enter your account password.
4. Tap Log in.

Screenshot of the Linksys app login screen, featuring fields for Email Address and Password, with 'Log In' and 'Log in with router password' buttons.

Dashboard

Dashboard is a snapshot of your Wi-Fi. See how many devices are connected to your Velop system. Share Wi-Fi password and allow guest access to your Wi-Fi. Dashboard also shows you if any devices have parental controls on them or have been prioritized for Wi-Fi access.

Screenshots of the Linksys app's Dashboard. One shows the main menu with options like Dashboard, Devices, Wi-Fi Settings, etc. The other shows the online status of 'My Home Wi-Fi' with 4 connected devices.

Devices

View and change details for all devices connected to your Wi-Fi. You can view devices on your main network and your guest network, or display information about each device.

Screenshots of the Linksys app's Devices section. One shows the main menu. The other displays a list of connected devices, including 'Downstairs TV', 'Game Console', 'Jon's Phone', 'Mika's Laptop', and 'Thermostat', categorized under 'Connected Devices' and 'Guest Devices'.

To view or change device details

From the Devices screen, you can edit device names and change the device icons. You can also prioritize devices, set parental controls, and see Wi-Fi details. Tap on any device to see details.

Screenshot of the Linksys app showing details for 'Mikah's Laptop', including options to 'Change Icon', view 'Device Prioritization', 'Parental Controls', and Wi-Fi/Wired network details like IP Address and MAC Address.

Wi-Fi Settings

View or change your Wi-Fi name and password and connect devices using Wi-Fi Protected Setup™.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Wi-Fi Settings screen, showing fields for 'Wi-Fi name' and 'Wi-Fi Password', and an option to 'Connect a Device with WPS'.

Advanced Settings

Advanced users can change the default security type and Wi-Fi mode. Do not change these unless you have a lot of experience with Wi-Fi networks. Channel Finder will search for the most-open Wi-Fi channels in your area to ensure you get the best performance from your Velop system. If you have more than one node in your Velop system, Channel Finder will find the best channel for each node.

Screenshots of the Linksys app's Advanced Wi-Fi Settings and Channel Finder. The Advanced Settings screen shows 'Security Type' and 'Wi-Fi Mode'. The Channel Finder screen illustrates the process of scanning for optimal Wi-Fi channels.

[Button: Scan Channels]

Connect a Device with WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup allows you to easily connect wireless devices to your Wi-Fi without manually entering security settings.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's 'Connect a Device with WPS' screen, showing a toggle for WPS and a 'Connect' button.

[Button: Connect]

Guest Access

Use your Guest Access to allow guests to get online while restricting their access to other resources connected to your Wi-Fi. Send the password by text message or email.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Guest Access screen, showing fields for 'Wi-Fi Name' and 'Wi-Fi Password' for a guest network.

Speed Test

Run a speed test to make sure you are getting the speeds you are paying for. Speed test also helps in Device Prioritization because results determine how Wi-Fi is distributed to the prioritized devices.

• Download speed is the rate at which internet content is transferred to your Velop system.
• Upload speed is the rate at which you can upload content to the internet.

Note: Internet connection speeds are determined by a variety of factors, including ISP account type, local and worldwide internet traffic, and number of devices in your home that are sharing the internet connection.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Speed Test screen, displaying download and upload speeds, ping time, and an option to 'Test again'.

[Button: Test again]

[Link: Learn more about my internet speed]

Parental Controls

Parental controls allow you to control when your kids are online and what they're doing there. Block internet to specific devices, or block specific websites.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Parental Controls screen, with an option to 'Add Device' and a link to 'Learn more about Parental Controls'.

[Button: Add Device]

Device Prioritization

Choose up to three devices for priority usage of your internet connection. Those devices – wired and/or wireless – always will have the best access when connected. Velop runs a speed test to determine how to best distribute Wi-Fi to prioritized devices. Other devices will share the leftover capacity. Prioritized devices appear on Dashboard.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Device Prioritization screen, with an option to 'Add a device' to prioritize up to three devices.

[Button: Add a device]

Notifications

Velop can notify you when nodes in your system go offline. You can also ask Velop to alert you when a node is connected with an Ethernet cable to another node and is ready for setup. You have to turn on notifications in your mobile device settings to allow Velop to notify you.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Notifications screen, allowing users to get notifications for primary/secondary nodes being offline and for setup readiness.

Velop Administration

Use the Velop Administration screen to change the admin password and hint, and check various identifiers (model number, serial number, and IP details) for all nodes in your Wi-Fi.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Velop Administration screen, showing firmware version, diagnostic information, model number, and serial number.

Opt in to automatically report crashes to Linksys and contribute to improving the Wi-Fi experience. You can also manually report specific issues to Linksys.

[Button: Report]

[Button: Restart Velop]

[Link: Learn more about Velop Administration]

Information Sent with Issue Description

The following information will be sent with your description of the issue:

• App version
• Device model
• Device OS version
• Login Type (cloud: show email address associated, local: display "Velop admin")
• WAN Connection type (display Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
• Time: date (mo/day/year, time, time zone)

Advanced Settings

Internet Settings

You can choose how your Velop system connects to the internet. The default is Automatic Configuration – DHCP. Other connection types depend on your internet service provider or how you plan to use your Velop system. Advanced users can use Additional Settings to clone MAC addresses and set MTU (maximum transmission unit).

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Internet Settings screen, showing 'Connection Type' and 'Additional Settings'.

[Link: Learn more]

Port Settings

Port forwarding—for a single port, multiple ports, or a range of ports—sends traffic inbound on a specific port or ports to a specific device or port on your Wi-Fi. In port range triggering, Velop watches outgoing data for specific port numbers. Velop remembers the IP address of the device that requests the data so that when the requested data returns, it is routed back to the proper device.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Port Settings screen, with options for 'Single Port Forwarding', 'Port Range Forwarding', and 'Port Range Triggering'.

Wi-Fi MAC Filters

Every network device has a unique 12-digit MAC (media access control) address. You can create a list of MAC addresses, and then allow or deny those devices on your Wi-Fi.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Wi-Fi MAC Filters screen, showing 'Wi-Fi MAC Filter Status' and a list of 'Filtered Devices'.

My Account

Change your Linksys account password and opt in to receive the latest news and deals from Linksys.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's My Account screen, showing fields for Email, Password, First Name, Last Name, and a Newsletter toggle.

Help

Having trouble with the app? Just need a little more information about a feature? Tap Help for an explanation.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Help screen.

Feedback

Here's your chance to tell us what you think. Rate the app at your app store, send us a suggestion, or report an issue that's keeping you from a great experience.

Screenshot of the Linksys app's Feedback screen.

Connect Directly To Velop

If you are not connected to the internet, you can still access your Velop system. Connect to your Wi-Fi name, launch the Linksys app, and tap Log in with Admin Password toward the bottom of the screen. You will not be able to access your Linksys Wi-Fi account when not online.

Screenshots showing how to connect directly to Velop. One is the Linksys app login screen, and the other is the app's main menu.

Velop Admin Password

We created a secure Velop admin password during setup. To change it, tap Velop Administration and Change Admin Password and Hint.

Screenshots related to the Velop admin password. One shows the 'Admin Password' screen for changing it. The other is a notification indicating the Velop router password was reset.

To keep your Velop system secure, we'll send you an email if someone changes the admin password.

How to restore factory defaults

You should never need to factory reset your Velop—a very disruptive process. A factory reset restores your Velop system to the state it was when you took it out of its box, requiring you to go through the setup process again. All settings you have customized in setup and since – things such as Wi-Fi name, passwords, security type – will be erased. All wireless devices will disconnect from your Wi-Fi.

To reset Velop:

• With your node connected to power and turned on, press and hold the Reset button on the bottom. The light on top of the node will turn red and fade in pulses. Do not release the button until the light goes out and then turns bright red.

An illustration of the bottom of a Velop node, highlighting the 'Reset Button'.

Note: If you have more than one node in your Velop system, you might need to reset them all to factory default settings. You can do that by resetting the main node; all other nodes will reset automatically.

Specifications

Linksys Velop

Environmental

Notes: For regulatory, warranty, and safety information, go to Linksys.com/support/Velop. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Maximum performance derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual performance can vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends on many factors, conditions and variables, including distance from the access point, volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, operating system used, mix of wireless products used, interference and other adverse conditions.

Visit linksys.com/support/Velop for award-winning technical support.

BELKIN, LINKSYS and many product names and logos are trademarks of the Belkin group of companies. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

© 2017 Belkin International, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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