Wireless Setup Guide

Wireless Setup Guide

The purpose of this guide is to check or edit the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi network name and password. Please note that the default Wi-Fi network name and password on the gateway is unique, randomly generated, and considered to be secure. These details are available on the Gateway label.

If you are planning to change the Wi-Fi network name and password, it is recommended to keep them the same for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This allows wireless clients to auto-select the most suitable band for optimum MESH performance.

Login to Web User Interface

1. Connect your computer to the Gateway using a wired Ethernet connection. Plug the Ethernet cable into one of the yellow LAN ports on the Gateway.
2. Open a web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox). Type the following address into the address bar and press Enter: http://192.168.20.1
3. Enter the Gateway Login Username and Password printed on the label at the bottom of the Gateway, and then press Login.

A textual description of the login screen image: The NetComm login page displays fields for "Username" and "Password", with a "Login" button. It also includes a note indicating that credentials can be found on the gateway's label.

? If no authentication prompt is displayed or you see a request timeout message, refer to the "NF20-NF20MESH Connect to Gateway Web Interface Guide" from the FAQs section.

Wi-Fi 2.4GHz / Wi-Fi 5GHz Configuration

The gateway allows you to maintain separate wireless settings for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless services. Select the service you wish to configure (or both) and set them up individually.

2.4 GHz Wireless Configuration Pages:

• Device Info
• Basic Setup
• Advanced Setup
• Wi-Fi
• 2.4GHz
• SSID
• Security
• WPS
• MAC Filter
• Advanced

5 GHz Wireless Configuration Pages:

• Device Info
• Basic Setup
• Advanced Setup
• Wi-Fi
• 5GHz
• SSID
• Security
• WPS
• MAC Filter
• Advanced

⚠️ It is recommended that you use the same Wi-Fi Network Name (SSID) and password for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. This allows clients to automatically choose the most suitable band for optimum MESH performance.

Wireless - Basic (Change SSID)

1. Navigate to Wireless > 2.4 GHz/5 GHz > Basic.
2. Confirm that Enable Wireless and Broadcast SSID are set to Enabled.

The default Network Name (SSID) in this example is "NetComm 8386". You can change the SSID here and then press the Apply button.

A textual description of the SSID configuration screen: This page allows configuration of virtual interfaces. It shows fields like "Wireless Interface", "Network Name (SSID)", "Broadcast SSID", "AP Isolation", "Max Clients", and "WMM Advertise". The example shows "NetComm 8386" as the SSID and "Enabled" for broadcasting.

Wireless - Security

To find your Wi-Fi security key:

1. Navigate to Wireless > 2.4GHz/5GHz > Security.
2. Click the "Click here to display" link next to the WPA Passphrase to view your current Wi-Fi password.

The wireless configuration of your Gateway is now complete. Use a client device (like a computer, laptop, mobile, or iPad) to scan for Wi-Fi networks, select the correct Wi-Fi network name/SSID, and enter the displayed Wi-Fi password to join the network.

A textual description of the security configuration screen: This page allows you to configure security for the wireless LAN interfaces. Fields include "Wireless Interface", "Network Authentication" (e.g., WPA2-PSK), "WPA Encryption" (e.g., AES), and "WPA Passphrase". A "Click here to display" button is present for the passphrase.

Connect to your Wireless Network

Use any of your client devices (computer, laptop, mobile, or iPad) to scan for Wi-Fi networks. Select the correct Wi-Fi network name/SSID (for example, "NetComm 8386") and enter the Wi-Fi password to join the network.

Windows 10 Connection Example

The following illustrates connecting to the Wi-Fi network using Windows 10:

1. Click the wireless symbol in the bottom right corner of the screen. A list of detected networks within range will be displayed. Select your Wi-Fi network name (e.g., "NetComm 8386") and click Connect.
2. Enter the Wi-Fi Network security key/password and click the Next button.
3. Your computer will connect to the Wi-Fi network.

Textual descriptions of Windows 10 connection screenshots: The first screenshot shows the network list with "NetComm 8386" selected. The second shows the password entry prompt for "NetComm 8386". The third shows "NetComm 8386" as connected.

? If you are experiencing difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi network, refer to the "NF20-NF20MESH Connect to Gateway Web Interface Guide" from the FAQs section.

Apple iPhone Connection Example

The following illustrates connecting to the Wi-Fi network using an Apple iPhone. On your iPhone, navigate to Settings and tap “Wi-Fi”.

When Wi-Fi is turned on, your phone scans for available nearby networks. Tap your Wi-Fi network name/SSID [1] (in this example, "NetComm 8386"), enter the Wi-Fi password [2], and press Join [2].

Textual descriptions of iPhone connection screenshots: The first screenshot shows the Wi-Fi settings screen with a list of networks, highlighting "NetComm 8386" as network [1]. The second shows the password entry screen for "NetComm 8386" with a password field [2] and a "Join" button. The third shows the Wi-Fi list with "NetComm 8386" connected.

? If you are experiencing difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi network, refer to the "NF20-NF20MESH Connect to Gateway Web Interface Guide" from the FAQs section.

Android Connection Example

The following illustrates connecting to the Wi-Fi network using an Android phone. On your Android Phone, navigate to Settings > Connections and tap Wi-Fi.

When Wi-Fi is turned ON [1], your phone scans for available nearby networks. Tap your Wi-Fi network name/SSID [2] (in this example, "NetComm 8386"), enter the Wi-Fi password [3], select Auto reconnect [3], and then select Connect [4].

Textual descriptions of Android connection screenshots: The first shows the Wi-Fi settings screen with Wi-Fi turned ON [1] and a list of networks. The second highlights "NetComm 8386" as network [2]. The third shows the password entry screen, with fields for password and "Auto reconnect" [3]. The fourth shows the network list with "NetComm 8386" connected [4].

The word "Connected" will appear under your Wi-Fi network name/SSID [4] when the connection is successful.

? If you are experiencing difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi network, refer to the "NF20-NF20MESH Connect to Gateway Web Interface Guide" from the FAQs section.

MacOS Connection Example

The following illustrates connecting to the Wi-Fi network using MacOS:

1. Click on the Airport/Wi-Fi icon at the top right corner of the screen.
2. Click Turn Wi-Fi On.

? If you cannot see an Airport icon, your wireless adapter may not be installed or inserted correctly. Please refer to your Mac user guide before continuing with the steps in this guide.

A list of Wi-Fi networks, including your Wi-Fi network name/SSID, is displayed (in this example, "NetComm 8386").

4. Click your Wi-Fi network name/SSID to connect to this network.
5. Enter your Wi-Fi security key/Password and click the Join button to connect to the Wi-Fi network.

Textual descriptions of MacOS connection screenshots: The first shows the Wi-Fi menu with "Turn Wi-Fi On" option. The second shows a list of available networks, including "NetComm 8386". The third shows the password entry prompt for "NetComm 8386" with a "Join" button. The fourth shows the Wi-Fi menu with "NetComm 8386" connected, indicated by a checkmark.

If you enter an incorrect Wi-Fi security key/Password, a message will appear, and you will be prompted to enter the correct key again.

The Airport icon will now have black lines to indicate signal strength. To confirm the computer is connected, click on the Airport icon again. Your Wi-Fi network will have a ✔️ (tick) next to its name.

The wireless network configuration is complete, and you can now use the Internet. You can disconnect the Ethernet cable if you wish.