To make any changes to a router, Netgear, or not, you need to access the router maintenance page. The process to do this is very similar among router brands though Netgear has gone an additional step to make it easy. But why would you want to visit the router maintenance page in the first place? If you wish to change the name of the network or the password, put in place parental controls, or even optimize your network, you need to be able to access this page. The steps below will help you do just that.
You first need to connect to your router. You can do this by connecting your computer to the network over Wi-Fi or with an ethernet lead.
Once connected to the network, you should open up your chosen internet browser. Popular web browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Internet Edge.
Now you need to enter the IP address of your router. Usually, for Netgear routers, the IP address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. However, it might be different for your router, and this is where Netgear steps in. Instead of typing in the IP address, you can visit www.routerlogin.com, which will also take you to the router maintenance page.
Once you have accessed the router maintenance page, you will receive a prompt to login. The default username and password can be found on the base of your router, though failing that, we have them listed here.
With the correct login details, you will get taken to the home page of your router. It is here where you can start to make changes to your system.
When you hear the name Netgear, your mind most likely goes straight to network routers, and rightly so. The multinational company based out of California has offices in 25 countries. Such a wide operating area, combined with the fact that around 30,000 retail locations stock Netgear products, means it's no surprise that you have seen the brand name while looking for a router.
Netgear stresses that their products are both innovative and powerful, without compromising on ease of use. They try and do this throughout the three sectors that they cater to.
For the domestic market, Netgear has smart home technology that is easy to set up and powerful enough to ensure any home internet session goes uninterrupted, whether online gaming, streaming, or browsing the web.
In terms of the commercial market, Netgear believes that having confidence in your network is essential. Netgear provides network storage solutions, business-orientated Wi-Fi networks, and security solutions. All of these features help to ensure a growing business can rest easy, knowing they can rely on their networking.
Netgear also helps ensure the overall market is receiving quality network solutions by partnering with internet service providers. By ensuring that Netgear's service providers can offer the best service, Netgear knows their products are well received and that their partners have a growing and loyal customer base.
In terms of keeping things simple, Netgear labels their routers with an indication of their speed. Listing their products like this helps consumers buy the router they need. However, there are other naming conventions used by Netgear to help its customers understand what they are buying. One such series is the Nighthawk series.
The Nighthawk series of routers is Netgear's main series. They are a collection of sleek routers that serve multiple purposes, from standard browsing to high-intensity gaming. Some standout points in the Nighthawk series include the following:
Great For Everyone – The Netgear R6700 AC1750-Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router is in the lower end of the Nighthawk series. However, the lower price point does not always relate to quality, and that's the case for the R6700. This dual-band router offers a 5Ghz network that can reach 1300Mbps and a 2.4Ghz running up to 450Mbps.
Great For Gaming – The Netgear XR500 AC2600-Nighthawk Pro Gaming Wi-Fi Router is more than double the cost of the R6700 though that is for a good reason. Owners of the XR500 receive a powerful dual-band router that comes with a QoS optimized for high-performance gaming.
The Next Level Of Wi-Fi – The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Router uses Wi-Fi type 6 or AX, which is the newest and most powerful standard of Wi-Fi. The AX8 also comes with a variety of features to ensure your network is running at peak efficiency. Those features include MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and 160MHz channel support, all of which make the Wi-Fi network better.
Netgear does make it simple to find a router to meet your needs, though the numbers can be offputting to those who don't have a clear understanding of networking.
The main selling point of most routers is the speed and Wi-Fi classification. The Wi-Fi classification is specifically important as buying the wrong type might leave you with a router that won't connect any of your devices. It is always best to opt for the newest type of Wi-Fi, which is 802.11ax, though, as that can be pricey, 802.11ac will still prove suitable. Netgear does offer an 802.11n router though it's advised not to consider anything less.
The Wi-Fi classification is only one part of the router, as it's no good connecting to your devices if they run slowly. Internet speed or Mbps are also crucial in your choice of router. Labels such as AC2600 or AC1600 are indicators of both the Wi-Fi type and the router speed. As an example, the Netgear R6300 AC1600-Smart Wi-Fi works with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and provides a maximum internet speed of 1600. The bigger the number, the faster the internet.
Two pieces of networking technology mentioned above are MU-MIMO and OFDMA, though that doesn't mean a lot to the everyday consumer. However, a router that features these two pieces of technology is better than one that is not. MU-MIMO stands for multi-user, multiple input, multiple output. MU-MIMO gets used to support multiple devices on a single network by streamlining how the connection gets distributed.
OFDMA or Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access is a relatively new feature found alongside the 802.11ax Wi-Fi. The feature allows for the data being sent from your router to get split into smaller pieces. Smaller data packets are easier for the router to process, which allows increased network speed and efficiency.
Routers often have a standard security scheme in place, which is usually WPA or WPA2. While these security schemes are relevant to your Netgear router, Netgear once again goes a bit further with their Netgear Armor subscription service. Netgear Armor allows your router to view all network traffic and then stop any cyber threats as soon as they are detected. Netgear Armor is a nice extra level of protection paired with the usual security schemes of your network.
No matter your reason for buying a router, whether because you need higher internet speeds for your late-night gaming sessions, or just for browsing the web while streaming a show in the background, Netgear has a router for you.