Linksys WRT 1900AC User manual

USER GUIDE

WRT 900AC | Contents

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

WRT900AC

3 Wall-mounting placement

SETTING UP: BASICS

5 How to create a home network

5 What is a network?

5 How to set up a home network

5 Where to find more help

6 How to install your router

7 How to configure your router

7 How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

7 How to disable remote access

8 How to connect directly to your router

8 How to improve your wireless connection speed

8 How to change your network’s name and password

9 How to change your router’s local access password

 How to change your router’s time zone

0 How to test your Internet connection speed

 How to connect devices to your network

 How to connect a computer to your network

 How to connect a USB printer

 How to connect other devices

2 How to view device details

3 How to set up parental controls

4 How to configure your guest network

5 How to back up your router configuration

5 How to customize Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

5 Using widgets

5 Customizing the Network Map

USING AN EXTERNAL DRIVE

6 Overview

6 How to attach a USB drive

6 How to use secured folder access

7 How to set up authorized users and shared folders

8 How to access shared folders

8 How to set up your router as a media server

9 How to connect your UPnP device to the media server

 How to remotely access storage

SETTING UP: ADVANCED

2 How to manually set up your router

2 How to manually set up your Internet connection

22 How to associate a router with your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account

22 How to get the most out of your dual-band router

24 How to control access to your network

25 How to improve security using the built-in firewall

26 Changing IPV6 firewall settings

27 How to set up the DHCP server on your router

27 How to set up DHCP reservation

28 How to access your network on the Internet

29 How to clone a MAC address

30 How to connect to your corporate office using a VPN

31 How to optimize your router for gaming and voice

32 How to enable Voice over IP on your network

33 How to configure UPnP

34 How to use a router as an access point

35 How to put your new router behind an existing router

35 How to add your router to an existing router or gateway

36 How to share an Internet connection

37 How to extend your network

37 How to expose a device to the Internet

Contents

WRT 900AC | Contents

PORT FORWARDING AND PORT TRIGGERING

39 How to set up port forwarding

39 How to set up port forwarding for a single port

39 How to set up port forwarding for multiple ports

40 How to set up port forwarding for a range of ports

40 How to set up port range triggering for online gaming

MAINTAINING AND MONITORING

42 How to back up and restore your router configuration

43 How to upgrade the router’s firmware

43 How to restore factory defaults

44 How to check the status of your router

44 How to disable the Ethernet port status lights

44 How to test your Internet connection

45 How to configure and use logs

TROUBLESHOOTING

46 Your router was not successfully set up

46 Windows XP Service Pack update

46 Your Internet cable is not plugged in message

47 Cannot access your router message

48 After setup

48 The Internet appears to be unavailable

48 Rebooting your router

49 Linksys Smart Wi-Fi does not open in your web browser

49 You cannot access Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

49 All other troubleshooting has been unsuccessful

SPECIFICATIONS

 Linksys WRT900AC

WRT 900AC | Product Overview 1

FRONT PANEL INDICATORS

(White) The icon LED is solid white while the router is powered on. It will blink when

the router goes through its self-diagnostic mode during every boot-up.

Internet

(White/Amber) The Internet LED is solid white when connected to the Internet. It

blinks white while the router works to establish a connection. A solid amber LED

indicates the connection is down due to configuration issues. Amber blinking

indicates that the connection is down due to hardware issues.

2.4 GHz

(White) The Wireless LED is solid white when one or more clients are connected to

the 2.4 GHz network. If the LED is blinking white, the router is sending or receiving

data over the 2.4 GHz network.

5 GHz

(White) The Wireless LED is solid white when one or more clients are connected to

the 5GHz network. If the LED is blinking white, the router is sending or receiving

data over the 5 GHz network.

eSATA

(White) When off, the USB/eSATA port is off or a USB device is connected. The LED

is solid white when an eSATA device is connected. A blinking white LED indicates

activity through the eSATA port.

USB 

(White) When off, the USB /eSATA port is off or an eSATA device is connected. The

LED is solid white when a USB device is connected. A blinking white LED indicates

activity on the port.

USB2 Primary

(White) When off, the USB 3.0 port is off. The LED is solid white when a USB device

is connected. A blinking white indicates activity on the port

USB2 Secondary

(White) When off, a USB 1.0 or USB 2.0 device is connected. A solid white LED

indicates a USB 3.0 device is connected.

ETHERNET  thru 4 (Primary)

(White) These numbered LEDs correspond with the numbered ports on the router’s

back panel. If the white LED is solid, the router is connected to a device through that

port. A flashing white LED indicates network activity over that port.

WRT AC

Front View

Front Panel ETHERNET

Secondary Indiators

USB 2

Secondary Indiator

USB 2

Primary Indiator

ETHERNET

Primary Indiators

Product Overview

WRT 900AC | Product Overview 2

ETHERNET  thru 4 (Secondary)

(White)If the white LED is off, the router is successfully connected to a device

through that port at 0/00 Mbps. A solid white LED indicates that the router is

successfully connected to a device at 1000 Mbps.

(White/Amber) The LED blinks slowly for two minutes during Wi-Fi Protected Setup.

It will be solid white for five seconds to indicate a successful connection The LED

blinks amber if the he Wi-Fi Protected Setup process fails. Make sure the client

device supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Wait until the LED is off, and then try again.

The router supports one session at a time.

Adjustable External Antennas

This router ships with four adjustable external antennas that should be connected

to the router before powering it on. To connect the antennas, twist the antenna

connector clockwise onto the antenna port on the router.

Note:

For best performance, position the side antennas vertically as shown in

the picture.

Back View

Combo USB

2.0/eSATA Port

4 x Adjustable External Antennas

Reset

Button

Power PortInternet Port

USB 3.0 Port

Wi-Fi Protected

Setup Button Ethernet Ports

Wi-Fi Protected Setup button

Press to easily configure wireless security on Wi-Fi Protected Setup-enabled

network devices.

Ethernet Ports

Connect Ethernet cables to these blue gigabit 0/00/000) ports, and to wired

devices on your network.

Note:

For best performance, use CAT5E or higher rated cables on the Ethernet ports.

Internet Port

Connect an Ethernet cable to this yellow gigabit (0/00/000) port, and to a

broadband Internet cable/DSL or fiber modem.

Note:

For best performance, use CAT5E or higher rated cables on the Ethernet ports.

USB 3.0 Port

Connect and share a USB or eSATA drive on your network or on the Internet.

USB 2.0/eSATA Combo Port

Connect and share a USB or eSATA drive on your network or on the Internet. You

can also connect a USB printer and share it across your network.

Reset Button

Press and hold for 0 seconds (until the power LED starts flashing) to reset the

router to factory settings. You can also restore the factory settings using Linksys

Smart Wi-Fi on the Internet or mobile app.

Power Port

Connect the included AC power adapter.

Power Button

Press to turn on the router.

105 mm

WRT 900AC | Product Overview 3

Wall-Mounting Placement

The router has wall-mount slots on the bottom of each foot for flexibility in mounting

the router on the wall. The distance between the slots on the short side is 05 mm.

The distance between the slots on the longer side is 2 mm. Two screws are needed

to mount the router.

Suggested Mounting Hardware

3 mm

6-7 mm 1.5-2 mm

Note:

Linksys is not responsible for damages incurred by unsecured wall-mounting

hardware.

Mounting Instructions

 Determine where you want to mount the router and which side you should use to

mount it. Make sure that the wall you use is smooth, flat, dry, and sturdy. Make sure

the location is within reach of an electrical outlet.

• Beforedrillingholes,choosethetemplate(shortsideorlongside)thatfitsyour

installation. Drill the holes using the correct template.

• Insertascrewintoeachholeandleave8mmofitsheadexposed.

• Positiontheroutersothewall-mountslotslineupwiththetwoscrews.

•. Placethewall-mountslotsoverthescrewsandslidetherouterdownuntilthe

screws fit snugly into the wall-mount slots.

Wall-Mounting Template (Short Side)

Print this page at 00% size.

Cut along the dotted line, and place on the wall to ensure precise spacing of holes.

211 mm

WRT 900AC | Product Overview 4

Wall-Mounting Template (Long Side)

Print this page at 00% size.

Cut along the dotted line, and place on the wall to ensure precise spacing of holes.

5WRT 900AC | Setting Up: Basics

Setting Up: Basics

HOW TO CREATE A HOME NETWORK

What is a network?

A network is any group of devices that can communicate with each other. A home

network can also include Internet access, which requires a router like this one.

A typical home network may include multiple computers, a printer, a modem, and a

router. A large home network may also have a switch, additional routers, access

points, and many Internet-capable media devices such as TVs, game consoles, and

web cameras.

Modem Connects a computer or a router to your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Your ISP may have provided one. The modem is a device that connects to a phone

jack or your cable TV outlet.

Router Connects your wireless and wired network devices to each other and to the

modem (and to your ISP).

Switch Allows you to connect several wired network devices to your home

network. Your router has a built-in network switch (the Ethernet ports). If you

have more wired network devices than available Ethernet ports on your router,

you will need an additional switch to consolidate the wired connections.

How to set up a home network:

Purchase the proper equipment. For a network that includes Internet access,

you’ll need:

 Computers with an Ethernet port or wireless networking capabilities

• AmodemforconnectingtoyourISP(typicallysuppliedbyyourISP)

• Aroutertoconnectyourcomputerswitheachotherandtothemodem

• Internetservicetoyourhome,providedbyanISP(InternetServiceProvider)

• Makesurethatyourmodemisworking.YourISPcanhelpyousetupyour

modem and verify that it’s working correctly.

• Set up your router. See “How to install your router” on page 6.

• Toconnectacomputerorothernetworkdevicetothenetwork,see“Howto

connect a computer to your network” on page 0 and “How to connect other

devices” on page .

WHERE TO FIND MORE HELP

In addition to this User Guide, you can find help at these locations:

• Linksys.com/support (documentation, downloads, FAQs, technical support,

live chat, forums)

• LinksysSmartWi-Fihelp(connecttoLinksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click Help at

the top of the screen)

6WRT 900AC | Setting Up: Basics

HOW TO INSTALL YOUR ROUTER

To Install Your Router:

 If replacing an existing router, disconnect it. Power on your new router.

• ConnecttheInternetcablefromyourmodemtotheyellowINTERNETportonyour

router. Wait until the power light on the front of the router is solid.

• ConnecttothesecurewirelessnameshownintheQuick Start Guide that came with

your router. (You can change the network name and password later.) If you need help

connecting to the network, refer to your device documentation. Note: You will not

have Internet access until router setup is complete.

• Openawebbrowserandfollowtheinstructionstocompletesetup.Ifinstructionsdo

not appear in the web browser, type “linksyssmartwifi.com” in the address bar.

• Attheendofsetup,followtheon-screeninstructionstosetupyourLinksysSmart

Wi-Fi account. Use Linksys Smart Wi-Fi configure your router from any computer

with an Internet connection.

Manage Your Router’s Settings:

• Changeyourrouter’snameandpassword

• Setupguestaccess

• Configureparentalcontrols

• Connectdevicestoyournetwork

• TestyourInternetconnectionspeed

Note:

As part of the router setup process, you will be sent a verification e-mail. From

your home network, click the link in the e-mail to associate your router with the

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account.

If you cannot click the link while behind your new Linksys router, log into Linksys

Smart Wi-Fi while behind the router and add your router there. For more information,

see “How to associate a router with your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account” on page 22.

Tip:

Print this page, then record your router and account settings in the table below

as a reference. Store your notes in a safe place. Setup also saves your setup

information as a file to your computer desktop.

Network Name (SSID)

Network Password

Router Password

Guest Network Name

Guest Network Password

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Username

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Password

7WRT 900AC | Setting Up: Basics

HOW TO CONFIGURE YOUR ROUTER

You can change router settings to make your network more secure or to work

betterwith a device or game. Being able to adjust the settings while you’re away

from home can help make router administration easier. You can configure your

router from anywhere in the world by using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, but you can also

configure your router directly from your home network.

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi may be available for your mobile device, as well. See your

device’s app store for information.

HOW TO CONNECT TO LINKSYS SMART WIFI

• ToconnecttoLinksysSmartWi-Fi:

• Openyourcomputer’swebbrowser.

• Gotowww.linksyssmartwifi.com and log into your account

• Ifyoucan’trememberyourpassword,clickForgot your password? and follow

the on-screen instructions to recover it.

HOW TO DISABLE REMOTE ACCESS

If you want to configure your router only while you are on your home network,

you should disable remote access.

To disable remote access:

• LogintoLinksysSmartWi-Fi.

• UnderRouter Settings, click Connectivity.

• ClicktheAdministration tab, then deselect Allow remote access to

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

• ClickOK.

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