NETGEAR A6100 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

September 2013

202-11274-01

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

User Manual

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

Support

Thank you for choosing NETGEAR.

After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product

at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.

NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web

support, visit http://support.netgear.com.

Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.

Phone (Other Countries): Check the list of phone numbers at

http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx.

NETGEAR recommends that you use only the official NETGEAR support resources.

Trademarks

NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and Connect with Innovation are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of

NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Information is subject to change

without notice. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective

Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started

Set Up the Mini Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

View Network Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Join a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Join a Network Using WPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Join a Network Using NETGEAR genie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Join a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Join a Network Using a Standalone Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

View Connection Details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Chapter 2 Maintenance

Update the Mini Adapter’s Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Get Diagnostic Information for the Mini Adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

View Additional Information About the Mini Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Uninstall the Mini Adapter’s Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Chapter 3 Troubleshooting and

Frequently Asked Questions

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Appendix A Factory Default Settings and

Technical Specifications

Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Appendix B Notification of Compliance

1. Getting Started

The A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter wirelessly connects your notebook or desktop computer to an

11ac network for applications such as lag-free video streaming throughout your home, online

gaming, and secure and reliable Internet connections.

In addition, Beamforming+ technology boosts the speed, reliability, and range of WiFi

connections. The mini adapter automatically uses NETGEAR Beamforming+ technology to

enhance WiFi performance with 802.11ac WiFi devices. Because it's automatic, you don't have

to turn on Beamforming+ or configure it. When you connect to the WiFi network, Beamforming+

focuses on your location for even better WiFi performance and speed. Beamforming+ locks onto

your laptop, tablet, or smartphone and follows as you move from place to place, so you keep

your optimal WiFi connection.

This chapter describes how to set up the A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter, which involves these

high-level steps:

•Set Up the Mini Adapter

•View Network Details

•Join a Network

•View Connection Details

Note: Software updates with new features and bug fixes are made

available from time to time on http://support.netgear.com. Some

products can regularly check the site and download new software,

or you can check for and download new software manually. If the

features or behavior of your product do not match what is described

in this guide, you might need to update your software.

Getting Started

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

Set Up the Mini Adapter

Before you begin using your mini adapter, set up the mini adapter using the resource CD that

came in the package.

To set up your mini adapter:

1. Insert the resource CD in your computer CD drive.

Note: If your computer does not have a CD drive, or if you do not have

your resource CD, download the resource CD driver by visiting

http://support.netgear.com. Click the Support for Home Products

button and enter A6100 in the search field.

If the NETGEAR Resource CD screen does not display, browse the files on the CD and

double-click Autorun.exe.

The NETGEAR Resource CD screen displays:

2. Click the Setup button.

Getting Started

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

The Software Update Check screen displays:

3. Install the setup software.

Choose an option based on whether you are connected to the Internet:

•Connected to the Internet. If you are connected to the Internet, click the Check for

Updates button. After the software checks for software updates, the Update Check

Complete screen displays. Click the Continue button. The Welcome screen displays:

•Not Connected to the Internet. If you are not connected to the Internet, click the

Install from CD button.

Note: If you are not connected to the Internet, the software cannot check for

software updates.

Getting Started

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

The Welcome screen displays:

4. Click the I agree radio button to accept the license agreement and click the Next button.

A message displays asking you to wait while the software is installed. After a few

minutes, NETGEAR genie prompts you to insert your mini adapter.

Getting Started

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

5. Insert the mini adapter into a USB port on your computer.

The NETGEAR genie screen displays:

The NETGEAR genie icon also displays in the Windows system try and on the desktop.

The color of the icon indicates the strength of your wireless connection:

•White. 3–5 bars (strong connection)

•Yellow. 1–2 bars (weak connection)

•Red. 0 (zero) bars (no connection)

Note: If you remove your mini adapter, NETGEAR genie is not available, and the

icon is not displayed. When you insert the mini adapter again, the icon returns.

6. (Optional) In NETGEAR genie, from the Select Language drop-down menu, select a

language.

NETGEAR genie screens are displayed in the language that you select.

Getting Started

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

View Network Details

Before you join a network, you can view details to help you determine which network to join:

•Network name (SSID). The name assigned to a wireless network. As a security

measure, some wireless access points do not broadcast their SSIDs. In such cases, the

network is hidden. The name (SSID) field is blank even though the rest of the information

is displayed.

•Channel. The channel on which the wireless network operates. NETGEAR recommends

that you choose a network that uses a different channel from that of neighboring

networks.

•Wireless Mode. The wireless technology used for the router or access point, such as N,

A, G, B, or AC.

•WPS support. Identifies whether the router or access point for this network supports

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).

•MAC address. The unique hardware address of the wireless device broadcasting this

information. Typically, the wireless device is a wireless router or access point.

To view network details:

1. Insert the adapter into a USB port on your computer.

2. Click the NETGEAR genie icon that displays on the Windows systems tray or on the

desktop.

The NETGEAR genie Home screen displays.

3. Click the Join a Network button.

The Join a Network screen displays:

4. Click a network name.

Getting Started

A6100 WiFi USB Mini Adapter

The Details button and Connect button display.

5. Click the Details button.

The Details pop-up window displays:

6. Click the OK button to close the Details pop-up window.

Join a Network

The mini adapter can join a network using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) method, through

the mini adapter’s NETGEAR genie, or by installing the mini adapter’s standalone driver. You

can also join hidden networks. For more information, see Join a Hidden Network on page 14.

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