- Netgear genie for mac interface explained software#
- Netgear genie for mac interface explained series#
Basically, you will need two things: the router's URL, which is always its default IP address, and default log-in information. The next step is to use the web browser to display the router's web interface. Also note the reset button, which brings the router's settings to default value. That's it - you have just finished the hardware setup.Ī router's WAN (internet) port is always clearly distinguished from the LAN (Ethernet) ports. Many routers don't have this switch and will turn on as you plug it in. If the router has an on-off switch, make sure the router is on. Plug the router into the power outlet using its power adapter, as you would with most electronics.Connect one of the router's LAN ports (most routers have four LAN ports) to the computer using the second network cable.Later on you can always complete this step when the internet is available or needed. Note: If you do not have internet access at home, or want to have an isolated (non internet-enabled) network, you can skip this step. All home routers have just one WAN port (sometimes labeled the internet port) this port is always separate from the other network ports and often is a different color to further differentiate it. Connect the router's WAN port to your internet source, such as a DSL or cable modem, using the first network cable.
Follow these steps, regardless of what the router's included setup guide might say: All you need is a computer that has a network port (most computers do) and two network cables (a new router comes with at least one network cable).
Netgear genie for mac interface explained series#
(If this part of home networking is new to you, check out part 1 of this series first). When you get a new router, setting up the hardware is very simple. You'll find at least one of these browsers on any computer, tablet, or smartphone, and any of them can be used to manage a router's web interface. This web page address is called a uniform resource locator (URL).Īmong the most popular browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. As you surf the internet, the address bar automatically displays the current address of the web page you're looking at, whether you typed in the URL or got to it by clicking on a link, such as one from within an email or from another web page. All browsers have an address bar where you can type in the web address of a website, such as After that, you hit Enter and the browser will let you browse (hence the name) the content of the site.
Netgear genie for mac interface explained software#
What is a browser?Ī web browser is a software application designed for retrieving, presenting, and exchanging information resources on the internet. In this post, I'll talk about how you can quickly set up any router by accessing its web interface using a browser and manage it from any connected computer or even a tablet or smartphone. With that in mind, this guide is intended only for routers with a web interface. There are also some new types of routers with vendor-assisted setup and management using a mobile app, such as the Google OnHub, the Eero or the Starry that also don't have a web interface. The only company that doesn't offer a web interface for its routers is Apple. Note: Almost all home routers on the market come with a web interface that is, a web page from which users can view, manage and monitor the router's settings and features.
Most routers' web interfaces are similar and self-explanatory. Once you have accessed it, the rest - at least most of it - is self-explanatory. The hardest part of using the web interface is getting to it. But it doesn't have to be if you understand the most common way routers are managed: through the web interface. It might seem like a daunting task to set up a new home router. Editors' note: This article was first published on Maand updated on Jwith up-to-date information.