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does setup require an ethernet laptop at the beginning? R7000P
I'm not sure this is the product I will be purchasing, but perhaps. I have a general question about installation. Do I need to have an ethernet enabled laptop to bring to the modem/router cabinet to get started?
I recently had to have one to do a speedtest of the hardware to help diagnose issues. Boy, was I shocked to find my brand new Dell pricey laptop does not have an ethernet port!!!! I had to borrow a neighbors.
Bringing the PC tower to the router/modem area is not an option.
p.s. poor installation documentation... get the app; follow instructions is not helpful!!! I am reminded of one of my friends who still has a flip phone!!
If not using the Nighthawk app on your phone to install/setup, here are the instructions for classic installation. Yes, a laptop with ethernet is required with this method. Not so with the app.
https://kb.netgear.com/22697/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-router-using-the-router-web-interface
I am hesitant to keep the app and wifi configuration and passwords on my phone security-wise. I did use it for install, but I think I might get rid of it all. All I need for router management is speedtest.net and my PC.
3 Replies
user444 wrote:Do I need to have an ethernet enabled laptop to bring to the modem/router cabinet to get started?
Nope.
Boot the Nighthawk router out of the box, connect a computer (or even a mobile phone) by Wi-Fi [of course an Ethernet connection does work equally] to the router - Wi-Fi SSID/name and passphrase/security key for the connection as well as the default admin username and password password are printed on the router labels - so take a picture of it when you are accessing it on some distance.
Open a browser (if it does not happen automatically lack of an Internet connection) and access http://routerlogin.com or the common default http://192.168.1.1 router LAN IP.
From here you can set-up your router from scratch, and access it later on again anyway.
user444 wrote:p.s. poor installation documentation... get the app; follow instructions is not helpful!!! I am reminded of one of my friends who still has a flip phone!!
Set-up process works very similar - just using the App instead of a Web browser.
schumaku wrote:... connect a computer ... by Wi-Fi to the router
I'm a little confused. When does the router get connected to the cable modem?
are you saying I will have wi-fi on my PC in another room simply after booting the router out of the box?
Maybe I am conflating wi-fi with internet. I can't logically separate them in my head.
If not using the Nighthawk app on your phone to install/setup, here are the instructions for classic installation. Yes, a laptop with ethernet is required with this method. Not so with the app.
https://kb.netgear.com/22697/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-router-using-the-router-web-interface
I am hesitant to keep the app and wifi configuration and passwords on my phone security-wise. I did use it for install, but I think I might get rid of it all. All I need for router management is speedtest.net and my PC.
