using the R7200 as an Access Point

[Baneling]

Hi all, I replaced my R7200 with an R300.  Now I want to use the R7200 on another floor as an access point.  I reset to router to factory defaults, plugged the network port into one of the lan ports on the router.  the router has an ip address of 192.168.1.1.  When I try to access that on a browser to get into the config page, it doesn't work.  the site doesn't work.  I also tried with the network cable plugged into the WAN port. how do I connect to the router?

[FURRYe38]

https://kb.netgear.com/20927/How-do-I-change-my-NETGEAR-router-to-AP-mode

[Baneling]

when i do step 2 of that article, it connects to my R300 router, not the R7200.

[FURRYe38]

Disconnect the R7200 from the RS router. Log into the R series router first there, i'd use 192.168.1.1, then setup the router for AP mode. I'd following this PDF and use a static IP address on the R series router for AP mode:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS8...

Then connect it back to the RS router.

After it's configured, use the static IP address to access the R series router in AP mode when needed. Don't use routerlogin.net

I'd use 192.168.1.72 for example for the static IP address. 

[Baneling]

if i unplug the R7200 from the RS300, i won't be able to access it.

[FURRYe38]

You can...to get the router setup first for AP mode. Follow the PDF guide.

[Baneling]

page 1 of that pdf document says to connect the R7200 to the RS300 using the wan port of the R7200 and a lan port on the RS300. i did that but still cant access the R7200.

[michaelkenward]

When the R7200 is in AP mode, you need to track down the IP address that the main router has assigned to it.

The easiest way to do that is probably to look at the list of Attached Devices in the router's graphical user interface (GUI).

Here's what I see:

Then you can feed that IP address into a browser to bring up the GUI for the AP.

If you are using the Netgear desktop genie for your OS, it will show up in the network map and should have a clickable link.

I find that you can make the AP's IP address "sticky" either by telling the R7200 to use a Fixed IP address or in the LAN Setup router where you give it an Address Reservation.

---

Just another user with time on their hands.

[Baneling]

Yes that's what I do. I access that ip address in a browser and it can't reach it. Do you think it's cause the R7200 is plugged into a switch, which is also plugged into a switch, which is plugged into the RS300?

[michaelkenward]

If the router can see the IP address through the switches it is hard to see why a browser can't get there too.

But your layout sounds messy so anything could be going on. I'd try to find out ways of simplifying things.

---

Just another user with time on their hands.

[Baneling]

ok here is what I did just now.  I unplugged my RS300 from my modem and plugged in my R7200 to the modem.  I was able to access the R7200 using 192.168.1.1.  when I did, a wizard came up and asked my some question including what i'm going to use the R7200 as.  I chose an AP.  then it started processing and said it will take a few minutes.  then I couldn't access it anymore. so I then plugged the RS300 back to the modem and plugged the R7200 directly into the RS300 using the lan ports on both devices.  I accessed the RS300 and it sees the R7200 and gives it a totally different IP address than the range i'm using.  I then try to access that IP address and I can't.  

I can't even ping it.  it says Destination Host Unreachable.

in case anyone last track of what i'm trying to do, i'm trying to use my netgear RS300 as my main routers and the R7200 as an Access Point on another floor.

[FURRYe38]

What IP address is the RS using? 192.168.1.1? If so, 

Change it's DHCP IP address pool size to 192.168.1.100 thru .200 on the RS router first.

https://kb.netgear.com/24089/How-do-I-specify-the-pool-of-IP-addresses-assigned-by-my-Nighthawk-rout...

Then factory reset the R series and with it disconnected from the RS router. 

Ethernet connect to the R series router with your PC. 
Manually setup the R series router and get to the home page. 

Go in and set AP mode and EDIT the IP address configuration to use STATIC IP address on the R series router. 

Set the following here, 

192.168.1.72

255.255.255.0

192.168.1.1

DNS set to 192.168.1.1 or input custom DNS like Cloudfare or Quad 9.

When this section is filled in Select OK.

Then select Apply that AP Mode configuration. You'll see a message, select OK. Can leave your Ethernet connected PC connected to the R series router.

The R series router should beging to reboot.

When the top LEDs turn OFF, connect the WAN port of the R series router to the RS routers unused LAN port in back.

Once the RS router seems to be ready, you should be able to access it's WEB page at 192.168.1.72. 

[Baneling]

my RS300 is using 10.13.16.1.   my dhcp range is upto 10.13.16.39.  

so I unplugged the R7200 from the RS300, reset it back to factory defaults.  then plugged it directly into my PC and couldn't access it using IP address 192.168.1.1.  i tried it both using the lan port and the wan port.

[FURRYe38]

Ok so that answers why. 

Ok so after factory resetting the R series router and setting AP mode and setting a static IP address, set the static IP address to 10.13.16.72. Gateway set to 10.13.16.1, rest should be what I outlined for subnet mask and DNS. DNS can be 10.13.16.1 or custom DNS. 

[Baneling]

No I wasn't able to set it as AP mode cause after resetting it, I couldn't access it. It was plugged directly into my PC. So there was a network cable from my PC to the R7200.

[FURRYe38]

After you factory reset the R series router, with it disconnected from the host router, you should be able to access the router at 192.168.1.1. 

[Baneling]

yes I could if the R7200 is plugged into my RS300.  but your instructions said to plug it into my PC.  I already accessed the R7200 after resetting it and having it plugged into the RS300 and tried setting it up as an AP, but then I couldn't access it.  see post# 11

[FURRYe38]

You migth get someone to help you out with this as this seems to be a mis-confuration issue. See if there is a friend, nieghbor or family member that can help you out.