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SBG6950AC2: SURFboard Wi-Fi Extender Setup

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Question
How do I configure the SBG6950AC2 gateway to use SURFboard Wi-Fi extenders?
Answer
The Wi-Fi network of the SBG6950AC2 can be extended using SURFboard Wi-Fi extenders.  The SURFboard Wi-Fi extender settings can be configured automatically or manually.  When the SBG6950AC2 is used in conjunction with the SBX-AC1200P W-Fi extender it will push the router's Wi-Fi settings to the extender.  The SURFboard Wi-Fi extender will extend the Wi-Fi coverage in the home.  By default, the Wi-Fi extender configuration mode set in the SBG6950AC2 is Auto.  The SBG6950AC has 3 configuration mode options:
  • Auto - All discovered SURFboard extenders will have the Wi-Fi settings pushed by the router.
  • Semi-Auto - Discovered SURFboard extenders will have custom Wi-Fi settings pushed by the router. 
  • Disable - SURFboard extenders' Wi-Fi settings are manually configured on the extenders. 
This document contains the following sections:
Requirements:
  • An SBX-AC1200P (This feature will only work with the SBX-AC1200P).
  • An Ethernet connection from the SBG6950AC2 to the SBX-AC1200P, or an SBX-1000P (The SBX-AC1200P will need to be paired to the SBX-1000P and connected to the SBG6950AC2). 


SBX-AC1200P Installation with SBG6950AC2
If an Ethernet connection between the SBG6950AC2 and the SBX-AC1200P is not available, an additional SBX-1000P extender will be required to connect to the SBG6950AC2.
  1. Verify that the SBG6950AC2 is powered on with Internet access.
     
  2. Plug the SBX-1000P into an AC power outlet near the SBG6950AC2 and wait for 15 seconds for it to completely boot up. 

    NOTE: Connect to 3-prong grounded outlets for best performance of the G.hn network.  A 2-prong outlet will operate sufficiently, but will provide a lower throughput speed.

     
  3. Plug the SBX-AC1200P into an AC outlet in the same room as the SBX-1000P and wait for it to be completely booted up.  The front panel Primary LED of the SBX-AC1200P extender should be green.  

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  4. The G.hn Pairing LED flashes red when unencrypted pairing is in progress.  The SBX-1000P and the SBX-AC1200P are paired creating an unencrypted G.hn network. 

    CAUTION: It is not required to press the Pairing button for unencrypted G.hn network as the extenders will automatically pair unencrypted.  If the Pairing button is pressed for less than 5 seconds on any of the G.hn device, it will no longer be able to connect to an unencrypted network until the G.hn Pairing has been reset to default.

     
  5. Verify the G.hn Pairing LED is solid red on the SBX-AC1200P and the SBX-1000P  to confirm unencrypted pairing is completed.

    NOTE: If the G.hn pairing LED is off, reset the G.hn pairing to default on the SBX-AC1200P and SBX-1000P.  It is not required to perform a factory reset on either devices.
    • ​SBX-AC1200P (Wi-Fi Extender) G.hn Pairing Reset - Press and hold down the Pairing button for approximately 20 seconds.  Fast flashing red and green LED appears on the front panel during the G.hn pairing reset process and returns to normal after the G.hn pairing reset is completed.  On firmware version prior to 1.0.5-B05, the front panel LED flashes red multiple times after the Pairing button is released before returning to normal after the pairing reset is completed.   
    • SBX-1000P (Wired Extender) Pairing Reset - Press and hold down the Pairing button for approximately 10 seconds.  A fast flashing red and green LED appears on the front panel LED during the G.hn pairing reset process and returns to normal after the G.hn pairing reset is completed.   

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  6. ​It is recommended to pair the G.hn extenders using the Pairing buttons to encrypt the G.hn network.
  7. ​Press and hold the Pairing button on the bottom of the SBX-AC1200P for 3 to 4 seconds.   

    NOTE: If the Pairing button has been held the proper amount of time to initiate the pairing process, the Pairing LED will blink green after the button has been released.

     
  8. Wait a minimum of 5 seconds, then press and hold the Pairing button on the bottom of the SBX-1000P for 3 to 4 seconds.  The flashing green G.hn Pairing LED indicates encrypted paring in progress. 
     
  9. Check for the Pairing LED to become solid green and blinking G.hn Signal Strength LED (color based on the G.hn signal speed) within 2 minutes on both G.hn devices. 

    NOTE: Pairing process takes up to 2 minutes to complete.  At the end of the pairing process, the Pairing LED may go out for about 10 seconds and then come back on again.

     
  10. Check the side of the SBX-AC1200P for solid green G.hn Pairing LED to confirm encrypted pairing is completed.​

    NOTE: If the G.hn Pairing LED is off, reset the G.hn pairing to default only on the 2nd G.hn device (G.hn extender).  It is not required to perform factory reset on either devices.​
    • SBX-AC1200P (Wi-Fi Extender) G.hn Pairing Reset - Press and hold down the Pairing button for approximately 20 seconds.  Fast flashing red and green LED appears on the front panel during the G.hn pairing reset process and returns to normal after the G.hn pairing reset is completed.  On firmware version prior to 1.0.5-B05, the front panel LED flashes red multiple times after the Pairing button is released before returning to normal after the pairing reset is completed.   
    • SBX-1000P (Wired Extender) G.hn Pairing Reset - Press and hold down the Pairing button for approximately 10 seconds.  A fast flashing red and green LED appears on the front panel LED during the G.hn pairing reset process and returns to normal after the G.hn pairing reset is completed.   
  11. Review the setup scenario to connect the non-wireless G.hn extender (SBX-1000P) to the SBG6950AC2 and then proceed with step 12.   

    Installing G.hn extenders to the SBG6950AC2
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  12. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the SBX-1000P and connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the available Ethernet port on the back of the SBG6950AC2.

    NOTE: Connect to 3-prong grounded outlets for best performance of the G.hn network.  A 2-prong outlet will operate sufficiently, but with a lower throughput speed.  

     
  13. Move the SBX-AC1200P to a  location where there is weak or no Wi-Fi signal and plug it into an AC power outlet.  The SBX-AC1200P reconnects to the SBX-1000P.
     
  14. Check for solid G.hn Pairing LED on the G.hn extender.  Solid red for unencrypted pairing and solid green for encrypted pairing.  If the G.hn Pairing LED is off, move the G.hn extender into another AC power outlet to reconnect.    
     
  15. Check the G.hn Signal Strength LED on the SBX-AC1200P.  If the signal strength is red or off, move the G.hn extender into another AC power outlet to improve G.hn signal speed.

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  16. Connect a client device (PC, TV, Game Console, etc.) to the SBX-AC1200P for Internet access.  Use the included Ethernet cable to connect a wired client to the Ethernet port or connect the wireless clients to the SBX-AC1200P using the default wireless name and password located on the back panel.


Auto Configuration Mode
  1. Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.  Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key.  The Login page will appear.

    NOTE: A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager.  There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager.  For instructions to by-pass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.

     
  2. On the Login page, enter admin in the User Name field.
     
  3. Enter password or a customized password in the Password field.

    NOTE: When using the default password to login, it may be required to set a unique password to proceed to the Web Manager.  For assistance with Web Manager Access, refer to article # 18287 – SBG6950AC2: Web Manager Access.

     
  4. Click the Apply button.  The System Basic Setup page will appear.

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  5. On the System Basic Setup page,  click the Extender link on the top menu.  The Advanced - Wireless Extender Basic page will appear.
     
  6. Click the Configuration Mode drop-down menu and select the Auto option.

    NOTE: The SBX-AC1200P will be listed under the Extender section.
     
  7. Click the Apply button.  The SBG6950AC2 Wi-Fi setting will be pushed to the SBX-AC1200P Wi-Fi extender.

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Semi - Auto Configuration Mode
  1. Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.  Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key.  The Login page will appear.

    NOTE: A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager.  There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager.  For instructions to by-pass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.

     
  2. On the Login page, enter admin in the User Name field.
     
  3. Enter password or a customized password in the Password field.

    NOTE: When using the default password to login, it may be required to set a unique password to proceed to the Web Manager.  For assistance with Web Manager Access, refer to article # 18287 – SBG6950AC2: Web Manager Access.

     
  4. Click the Apply button.  The System Basic Setup page will appear.

    User-added image

     
  5. On the System Basic Setup page, click the Extender link on the top menu.  The Advanced - Wireless Extender Basic page will appear.

    NOTE: The SBX-AC1200P will be listed under the Extender section.
     
  6. Click the Configuration Mode drop-down menu, select the Semi-Auto option and click the Apply button.
     
  7. On the left-hand menu, click the 2.4GHZ GHZ link.  The Advanced - Wireless Extender WiFi 2.4 GHz page will appear.

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  8. On the Advanced - Wireless Extender WiFi 2.4 GHz, click the Wireless Network drop-down menu and select the Enabled option.
     
  9. Enter a new wireless network name in the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field.  The name needs to be 1 to 32 alphanumeric characters long.
     
  10. Click the Network Name(SSID) Broadcast drop-down menu and select the Enabled option.
     
  11. Click the Wireless Security drop-down menu to select the encryption type to use.
    • Open (None Secure) - Network security is not set for the Wi-Fi network.  This allows access to the Wi-Fi network without a Wi-Fi Security key.
    • WEP (64/128) (Poor Security) - Wired Equivalent Privacy, older network security standards (not recommended).
    • WPA/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES) (Most Compatible) - Combination of Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2 with Pre-Shared Key and Wi-Fi Protected Access with Pre-Shared Key. 
    • WPA2-PSK (AES) (Recommended) - Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2 with Pre-Shared Key.
  12. Click the Encryption drop-down menu and select the option AES or TKIP+AES.
     
  13. Click the Apply button.  The SURFboard extender custom Wi-Fi settings will be pushed by the router.

    NOTE: To enable the 5GHz Wi-Fi band, click the 5 GHZ link on the left-hand menu, and repeat steps 8 - 13. 

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Disable Configuration Mode
  1. Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.  Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key.  The Login page will appear.

    NOTE: A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager.  There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager.  For instructions to by-pass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.

     
  2. On the Login page, enter admin in the User Name field.
     
  3. Enter password or a customized password in the Password field.

    NOTE: When using the default password to login, it may be required to set a unique password to proceed to the Web Manager.  For assistance with Web Manager Access, refer to article # 18287 – SBG6950AC2: Web Manager Access.

     
  4. Click the Apply button.  The System Basic Setup page will appear.

    User-added image

     
  5. On the System Basic Setup page,  click the Extender link on the top menu.  The Advanced - Wireless Extender Basic page will appear.
     
  6. Click the Configuration Mode drop-down menu and select the Disable option then click Apply button.  The SURFboard extender Wi-Fi settings will be configured on the extender.

    User-added image

 

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