Setup and Administration
The 602 has an entirely web browser-based interface and uses the same scheme as NETGEAR’s HE102 802.11a Access Point to make sure that you can successfully log into it without futzing with your network settings.
NETGEAR puts a label with an Access Point name right on the bottom of each AP, and also puts a sheet of the labels in the envelope that contains the Printed User Guide so that you don’t miss it. All you do is open your browser and enter this name into the browser Address or Location (URL) box, and you’ll be presented with the AP’s home page.
This worked the first time for me and according to NETGEAR, should work if your LAN has a DHCP server for the AP to grab an IP address from. (The 602 comes set to be a DHCP client.)
TIP: If you don’t already have a DHCP server, the 602 is supposed to default to an IP address of 192.168.0.227. So if you’re having trouble logging in, set a computer to a fixed IP address of 192.168.0.226 (or anything else in the same subnet) then try your login again.
When you do successfully login, you’ll get the Information screen shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Information screen
(click on the image for a full-sized view)
The interface is pretty speedy, except when you need to make changes, which require a 30-second reboot per page. Multiple admin logins are allowed, with no warning given when two or more admins log on. Once you’re logged in, there’s no idle timeout, and you just need to remember to quit your browser when you’re done, because there’s no logout button.
One thing that might spook you a bit is that the Information and Station List pages are visible to anyone who points their browser at the 602′s IP address. You still need to login to access any of the pages where you can make changes, but I think it’s poor security practice to have any AP information available for general access.
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