NETGEAR has recently discovered that the Bonjour discovery feature in Nighthawk Switch firmware version 1.0.1.2 is not compatible with certain mDNS packets sent by Windows 10. If a computer running Windows 10 is connected to a Nighthawk switch running firmware version 1.0.1.2, the switch management interface might become inaccessible if such an mDNS packet is sent, but the switch still manages network traffic as usual.
NETGEAR removed firmware version 1.0.1.2 from the NETGEAR Download Center as soon as we were made aware of the problem, and NETGEAR will release firmware that fixes this incompatibility as soon as it is available. To receive an email whenever new firmware is released for your product, register your NETGEAR product and select Yes under I want to receive communications from NETGEAR.
If your Nighthawk Switch is running firmware version 1.0.1.2 and your network contains a Windows 10 computer, follow these steps to access your switch’s management interface.
To troubleshoot inability to access the Nighthawk switch management interface while running firmware version 1.0.1.2:
You must use a mobile device or a computer that is using an operating system other than Windows 10 (such as Windows 8, Windows 7, or Mac OS X) to complete these steps.
- Disconnect all Windows 10 computers from your Internet network.
- Restart your Nighthawk switch by unplugging the power adapter, waiting ten seconds, and plugging it back in.
- Wait at least 30 seconds for the switch to finish restarting.
- Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the same network as the switch or is connected to the switch directly through an Ethernet cable.
- If you did not assign a fixed IP address to your switch during the setup process, find your IP address using the steps in one of the following articles:
- Enter the IP address that is assigned to the switch.
The login page opens. - Enter the switch password.
The home page displays. - From the menu at the top of the page, select ADVANCED SETTINGS.
- Select Switch Discovery > Disable Bonjour.
- Reconnect your Windows 10 computers to your network.
- To confirm that you can still access your Nighthawk switch’s management interface, repeat steps 4-7 using any computer or mobile device that is on the same network as your Nighthawk switch.
- If you still cannot access your switch’s management interface, contact NETGEAR Technical Support to speak to an expert.