If you want to use the router function of the WAC510 wireless access point, you can change its mode from access point mode to router mode only after you set up the wireless access point.
If you are connected to the access point by Ethernet cable, you must connect to the black LAN port to apply the configuration.
Router Mode
To change the system mode to router mode:
- Open a web browser from a computer that is connected to the same network as the access point or to the access point directly through an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection.
- Enter the IP address that is assigned to the access point.
A login window opens. - Enter the access point user name and password.
The default user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. - Select Management > Configuration > System > Basic.
The General page displays the basic system settings. - Select the Router radio button.
After the system mode is changed to router, the access point is reset to factory default with the exception of the IP Address of the WAN PoE port, the host name, the country of operation and the time zone. If you already configured wireless settings on the access point and wish to re-configure the same settings, make note of those settings before applying router mode.
- Click the Apply button, then click OK.
PPPoE
In most installations, your ISP login credentials are entered in the cable or DSL modem that connects to the ISP point of entry on your property. In some installations, a bridged modem is used and the ISP login credentials are entered in the router for authentication to the ISP.
If you are using firmware version 4.2.0.9 or later on your WAC510, you can enter your ISP login credentials into the WAC510 for ISP authentication, as long as you are using a PPPoE service.
To enter your ISP credentials using PPPoE:
- Select Management > Configuration > IP > WAN.
- In the WAN Interface Type drop down list select PPPoE.
- The Username and Password field become available. These credentials should be supplied by your ISP.
- Enter ISP credentials, then click Apply.
Virtual LAN (VLAN)
Each VLAN ID corresponds to a WiFi network (SSID). When you create a new SSID, you can assign a unique VLAN ID to it. The default SSID 1 is associated with VLAN 1, which is the management VLAN.
To create a new SSID and VLAN:
- Select Management > Configuration > Wireless > Basic > WLAN Settings.
- Click + Add SSID.
- Configure SSID settings as desired:
- VAP: Each SSID configured is a new virtual access point (VAP). The SSID can be enabled or disabled.
- Band: Select which radio band the SSID will broadcast on, or select both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
- Client Isolation: Select this option to block communication between wireless clients associated with the same SSID.
- Wireless Network Name (SSID): Set a name for the wireless network. This is the name wireless clients will see when they scan for available wireless networks.
- Broadcast SSID: You must select Yes for WiFi clients to be able to find the wireless network.
- 802.11K (RRM): Select the 802.11K (RRM) check box to enable 802.11k Radio Resource Management (RRM) so that the access point and 802.11k-aware clients can dynamically measure the available radio resources.
- Band Steering: Enable the access point to identify WiFi devices that are dual band capable and steer those devices to the less congested 5 GHz band.
- RSSI Threshold (-100 to -10): You can enter the minimum received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value in decibel milliwatts (dBm) for a WiFi device to connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio on the access point. If the RSSI value on the WiFi device is less than the configured RSSI value on the access point, the WiFi device cannot connect to the access point.
- VLAN ID: Enter the VLAN ID that you want to associate with this SSID.
- Network Authentication, Data Encryption, and Passphrase: Select the authentication and encryption type used to secure the network. Set a password required by wireless client to gain access to the wireless network.
- Click Apply.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
The DHCP server is enabled by default and operates on the default Management VLAN, which is VLAN 1. You can add an additional DHCP server only after you set up a WiFi network with a unique VLAN ID that is not yet serviced by an existing DHCP server.
To create additional DHCP scope:
- Select Management > Configuration > IP > LAN > DHCP Server Settings.
- Click + Add Server.
- Specify the following settings:
- VLAN ID: Select the VLAN ID for the WiFi network (SSID) you wish to assign the DHCP scope to.
- Starting Address: Enter the starting IP address of the DHCP range.
- Ending Address: Enter the ending IP address of the DHCP range.
- Subnet Mask: Enter the subnet mask for the IP address range.
- Gateway: Enter the gateway IP address for your network.
- Primary DNS: Enter the primary Domain Name System (DNS) server for your network.
- Secondary DNS: Enter the secondary DNS server for your network.
- Lease: Specify the duration of the IP address lease. By default, the lease expires after 24 hours.
- Click Apply.
Inter-VLAN routing
By default, Inter-VLAN routing is enabled, allowing devices on different WiFi networks (VLANs) to communicate with each other.
If you want to separate the WiFi clients so they can only communicate on their own VLANs (and to the Internet), you must disable Inter-VLAN routing. It can be disabled globally so that all VLANs are blocked from communicating with each other, or you can choose to allow specific VLANs to communicate with each other.
To disable inter-VLAN routing for some or all VLANs:
- Select Management > Configuration > IP > LAN > Inter VLAN Settings.
- To disable inter-VLAN routing for all VLANS, select the Disable radio button.
- To specify the VLANs that can participate in inter-VLAN routing, select or clear the check boxes for the individual VLANs.
If you did not create any VLANs, only the default VLAN (with VLAN ID 1) displays.
For more information about using the WAC510 in router mode, see What do I need to know about using my NETGEAR WAC510 access point in router mode?.