HARDWARE INFORMATION
Below are the parts of a node:
- Ports - one power, two gigabit ethernet ports (configurable as one internet port and one ethernet port for the first or parent node and two ethernet ports for the additional nodes)
- Light - top panel status indicator light
- Button - reset button
- Switch - power switch
Below are the Linksys Intelligent Mesh product features:
- Tri-band network
- 802.11ac
- Next generation AC2200
- Intelligent Mesh WiFi system
- Seamless roaming
- 2x2 Spatial streams
- Full speed everywhere
- Cross-channel solution
- Spot Finder technology
- Beamforming
- Guided setup
- Guest WiFi
- Basic Parental Controls
- Supports Apple® HomeKit®
- Speed Check
- Notifications
- Two gigabit ethernet ports
SETUP AND INSTALLATION
Mesh setup is easy using the Linksys app. To set up your first or parent node, choose from the links below for specific instructions based on your device.
With the latest firmware, you are now required to use HTTPS. When you log in using "http://192.168.1.1", a static page that displays steps on how to proceed to log in will appear. The easier option, however, is to just re-enter the IP address using HTTPS.
You can add another node to your mesh system using the Linksys app.
Yes. If your home is already wired with ethernet, you may want to take advantage of these connections to increase the range and speed of your mesh system and reduce WiFi interference.
You still have to set up all nodes wirelessly with the Linksys app. Once a node is set up, you can connect with an ethernet cable to another node. Nodes need to be plugged into a power source.
Yes.
Yes. It supports IPv6 RD and 6to4 tunneling.
Yes. It supports Internet Protocol Security (IPSec), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP).
Recycle it or give it to a friend. The mesh system is a complete replacement for your old router.
The maximum number of nodes that can be added is still being tested by the Linksys engineering team. We have tested 12 nodes in a single system.
Yes. It works with any DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
Yes. If you have an available ethernet port on one of your configured nodes, you can connect a wired device with an ethernet cable.
Yes. You can use an available ethernet port on any of your nodes to connect your switch.
Yes. You can log in to the router's web interface.
Yes. Choose from the links below for specific instructions based on your device.
- Web interface
- Web browser setup for Linksys WHW03
Yes. That's what the first or parent node is for. Learn more.
In the case of a wired mesh system, both of the 5 GHz bands can be used.
No. If you have an existing router on the network, you can connect your node using an ethernet cable and set the node in DHCP or Bridge Mode. You can also add child nodes that repeat the signal of the first or parent node.
You can add as many nodes to your home as you’d like since every home is unique. Take your home’s layout into consideration when figuring out the optimal number of nodes you need for your home. This includes length, number of rooms, and any potential interference-inducing obstacles like brick walls, metal doors, or large appliances.
Ideally, the node connected to your modem is centrally located in your home. It’s okay if that’s not possible in your particular setup, but we recommend doing so when you can. We typically recommend one to two nodes per floor. You can always start there and test out various ways of placing your node to maximize your coverage. Since every home is different, you can always add a node where needed.
If your home is already wired with an ethernet connection, you may want to take advantage of these connections to increase the range of your mesh network and reduce the risk of WiFi interference. Learn more.
FIRMWARE UPGRADE
The firmware version can be found in the Linksys app on the Network Administration screen.
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
Learn how to access the Linksys app dashboard using an Android.
The Devices section gives you information on the devices connected to your system.
The Priority feature allows you to choose up to three devices for priority usage of your internet connection. Those devices, whether wired or wireless, will always have the best access when connecting to the internet.
The Guest Access feature is a way for guests in your home to use your internet connection without having access to your other computers or devices on the network.
The Speed Check feature measures your mesh network's download (from the internet) and upload (to the internet) speeds.
The Channel Finder feature selects the channel with the least amount of traffic for each node in your mesh system.
The mesh system displays one WiFi name for the entire tri-band network. However, with the latest firmware version, you can now give the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands different WiFi names through the router's web interface.
The mesh system displays one Guest WiFi name for the entire tri-band network.
The default Guest name is _VelopSetupxxx-guest and the default password is blank. It is strongly recommended to enable Guest Access, rename your Guest WiFi name, and add a password.
You can block up to 10 specific websites.
You can choose up to three devices to prioritize.
The mesh system is an Intelligent Mesh WiFi system, which means the nodes can connect over wired or wireless links and will choose the best path to route the data between a client and the internet. If a node loses its connection to another node, the remaining nodes will self-heal and reestablish an internet connection through other nodes in the network.
The node that is wired to your modem/modem router (gateway) is the parent node. All additional nodes you install in your mesh system are child nodes.
Yes. The parent node (node connected to your modem with an internet connection) has a DHCP server.
Yes, the parent node (node connected to your modem with an internet connection) has a NAT Firewall with a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) feature.
Yes. The node has a Wi-Fi MAC Filters feature that allows or blocks specific MAC addresses from connecting to your WiFi. Learn more.
No.
Yes. To do this, log in to the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon on the upper left side of the screen, then go to Wi-Fi Settings. You can also customize your WiFi through the router's web interface.
Reserve DHCP assigns a permanent IP address to a specific DHCP client. To reserve an IP address, follow the steps below:
2. Tap on the menu icon at the upper-left portion of the screen and then tap Devices.
3. Tap your online device under Connected Devices.
4. Tap Reserve DHCP.
Reserving an IP address can take up to 1 minute. After an IP address has been reserved, you can tap Reserved IP to change the reserved WiFi IP address if needed.
During setup, the Spot Finder feature will recommend the best placement of your nodes to provide the most coverage and fastest speeds throughout your home.
You can configure the Domain Name System (DNS) settings on the Local Network Settings of your mesh network.
On the dashboard of the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then Advanced Settings > Local Network Settings > IP address range.
If you have set up a parent node and added child nodes in your mesh system, they will work as one seamless network to provide reliable, secure, and super-fast WiFi for your home.
On the dashboard of the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then tap Network Administration. All your connected nodes are listed here. You can tap on a node to view its information.
Below are some of the possible reasons:
- Your old router is still plugged in. To solve this, unplug it.
- If you have a modem router (gateway) and a mesh system, you might have two different private networks on your WiFi, also known as double network address translation or double NAT. You can disable or keep the WiFi name on the modem router (gateway), but it might interfere with seamless roaming on your mesh system. We recommend disabling the extra WiFi name or putting the modem router (gateway) in Bridge Mode.
With the latest firmware, the WPS feature is disabled by default. To use this feature, you will need to first enable it. Learn more.
Configuring your devices' security settings ensures that your network is safe from unauthorized access, malicious intent, and any cyber attackers. Learn more.
ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING
With the latest firmware, the Linksys WHW03 no longer uses “admin” as the default password. You will need to create one. You can recover your admin password without resetting your mesh system. Learn more.
You can now restart your mesh system from the Linksys app. Learn more.
Yes, up to four child nodes are supported.
We currently support the parent node and up to four child nodes. If you have more than four child nodes, those nodes will not be detected when you are connecting your mesh network to the Apple Home app.
For the Linksys mesh router to work with a 5G router, your ISP must provide a 5G router with an ethernet port for connection to the parent node.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Bridge Mode allows you to use your mesh system to extend your existing network. If you have an existing router or modem router (gateway) and you want to continue using your main router, you can enhance your WiFi using the mesh system.
When in Bridge Mode, your mesh network will not have its own separate network. All nodes and devices connected to the nodes will be part of your existing network. All devices, whether they are connected to a node or the modem router (gateway), should be able to communicate with each other.
First, set up your parent node with the Linksys app using an iOS device.
Once your node is set up and running, you can then change the Connection Type to Bridge Mode using the Linksys app.
If you are accessing the dashboard through the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then tap Advanced Settings > Internet Settings. In the Connection Type section, select Bridge Mode.
If you are accessing it via the router's web interface, go to Connectivity > Internet Settings > Edit. In the Connection Type section, select Bridge Mode.
Make sure you have the latest version of the Linksys app. Your nodes should also be running the latest firmware version.
A BRIDGE MODE message will appear on the home page of the dashboard.
When your mesh is in Bridge Mode, the following features are disabled:
- Device List
- Wi-Fi MAC Filters
- Speed Check
- Parental Controls
- Device Prioritization
- Port Forwarding
Yes. The parent node must always stay connected via an ethernet cable to your existing router.
No. Child nodes can be connected wirelessly or with an ethernet cable.
If you ever need to change the mode back to Router Mode (or any other mode besides Bridge Mode), any child node connected with an ethernet cable may go offline.
Open the dashboard of the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon, and then tap Network Administration. Select a node to view the IP address or tap IP Details to see the IP addresses for all nodes in your mesh system.
You can also check your router’s DHCP client table to find the IP addresses of your nodes. If your nodes are switched to Bridge Mode, they will obtain an IP address from your existing network (DHCP server).
No. After you choose the Bridge Mode option on the parent node, all your nodes will be in Bridge Mode.
To add a node to an existing mesh system in Bridge Mode, open the Linksys app. On the dashboard, tap on the menu icon and then go to Set Up a New Product > Add Another Node to (your current mesh system). Learn more.
