Setting up Guest access using Cisco Connect

Linksys Wi-Fi Routers (EA6500, EA4500, EA3500, EA2700 and E4200 v2), Linksys X-series Gateway (X1000, X2000, X3000, and X3500) and Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers (E1000, E1200, E1500, E1550, E2000, E2100L, E2500, E3000, E3200 and E4200) have the Guest Access feature which you can manage using the Cisco Connect Software. Using this feature, you can create a separate wireless network from your local network for your guests.

NOTE: The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers, Linksys Wi-Fi Routers and Wireless-N ADSL2 gateways (X-series) have the Guest access feature on its web-based setup page. To know how to set up the Guest access feature using your router's web-based setup page, click here. To learn how to set up the Guest Access Tool on your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Account, click here.

When guests connect to the Guest network, they can connect to the Internet but will not have access to computers and devices which are connected to your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router or Wi-Fi Router, or Wireless-N ADSL2 gateway.

The Guest network is a virtual network within your private network, because in operates on a different IP address range (192.168.33.x) for Linksys Wi-Fi Routers and Linksys X-series gateways, and 192.168.3.x for Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers). This allows your guests to connect to the Internet without becoming part of your private network. For that reason, the IP address ranges 192.168.33.x and 192.168.3.x are not allowed to be used for the primary network.

NOTE: The Guest network follows the network name of the main 2.4 GHz network followed by a –guest suffix and will show up unsecured. But once your guests attempt to access the Internet by opening a browser, they will be prompted for a password which is only customizable by the administrator of the router. You can also opt to use the main network to connect your device.

Step 1:
Select Guest access at the main screen of Cisco Connect.

NOTE: For instructions on how to launch Cisco Connect on a Windows or a Mac® computer, click here.

Step 2:
In the Guest access settings window, you can enable or disable the feature, change or check the Guest network password, or change the number of Total guests allowed.

NOTE: The Guest network name is the main network's SSID with -guest as a suffix. If you want to change the guest network's name, you will need to change the main network's SSID. To know more on how to do this, click here.

The guest network password is located under the Password section of the Guest access settings window.

NOTE: Guests are always required to enter the password to ensure that the network is kept secure. The guest password cannot be removed or disabled, but it can be changed using the process below:

Changing the Guest access password

You will NOT be able to change the name of the guest network. It will follow the primary network's wireless name. However, you can change the password by following these steps:

Step 1:
In the Guest access settings window, click Change to change the password of the guest network.

You can also change the number of guests allowed in your network. For example, if you have selected six (6) guests, it means that only six (6) computers can connect to your guest wireless network at the same time. Select the number of guests from the drop-down menu. Once done, click Finish to save the changes.

QUICK TIP: The previous versions of Cisco Connect software allow 10 guest users. However, the Linksys Smart W-Fi Routers allow you to connect up to 50 guests by configuring it from the web-based setup page.

NOTE: Before guest computers can connect to the Internet through your wireless network, they must open a web browser first and enter the password you specified. Devices that don’t have built-in web browsers must go through the main network to be able to go online. For more troubleshooting steps on Guest access issues, click here.

Disable Guest access

Disabling the Guest access feature will allow all authorized wireless devices to connect to your local network. If you wish to disable it, select no. Click Finish to save the changes.

NOTE: The guest network is separate from your local network. Your local network will not be affected if you prefer to disable the Guest access feature.

Title: Setting up Guest access using Cisco Connect

Article ID: 21461