New Features & Enhancements:

- Supports MU-MIMO.
- Adds a step to the installation wizard that lets the user change the web GUI login password.
- When WAN access ReadySHARE is enabled, password protection is automatically enabled for WAN access to a USB storage device.

Bug Fixes:

- Fixes the issue in which the password recovery mechanism might disclose the password recovery token. A hacker can use this token to get the web login password.
- Fixes some security issues, which might cause system authentication bypass or buffer overflow issues.

Firmware Upgrade Instruction:

Note: To avoid wireless disconnect issue during the firmware download process, NETGEAR recommends that firmware upgrade be performed on a computer with wired connection.

1. Write down all the settings which you changed from the default values, since you may need to reenter them manually.
2. Using the Download Link below, download and extract the new firmware to a convenient place such as your desktop. The filename after extracting is R8500-V1.0.2.80_1.0.71.chk
   Download Link: http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/R8500/R8500-V1.0.2.80_1.0.71.zip
3. Log in to the router using a Web browser. The URL is http://www.routerlogin.net.
4. Click ADVANCED tab > Administration > Firmware Upgrade.
5. Click Browse and find the file you just downloaded.
6. Click Upload. Do not interrupt the upgrade while the router does this step.

Important Note:

1. The upgrade process is completed when the on screen progress bar completes.
2. If the upgrade progress bar on web GUI doesn't display correctly during firmware upgrade, you can still check the status using Power LED. The Power LED should be blinking (amber) during firmware upgrade. After firmware upgrade is done and boots up the system, it changes to steady amber color, then after the boot up is finished it changes to steady white color.
   Please DO NOT power off or reboot the device during firmware upgrade, otherwise, it may result to a corrupt firmware and cause the device not to work