Introduction
This guide will show you how to configure the GL-XE300 router for use with any controller type. After configuration, the router can be used to connect a controller to the internet via WiFi (Pro, Pro2) and/or Ethernet (Pro, Pro2, MiniTrack).
If the menu does not appear the same as is displayed in below screenshots, you may need to Update the Firmware on your GL-XE300. The current version of firmware this article is based on is version 4.0, with a 2024 release date. If you router is up-to-date and the menu options look different, please reach out to support for advisement.
Configuration Steps
Connect
First, insert your nano SIM card into the GL-XE300. Then, power on the GL-XE300 by pressing the power button on the side of the router.
You can connect your computer to the GL-XE300 over LAN connection with an ethernet cord, or over WiFi. If using WiFi, note that the SSID for the router is labeled "GL-XE300-XXX" and the default password is "goodlife".
Access Admin Panel
Once connected, open up a web browser and paste this into the URL: 192.168.8.1
This should reach the Admin Panel for the GL-XE300 router. However, if it is redirecting you, go to this link instead: http://192.168.8.1/index
You will be prompted to create a password for the Admin Panel (this will not affect the WiFi password). Enter your desired password, then enter it again and choose "Submit". We recommend to note the password you set for future reference, as you will need this for logging in if changes need to be made in the admin panel. If you lose this password you will need to reset the device and go through these steps again.
System Menu
Once you have logged in, choose "Network" from the column menu on the left. Once there hit the option titled "LAN".
Settings Under LAN
Once on the LAN page, choose "Advanced" at the bottom of the page. This will land you on a page where you can edit router settings, including the IP Address the XE300 works on.
Changing Private Network Settings
On the "Private Network" page under LAN settings, we need to change the following settings:
1. Router IP Address = 172.20.23.1
2. Netmask = 255.255.252.0
3. Start IP Address = 172.20.23.2
4. End IP Address = 172.20.23.48
Once these settings are changed, hit "Apply" at the Bottom of the Page.
Once you hit apply it will have you re-login to the router as the IP Address of the GL-XE300 will have been changed to the 172 network. If it does not automatically take you there, go here: http://172.20.23.1/#/internet
Cellular Internet Settings
1. Once Logged back in, navigate to the tab on the left-hand side titled "Internet". Once there, scroll down and hit the button titled "Manual Setup". This will let you add in the APN for the Sim card carrier you are using.
2. In the Manual Setup window, navigate to the text field titled "APN". In that field you will need to enter the APN for the carrier of the SIM card you inserted into the router. For example, the APN for Simbase is "simbase".
3. Once you have entered the APN in the Manual Setup window, hit the "Apply" button.
4. After you hit apply the GL-XE300 should be able to connect to cellular. If successful the 3g/4g light on the GL Hotspot should be flashing and the Internet tab should show the type of connection at the top left.
Take care not to plug an Ethernet cord into the WAN port (which is adjacent to the LAN port) as that will not allow the controller to connect successfully.
Conclusion
Now that the router has been reconfigured, you will see a few changes:
- The Admin Panel is now accessed through 172.20.23.1 (not 192.168.8.1).
- When connecting devices, the DHCP range is now set to 172.20.23.2-49.
Your router is now ready to be used to connect any type of controller to the internet. To test with a Mini, connect the Nighthawk to the Mini with an ethernet cable, set the Mini's server IP to 50.17.233.218 (Menu > 2 > 2) and Connect (Menu > 2 > 1). The "Connected" light on the controller should go solid green.
To test with a Pro2 controller, Click Here for instructions.
Firmware Upgrade
(Only if Menu Differs from Above)
If above Menus behaved properly and appeared as shown in screenshots, then it will not be necessary to update the firmware on your GL-XE300. If the menus appear different, then follow the instructions below.
1. To update your firmware go to the "System" tab in the Admin Panel. From there click on the tab titled "Upgrade".
2. In the Upgrade Menu navigate to the section titled "Online Upgrade". If there is a newer version to upgrade to it will prompt you to upgrade to that here. If for whatever reason upgrading here fails you can instead try upgrading it through the "Local Upgrade" section of the Upgrade Menu.
3. To Upgrade via Local Upgrade, navigate to the Local Upgrade Section within the Upgrade Menu. Once there it will ask for you to select a file to import. An upgrade file can be obtained from GL's website: https://dl.gl-inet.com/router/xe300/stable. GL also has their own instructions on upgrading firmware. If you want further information directly from the source, click here.