subject: Secrets Of Setting Up A Wireless Router
[print this page] Setting up a wireless network is perplexing and aggravating for some. Many simply quit and end up having to pay someone else to do it on their behalf.
The following guide will outline the 3 essential concepts you must understand to setup a wireless router yourself. I will explain to you the best way to get it done without resorting to the setup CD that comes with your router and free of many of the fancy gadgets or push buttons designed to make setting up a wireless router simple. Although most of these methods may seem easy on the outside they don't always do the job. They also keep you isolated from any kind of understanding of what's actually happening. When a simple error is made you may get stuck and be forced to turn to someone else for help.
Once you understand the right way to setup a wireless router you'll also realize how to setup any kind of wireless device on the market like printers, game consoles, IPads and so on.
There are about three important things you need to understand about configuring a wireless router:
1. The SSID - The name of your network. This is what you as well as others close to you see while searching for wifi networks to connect to. Do not leave this at the default. Label your network something that makes sense to no one but you.
2. Method used for encryption. Ordinarily you want to selet the newer WPA/WPA2 setting here. Only makes use of the older WEP setting should you have a device such as a printer or video game console that will not support the more recent encryption methods.
3. Passphrase. - This isn't the password you use to log on to your router. This is the numbers and letters you can key in to connect your wireless network devices to your network. Your pass phrase is also known as the "security key" or simply the password.
Now that you fully grasp the fundamental concepts involved with wireless networking let's put these to use.
All that is still left to do now is access the routers web interface and enter in this into your router.
Before you logon to the router there are actually three things you should know.
1. Your routers IP
2. The routers user name and password.
3. What network your router and PC are on. They should be on the same network before you logon to the router..
IP Address
Usually a routers default IP address is similar to 192.168.1.1. You can look this up on the web or find it in the wireless routers documentation.
Username And Password
Usually "admin" and "password" When the default account information do not work you might need to reset it. You can try this simply by depressing the reset button for 15 to 30 seconds and releasing it. The actual reset button will likely be concealed behind a little hole in the rear of the router. It is easy to access it with a paper clip or thumbtack. This returns the router to it's factory settings and will allow you to use it's default password.
Network
Same Network?
If your pc and router are not on the same network they will not be capable of connect and you should not have the ability connect to your routers web interface. Check your Computers IP by using the command prompt and keying in IPCONFIG and do a comparison of this to your routers default IP.
So what do you do if your the networks don't match?
Simply connect one end of an ethernet cable to 1 of the several ports in the rear of your router and also other end to the network slot in your PC and reboot.
Now that eveything is completely ready it's time for you to logon to your wireless routers web interface.
To accomplish this merely:
1. Input your wireless routers IP address directly into your selected browser.
2. Key in your username and password to access the router.
3. Find the "Wireless" or "Wireless Security" page in your router and enter your SSID, Encryption and Passphrase details as described in this article.
That's all there is to it!
Now it is just a simple matter of choosing the new wireless networks SSID within your computers wireless utility and entering your pass phrase.
These guidelines apply to setting up any wireless device including a printer, Apple ipad, video game console, wireless g or wireless n router. Happy Networking!.
