Setting up a wireless network in your home or office is simple. Most routers will include a router installation CD to hold your hand through the process. For those of you that do not have access to this CD, or if you would like to learn how to setup a wireless network I’ll show you how this can be accomplished in only a few steps.
What you will need:
Wireless Broadband Router – B/G/N
Ethernet Cable (CAT5 or CAT6)
Computer – Desktop or Notebook
Before we begin be sure to plug in the power to the router, and your computer needs to be plugged into 1 of the 4 Ethernet ports on the back of the router using the Ethernet cable mentioned above.
Step one – I am going to assume that this router is relatively new and or has not been locked out. In Windows, launch Command prompt. The easiest way to do this is go to start-search and type CMD or for Windows XP go to start, then run and type CMD then hit enter. We need to find out what the routers / gateway’s assigned IP address is. In Command Prompt type the following command:
ipconfig
This command is short for internet protocol configuration. This will display the current configuration of any attached network adapters and their internet connection. We are looking for Default Gateway – we need the ip address associated with it.
Your ip address will be one of the following: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
In my case, my ip address is 192.168.1.1 so I will use that.
Step two – open up Internet Explore. In the address bar type your ip address and hit [ENTER]. You will be prompted with a login box. Enter the default username and password to access your router. You can try the following default access credentials:
Username = admin
Password = BLANK – NO PASSWORD
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Username = admin
Password = admin
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Username = admin
Password = password
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Step three – once you have logged into your router’s web interface look for wireless settings or the wireless tab – named [Wireless]. Once we are in the [Wireless] tab, lets first change the broadcast name aka wireless network name. You can name yours whatever you want. Ill name mine [Home Wireless].
Step four – now let’s add security and tie down the network. We don’t want to broadcast free internet to anyone around us so we need to add a security type and password protection. Not only is broadcasting a free internet connection going to affect your overall bandwidth, but you are also held responsible for what the traffic on your site linked by your wan ip address and internet service provider account. For security type, select WPA or WPA2. If you have any other options, ignore them. Only choose WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal [Wi-Fi Protected Access] – encryption methods [AES / Tkip].
Step five – Click Save to save your settings and your router may reboot. After this is complete, don’t forget to WRITE THIS INFORMATION DOWN!
Assuming your modem is plugged into your routers internet port, and both devices are powered on, you should now be able to get on the internet. Please let me know if you had any trouble doing this. Please leave any questions or comments below. Thanks for reading!!!
