Setting up a router no longer requires a degree in Information Technology and several hours of time. Most of the routers designed for the home or small office user come with a reasonably simple setup process,good documentation, and telephone support technicians who can walk you through the process, if you need them.
Connect a Wireless Router
1.
Take the router out of the box and carefully read the installation instructions. The installation should be very straightforward, but the procedure can vary from router to router.
It's important to use the right kind of cable to connect to the broadband modem. There are two types of cables that look the same: a standard cable, and what is known as a crossover cable. If your router didn't come with a cable, check its documentation and make sure you have the right kind of cable.
2.
Connect the router to your cable or DSL modem. If your router came with a network cable, use it to connect to the broadband modem. Make sure you insert the cable in the right port on the router; typically it's labeled WAN (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Insert the cable from your broadband modem into the port labeled WAN.
3. If you're going to connect a nearby computer with a cable instead of a wireless connection, connect the cable from the computer's Ethernet port to one of the standard Ethernet ports on the router. Typically, this connection uses a standard Ethernet cable.
4. Connect the power adapter to your router and turn the router on.
Configure a Wireless Router
Most wireless routers are configured through a setup program in the router. You access the program through your web browser. The look and feel of the setup program will vary by manufacturer, but the settings listed here are common to most routers. The illustrations used here are from the Wireless-G Broadband Router from Linksys.
Some routers come with a software program on a CD that accesses the router's setup program and walks you through the configuration process.
1.
Open the setup program. Your router is preconfigured with an IP address that can be used to access the router's setup program. Check your router's documentation for the IP address. Open your web browser, type the router's IP address in the browser's Address bar, and you should see a logon screen for your router's setup program (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Type your router's IP address in your browser's Address bar.
2.
Log on to the router setup program using the default password listed in the router's setup instructions. For this Linksys router, the password is admin (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Logon by typing the router's default password.
3.
Set up your Internet connection. Contact your ISP to find out what type of connection is required. For example, many DSL accounts use a PPPoE connection that requires a username and password so the router can log on (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: Select the type of connection your ISP requires.
4. If necessary, type your username and password.
5.
Select a channel. Routers can operate on any one of 11 channels. Many routers are preset to use channel 6, which can lead to routers stepping on each other's signals. If a neighbor's network is interfering with yours, try setting your router to a different channel (see Figure 5).
Figure 5: Select the channel.
6.
Enable the DHCP server. The DHCP server that automatically assigns IP addresses to each computer on the network is usually enabled by default. Confirm that it is enabled in the setup program (see Figure 6).
Figure 6: Confirm that the DHCP server is enabled.
7. Some ISPs only want you to connect one computer—and hence, one MAC address—per account. (Check with your ISP.) To circumvent this restriction, routers allow you to “clone” the registered MAC address onto your router, so all the computers connected to your router appear to the ISP to be using a single MAC address (see Figure 7).
Figure 7: If necessary, enable MAC address cloning.