How to Use a Wireless Cable Router

A wireless cable router allows multiple users (both wired and wireless) to share one common cable Internet connection, something that saves both time and money. An additional perk is that laptop users are able to work wherever they can get a signal, which is useful in both home and business scenarios.

Things You'll Need

• Cable modem Ethernet cable Computer (either wired or wireless)

Instructions

1. 

   Power down the cable modem and connect the wireless router to the modem with an Ethernet cable. The cable connects from the RJ-45 port on the modem to the RJ-45 WAN port on the router.

2. 

   Turn on the modem, wait 30 seconds, and then turn on the router.

3. 

   Connect a computer to the router. If your router has ports for wired computers, you can use an Ethernet cable to connect to the router to configure it. Otherwise, you can configure it wirelessly. If you're wireless, find the wireless network by navigating to the Network settings under Control Panel in Windows, or by clicking on the Airport icon, which is shaped like a pizza slice, in the upper right-hand corner of the screen on a Mac.

4. Open a Web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Netscape) and type in the default IP number that the router uses. This will be included in the instructions, but in many cases (particularly with LinkSys routers) it's 192.168.1.1. Enter the default user name and password for the router, which is typically "admin" and "admin" for LinkSys routers. Again, check the documentation that came with the router.

5. Configure the settings on the router. What you need to change is the wireless network name and the security settings. On the main configuration page, you'll find the links to configure the name of the router, the name of the wireless network, and the security settings. Select save settings after each change before moving to the next setting.

6. 

   Select the network with your wireless computer (using the new name that you changed in Step 5) from the list of available wireless networks as described in Step 3. Enter the password, and save it so your computer remembers it and doesn't require you to enter it every time you connect to the wireless network.

Tips & Warnings

• Most routers have a reset button that resets it to its original factory settings. Ignore the claims of the router manufacturer to install the CD first. Both Windows and Mac OS have the necessary files built in to connect without any third-party software.

• Never leave a wireless network unsecured.

Resources

• LinkSys by Cisco