How to Attach a Wireless Router

Wireless networks have become ubiquitous over the past few years. Once considered a luxury, a wireless network is now an important business tool, allowing a disparate group of users to share vital resources such as printers, Internet access and file servers. Other benefits of wireless networks include the reduction of overhead. Wireless networks are far less expensive than having to hardwire a workplace for network connectivity. Wireless routers have become more powerful, while dropping in price.

Instructions

1. 

   Turn off your modem by hitting the power switch or disconnecting the A/C adapter from the unit. Also turn off all the computers that are attached to the network.

2. 

   Physically attach the wireless router to your modem by using an RJ-45 Ethernet cable. One end is connected into the modem and the other into the WAN port on your wireless router. If you have a hub on your network, you might be able to remove it from the network if your router has ports on the back.

3. 

   Power on the modem, wait 30 seconds, then power on the router. Once both units are on, turn on any computers attached to the network.

4. 

   Configure the router using one of the computers that is physically attached to the network. Most routers use standard Web browsing software to configure and typically use a common IP address so check with the documentation that came with the wireless unit.

5. 

   Change the default admin user name/password, the default wireless network name and the default wireless network security. You want to secure the unit by changing the user name and password to avoid any network hacking. Change the network name to something that makes sense for your situation because you don't want to confuse users if there is another wireless network with the same default name within range. Configure the router to require a password or pass phrase for users to connect to. You don't want anybody doing anything illegal or bandwidth consuming on your network.

6. 

   Test the wireless network with a wireless-enabled computer. Confirm the passwords work, the signal is strong (steel walls, chimneys and built-in appliances are signal killers), and that the unit is accessible if you have to reset it or replace it.

Tips & Warnings

• Record your user name and password, and store in a secure place. Remember, the password to administer the unit might be different from the password that users connect to the wireless network with.

• All Apple wireless routers, (Airport Extreme or Airport Express) require proprietary software to configure.

References

• Wireless Routers Reviews

Resources

• Linksys® by Cisco