Top Tips on Network Router Configuration

If you want to set up your own network, and you have multiple computers, you will need to set up a router. Cable (wired) routers, while still legitimate, are quickly becoming obsolete so this article focuses on wireless routers.

Most retail wireless routers will cover a large area in your home or office. However, to cut down on cable usage, you may want to place the router as close to your modem as possible. Your modem will have a phone line connection so it will be less mobile. Ideally, you would want your modem and router to be one device. Many ISPs will give you a modem/router but you'll have to request it.

Wireless routers have built-in installation software that you connect with and use via an internet browser. You don't need an internet connection to configure your wireless router. In fact, you can setup a network without an internet connection at all.

To get to your router administration page, open a web browser and type the IP address 192.168.1.1. or look in your manuals if this does not work. Some routers use differing "administration" addresses. Once you reach your administration page (which controls the router) you will most likely have to login. The default user name and password for many routers is "admin" and "admin".

A few settings you should change include:

1. The login information for the admin page itself (don't leave the default user id or password)
   
   
2. Wireless security (remember to write it down)
   
   
3. MAC address security (better security but more time consuming to setup)
   
   
4. You network's ID (SSID)
   
   
5. Whether you want to hide your network's SSID broadcast

Once all this information has been input correctly, and saved, your router will re-start before the changes take effect.

Here's where it can get a little tricky. If you've turned off your network's SSID broadcast signal, your wireless devices won't pick up your network's signal. That's a good thing because nobody else will pick up your signal either. You will have to manually type in your SSID in each device's network settings. Once you've setup a connection with your network's SSID, you will be able to connect.

When you first connect, you will have to enter your security key — the one you setup initially in the router's configuration. Your router will accept the key and issue you an IP address. An icon in the lower right hand corner will blink if you have a good connection — if you have a PC.

You should now be connected to your network and your internet connection. To check it, open a browser. Your homepage should open. Try a few other sites just to make sure.

 

Written by: Frank J Klein - CIO

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