Installing a Wireless Router - How to Install a Wireless Router

Routers are a must-buy for anyone having a computer network that connects to the Internet, regardless of whether it happens to be a small home network or a large office network. Without getting into too much of technological detail, let us see what exactly a router does, and why it is so important in the field of computer networking.

What Does a Router Do?
Each computer has its own unique identity in the form of an IP address. All forms of networking activities between multiple computers take place through the exchange of data packets. For the sake of accurate and secure network communication, it is vital that these data packets do not get lost and that they reach their intended destination in time. When you have a network of multiple computers, this activity becomes even more important and equally complicated. In such cases, a router performs the job of routing the relevant data packets from the source computer to the proper destination computer using the fastest route available, and without mixing them up. Routers come in the form of wired as well as wireless routers, with each type having its own set of pros and cons. Let us have a look at how to install a wireless router.

How to Install a Wireless Router
Though at first it seems like some sort of rocket science, in reality, installing a wireless router is not difficult by any stretch of the imagination. It is actually quite a simple task, and one that can easily be completed in the time it would take for your cake to bake. Here's how you should go about installing a wireless router.
Instructions:

1. Before you begin installing a wireless router, you should make sure that you purchase the right stuff.
2. Wireless routers come in different varieties and brands, with each type having a different set of features aimed at specific network needs. If you happen to have a SOHO (Small Office Home Office) network and are looking for a good router for wireless internet access, you could consider buying any one of the Linksys wireless routers belonging to the WRT54G series.
3. Once you are ready with the appropriate wireless networking equipment, the first thing you should do is power off both your modem as well as your computer.
4. Open the router's user guide and study its ports and connection jacks carefully. Connect the cable coming in from the modem to its appropriate port on the router. It is usually at the rear of the router and you should be able to locate it with ease.
5. Next, connect the cable that goes to your computer's network adapter to its corresponding port on the router. Once again, refer to the detailed router diagram to avoid erroneous connections.
6. After ensuring that all the cables are plugged in tight, power on the modem. Once its power light achieves a steady state, power on the router.
7. Usually, there are multiple lights on the router body. However, only two of them hold primary importance from a user's point of view - the Power light and the Ethernet light. Both should be in a steady state for your network to function normally. If the Ethernet light happens to be flickering, it indicates a problem with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). If the power light happens to be flickering, you can power off the router and power it back on after a minute to resolve the issue.
8. The next thing you should do is power on your computer. In most cases, today's routers come with an inbuilt self-installing mechanism which takes care of the installation process by itself.
9. However, if for some reason the self-installation does not happen, you can go ahead with a manual installation using the instructions provided on the router installation CD. The installation CD comes as a part of the router package and the installation, in most cases, is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory.
10. If you still have any installation issues, you can always get in touch with your router manufacturer's customer care service. They usually have qualified technical support teams who guide you through the entire router installation process and assist you in troubleshooting installation problems.

Installing a wireless router will enable you to enjoy all the features of a wired router, along with the added advantage of flexibility. With a wireless router in place, you can move around freely within the area of the router signal and yet remain connected to the network. This can be quite beneficial, especially if you happen to access the Internet using a laptop, PDA, or a mobile phone, as it will not restrict you to a fixed place of work.