How to Hook Up a Wireless Router

A wireless router is a network router and an access point all-in-one. So, you have bought a wireless router. Now, how do I hook up the wireless router?

Installing a Wireless Router

The first step to install a wireless router is unpacking the wireless router from the box, and removing all the plastic wrapping from the equipment. Then, you take the Ethernet or Category 5 cable provided in the box and connect it from the wireless router to the cable or DSL modem. You may have a cable or a DSL modem depending on the kind of broadband service you subscribe to. Note that a wireless router does not work with a dial-up modem. The ethernet slot in the modem is larger than the phone slot. There are many Ethernet slots in the wireless router, but you should insert the Ethernet cable into the WAN port of the wireless router. The other Ethernet slots are used to connect to the computer.

The next step in hooking up the wireless router is to plug-in the power adapter or transformer to the router. Then, connect the power cord of the adapter to the wall outlet. In order for the wireless router to work, your computer should have an internal Wi-Fi card. If not, you should connect a USB wireless adapter to your computer, and install the driver for it. Now, use an Ethernet cable to connect Port 1 of the wireless router to the computer. Port 1 should be up and running at 100 megabits per second.

The wireless router also comes with a plastic stand that lets you keep the base station in a vertical position. You should be able to rotate the antenna, so that it is pointed in the right direction, in order to have strong signal in all areas. The wireless router will perform a diagnostic self-test, every time it is turned on.

Configuring the Router

Now, you should install the software available in the CD that comes with the wireless router. Open up your web browser and go to the administrative console. The program will automatically detect the type of Internet connection. The router comes with an administrative account, and you should change the account's password. The login name is usually "administrator" or "admin", while the default password is normally blank. Create a new password that is between 8 and 16 characters.

The wireless router broadcasts the service set identifier (SSID) name of your network. You should rename the SSID, so your network doesn't come up when other users do a basic search for open wireless networks. Change your network name from the default name, which may be "linksys" or "netgear", to a unique name.

Securing your Wireless Router

The next step in wireless router installation is adding security to your wireless network. This is because if you leave it unsecured, other users can tap into your wireless connection. If you have printer or file sharing, other users can mess with your files. Therefore, you should lock your wireless router by turning on the encryption. The Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) standard provides security for 802.11b networks. The Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-shared Key (WPA-PSK) standard is more advanced and provides security for 802.11g networks. Every time you want to surf the Internet, you should type in the special 10-digit encryption key. If possible, you should also turn on MAC address filtering. After your network is configured, you should print the network settings, so that they are at hand for future use.

Wi-Fi will play an important part in the future of Internet. More users are setting up wireless local area networks (WLANs) in their houses. Wi-Fi enabled personal digital assistants (PDAs) can be used to access the Internet. Wi-Fi may become even more popular than its competing technology, 3G, which is used for cell phones.