1.
Connect the router's WAN port to your Internet source, such as a DSL or cable modem, using the first network cable. All home routers have just one WAN port (sometimes labeled the Internet port); this port is always separate from the other network ports and often is a different color to further differentiate it. Note: If you do not have Internet access at home, or want to have an isolated (non Internet-enabled) network, you can skip this step. Later on you can always complete this step when the Internet is available or needed.
Connect the router's WAN port to your Internet source, such as a DSL or cable modem, using the first network cable. All home routers have just one WAN port (sometimes labeled the Internet port); this port is always separate from the other network ports and often is a different color to further differentiate it. Note: If you do not have Internet access at home, or want to have an isolated (non Internet-enabled) network, you can skip this step. Later on you can always complete this step when the Internet is available or needed.
2.
Connect
one of the router's LAN ports (most routers have four LAN ports) to the
computer using the second network cable.
3.
Plug
the router into the power outlet using its power adapter, as you would with
most electronics. If the router has an on-off switch, make sure the router is
on. Many routers don't have this switch and will turn on as you plug it in. (Dong Neo, CNET.com)
That's it -- you have just finished the hardware
setup.
3. Accessing the Web interface
The next step is to use the Web browser to display
the router's Web interface. Basically, you will need two things: the router's
URL, which is always its default IP address, and default log-in information.
You'll find this information in the router's manual, and sometimes it's printed
on the underside of the router, as well.
Most, if not all home routers on the market have
a default IP address in this format: 192.168.x.1, where, depending on the vendor, x tends to be
0, 1, 2, 3, 10, or 11. For example, routers from Trendnet almost always have a
default address of 192.168.10.1, while D-Link routers use 192.168.0.1 or
192.168.1.1.
And the log-in information is also quite
predictable. The username (if any) is almost always admin and the password (if any)
tends to be one of these: admin, password, default, or 1234.
Once you have gotten these two pieces of
information, just type the router's IP address in the address bar of a browser
on a connected computer, press Enter, and then enter the log-in information,
after which you'll be greeted with the Web interface. (Dong Neo, CNET.com)
You can
quickly find out the router's default address by using the ipconfig command on
a Windows computer.Dong Ngo/CNET
Here's a handy chart of info for popular
networking vendors that I put together. (Note that during the setup process you
should change this information, at least the default password, to keep your
network safe from intruders.)
Vendor
|
Default IP
|
Default log-in (username/password)
|
2Wire (AT&T)
|
192.168.0.254
|
(blank)/(the
device's serial number)
|
3Com
|
192.168.1.1
|
(blank)/admin
or adminttd/adminttd
|
Amped Wireless
|
192.168.3.1
|
admin/admin
|
Asus
|
192.168.1.1
|
admin/admin
|
Belkin
|
192.168.2.1
|
(blank)/(blank)
or admin/1234
|
Buffalo
|
192.168.11.1
|
root/(blank)
|
D-Link
|
192.168.0.1
or 192.168.1.1
|
admin/(blank)
|
Linksys
|
192.168.0.1
or 192.168.1.1
|
(blank)/root
or admin/admin or (blank)/admin or Administrator/admin
|
Motorola
|
192.168.0.1
|
admin/motorola
or admin/password
|
Netgear
|
192.168.0.1
or 192.168.1.1
|
|
admin/password or Admin/1234
|
||
Trendnet
|
192.168.10.1
|
admin/admin
|
ZyXel
|
192.168.1.1
|
admin/1234
|
Also, from a connected computer, you can always
find out what the current IP address is of the local network's router. This is
helpful if a router's default IP address has been changed. On a Windows
computer do this:
1.
Run the
command prompt (you can find it in the Start menu, or in Windows 8 just type cmd when you're at the Metro
Start menu, then press Enter).
2.
At the
Command Prompt window, type in ipconfig then press Enter. You will see a lot of
things, but the IP address following the Default Gateway is the address of the
router.
On a
Mac, it's also quite easy to find out the default IP of the local network's
router.Dong Ngo/CNET
On a Mac:
Head to System Preferences > Network > select the current
connected connection (it's likely Ethernet) > click on Advanced >
on the first tab, TCP/IP, the router's IP address is shown next to Router.
4. A new router's basic settings
Though the design of the Web interface is opened
varies from one vendor to another, most of them have granular menus. Listed
below are typical main menu items and what they do.
Wizard: This is where you can start a step-by step
guided setup process. Many routers' interfaces show the wizard when the Web
interface is accessed for the first time. You just have to go through and set
up a few of the routers' settings, such as its log-in password (to be changed
from the default -- you should definitely do this to keep your network secure)
and the name and password for the Wi-Fi network (or networks, for dual-band
routers). Some wizards also ask for your time zone, the current time and date,
and so on. With most routers you can skip the wizard and set up the router
manually, if you want to, or you can finish the wizard and get back to the
interface to further customize the network.
It's a
good practice to save the router's current settings before making changes. This
way you can always restore the previous settings if something goes wrong.Dong Ngo/CNET
Setup section
Wireless (or Wireless settings): Where you can customize
the router's Wi-Fi network(s). You can pick the name of the network, change the
password, turn the Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature on or off, and a lot more.
WAN (or Internet): Most of the time you should
use the Auto setting for this section. However, some ISPs might require special
settings; in those cases you can enter them here.
LAN (or Network settings): This is where you
can change the local network settings, including the default IP address of the
router itself. (Note that if you change the router's default IP address, which
is recommended for security reason, you'll then need to use the new address to
access the router's Web interface.) Here you can also change the range of IP
addresses used for local clients, and add clients to the DHCP Reservation list.
Once on this list, the clients' IP addresses will remain the same, which is
required for some Internet applications. Most of the time, you don't need to
change anything in this section at all.
Tools (or Administration) section
Admin password (or Password): Change the router's
password. This is the password required when you log in the router's Web
interface.
System: Where you can back up the current settings of
the router to a file, or restore settings from a file; update the router's
firmware; and so on. It's always helpful to back up the router's settings
before you make changes.
You'll find a lot more settings and features on a
router's Web interface, and when have time, you should try them out. If worst
comes to worst, you can turn to the last-resort step below to restore the
router to its default settings.
5. The last resort
All routers come with a reset button. This is a
tiny recessed button that can be found on the bottom or side of the device.
Using something pointy, such as an unfolded paper clip, to press and hold this
button for about 10 seconds (when the router is plugged into power) will bring
its settings back to the factory default. In other words, the router will be
reset to the state it was in when you bought it. You can set it up again from
the beginning, or you can log in to its Web interface and restore the router's
settings from a backup file.
That's it for now. If you haven't found your
questions answered, send them to me via Facebook, Twitter,
or Google+, or just post them in the comments
section below. (Dong Neo, CNET.com)
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since
2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks.
He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage
devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets
and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.See full
bio
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http://www.cnet.com/how-to/home-networking-explained-part-5-setting-up-a-home-router/
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