The configuration process of a broadband Wi-Fi router doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Although ISPs try their best to make it easier to install their products, one can still burrow deeper into the router’s configuration pages to establish security, access controls, and granular management.
At any rate, setting up a tightly managed, secure home network is possible by following these five steps.
- Connect your router
The broadband Wi-Fi router is the bridge between the Internet and your home network. It is how all the devices on your network communicate with one another. The device that has to be connected to the Wi-Fi router, has to have an appropriate network adapter. The first step to configure is to physically connect your router to a modem provided by your ISP with an Ethernet cable, by following these steps:
Firstly, unplug or turn off the cable or DSL modem.
Plugin your wireless router and connect the network cable into the port on the router that is labelled “Internet” or “WAN.”
Connect the other end to the cable or DSL modem and start up the modem.
Do not try to connect any devices such as laptops or tablets until you have a high strength signal indicating a WAN connection on both the router and modem.
2. Access the router’s interface and build it
The next step involves accessing the router’s interface in the following steps:
Connect an Ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports on the router and the other end to the Ethernet port of the laptop.
Click to open “Network and Internet” and then “Network and Sharing Centre.”
From the left-hand window, click “Change adapter settings.”
Right-click on “Local Area Connection” and then click on “Properties.” to select the IP version.
Hold the cursor on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP v4)” and once again, click “Properties.”
Push the click on “Use the following IP address:” and enter the information as shown in the image above.
Once the changes are done, open up a browser and go to the web address using the account name “admin” and password “admin.” This is now all set to configure security and other settings.
Most router manufacturers use the same default IP address, admin account, and passwords on all their routers. The router’s documentation provided by the manufacturer will tell you the specific IP address and account login information.
3. Configure security and IP addressing
After accessing the router, the next order of business is getting the security, SSID, and IP addressing settings right. These settings are found under the “Basic” settings of the interface. They may also be under “Security” or “Wireless Settings”. Further steps are:
Change the default administrator password which is usually under the “System” tab or page of the interface. Just enter a new password in the new password field.
Change the router’s default SSID. The SSID is the broadcasted name of the unique wireless network you own. Use a unique name to avoid confusion.
Assign security. Go into the router’s wireless security page. Opt for WPA security, as it requires clients connecting to it to use a password, for connecting.
Set up IP addressing. For most networks, the router comes at its default DHCP setting.
Disconnect the laptop and reboot it. When the laptop comes back from reboot the user can see the SSID name of your wireless network and be able to connect to it with the password you created.
4. Set up sharing and control
Now that you have a network set up, you can now set up a way for all the devices to access data on the network. This can be done by setting up a “Home Network” by using your current location.
5. Set up user accounts
Further, try to set up user accounts with your Wi-Fi router plans
Select the User Accounts icon. The User accounts settings will allow you to configure your account.
To add and configure other devices to access the network, from User Accounts, click on “Manage User Accounts,” and then click on the “Advanced” tab.
Under “Advanced User Management” click “Advanced” and select the user and add them to your network. The advanced setting also comes with the Wi-Fi router recharge plans.
Using these 5 simple approaches, you can set up and configure your router seamlessly. Skip the complex process of bypassing router settings and have a streamlined self-configured browsing experience.
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