Congratulations! You have just purchased your very first router. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the ports and cables, don’t worry. Setting up a router is actually quite simple.
Let’s start with the basics. Your router will have multiple ports in the back, and they come in two main types: LAN and WAN. LAN ports are the ones you will use to connect your devices to the network. Usually, you will have multiple LAN ports, and they will go to every computer or device that you want to connect to the network.
The more important port, however, is the WAN port. This port connects your router to the internet, and your modem will go right here. You will need to use an ethernet cable to connect the two devices together.
Before you connect your modem to the router, unplug the modem from the electricity. This will allow you to reset the modem, which is often necessary before you can connect it to a new device.
Once the modem is reset and unplugged, you can connect it to the router using the ethernet cable. Then, connect your computer to the router using one of the LAN ports.
Your computer will automatically request an IP address from the router, which is a number that identifies your computer on the network. Once the router assigns an IP address to your computer, you can set up the router using either the web browser or the CD that came with it.
During the setup process, you will be asked to select your internet connection type and set up your wireless network. Be sure to choose a strong password to protect your wireless network from unauthorized access. Finally, set up a router password to protect all the settings on the router.
It’s important to note that the wireless password and router password are not the same. The wireless password only limits access to the internet for wireless devices, while the router password protects all the settings on the router.
In conclusion, setting up a router may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually a straightforward process. Take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be up and running. So go ahead and show me a picture of your router – you’re ready to get started!