How do I setup my Linksys Router?
When embarking on setting up your LinkSys router, the first thing to do is to log in to connect the router to the computer. Then connect the broadband modem to your computer using the Ethernet cable and ensure that there is connectivity. If everything is in order, shut down the computer and disconnect the power cables of the router as well as those of the broadband cable. Unplug the Ethernet cable from your computer and connect it to the WAN port of the router. Use another Ethernet cable (one that came with the router) and connect it to the computer and connect the other end to the port 2 at the back of your LinkSys router. Connect the broadband power cable for the modem and wait for all the lights to stop blinking, and then connect the power cable for the router. Start the computer and log in to the router. This is done by typing the IP address for the router. If this is the first time you are doing this, consult your user manual which should give you the default IP address as well as the username and password. A window shall appear asking for your username as well as the password. You may leave the username textbox blank but you need to key in the password and then click on “OK” in order to log in. the web based setup utility for the router will then appear.
Basic Setup
Once you log in, change the password (the default one is “admin”) for privacy. Once you’ve done that, log in with the new password in order to continue. The first page will be the set-up page. The screen set up page lists the internet set-up and the network set-up. The internet set-up part is for configuring internet settings to your ISP. The standard way of getting IP addresses from most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) is DHCP. You can choose “Obtain IP Automatically” if that’s how you obtain IP address. On the network set-up section, you will be called upon to decide on whether to enable DHCP. Then there is the starting address which is the address of your router. It is highly recommended that the default IP address be changed for every PC on the network. You can complete this section by clicking on “Save settings” button.
Setting up a Wireless Network
If you need to set up your wireless network, you can continue from the last section by clicking on the wireless tab on the top of the screen and enabling the wireless option. You can enter a name for your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) in the appropriate textbox. The default name will work fine too. You may also choose whether to hide your SSID, but you may encounter problems hiding SSID if you are on Linux. If you are on Windows, then you may choose to hide your SSID. Then click on the “Save” button on the bottom of the screen once you are through. You will also want to enhance security so click on the “Wireless Security” tab on the top of your screen. Chose the “Enable Security” option, and then choose a type of security. There is WAP and also WEP. WEP is easier to set up. Then choose the encryption (128 bit recommended). On the Hex Key generator, type random.ly a number of characters and then click on generate key button. Save the Hex Keys generated for future access to the router.
For more information on how setup your Linksys router read this article