If you want to share the Internet connection you get from your modem to multiple devices, then you definitely need to a router. I will be teaching you what router is, how it works, and how to set it up initially.
First, what is a router? A router is a device used to translate the IP address from the modem and be shared to multiple wired and wireless devices. How does it work? The router is basically, the receptor of the internet connection from the modem, and distributes to multiple connections. How to set it up initially? Follow the steps below.
There are router's that came with a software to guide you through the installation process. However, what I am going to teach you today is how to manually configure or set it up. The advantage of this process is that it is applicable to almost all routers in the market.
Step 1 Know the physical connection.
This means that, you must make sure that the cables are plugged in to their respective ports. The Ethernet cable from the modem should be connected to the Internet port of the Router. Then use another cable and connect it from, let's say port no. 1 (or 2, 3, 4 it doesn't matter) and connect it to your computer's Ethernet port. Before you proceed make sure that you have follow this instruction carefully, or it will not work.
Step 2 Check for the default Gateway of the router
Default Gateway is the IP Address to access the router's user interface. To check for the default Gateway, click on the Start button. On the search box type "CMD" and hit enter. On the command prompt window, type "ipconfig /all”. Look for the physical address. Most default Gateway is 192.168.1.1. In the picture below, it is 192.168.201.1.
Step 3 Access the User Interface of the router
The user interface contains the basic to advance settings of the router. This is where we do the configuration part. To access the UI (User Interface), open a browser (IE,Firefox,Chrome, etc.). Type the DG (Default Gateway) of the router. It this tutorial, the DG is 192.168.201.1, again most router's use 192.168.1.1. Usually the username would be "admin" and the password is "password". This depends on what brand of router you used. You can search it online.
Step 4 Setup the wireless settings
This is where you setup your WIFI or Network name. Click on the wireless tab and on the configuration type, select manual. Key in your preferred Wifi/Network name and click save.
Step 5 Create a password for you wireless network.
There are several types of Wireless Security encryption. What I always used is WPA/WPA2. This will enable the wireless N feature of the router. It will also broadcast stable and secure wireless connection.
Remember that the password or passkey should be at least 8 characters and it is case sensitive.
Done! Save the settings and you have now successfully manually configure your router. The Wifi name is the one you setup earlier, and the password is the passkey you also setup.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to comment below. Thanks!
