How to configure a Wi-Fi router yourself - descriptive instruction
Not so long ago, a computer, much less a laptop, was a luxury. To date, almost every family has a computer or laptop, and in many families, these devices are almost every member of the family. Each such device must have Internet access, since a computer without the Internet is a "box".With the development of technologies, to separate Internet traffic into several devices, it is no longer necessary to provide a separate cable to each device, everything can be done by air using Wi-Fi technology.
The advantages of Wi-Fi
Advantages of Wi-Fi
Before you talk about setting up a Wi-Fi network at home, we'll talk about the tasks andadvantages of this technology. So, if you need to split an existing Internet channel into multiple devices, then you need a router. If you want to share an Internet channel by connecting devices without using wires, then the Wi-Fi router will help you. We have already told you how to choose a Wi-Fi router, and therefore, before buying it, we recommend that you read this article again. Wi-Fi router - great if you have devices that support work with Wi-Fi networks. Thus, by installing a Wi-Fi router in the very center point, you will be able to provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout the apartment, which is very convenient, because you will not need to pull extra wires. If on your computer there is no Wi-Fi adapter, then this issue can be solved in two ways: install a Wi-Fi router in the room where the computer is located, or purchase a Wi-Fi adapter. Wi-Fi-adapter is a small device in the form of a flash drive or as a card inserted into a PCI slot.
In view of the fact that in almost every family there is a need to install a Wi-Fi router, we will tell you how to configure it yourself, without calling the wizard.
Configuring the Wi-Fi router
To configure the router, it must be connected via a cable to a computer or laptop. The connection diagram should be displayed in the instruction manual. Unpack the router, attach the antennas to it, then connect one part of the network cable( which is included) to the router, and the other - to the computer( laptop).Then we connect the power to the router and then connect the network cable of the ISP to it.
How to enter the router's menu
Absolutely all Wi-Fi routers are configured using the WEB interface, it's a kind of site with settings. That is, in order to configure the router, you need to open a page in its browser with its settings. To do this, enter "192.168.1.1" in the address bar of the browser and press the "Enter" key. After that, a window will appear on the screen where you will be asked to enter your login and password to access the settings of the router. Default( by default) login and password from the router settings menu: "admin" - in small letters. After input, we press "OK" and get to the menu.
Flashing the Wi-Fi router
So, in order to configure the Wi-Fi router to begin with, it is necessary to reflash it. If you are a person, rather experienced, and you know what and how, now we will tell you what you need to do for this. If you do not particularly like to understand all the intricacies of computer technology, then you can do without reflashing the router. Firmware is a kind of router operating system on which its work is based.
Why do I need a flashing? Re-flashing the router is necessary in order to ensure the normal and high-quality operation of the device. As a rule, every Wi-Fi router from the moment of release and until the moment of removal from production has the same firmware version. This firmware passes only internal tests, when the device goes on a mass sale, users find all the problems in the operation of the device, in all sorts of situations. Therefore, "native" firmware is not perfect and you may have problems in the device: low speed, hangs, problems with Wi-Fi, etc. That's why it's better to install a new firmware version.
In order to reflash the Wi-Fi router, you must download the firmware file. Download it, it's over, you can from the official website of the manufacturer. To do this, on the website of the device manufacturer, find the model of your Wi-Fi router, and click on the "Downloads" tab, where the list of available firmware should be located. Some manufacturers can send you to the FTP server where the firmware is stored. But do not rush to download the latest firmware version, first read the forums on which users who installed this firmware wrote a review about its work and concluded: it is worth installing it or not.
After downloading the archive with the firmware, unzip it and copy the firmware file to the download folder. In the router menu go to the Firmware section and in the available field specify the router path to the new firmware. More detailed instructions on how to reflash the router, you can find in the instructions to the device.
After reflashing go to the menu Network / IPConfig / Network( depending on the model of your router) and first make the settings of the provider.
Type of WAN connection
DNS
DNS 1 and DNS 2 - it is desirable to leave the installation automatically, if the provider requires their manual installation( which is very rare), then we enter the primary and secondary DNS.It is not always necessary to enter the DNS provider in the network settings, sometimes external DNS works better than the provider.
Then go to the Wireless tab, which contains Wi-Fi settings.
How to configure the Wi-Fi network
Network name( SSID)
The network name is the name of your Wi-Fi router that will be displayed when the device searches for a Wi-Fi network. We recommend that you set the name as original as possible in order to avoid coincidence. If you network there will be 2 devices with the same name, then the Wi-Fi connection may work incorrectly.
Channel( Channel)
This is the frequency channel over which data will be transmitted. This parameter is given special attention, because because of this you can have a low speed on Wi-Fi. Why? Each channel has its own, so to speak, data transmission volumes. The more your devices are connected via Wi-Fi, the lower the speed of the Internet for each device - the same applies to the channel, the more devices use the same channel, the lower its bandwidth. Therefore, even if you have a high speed Internet connection, and the Wi-Fi channel is overloaded, the speed of Wi-Fi connection will be very low.
If you do not have such advanced neighbors, then this parameter can be left on the value of "Auto".Check the Wi-Fi activity of neighbors very easily - call up the list of Wi-Fi connection menus and see the number of Wi-Fi routers that are available in your apartment: if there is not enough of that channel, if it's too much, it's better to install it manually.
In view of the fact that "Auto" selects the 6th or 7th channel, then with manual selection it is necessary to select the channels located at the beginning. That is, if in the future, the speed of the connection over Wi-Fi has dropped, and by cable - corresponds to the claimed, it is possible that the whole problem lies in the Wi-Fi channel.
Wireless Mode
This parameter sets the standard for the wireless network. From the standard of wireless network depends 2 factors: the ability to work in it devices of the old type and speed of Wi-Fi. That is, Wi-Fi has its own standards of work, and for you to understand more, let's look at an example. In the cellular communication, the Internet was first transmitted via WAP, then by GPRS, then by EDGE, etc., and with each new type the data transfer rate also grew - in our situation everything is the same. The further the letter in alphabetical order denotes the communication standard, the higher the data transfer rate it supports. But here it is necessary to take into account one more thing: not all devices released long enough and supporting work in Wi-Fi networks support the latest type of communication - and this must be taken into account.
When choosing the type of wireless connection, set the type that will be supported by all your Wi-Fi devices. Devices of a new type can work with older types, but not vice versa. But do not worry, most modern Wi-Fi routers can work with several standards - which is very convenient, set the value of "b /g/ n"( if any).
Channel width
The channel width is indicated in megahertz. We recommend to leave this parameter on the parameter "Auto", or set its maximum value.
Maximum data transfer rate
This parameter sets the maximum data rate-the speed limit. Of course, it's best to set this parameter to the maximum value. If the main Internet user is you, and you need a high speed data transfer over the network cable on your computer, then you can cut the speed over Wi-Fi in this way.
Encryption type
Another important parameter when setting up a Wi-Fi router is the type of encryption of the transmitted data. The more reliable the type of encryption, the more secure your data will be transmitted. To date, the best type of encryption is WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK.But here we should also pay attention to the fact that not all devices support this type of encryption and therefore it is possible that when you select it you will need to find a "golden mean" for all devices.
How to configure Wi-Fi on a computer and laptop
Let's briefly describe how to configure Wi-Fi on Windows 7 and on Windows 8. In order to configure Wi-Fi on a laptop or computer - you need to select your Wi-Fi device-Fi router, to which you gave the original name. Then click on his name 2 times with a mouse and we are asked to enter a password - enter the password, it is checked, and if you entered everything correctly - the device connects to Wi-Fi. After that, we recommend checking the speed of the Internet connection both over the network and over Wi-Fi. Note that the speed of Wi-Fi can be limited by the bandwidth of the router. Therefore, it can vary from one that is available over the LAN.
Sometimes to connect a laptop via Wi-Fi, you need to turn on the Wi-Fi module separately. As a rule, on laptops for this corresponds the corresponding button, it can be either separate or combined with the F7 key.
For more information on setting up a Wi-Fi connection, see the video below.