How to set up a router

If you are reading this article, then you are likely faced with the problem of configuring your router when connecting to the Internet. With a few simple instructions, this can be quite easy. The main thing to do is to indicate the type of connection and enter the data needed to enter the provider's network. We will tell you what parameters need to be changed in more detail.

Where to put the router - placement tips

First of all, we advise you to start with deciding where in the house you need to place your router: the quality of signal reception and the speed of the Internet will largely depend on this. It is best to choose a place so that the router is equidistant from all rooms - for example, a corridor. The higher it hangs on the wall, the better the signal will be.

At the same time, do not forget that there are places where it is absolutely impossible to mount a router:

· Near devices operating at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz (microwave ovens, radiotelephones);

· Opposite a mirror or furniture with glass doors;

· Next to metal structures.

IMPORTANT: To determine the places where there are "blind spots", you can use a special program such as NetSpot, which displays the coverage area of the router in the apartment.

Connecting the router to the computer

The connection to the computer can be via an Ethernet cable (usually included) or via Wi-Fi. The cable connection of the router is set up in this way:

· The cable (usually blue) is inserted into the WAN connector. Check that it is tightly fixed - you should hear a click.

· The Ethernet cable is connected at one end to any LAN connector and at the other to the output of the network card on the PC.

· We plug in the power adapter, and turn on the router by pressing the "Power" key.

Attention! In total, you must connect three cables to the router: a power adapter, a cable for connecting to a PC and a cable from the provider.

Preparing to configure the router

The router settings are located on the page in the browser - the web interface. To access this page:

· Press Windows + R, enter ‘control' into the command line.

· From the Control Panel, go to the Network Control Center, then to the Changing adapter settings section.

· Select the Ethernet network connection by clicking the right mouse button, and select "Properties".

· In the list that opens, look for "Properties of IP version 4 (TCP / IPv4), and select" Properties".

· In the window that opens, put a check mark on the automatic receipt of addresses (IP addresses and DNS servers). We save by clicking "OK".

Where are the router settings?

First login to the web shell

The connection between the PC and the router is established and configured - it's time to go on to the router settings.

Your router's interface is located at one of these addresses: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. The exact details are on the base of the router. There you will see one of the two specified web IP addresses.

We now go to the personal account of the router. For the first authorization, it is enough to enter the word "admin", and the username and password field, or enter the combination indicated on the router itself (on the bottom panel where the IP address is located).

How to change the router settings password

In order to restrict access to the router control panel to yourself, allowing only you to enter the web shell and change the network parameters, we strongly recommend changing the password in the router settings:

In advanced settings (panel on the bottom right) on the "System" tab, click on "Administrator password".

The system will ask you to enter a new password and repeat it in the line below. After the new password has been successfully entered, click "Apply".

Setting up the router manually

The settings of the router are determined by the technology by which the user gains access to the Internet (specified in the service agreement). In order to set advanced parameters on the router, settings need to be applied manually.

Internet setup

The first step is to establish the type of connection your ISP uses. If you do not have this information, read your contract carefully or contact your provider's customer support. You must also check with your operator to see if you need MAC address binding.

PPPoE connection

To connect via the PPPoE protocol, find the WAN or Internet item in the router menu. Click on "Add", specify the connection type "PPPoE / Russia PPPoE". The password and username are taken from your contract with the provider. Now save all changes, and preferably restart the router.

L2TP or PPTP connection

PPTP is a type of protocol that allows a computer to establish a secure connection with a server by creating a special tunnel in a standard, unsecured network. L2TP point is actually a sort of VPN connection, used to support virtual private networks. Therefore, setting up the connection requires that you enter a lot of identification data.

This is how you set it up…

· Find WAN again via "Network". Click "Add", then select PPTP or L2TP in the menu - taking into account the IP type (dynamic or static).

· If the provider uses MAC address binding, enter the MAC address of the network adapter. If the binding is not needed, we leave it as it is.

· The VPN section contains the login, password, and VPN server address.

· Leave the encryption type "No encryption"; in authentication, "Auto" also remains unchanged.

· Save the settings by clicking "Apply".

Static IP

Static IP is a type of connection in which the provider must provide all the necessary information, since the network parameters will have to be entered manually. If your Internet provider uses this protocol, you need to enter "Static IP" to create a new connection in the WAN section. In the IP block, enter the login information from your contract with your provider, including the IP address itself and the DNS server.

Dynamic IP

Providers usually connect to the Internet using a "Dynamic IP". If your ISP only uses this type, then you don't really need to set any settings in this subsection. The router itself will work to get the IP address, subnet mask, etc.

This connection is the easiest to set up because in most cases you do not need to provide data. To create a new connection, the "Dynamic IP" connection type is indicated in the WAN section. If you need to enter the addresses of DNS servers, deselect the "Obtain address automatically" checkbox for manual entry.

Configuring the wireless network of the access point

You can configure the wireless access point as follows: in advanced settings, in the "Basic settings" link, select the "Enable connection" checkbox and specify the option - SSID. Select a channel - from 1 to 11 (you can check the Internet speed on different channels and determine the best one for your router) or leave the default value "Auto". Don't forget to click the Apply button. Next, go to security settings. Set WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK for network authentication. Create a strong password of at least 8 characters. In encryption, set to AES, and WPA is left by default.

Possible errors when configuring the router

What can you do if you have gone through all the steps described, but still have no internet access. We will list some of the more common issues that may arise here, and how to resolve them.

The easiest, but nevertheless, most effective working method, which helps in many cases, is to restart the router or computer. If all devices still do not have access to the network, the reason lies in the router or in incorrect settings for the same.

Incorrect cable connection to the router

If, when connecting a computer to the router using a network cable, the Internet on the computer does not work:

· First, restart your computer and router.

· Disconnect the network cable and reconnect. Also check the connection on the router.

· Connect the cable to another LAN port. Note if the LAN indicator on the router lights up after connecting the cable.

· If possible, connect using a different cable.

· If the Internet goes through a router, then try connecting the cable from the provider directly to the computer.

Broken DHCP server function

All modern routers have a built-in DHCP service. For wireless devices, you just need to turn on Wi-Fi, find your own in the list of wireless networks, and enter a password to connect to it. If the connection to the network is via a cable, it needs to be connected to the network card of your computer.

If the DHCP service is disabled on your router, you can enable it there under DHCP - DHCP Settings. To do this, check the "Enable" box and click the "Save" button at the bottom of the page. The service will start. If it doesn't, restart your router. If you don't need the DHCP service when, for example, you decide to manually register an IP for all your devices, you can disable it in the same way.

The most radical and effective solution to a problem with your router is to reset the router completely. To do this, find a small button labeled "Reset", press it with something thin, and hold for 5-15 seconds.

Important! The disadvantage of this solution is that you have to configure the router completely from scratch.

Simultaneous operation of two DHCP servers

DHCP is a network protocol that automatically configures TCP / IP network parameters when this is requested by a DHCP server. But what if a second DHCP server suddenly appears on the network? There can be only one DHCP server on the network.

Just open the “Wireless mode” section, and, within it, the “Wireless settings” tab. In the “Channel” line, instead of “Auto”, specify the desired channel.

How to secure your network

As a rule, a standard username and password are used to access router options. An attacker can easily find out the login and password for your router by downloading the necessary instructions from the manufacturer's website. Therefore, in order to protect yourself, change the password for the router. A strong password combination will prevent unauthorized people from gaining access to your network. In order to increase the security of your home wireless network, come up with an uncommon SSID.

Hide the network name in the router options. Your Wi-Fi network will not appear in the list of available wireless networks. It will not be possible to identify it without special software.

Update your router's firmware periodically. Updates fix bugs and software vulnerabilities, increasing the reliability of the connected device.

Based on materials from the site https://hidemy.name/