Installation and configuration of Wi-Fi routers. How to set up a WiFi router: step by step instructions
Home-small office network devices are represented by a very wide choice. A separate class is routers, that is, combined systems, designed to connect to the Internet provided by your provider, and further broadcast (distribute) traffic to one or many network devices. The local network can be wired (100 Mbit or 1 Gigabit), and also wireless, operating on the Wi-Fi protocol. How to set up a router at home, we will consider in detail in this review.
The user has already decided on the choice of model, or, moreover, the acquisition has already been made. It can be a 100-megabit, or "cutting edge" gigabit router model, with one or two Wi-Fi bands. However, without proper settings, revealing the maximum functionality is unlikely to succeed.
Installation and connection
First of all, it is worth deciding whether “wired” connections will be used, or the entire local network with Internet access will be organized completely “via Wi-Fi”.
Based on this (that is, from the number of "wired" lines), the installation site of the router is selected. At the same time, the length of the cord "from the provider" (in the figure - "green") - should be as short as possible. But, do not rush to change anything: when you turn it on for the first time, the cable should “reach out” to the computer (from which the router will be configured).
Remember: the router, like other devices (for example, a modem), is powered by outdoor unit. A similar adapter is plugged into a 220 volt outlet. When choosing a location for installation, you need to consider safety rules.
Fastening
Almost every router allows installation in horizontal position(on the table, on the shelf). On the case, especially for this, rubber inserts (“legs”) are provided. At the same time, the vertical version of the case installation does not allow every device. If you install a horizontal case vertically, overheating of the internal hardware (and various other troubles) is possible. How to install a router at home - the user decides first, and only then, makes a choice of a specific model. A definite plus will be the ability to attach to vertical surface(that is, against the wall). Be careful when choosing.
Connection
Any router, as a rule, contains 4 hardware ports for local network. It is necessary to determine which devices (computer, laptop, TV set-top box) will be connected “by cable”, and all the rest will be able to access the network exclusively via Wi-Fi.
Port Assignment
Consider how to connect a router at home on your own (while not violating the warranty rules).
- Connect LAN cables (ports 1-4) if any will be used.
- Connect the provider's cable to the "Internet" port of the router (another name is the "WAN" port).
- Then, the power supply of the router is connected, plug it into a power outlet.
That is, turning on the power supply is performed last.
Setting
Any retail kit, in addition to the router itself, includes two “devices”: a power supply, as well as a power cord (patch cord). During the initial (first) setup, we recommend using the supplied cord. That's right, you make sure the router is working.
Before you connect a wifi router at home, the first time you connect it "next to the computer."
If the router is new, the next step is skipped. Turn on the power of the router (it is not necessary to connect power cords). After 2-3 minutes, press "reset" (holding for 5 seconds or more - read the instructions), all settings will be reset to "factory".
Also, you need to check that the PC network card is set to “auto” mode (IP, DNS). You need to look: "Connection properties" - "TCPIP protocol (v4)" - "Properties". It should be like in the picture (install, click "OK"):
Setting up a network card
Now, with the power off of the router, you connect its port (from 1 to 4) to the PC network card. What is done with a patch cord.
Then, turn on the power. It is advisable to restart the computer. How to set up a router at home is described in detail in the instructions.
After switching on, you need to wait 2-3 minutes. Then, a local connection will be established (which means the device is working):
Open a browser. In the address bar, you type the router's IP address (web interface address):
What it is (for your router) - see the instructions. In the same place, give "login" and "password":
Without knowing the “login with password”, you won’t get to the setup page, and you won’t be able to configure the router further.
Note: if you want to set up a connection with your provider, you need to connect the cable to the "Internet" port (to the "WAN" port). What happens before power is applied.
Port Assignment
Web interface
All settings are performed by the user in the web interface. This is such a set of tabs (pages) displayed by the browser. Each page configures one thing: Wi-Fi network (name, range, etc.), Internet connection (properties of the "WAN" port) ...
Note: After making all changes on one tab, save them before moving to another. Saving many settings "immediately" - leads to damage to the device!
However, the above advice does not apply to modern models. It must be remembered that some types of settings will “take effect” after a reboot. You can reboot the router by pressing reset "in one click".
In conclusion, let's look at how to set up a WiFi router at home, where the wireless network is “seen” only by you. Necessarily:
- 1. Come up with a name for the Wi-Fi network (by setting it in the SSID field):
WiFi settings
The name then - you can “hide” (tick “hide access point”).
- 2. Setting the "country" - will change the list of available channels (there are 14 in total, for the 2.4 GHz band).
- 3. WiFi network, can work in “b / g” or “n” mode (it is the fastest), if you don’t know, “mixed” is recommended.
In this model, you can set the maximum number of Wi-Fi users (zero means "auto"). You may have other settings (read the instructions for details).
"Hiding" the name is a method to protect your network. Traffic encryption (WPA2, WPA), password entry (PSK) - referred to as "advanced" methods. To install them, there is a separate tab (“Wi-Fi security settings”).
We hope the information will be useful.
It is more convenient to use the Internet on a laptop through a wireless access point. Before connecting, you need to learn how to set up a Wi-Fi adapter on a laptop. We will talk about the methods of turning on and configuring the device in the most popular versions of Windows. Ways to update drivers will be considered.
How to find out if a Wi-Fi module is installed on a laptop
Almost every mobile gadget is equipped with a Wi-Fi module, but you should definitely check its availability. Be sure to check your laptop's technical manual first. In the characteristics, opposite the “Wireless” column, there should be Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.11 lines. Their presence indicates that required component installed on the laptop.
An alternative option is to look for the presence of the component in the list of devices. To do this, go to the properties of the computer and click on the "Task Manager" link. In the window that opens, among all the hardware, open the Network Adapters tab, and then find the line with the previously described words or the word Wireless (Wi-Fi).
If it's not there
The best option is to upgrade your laptop. Most likely, you have a very "ancient" model with low performance and a missing wireless module. When funds do not allow you to buy new equipment, order a USB module. It looks like a flash drive, while serving as an external Wi-Fi module. There are hundreds of models on the market with different characteristics. To work, you must install the driver.
How to turn on the Wi-Fi adapter
To use on laptops and selected computers wireless Internet , you should activate the Wi-Fi module, and then connect to the required network. There are several hardware and software methods for enabling Wi-Fi, which will be discussed in detail below.
switch on the body
For the convenience of users, many manufacturers made the switch a separate button on the gadget's body. It can be located on the front panel (on the Esc side or near the Num numeric keys).
We also recommend that you inspect the side panels on both sides for the presence of a switch. It has an antenna icon with diverging waves. Often there are light indicators on the case that inform about the performance of specific components.
In the presence of such a switch and the correct operation of the component itself, of course, the whole inclusion is reduced to one simple action.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Another way is to activate the module with a keyboard shortcut. On laptops, additional settings are placed on the function buttons F1-F12. Also on the keyboard you can find a key with the letters Fn. It is used to enable additional features(including wifi). You need to hold down Fn, click the button with the image of the corporate icon (on different models they will be F2, F3 or F12). The action will activate the indicator (if any) and the connection icon will appear in the start panel on the right side.
Alternatives
If the previous manipulations do not work, the problem is in the drivers or settings operating system. A rare exception is marriage. As a last resort, after all attempts at resuscitation, contact a service center, especially if the laptop is under warranty. Also make sure with a dot WiFi access Everything is fine. The problem may lie in the incorrect operation of the Wi-Fi router (you need to re-configure or update the firmware). Try to connect to it mobile phone or tablet to test.
Installing or updating drivers
The inoperability of Wi-Fi is often associated with the driver. The latter is a specialized software that ensures the correct operation of a physical device in the operating system shell. There are three main ways to install a new driver:
- independently through the downloaded installer;
- through standard Windows functions;
- through specialized software.
The first way is the most reliable option, as it excludes interference "from outside". The owner of the laptop should go to the manufacturer's website, and then find the category of software downloads. Next, in the search, write the full name of your model and OS version. Be sure to find out the bit depth (32 or 64 bits). At your request, a list of all drivers will be published. Download the file for the Wireless network adapter.
The second method involves downloading the required driver through Microsoft databases. You should right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter in the device manager and select "Update Drivers". Please note that the update tool does not always find the latest version.
The latter method is extremely convenient, since the entire " dirty work» The program takes over the search and installation. An effective tool is Driver Genius. Follow the steps below to update the driver:
"Driver Genius" has a huge database, while regularly updating it, so the software can be used to update the software of any laptop hardware.
Necessary actions and settings in the operating system
The wireless adapter can be activated using OS tools. The user should enable it separately in the network settings. Next, we will tell you how to set up Wi-Fi on a laptop for the most common Windows systems.
Windows XP
Full setup on Windows XP consists of the following steps:
Wi-Fi setup under Windows XP will be completed after completing the described steps.
Windows 7
The user should perform similar settings in the "seven". The difference from the previously given instruction is minimal:
Often the provider issues a static IP. In such situations, it is necessary to set the parameters according to the requirements of the service provider. In other cases, automatically obtaining parameters allows you to use Wi-Fi without problems.
Windows 8/10
These OS versions have similar interfaces, so the procedure for them will be almost identical. You need to follow the steps similar to those given earlier for other Windows systems:
Additionally, if there are problems with access, run the diagnostic center. The system may detect errors due to which you are unable to connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot.
“Setting up a WiFi router? There is nothing easier, Watson!”
Being even a very distant person from the depths of knowledge of all the secrets computer world, most likely you still heard about such a thing as Wi-Fi! Let's immediately define what this word means. WiFi is technology wireless transmission information via radio. Now it has become ubiquitous, so in order to keep up with homo sapiens of the 21st century, I strongly recommend getting involved in the topic and actively mastering and using it. Customization advantage wifi at home in front of a cable connection is so huge that it makes no sense to even explain it - the Internet and data exchange without wires! No sockets, cords, and other last-thousand-year-old nonsense - I took out a laptop or smartphone (or whatever else pulls your pocket?) - turned it on and away we go ...
If you are reading this article, then the question of setting up a WiFi router has become an edge for you. Well, let's figure out how to set up WiFi on a laptop and computer with Windows 7 or XP.
I’ll make a reservation right away that the sections of the menu in the admin panel of the router, which I will talk about, can be called differently in different models and are located in various parts menu - the main thing is to understand the essence, in which section what needs to be written.
- So, first of all, you need to purchase a router with wifi support. To set up a router for distributing a high-speed signal, it is advisable to purchase equipment with maximum bandwidth (now there is already up to 450 Mb / s), which is called a reserve. All the features of the choice are described in detail in this blog.
- Turn on the WiFi router and connect two cables to it - one, Internet from the provider, to the connector called "WAN", the other, free on both sides, which came with the kit, to the "LAN" connector.
- Connect the free end of the cable to a computer or laptop from which we will configure the equipment.
- Go to the browser at http://192.168.1.1 or another address indicated on the bottom of the device. Depending on the manufacturer and model, the address may look like 192.168.10.1, 192.168.0.1 or 10.10.0.1 - from those that I personally came across.
- Enter your username and password - usually admin / admin, but may differ. They are listed there on reverse side router, next to the address to enter the admin panel.
- In the router settings, in the WAN or Internet section, select the type of connection that is either specified in the provider's contract or recognized by the technical support phone, and enter all access data depending on this type. Again, they are all indicated in the contract or related explanatory materials and instructions of the provider.
- In the "Wireless network" or "WiFi" section, set the name of our Wi-Fi (SSID)
- In the security section, set the WPA2 / PSK encryption type and set a password to connect to WiFi.
- We activate the virtual server mode - DCHP, which allows you to distribute dynamically ip addresses from a given range.
- Save all changes
Setting up a WiFi router - connecting a laptop
Let's move on to WiFi setup on a laptop. Consider the example of Windows 7, although on XP everything will be the same - the difference is only in the names of menu items in the system itself. But first of all, keep in mind that the laptop must have a WiFi module - either built-in, which you will be notified by a sticker on the case indicating its presence, or some kind of button to activate it.
If it is not there, then you need to purchase and install a WiFi adapter - details about choosing this device.
Possible errors when configuring the router
At self setting router for distribution wifi signal Beginners often make fairly simple mistakes. I will give the most common solution now.
If all the settings of the router were made correctly, then the Internet should start working wirelessly. Stay tuned for blog updates to learn how to increase the range of Wi-Fi and many other useful things.
Modern man cannot imagine his life without the Internet. We work, communicate, play, study, have fun in the global network and it is already impossible to do without all this. Meanwhile, more and more attention has recently been paid to the speed of the Internet. Fortunately, the slow Internet is already in the past and now we can afford to travel through the expanses of the world wide web on high speeds. Many regions have long been in the coverage area 3G and 4G, which allows the use of wired Internet at high enough speeds. However, no matter how hard mobile operators try, they have not yet succeeded in reaching the speeds that wired Internet can provide, and therefore questions remain relevant - how to connect a router and how to set up a router .
Home WiFi router offers a lot of advantages and all more people decide to purchase it. We have prepared detailed instructions for those who want to know how to connect router and customize it. We note right away that there is nothing difficult in installing, connecting and configuring a WiFi router (another name for a router). You just need to be patient and follow the instructions below. Of course, today many companies offer installation and configuration of the router, but you will have to pay for this work. If you are not ready to spend extra money, then this article will be very useful for you.
Before we tell you how to set up the router, it should be said that the setup procedure may differ depending on the specific model of the WiFi router, and therefore we have prepared a few more articles, with detailed description installation and configuration of the most popular routers. Here we will look at the main points. Links to more detailed instructions will be posted throughout the article. So, we will assume that you already have a WiFi router and you just have to install and configure it.
Where is the best place to place a WiFi router in an apartment
Before you install a router in an apartment, you need to decide on the most optimal place for its location. From correct location your home wireless router depends on the WiFi coverage area. Special attention this item should be given to those who live in a fairly large apartment or house. Router manufacturers indicate the maximum signal range in the instructions, but you should not count on these numbers. The fact is that a lot depends on the material from which the walls of the apartment are made. Moreover, do not forget about all kinds of interference, for example, an ordinary aquarium or cabinet can reduce the coverage area.
Many people are convinced that optimal placement WiFi router is the table on which the computer is located or directly system unit. We do not recommend that you choose this location, because the signal quality and coverage will be much worse than the characteristics of the WiFi router allow. It is preferable to place the router approximately in the middle of the apartment and as high as possible. If you live in one-story house, then the WiFi router should be placed approximately as in the picture below:
For two-story house The best location for the router is:
Above, we noted that installing the device next to the computer is not the most the best option but did not explain why. The fact is that other sources of electromagnetic interference worsen the operation of the wireless router, therefore, you need to place the router away from such sources, which include not only a PC, but also a microwave oven, cordless telephone, etc.
How to install a router
With the location of the WiFi router, everything is clear, moreover, if you have small apartment, there will be no problems with the coverage area, the main thing is to place the device away from sources electromagnetic waves. Now let's find out how to install the router. If the process of setting up and connecting the router involves certain differences depending on the specific model of the device, then the installation will be standard in almost all cases. In principle, the main thing in installing a router is to correctly determine the location of the device, but we have already dealt with this.
Open the box with the router, pull it out and connect it to the power supply. The lights on the front of the WiFi router should light up, if this does not happen, then there are some problems with the device and you need to contact the store where the router was bought to solve them. On the back of the WiFi router, you will find several ports. However, we will discuss this point in more detail in the next section. With how to install the router, we believe everything is clear. We will not teach you how to use the tool necessary to fix the device, but the connection process is worth considering.
How to connect a router to a computer
WiFi routers may differ depending on the specific model, but they also have a lot in common. Below we will look at the functionality and process of connecting a regular WiFi router. Modern routers have at least four LAN ports through which they connect to a computer. Also, any router must have a WAN port designed to connect a cable from an ISP.
Speaking about how to connect a router to a computer, it should be said that this procedure is extremely simple and any PC user can handle it. For correct connection you need to do the following:
- Crimp correctly twisted pair(network cable), if necessary;
- Connect the WiFi router to the mains;
- Connect network cables(provider cable and cable to the computer);
- Set up a network (detailed setup instructions below). The diagram for connecting the router to the computer is shown in the picture:
Let's look at how to connect the router to the computer if the WiFi router is already connected to another PC, that is, you need to add another device to the home network e.g. a laptop.
Connect one end of the cable to LAN WiFi router connector, and the other into the PC network card connector. After connecting the cable, the network access icon should appear on the computer monitor.
If the corresponding icon does not appear, then most likely the problem is that the network card is disabled. Another reason for the lack of a network connection icon is the lack of the necessary drivers. We go to "Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections" and check the visibility of our network card. If you see a network card and it is simply disabled, then you need to enable it. To do this, right-click on it and select "Turn on". If the network card is not displayed, you need to install the appropriate drivers. To do this, you need a disk that must be included with the router. If there is no such disk, download the necessary drivers from the Internet.
Speaking about how to connect a router to a computer, it should be said that another situation is also possible, when after connecting the PC to the WiFi router, the corresponding icon appears, but with an exclamation mark, that is, there is no way to connect to the Internet.
A similar problem is most likely to be solved by setting up a network card. Through the control panel, go to network connections, then in the properties select the item and press the button "Properties". Choose items "Obtain an IP address automatically" And "Obtain DNS server address automatically", after which we save all the settings. After that, the WiFi router should automatically configure itself to distribute IP addresses. However, sometimes the Internet does not work even after these steps. In this case, you need to check the cable or the router itself for serviceability. So, with the connection, we hope everything is clear, now let's find out how to set up the router.
How to set up a router
As mentioned several times, the router setup process may differ depending on the model you have purchased. However, despite the huge variety of models and manufacturers, all wifi routers perform the same function, and therefore they are characterized by similar functionality and configuration tools.
Of course appearance The router configuration interface (the web page on which the router settings are made) is unique for each manufacturer, and therefore we have prepared several separate articles on configuring the most popular routers today.
So, take a look at the model of your wifi router and then check out the list of articles below with instructions on how to set up different routers, if your device is on this list, follow the link. (If you do not know how to get to the settings page, read this article to the end).
d-link router dir-300: Wireless router 802.11g DIR-300. The DIR-300 is based on the 802.11g standard, but is also backward compatible with the 802.11b standard, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of wireless devices. contains four Ethernet ports. Thanks to D-Link Quick Router Setup Wizard(To the Router's Quick Setup Wizard), network setup can be completed in minutes. supports the system Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) which simplifies setup wireless network and protection.
Router d-link dir-615: Supported Wi-Fi standards: 802.11b/g/n (draft)
Network interfaces: 4 LAN 10/100Base-T ports, 1 WAN 10/100Base-T port. WAN connection types: Static IP, Dynamic IP, PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP, DualAccess PPPoE, DualAccess PPTP.
Zyxel Keenetic router: Adapted to work in the networks of leading Russian providers. Internet speed through PPTP and L2TP - up to 55 Mbps, through PPPoE and IPoE - up to 70 Mbps. Torrent download speed - up to 5 Mb/s with about 500 sessions. Link Duo technology for simultaneous Internet browsing via PPTP/L2TP/PPPoE and with local network server resources. Support for the IEEE 802.1X standard for Internet access.
tp-link router: Overwhelming majority Tp-Link routers works on firmware similar friend on the other, like two drops of water. The only significant difference is in different languages Software in the "default" version for a specific model.
asus router: High-speed wireless 4-port router. Setting up Asus routers is fundamentally different in setting up only two firmware versions, we will consider both of them.
Rostelecom router: There are several types of routers from Rostelecom, we will consider setting up the following: Rostelecom universal routers - Sagemcom f@st 2804 v5, v7 and v7 rev.1, Sagemcom f@st 3804, QTech RT-A1W4L1USBn and Startnet AR800.
The above articles contain detailed instructions for setting up wifi routers of certain models and manufacturers, but this manual does not end there. It is not enough to know how to configure the router directly in the configuration interface. You will also need to configure the NIC settings. In addition, many of you will find it useful to know the IP addresses of the device on the local network. All these points are also included in this article.
Network card parameter configuration
Before trying to enter the interface of the router, you must correctly configure the network card. For this we go to "Network Connections" by pressing a key combination Win+R and enter the command ncpa.cpl
Click "OK". A window will open Network connections. Right-click to select the one through which the router is connected to the computer:
Next, select the item "Properties" and in the opened window "Local Area Connection Properties" Double click on the component with the left mouse button "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)". Don't forget to check the boxes to automatically obtain IP addresses and DNS addresses.
In the vast majority of cases, an active DHCP server looks into the local network on a wifi router, which will give an IP address to your computer. You can view it in "Connection Status" by pressing the button Intelligence .
So, with the configuration of the network card parameters, we hope everything is clear, now let's move on to the final section of today's article.
IP address of the device in the local network
After connecting the router to the computer, you will need to enter the router's configuration interface to complete the configuration. This is done by entering the address of the web interface in the address bar. Each router has an IP address on the local network, most often this is 192.168.1.1 . however, other options are possible, for example, devices from D-Link and NetGear have an address 192.168.0.1 , and routers TrendNet - 192.168.10.1. So, if you have a router, for example, D-Link, then you need to enter the following in the browser address bar URL: http://192.168.0.1. After that, a page with a form for entering a username and password to access the web interface will appear on the monitor. As a rule, the username and password have the same meaning - admin. Although exceptions are possible. The IP address of the router, username and password are often indicated on a sticker located on the bottom cover of the device.
If you cannot enter the web interface, first of all you need to check whether the computer receives an IP address from the DHCP server of the device. It also makes sense to try to register the IP address manually in the protocol settings TCP/IP. Then try to ping the router. This procedure is performed as follows: open a command prompt and enter - ping 192.168.1.1.
Perhaps we will end here. Now you know how to connect a router and how to configure a router. Do not forget that links to articles with more detailed instructions router settings from various manufacturers posted above.
