Setting up a wireless network is relatively easy, even if you are new to this type of technology. In this article, we will be providing you with a simple to follow the tutorial in regards to setting up your Wi-Fi connection. We will also be going through some steps on how to fully optimize the performance of your router in regards to stability and speed.
Before we begin, you need to make sure that you have the following equipment:
Wireless Router
PC or Laptop
Modem (DSL, Fiber, or Cable)
Ethernet Cables x2
Fortunately, most of these come with the router package except for the modem. That will be provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Once you have all the necessary equipment, we can begin setting up your wireless connection.
Step 1: Picking the Best Location
The location of your router is vital when setting it up. I advise that you place the router in the middle of your residence, ideally in a reasonably open space. The reason for this is that the signal operates on a radius. You will want to cover as much space as possible in your home, so somewhere in the center o is recommended.
Also, note that walls will affect the strength of your router’s signal. This is why I recommend placing it in an open space. You should also set the router away from large metal structures, concrete, and glass. These types of materials can weaken the signal of your wireless router when nearby.
Step 2: Connecting the Router and Modem
Hopefully, your modem is also located in the middle of your residence. In the instance that it is not, I recommend moving it as close to your router as possible. At least, close enough for the Ethernet cable to connect both devices.
Now, take your Ethernet cable and plug it into the WAN port on the back of your wireless router. The WAN port usually has a different color to highlight it from the rest of the ports on the rear side of the device. Connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port of the modem.
Make sure that the router is plugged correctly to the wall outlet and turn on both devices. Wait a minute or two for the modem and router to boot up.
Step 3: Setting Up the Modem and Router
Setting up your wireless router is considerably easier today compared to a couple of years back. Nowadays, most manufacturers also provide apps for their routers. This will allow users to configure their wireless network with just their smartphone. So, check the setup manual of your router to see if the manufacturer has its dedicated app that you can use.
For routers that do not come with their mobile app, you will need to go through the setup the traditional way, which is logging into their dedicated website. To enter the wireless router configuration setup, type 192.168.1.1 on the URL search bar on your computer when you open the internet browser. If it doesn’t bring you to their dedicated website portal, check the manual as the manufacturer might be using a different URL.
Checkout Netgear Top Wifi Routers: Review of Netgear r6400
Once you have found the dedicated website, it is time to create your account. You will be asked to input a username and password. If this is a brand-new wireless router, the username and password are usually one of the many default credentials (e.g. admin/password, admin/admin, system/password, etc.). The credentials are printed on the router unit.
If you are using a second-hand router, you can factory reset the device by pressing and holding the recessed button on the unit (tiny pin-sized hole). Once you have logged into the router setup page, you should immediately update the username and password. Remember to create a strong password to help prevent hackers from quickly invading your network.
Step 4: Configuring the Router Settings
Each router is configured differently. This is why there is no clear-cut way to go through this section of the tutorial. Fortunately, two general and constant setup routes will be given to the user. You can either choose to use the Easy Setup Wizard, which is highly recommended as you allow the program to set the system up for you automatically.
Or, you can utilize the WPS button to connect other devices to the router manually. This pretty much takes a similar approach to pairing two Bluetooth devices. You will need to enter your admin credentials once the router has found your device.
Now, as I have stated earlier, setting up your router is quite simple. I highly recommend that you just let the Setup Wizard do its thing. No need to go through and configure every setting in the router. These devices are designed to be “ready to use” right out of the box.
There you have it. You have successfully set up your Wi-Fi connection. Pretty easy, right? But we are not precisely done just yet.
Optimization Tips for Your Wireless Connection
To further improve your internet surfing experience, I suggest you take a look at the following tips that you can apply to boost your router’s performance.
2.4GHz or 5GHz band?
2.4GHz band offers a more extended range while 5GHz is faster but at the expense of range. If you have relatively small floor space, I suggest switching to the 5GHz band. If you need range, you should check all the channels that a 2.4GHz provides and look for one that has the least user traffic.
Take Advantage of the Quality of Service (QoS) Setting
This is an option to make your router prioritize specific devices that are connected to it. This will be quite helpful if you want less lag and higher speeds when gaming online.
Monitoring Router’s Traffic
Some of the newer models come with this default feature that allows the admin to check the incoming (downloads) and outgoing (uploads) traffic on their network. You can also limit the maximum traffic that comes in and out of your system.
Conclusion
As you can see, setting up your Wi-Fi connection is quite easy. Modern routers are designed with “plug and play” features which significantly cuts the amount of time configuring the device and its settings.
You can just let the router’s Auto Setup Wizard handle every aspect of the installation. While there are steps that you can do to optimize your router’s performance further, its default setting will usually suffice.
Contents
