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• If you currently have your computer connected to a router: Unplug the network cable connected to the Internet, WAN, or
WLAN port from your current router, and plug this end of the cable into the Internet, WAN, or WLAN port on your wireless
router. Then, unplug any other network cables, and plug them into the available ports on your wireless router. You no longer
need your original router, because your new wireless router replaces it.
Next, plug in and turn on your cable or DSL modem. Wait a few minutes to give it time to connect to the Internet, and then plug in
and turn on your wireless router. After a minute, the Internet, WAN, or WLAN light on your wireless router should light up, indicating
that it has successfully connected to your modem.
Step 3 - CONFIGURE YOUR WIRELESS ROUTER
Using a standard network patch cord, you should temporarily connect your computer to one of the open network ports on
your wireless router (any port that isn’t labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN). If you need to, turn your computer on. It should au-
tomatically connect to your router.
Next, open Internet Explorer (PC users) and type in the address to congure your router. You might be prompted for a pass-
word. The address and password you use will vary depending on what type of router you have, so refer to the instructions
included with your router.
As a quick reference, this table shows the default addresses, usernames, and passwords for some common router manufac-
turers.
ROUTER ADDRESS USERNAME PASSWORD
3Com http://192.168.1.1 admin admin
D-Link http://192.168.0.1 admin
Linksys http://192.168.1.1 admin admin
Microsoft Broadband http://192.168.2.1 admin admin
Netgear http://192.168.0.1 admin password
Internet Explorer will show your router’s conguration page. Most of the default settings should be ne, but you should con-
gure three things:
1. Your wireless network name, known as the SSID. This name identies your network. You should choose something unique
that none of your neighbors will be using.
2. Wireless encryption (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which help protect your wireless network. For most routers, you
will provide a passphrase that your router uses to generate several keys. Make sure your passphrase is unique and long
(you don’t need to memorize it).
3. Your administrative password, which controls your wireless network. Just like any other password, it should not be a word
that you can nd in the dictionary, and it should be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Be sure you can re-
member this password, because you’ll need it if you ever have to change your router’s settings.
The exact steps you follow to congure these settings will vary depending on the type of router you have. After each congu-
ration setting, be sure to click Save Settings, Apply, or OK to save your changes.
Now, you should disconnect the network cable from your computer.
Step 4 - CONNECT YOUR COMPUTERS
If your computer does not have wireless network support built in, plug your network adapter into your USB port, and place the
antenna on top of your computer (in the case of a desktop computer), or insert the network adapter into an empty PC card
slot (in the case of a laptop). Windows XP will automatically detect the new adapter, and may prompt you to insert the CD
that came with your adapter. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the conguration process.
Note: The steps below only apply if you’re using Windows XP Service Pack 2. If you’re running Windows XP and you don’t have
Service Pack 2 yet, plug your computer into your wireless router and download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2
Windows XP should show an icon with a notication that says it has found a wireless network.
Follow these steps to connect your computer to your wireless network:
1. Right-click the wireless network icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, and then click View Available Wireless Net-
works. If you run into any problems, consult the documentation that came with your network adapter. Don’t be afraid to
call their tech support.
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