It’s a good idea for all home computers to be behind a router. This is true even if you only use one computer. Some Internet Service Providers will give you a modem that is a combination router and modem. In most cases, however, you’ll need to go out and buy a D-Link or Linksys router and add it to your network. A router provides several important functions, such as allowing multiple computers to share your Internet connection, by becoming a hardware firewall between your computer and the outside world, and allowing you to log and control when the Internet connection is used.
Quick Router Configuration
You can quickly setup your router by plugging it into your computer using an Ethernet cable. Depending on the manufacturer, you will open your web browser and type http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1. If neither of these work, consult your router’s documentation.
Routers, just like your computer, will configure itself. This happens because routers are set to receive their information through DHCP from your ISP. This means as soon as the router is turned on, it broadcasts a request for an IP address and receives the necessary information from your ISP. The computers you put behind the router will do the same thing, only they will get their IP address from the router. So as far as the outside world is concerned, the router is the only computer on your network. Through Network Address Translation, the router gives fake IP address to all of your networked devices behind it.
So the only real configuration you need to do with a router is “clone” your PC’s MAC address. You will find this in the router setup after you login to it. Once you clone the MAC address of your PC, you should power cycle the modem and router by powering them down and letting them sit for several minutes. Then power up the modem, wait a few minutes, then power up the router.
You can do additional configuration, such as changing the SSID (identification) of the router as well as the default password. If you plan on adding wireless devices, take a moment to setup WPA-2 security.
Share This Post:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I have an HP netbook that is 3 months old and the computer has lost the ability to detect a wireless signal. I was using the internet and lost the signal while online. I use Verizon Fios and ran the system checks and everything appears to be fine with thw exception of the computer finding NO wireless connections at all. Verizon service determined that it is a computer issue but the computer shows that it is searching for a signal. Please help!