How to Configure a Router

The router is an important device in the home network. If you configure your router properly, you can keep your information secure from snoopers, securely connect every device in your home to the Internet, and even keep your children from seeing things they shouldn't. see. Follow the steps in this article to configure your router in just a few minutes.

Connect to the router

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Connect the router to the computer and modem (modem). Use an Ethernet cable to connect the modem to the WAN/WLAN/Internet port on the router, and connect the computer to port '1', '2', '3' or '4' on the router.

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Open a web browser. The router's configuration page can be accessed by any computer connected to the same network. When configuring your router, you'll get best results if you connect to a computer that has an Ethernet cable plugged into the router.

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Enter the router's address. The router is accessed via a web browser by entering the IP address in the address bar. IP addresses will vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but most are the same or nearly the same. Below are some of the more popular manufacturers and their respective addresses:

Linksys - http://192.168.1.1

3Com - http://192.168.1.1

D-Link - http://192.168.0.1

Belkin - http://192.168.2.1

Netgear - http://192.168.1.1

Arris - http://10.0.0.1

Most routers have a default address printed in the manual or on a sticker on the router. You can also search on the manufacturer's website, or if you can't use the router's given address, you can do a simpler way: reset (restore) the router to its default state. determined.

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Enter your username and password. Before accessing the configuration page, you will be asked to enter a username and password. Most routers come with a default username/password pair, while others let you continue without entering anything.

Your router's documentation will tell you the default username and password required. This information can also be printed right on the router.

'admin' is one of the most common default usernames.

'admin' or 'password' are two of the most common passwords.

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Reset the router if you cannot access it. If you have found the default address and username/password and still cannot access the router, you can reset (restore) it to its factory default state to remove any changes. done recently. This is a recommended step for routers that are used or have been changed in the past and you can't remember.

You can reset the router by pressing the Reset button. This button is usually small and deep inside, and can only be pressed with a paperclip. Some routers will have buttons that are easier to press.

After pressing the Reset button, wait 30-60 seconds, then try entering the router's address and username/password again.

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Set a new username and password for the router. Keeping the router's default username and password is not safe, so you should change them immediately after configuration. You can usually find it in the Administration section when configuring the router.

Remember to choose a username and password that are not easy to guess. Passwords should contain both numbers and characters to ensure that they are difficult to steal.

Set up a wireless network

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Check the Internet settings. In the router's Internet, Setup, or Home menu, check that the Internet's IP address, DCHP (dynamic host configuration protocol), and DNS (domain name resolution) settings are set. set standards or not. Usually these are set to automatic, unless your service provider recommends a different mode for you.

Many routers will have a Test button on the Internet menu page. Click this button to check if the Internet settings are configured correctly.

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Open the wireless network settings. This menu may be written as Wireless, Wireless Settings, Basic Setup or something similar. This page displays the wireless network's SSID (service set identifier), channel, encryption, and other settings.

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Name your network. Search for the SSID field. This is your network name and it will appear in the list of available networks for wireless devices. Make sure you don't include any personal information in your network name, as it will be public.

Make sure the 'Enable SSID Broadcast' box is checked.

Channel should be set to Auto. If there are multiple wireless networks around you, the router will automatically move the network into a clear signal channel.

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Select the wireless encryption method. This section may also be called Security Options. Here, you will be able to choose the method you want to use to encrypt traffic coming into your network. Common security options for most routers are WEP, WPA-PSK, and WPA2-PSK.

WPA2 is the most secure encryption mode, so you should use it if all your devices support it. Only older devices do not support WPA2.

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Choose a password. A passphrase is something you enter when a device is connected to your network. Strong passwords will help protect your network from unwanted visitors. It is always recommended to set a password for your network.

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Apply the settings. After selecting the SSID, encryption type and password, click the Apply or Save button to start applying to your wireless network. The router will process for a few seconds, then the wireless network will appear in the list of your wireless devices.

Port forwarding

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Open the Port Forwarding menu. This menu is usually located in the Advanced section of the router configuration page.

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Add a new service or rule. Click the button to add a service of your choice. This step opens the form for you to enter port forwarding information.

Name/Service Name – This is the name of the program you are forwarding ports to. This name only serves to help you easily recognize it in the list.

Protocol – There are protocol options TCP, UDP and TCP/UDP. Learn about the program you are forwarding ports to to know which protocol to choose.

External Starting Port – This is the first port in the port list that you want to open.

External Ending Port – This is the last port in the port list that you want to open. If you only want to open one port, enter information for the same port in this field.

Check the box to use the same port list for the internal port, or fill in the same information in the Internal Port field.

Internal IP address – This is the IP address for the computer you want to open the port for. To find your device's IP address, follow the instructions in this article for personal computers or this article for Mac OS X.

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Save or apply the rule. The router will process for a while, then the change will be applied (Apply). Your program will now be able to access the open port for the computer you specified.

Block websites

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Open the Block Sites menu. This menu is usually located in the Security or Parental section of the configuration menu. You can block websites, disallow access by any device on your network, or allow access only to certain devices. You can also schedule blocks - an extremely useful feature when you need to do homework or focus on work.

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Add a site to the block list. The options will vary depending on the router you are using. Some routers allow you to block specific keywords and websites as well. Add the thing you want to block to the list.

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Allow some trusted computers to view blocked sites. You can check the box to allow certain trusted IP addresses to view the blocked site. This feature may help parents who want to access websites that they have blocked for their children.

After checking the box, add the desired IP address so that it is not blocked. This article will show you how to find your IP address.

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Schedule blocking. This section may be in a separate menu from the block list. You can choose the days of the week you want to block, as well as the time of day the block is performed. Once selected, click the Apply button.