Good day.

In order to organize a wireless Wi-Fi network at home and provide Internet access to all mobile devices (laptops, tablets, phones, etc.), you need a router (even many novice users are already aware of this). True, not everyone dares to connect it and configure it themselves...

In fact, most people can do this (I don’t take into account exceptional cases when an Internet provider creates such a “wild” with its own parameters for accessing the Internet...). In this article I will try to answer all the most common questions that I heard (and hear) when connecting and setting up a Wi-Fi router. So let's get started...

1) What router do I need, how to choose it?

Perhaps this is the first question that users who want to organize a wireless Wi-Fi network at home ask themselves. I would start this question with a simple and important point: what services does your Internet provider provide (IP telephony or Internet television), what Internet speed do you expect (5-10-50 Mbit/s?), and at what protocol you are connected to the Internet (for example, now popular: PPTP, PPPoE, L2PT).

Those. The functions of the router will begin to appear by themselves... In general, this topic is quite extensive, therefore, I recommend that you read one of my articles:

searching and choosing a router for your home -

2) How to connect the router to the computer?

As a rule, the router itself comes with a power supply and a network cable for connecting to a PC (see Fig. 1).

By the way, please note that on the back wall of the router there are several sockets for connecting a network cable: one WAN port and 4 LAN ( the number of ports depends on the router model. In the most common home routers, the configuration is as in Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Typical rear view of the router (TP Link).

The Internet cable from the provider (which was most likely previously connected to the PC’s network card) must be connected to the blue port of the router (WAN).

Using the cable that comes with the router, you need to connect the computer’s network card (where the provider’s Internet cable was previously connected) to one of the router’s LAN ports (see Fig. 2 - yellow ports). By the way, you can connect several more computers this way.

At an important moment! If you don’t have a computer, you can connect the LAN port of the router to a laptop (netbook) with a network cable. The fact is that the initial setup of the router is better (and in some cases, it is impossible to do otherwise) via a wired connection. After you specify all the basic parameters (set up a wireless Wi-Fi connection), you can disconnect the network cable from the laptop and continue working via Wi-Fi.

As a rule, there are no issues with connecting cables and power supplies. Let's assume that your device is connected, and the LEDs on it started blinking :).

3) How to enter the router settings?

This is probably the key question of the article. In most cases, this is done quite simply, but sometimes... Let's consider the whole process in order.

By default, each router model has its own address for entering the settings (as well as login and password). In most cases it is the same: http://192.168.1.1/, however, there are exceptions. Here are a few models:

• Asus - http://192.168.1.1 (Login: admin, Password: admin (or empty field));
• ZyXEL Keenetic - http://192.168.1.1 (Login: admin, Password: 1234);
• D-LINK - http://192.168.0.1 (Login: admin, Password: admin);
• TRENDnet - http://192.168.10.1 (Login: admin, Password: admin).

At an important moment! It is impossible to say with 100% accuracy what address, password and login your device will have (even despite the brands I listed above). But this information must be indicated in the documentation for your router (most likely, on the first or last page of the user manual).

Rice. 3. Enter your login and password to access the router settings.

For those who were unable to enter the router settings, there is a good article with reasons (why this could happen). I recommend using the tips, link to the article below.

How to log in to 192.168.1.1? Why it doesn’t log in, the main reasons are:

How to enter the Wi-Fi router settings (step by step) -

4) How to set up an Internet connection in a Wi-Fi router

Before describing these or those settings, a small footnote should be made here:

1. First, even routers from the same model range can have different firmware (different versions). The settings menu depends on the firmware, i.e. what you will see when you go to the settings address (192.168.1.1). The settings language also depends on the firmware. In my example below, I will show the settings of a popular router model - TP-Link TL-WR740N (the settings are in English, but understanding them is not so difficult. Of course, setting up in Russian is even easier).
2. The router settings will depend on the network organization of your Internet provider. To configure the router, you need connection information (login, password, IP addresses, connection type, etc.), usually everything you need is contained in the Internet connection agreement.
3. For the above reasons, it is impossible to give universal instructions that are suitable for all occasions...

Different Internet providers have different types of connections, for example, Megaline, ID-Net, TTK, MTS, etc. use a PPPoE connection (I would call it the most popular). In addition, it provides higher speed.

When connecting PPPoE to access the Internet, you need to know the password and login. Sometimes (as for example, MTS) uses PPPoE+Static Local: access to the Internet will be provided, after entering the password and login for access, the local network is configured separately - you will need: IP address, mask, gateway.

Necessary settings (for example PPPoE, see Fig. 4):

1. You need to open the “Network / WAN” section;
2. WAN Connection Type - indicate the connection type, in this case PPPoE;
3. PPPoE Connection: Username - specify the login for accessing the Internet (specified in your agreement with the Internet provider);
4. PPPoE Connection: Password - password (similar);
5. Secondary Connection - here we either do not indicate anything (Disabled), or, for example, as in MTS - we indicate Static IP (depending on the organization of your network). Typically, this settings item affects access to the local network of your Internet provider. If you don’t need it, you don’t have to worry too much;
6. Connect on Demand - establish an Internet connection as needed, for example, if the user accesses an Internet browser and requests a page on the Internet. By the way, please note that there is a column below Max idle Time - this is the time after which the router (if it is idle) will disconnect from the Internet.
7. Connect Automatically - connect to the Internet automatically. In my opinion, the optimal parameter is what you need to choose...
8. Connect Manually - connect to the Internet manually (inconvenient...). Although for some users, for example, if they have limited traffic, it is quite possible that this type will be the most optimal, allowing them to control the traffic limit and not go into the red.

Rice. 4. Setting up a PPPoE connection (MTS, TTK, etc.)

It is also worth paying attention to the Advanced tab - in it you can set DNS (they are sometimes necessary).

Rice. 5. Advanced tab in the TP Link router

Another important point - many Internet providers bind your MAC address to the network card and do not allow you to access the Internet if the MAC address has changed ( approx. Each network card has its own unique MAC address).

Modern routers can easily emulate the desired MAC address. To do this you need to open the tab Network/MAC Clone and press the button Clone MAC Address.

Alternatively, you can tell your new MAC address to your Internet provider and they will unblock it.

Note. The MAC address is something like this: 94-0C-6D-4B-99-2F (see Fig. 6).

Rice. 6. MAC address

By the way, for example in “ Billine» connection type is not PPPoE, A L2TP. The setup itself is done in a similar way, but with some caveats:

1. Wan Connection Type - the connection type must be selected L2TP;
2. Username, Password - enter the data provided to you by your Internet provider;
3. Server IP-address - tp.internet.beeline.ru;
4. save the settings (the router should reboot).

Rice. 7. Setting up L2TP for Billine...

Note: Actually, after entering the settings and rebooting the router (if you did everything correctly and entered exactly the data that is needed), the Internet should appear in your laptop (computer) that you connected via a network cable! If this is the case, all that remains is to set up a wireless Wi-Fi network. In the next step, we will do this...

5) How to set up a wireless Wi-Fi network in a router

Setting up a wireless Wi-Fi network, in most cases, comes down to specifying the network name and password to access it. As an example, I’ll show the same router (although I’ll take Russian firmware to show both Russian and English options).

First you need to open the Wireless section (wireless network), see fig. 8. Next, set the following settings:

1. Network name - the name that you will see when searching for and connecting to a Wi-Fi network (specify any);
2. Region - you can specify “Russia”. By the way, many routers don’t even have such a parameter;
3. Channel Width, Channel- you can leave Auto and not change anything;
4. Save your settings.

Rice. 8. Setting up a Wi-Fi wireless network in the TP Link router.

Next, you need to open the “ Wireless Security". Many people underestimate this point, but if you do not protect the network with a password, then all your neighbors will be able to use it, thereby reducing your network speed.

• Version: you don’t have to change it and leave it automatic;
• Encryption: also automatic;
• PSK password is the password to access your Wi-Fi network. I recommend that you indicate something that is difficult to find by regular search, or by random guessing (no 12345678!).

Rice. 9. Setting the encryption type (security).

After saving the settings and rebooting the router, your wireless Wi-Fi network should start working. Now you can set up a connection on your laptop, phone and other devices.

6) How to connect a laptop to a wireless Wi-Fi network

As a rule, if the router is configured correctly, there should be no problems with setting up and accessing the network in Windows. And such a connection is made in a couple of minutes, no more...

First, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray next to the clock. In the window with a list of found Wi-Fi networks, select yours and enter the password to connect (see Fig. 10).

Rice. 10. Selecting a Wi-Fi network to connect your laptop.

If you entered the network password correctly, the laptop will establish a connection and you can start using the Internet. Actually, this completes the setup. For those who did not succeed, below I will provide several links to typical problems.

The laptop does not connect to Wi-Fi (does not find wireless networks, there are no connections available) -

Problems with Wi-Fi in Windows 10: network without Internet access -

Wireless networks are a very convenient tool for solving everyday problems related to accessing the Internet. Today it is quite difficult to find a person who does not have a router at home. Installing a Wi-Fi router yourself is not a difficult task, and now we will look in detail at how to do it.

Device selection

Before moving on to the question of how to install a router, you should select it. Nowadays you can find a great variety of different models of Wi-Fi routers in stores. However, not all of them will suit your requirements. There are several parameters to consider in this matter:

1. the presence of a powerful external antenna - the description should indicate the power, for example, 5;
2. convenient and intuitive interface - this will allow you to easily and quickly understand the settings. Today, routers from the company have the simplest and most intuitive interface;
3. supported standards – there are several standards that are most common:
   • 802.11 is an old standard operating at 2.4 GHz;
   • 802.11 – is also considered obsolete and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz;
   • 802.11 is a new standard that operates at 5 GHz and is characterized by higher data transfer rates over wireless networks (up to 300 Mbps). It is worth noting that routers that support the 802.11 type can work with all types of devices, even with outdated models operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. In this matter, it is best to give preference to routers that support operation on all these standards (make sure that the box bears the designation “N” - 300 Mbits);
4. the presence of the required ports for connecting an Internet cable, modems, computers, and so on. Here you should proceed from your preferences and requirements.

When choosing equipment, we advise you to avoid cheap Chinese devices. Such gadgets work with constant glitches. Now let's move on to the main question - how to install a router at home. It's probably best to start by determining where the access point will be located.

Determining the location

It is preferable to place the router in the central part of the room (or as close to the center as possible) somewhere under the ceiling or on a cabinet.

The higher the access point is, the fewer obstacles there are in the signal path and the larger the coverage area.

When deciding how to install a Wi-Fi router at home, you should avoid mirrors, as they reflect the signal and radio waves simply will not pass through; household appliances, especially those with strong radiation of electromagnetic waves, such as microwave ovens (microwave ovens), refrigerators, radios, home phones, and so on.

If the room is quite large and one router is not able to cover the entire territory, then you can significantly increase the coverage area. It is worth noting that each router has wall mounts. So, now you know where and how to install the router yourself. Now you can proceed to configuration.

Equipment setup

Typically, when you turn on the router for the first time, Wi-Fi is already working. All you have to do is change the network name and assign a password for security.

First, we need to go to the access point parameters. To do this, you need to find out the IP address of the router. It is indicated on the factory sticker that is on each router (carefully inspect the gadget from all sides).

You can also find it out on the command line. Just connect to the network, open the command line, enter the ipconfig command and press . Next, we need to find the line “Main gateway” - the address we need will be there.

Now you need to enter this IP address into the address bar of any browser and click. Typically, the IP address looks like this: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. There may be other meanings - this has already been clarified by the methods described above.

So, installing a Wi-Fi router at home involves two setup steps:

• setting up local network and Wi-Fi;
• setting up an Internet connection.

Let's take a closer look at both points.

Setting up a local network

When asking how to install a new router, the first thing you should look at is setting up the local network and Wi-Fi connection. We will look at further steps using the example of setting up a TP-Link router. If you have a different model, then don’t worry: all routers are configured according to the standard scheme. Differences may only be in the names of some sections and in the appearance of the interface.

So, follow these steps:

This completes the local network setup. But installing a router doesn't end there. Now we need to configure Internet access.

WAN setup

In order to set up an Internet connection (WAN), you need to know what type of connection your ISP uses. There are several options:

• PPPoE – in this case you need to enter the login and password that your provider gave you;
• binding by MAC address - in this case, as a rule, there is no need to manually enter network parameters;
• static IP - this means that you are assigned a specific IP address and other parameters that must be entered manually.

In any case, you will have to call your provider and find out exactly how the router is configured (what type of connection is used).

There are options when you don’t need to configure anything at all. That is, you connect the router to the provider’s cable, connect your computer to your network and load any website. On the first attempt, the system will display a window in which you will need to enter the login and password assigned by your provider. After entering the data, the router will automatically bind to the system and the network will be configured.

The Internet is such a powerful and useful tool that it gives us access to all types of information at any time: email, Google search, Wikipedia, social networks and much, much more. But, being connected to the Internet and being able to use it only while sitting at a personal computer... well, this is somehow illogical in the modern world. What if you would like to use the Internet anywhere in your home or office and from any devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops?

Having a high-speed (broadband) Internet connection, configure Wi-Fi router and create your own home wireless network pretty easy. The well-known wireless networking technology Wi-Fi allows you to connect laptops, smartphones and other mobile devices to your home Internet without connecting an Ethernet cable.

Wi-Fi router (wireless router)

To create your own Wi-Fi network, you will need wireless router(Wi-Fi router). This is a device that will broadcast a wireless Internet signal throughout the house. You can get such a device from your Internet provider for a small monthly fee, and they will also do all the settings for you. If you have never set up a Wi-Fi network before, then this may be the easiest option.

If you buy your own router, then you will also have to study the parameters and make settings (which we will talk about below) yourself. And it will take a little longer.

There are also Internet modems that already have a built-in wireless router, which means you won't need to purchase one separately.

Connecting a router

1. After you have purchased a Wi-Fi router, connect the Ethernet cable of your wired Internet to it.
2. Connect the power supply to the router and to a power outlet.
3. Turn on the router.
4. And wait for at least 30-60 seconds and make sure all the indicators on the router are working properly.

Setting up a Wi-Fi router

1. Open any browser and enter in the address bar IP address your router and press Enter. If you don’t know what to enter, this information can be found in the instructions or at the bottom of the router. But if for some reason you didn’t find it, then here are some of the most common addresses: 192.168.0.1 , 192.168.1.1 And 192.168.2.1 (they are universal and one of them will definitely fit your router).
2. The router settings login page will appear. Again, the exact login information should be written in the instructions, but most routers use a standard username: admin, and password: admin.
3. If you did everything correctly, you will be taken to the settings page. Find and select an option Network name, then create and enter a unique name for your network.
4. Find and select Network Password Settings, and select an encryption method. There are several types of encryption, but we recommend WPA2- This is generally considered the safest.
5. Enter your desired password. Be sure to use so that no one else can access your network.
6. Then click Save.

Now try connecting to your Wi-Fi network and make sure everything is working. The process for connecting to Wi-Fi will vary slightly depending on what type of computer or device you're using, but the sequence of steps on any system is as follows:

1. Open Network Connections and search for available Wi-Fi networks.
2. Select your network and enter your password.
3. If everything went well, open your web browser and try to navigate to a web page like www.google.com. If the page loads, then you have configured your Wi-Fi and router correctly.

Setting up a router is an integral procedure when starting and deploying a home local network. In this material you will learn how to configure the router yourself and get acquainted with the key parameters of its interface.

Introduction

In the previous parts of the Do-It-Yourself Local Network series of materials, we learned: what components and devices a home computer network consists of, what parts and characteristics you should first pay attention to when choosing a router, and also figured out the types of network cables and learned how to make them ourselves.

After all the necessary equipment has been purchased and installed in its place, and the cables (if they are needed, of course) have been laid and connected to the appropriate devices, it’s time to put the network into operation. But in order for everything to work as it should, it is not enough to simply connect all the network components correctly. In any case, you will have to configure the router using the software built into it.

In this material we will consider only the basic settings of routers that allow you to get your home local network into working order. In fact, routers can have very wide functionality, and the number of settings in advanced models is too large to consider them all in one article.

Despite the fact that almost all modern routers have special “for dummies” modes, which allow you to set its basic parameters in several short steps, without certain knowledge and understanding of some terms, even in this form, setting up a router can be an overwhelming task.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to talk specifically point by point about a universal method for setting up all types of routers. The model ranges of these devices are very diverse, as well as their functionality. The situation is aggravated by the fact that different manufacturers use completely different software (firmware) in their products, which can differ greatly in user interface, fine-tuning capabilities and other important aspects.

It’s probably time for newcomers to this business to throw up their hands, but there’s no need to despair just yet. No matter how clever programmers and manufacturers try, it is still possible to understand from the basic generally accepted terms what this or that option in the router settings menu is responsible for. So, having understood the basic concepts used in router firmware, you can easily correctly configure its main parameters for specific goals and objectives. Moreover, most mistakes are made precisely because various router options are often configured without understanding the functions for which they are responsible.

IP-addressing andNAT

Before we start delving into the various settings of the router, let's make a small theoretical digression and figure out how computers exchange data with each other within the network.

Special software called network protocols, which describe the rules of communication between machines. For data exchange on the global Internet, it is used TCP/IP protocol suite(Transmission Control Protocol). It was not by chance that I called it a set, since TCP/IP really consists of many different protocols, among which the following can be distinguished:

• HTTP is a hypertext data transfer protocol used by web servers and web browsers. It is with the help of this protocol that you have the opportunity to browse numerous sites on the network.
• FTP is a protocol used to transfer files over the network.
• SMTP - email protocol.
• IP is a protocol for data transmission based on the network addressing system.

Let's take a closer look at the last protocol.

In order for computers, routers and other electronic devices to exchange information on the Internet or within any network, they all must have their own unique personal number (identifier) ​​or so-called IP address(Internet Protocol Address). Using this address, devices identify each other and can determine where the request came from and where the data should be sent.

Today, the Internet uses the fourth version of the IP protocol (IPv4), in which the IP address is a 32-bit number, to route data packets. In the binary system used by computers, such a number consists of zeros and ones and has 32 digits. As you understand, it is not at all easy for a person to perceive addresses in this form, so we humans write it in a more convenient representation for us, as four decimal numbers with a value from 0 to 255, separated by dots. For example, the same IP address in the binary system will look like, and in our traditional decimal system, it will look like 192.168.0.1.

The total number of unique IP addresses when using the IPv4 protocol is 4,228,250,625 (255 4). Despite the fact that this figure looks impressive, this number of addresses is no longer enough for all devices participating in the global network. Indeed, today, not only computer devices, but also coffee makers, televisions, telephones and other various equipment can connect to the Internet.

The global depletion of IPv4 addresses was predicted in advance, so today a number of technologies are already being used to use them more economically. We will not consider them all, but will focus only on the mechanisms of use dynamic And private(domestic) IP addresses, understanding of which is important for setting up any router.

Unlike a static network address, which is usually assigned to a device by the user, a dynamic IP address is assigned to a node automatically when connecting to the network for a limited period of time (for example, for one Internet connection session). A special protocol, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), is responsible for the automatic distribution of IP addresses. Let's see how this works in practice.

Let's imagine that the provider has a pool of free IP addresses at its disposal. If a device connects to the network, it is assigned a network address from this list by a DHCP server. After the user leaves the network, the IP address is returned back to the list and can be reissued to another client. Thus, you can increase the efficiency of using addresses and organize access to the Internet from one address for many devices at once, although only one at a time.

Another important point in saving address space is NAT (Network Address Translation) technology, which can be used to convert IP addresses of transit data packets, and in particular private (domestic)IP addresses V public (external) network addresses. This mechanism is used in almost any router and is the basis for organizing your own local network.

Public or external An IP address is called if it can be used to exchange data directly on the Internet. Such an address is globally unique and can be assigned to only one device at a time, which can be accessed from anywhere on the World Wide Web. It is these addresses that are now in great short supply and require particularly economical use.

Private IP addresses are not assigned on the Internet and are intended for use only on local networks. Such addresses require uniqueness within one specific network and can be assigned simultaneously to several devices located on different networks. That is, the same internal IP addresses can be used in different local networks.

There are three ranges of private IP addresses:

• From 10.0.0.1 to 10.255.255.254
• From 172.16.0.1 to 172.31.255.254
• From 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.255.254

Typically, home and small office networks use address ranges from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254 or from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 , each of which allows you to connect up to 254 devices.

Now let's look at an example of how the translation of private addresses into public ones works. Let's imagine that you wanted to open a website and, having typed its address in the browser, pressed the Enter key. At this moment, your computer sends a request to the router, which, upon receiving it, looks at the destination IP address. If this address is local, that is, it falls within the address range of your local network, then the router immediately sends the packet to the local device. In our case, this is not the case, which means the request must be sent outside to the global network.

But the fact is that the sender’s return address is a local (private) address, which will not be accessible from the global network, since it cannot be used on the Internet. Therefore, the router changes the information in the packet, substituting the public address issued by the provider instead of the local address, records the operation performed with this packet in a special internal table, and only after that sends it outside. After the packet returns with a response, the router, checking the table, finds the local address from which it was sent and forwards it to the desired local network device. Subsequently, when the client and server finish exchanging packets, the router erases the entries in its table, freeing up space for the next operations.

Thus, thanks to this mechanism, to access the Internet, all devices on the local network use only one public address, which is assigned to the external network interface of the router. This allows not only to significantly save external IP addresses, which are now worth their weight in gold, but also ensures a high level of confidentiality of data circulating within the local network. After all, packets intended for internal devices are never sent outside, and a computer with an internal IP address cannot be accessed from the global web without the permission of the router.

Connecting to a router

Now, having dealt with IP addressing and some important definitions, let's move directly to the router settings. Obviously, to configure the router, you first need to connect to it. To do this, we need a regular network cable (patch cord), which, as a rule, always comes with the router. One end of it must be connected to the computer’s network card, and the other end must be plugged into any LAN port of the router.

After turning on the router, you need to check on your computer in the LAN connection properties settings that automatic retrieval of IP parameters is enabled (set by default) and at the same time find out the IP address of the internal network interface of the router itself, which we will need to connect to it. For this purpose in Control panels select an item Networks and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center and further in the left column Changing adapter settings. In the window that opens, find the desired Connecting to a local network and double-click on it. In the next window, click the button Properties.

In the local connection properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and press the button again Properties.

In the window that opens, check that the option is selected GetIP address automatically. Next, here and in the previous window, click the button OK.

Back to the window Status - Local Area Connection click on the button Intelligence.

In the window, we are primarily interested in the property value Default GatewayIPv4, since this IP address is the network address of the router’s LAN interface. Having written down or remembered the gateway address (in our example it is 192.168.1.1), open any browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, etc.) and type it in the address bar. If everything is done correctly, then a window should open in front of you asking for a login (user name) and password to enter the router settings menu.

As a rule, the login (UserName) and password (Password), set by default at the manufacturer's factory, are indicated on the bottom of the router and/or in the instructions that come with it. By the way, the IP address of the connection to the router is also indicated there, so it is not at all necessary to look at it in the information about the network connection. The most common login option is admin, password - admin or 1234 . The most common IP addresses to connect to are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 .

Router menu

To manage all the router settings, a web interface is used, which will open in front of you immediately after entering the correct username and password. At the same time, each of the developers has their own opinion on how this very interface should look and what menu hierarchy it should have. Therefore, menu items behind which the same settings are hidden may have completely different names from different router manufacturers and are located in different places. Nevertheless, in all this diversity you can still find some general logic, so let's figure it out.

To help you better understand the general patterns, this material will use as approximate illustrations screenshots of the user interfaces of the ASUS RT-N66U and ASUS WL-520GU routers, which are strikingly different from each other, both in design and in menu language.

As a rule, all the main menu items of the router interface are located on the left in a separate column. By clicking on them, additional submenus can open, which are placed either as a list in the same column or in a separate horizontal menu at the top of the screen. The central part of the window is reserved for setting the parameters of the menu items that you select.

After completing the settings of any parameters, you must always accept (save) the changes made. To do this, there is a button at the bottom of the window Save (other options: Apply Finish, Save, Apply, Complete ). In many cases, saving the new settings will require a reboot of the router, which will occur automatically.

Setting up an Internet connection

To configure Internet access settings, you must select the appropriate menu item in the left column, which may be called: Internet Setup, IP Config, WAN, Connection Setup, Network or in Russian - Internet, Basic settings, Internet connection .

In the Internet connection settings window, you must select Type WAN connections (WAN Connection Type) from the drop down menu. This is always done on the basis of information provided to you by your ISP - Internet service provider. Depending on the type of connection, the settings fields and the amount of information entered will vary.

The main connection types you may encounter are:

Automatic IP ( Dynamic IP, DHCP, Automatic ) - the easiest type of connection for the user, which does not require any settings from him. In this case, you receive from your provider a dynamic public network address, which is always assigned automatically and can change over time.

Static IP (Static) - a type of connection in which the provider allocates you a unique external address that does not change over time. As a rule, you have to pay an additional monthly subscription fee for such addresses. Using a static public address is justified if you need to connect to local network devices from anywhere on the global web, for example, to control home appliances from the office.

To set up a connection with a static IP address, you will need to fill in the following fields:

• IP Address (IP Address)- a static public network address issued to you by your provider;
• Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway- the address is provided by the provider;
• DNS Server (DNS server)- the address of the server that converts alphabetic domain names into IP addresses and vice versa. Selected automatically or reported by the provider.

PPTP L2 TP - tunnel protocols used within the framework of virtual private network (VPN) technology to create secure connections between network nodes. This type of connection is very common among Russian last mile providers, especially using the L2TP protocol. In this case, the external network interface of the router can be assigned either a dynamic public IP address (mostly) or a static one, but in order to connect to the Internet you will have to enter the following additional parameters issued by your provider:

• Username (UserName orLogin)
• Password (Password)
• Addressservers(Server IP/Name, VPN Server)

The remaining settings are in most cases left by default, unless, of course, the provider specifically specifies the required values ​​for them.

PPPoE - a link-level network tunnel protocol, used mainly in xDSL modems/routers to connect to the Internet using telephone lines. Here, too, both dynamic and static public addresses can be used. Additional parameters require input Username (UserName orLogin) And Password (Password), which are issued by your Internet service provider. The remaining parameters are usually left at default.

In many routers, in the Internet access settings window, at the bottom there is a field with the name MAC address ( MAC Address) . What is it? A MAC address (MAK address in Russian) is a unique physical address assigned to all computer network devices, including interfaces of routers and network cards. The router's own physical address is indicated on the bottom of the case.

Most providers use MAC addresses to identify computers, thereby eliminating the possibility of unauthorized access to their network from equipment that has not been registered. That is, in order for any device to access the Internet, the provider must add its MAC address to a special list of allowed addresses.

For example, for a long time you had one computer at home that was connected to the Internet via a provider cable and all network settings were performed automatically. But now you decide to change your PC to a more modern model, but when you connect the network cable to your new purchase, you discover that the Internet does not work, and the problem is not in the settings. The fact is that the network card of the new computer has a different MAC address, which is not listed in the provider’s list and therefore it does not receive any access to the global network. The same applies to the router. Install a router instead of a computer, and it will also not have access to the World Wide Web, since it has its own unique physical address. So what to do in this situation?

Of course, you can call your provider and tell him the MAC address of the new equipment so that it is included in the allow list, or you can change it yourself. If we are talking about a router, then the above-mentioned field can come to your aid MAC address . Many models of modern routers allow you to clone the physical addresses of other devices. Thus, you can programmatically change the real MAC address of the router to any other one. Enter the desired address into this field, and the router will always begin to substitute it instead of its own during requests.

In most cases, the above information will be enough for you to set up any type of Internet connection. It is possible that in certain situations, nuances may arise that we have not mentioned here, but these are particularities that the technical support of your Internet service provider will always help you understand.

After completing all the settings, do not forget to save them so that the changes take effect.

Setting up a wireless networkWiFi

The Wi-Fi network settings in the main menu of the router are controlled by the tab Wireless or WirelessSettings (other options: Wi-Fi, Wireless network, Wireless network setup, Wireless settings ). Please note that here often the main tab may contain several secondary (submenus). We will not indicate their names, since there can be a lot of options. Simply, when you find the parameters you need, don’t forget about them.

To create and launch your own wireless network, you need to fill in just a few key fields:

Enable Wireless - turn on/off the wireless network. This item is not found in all router models.

SSID (Network name, Wireless Network Name) - an arbitrary name for the wireless network that you come up with yourself.

Security Mode ( Encryption, Security, Security Settings, Encryption, Authentication Method) - enable/disable and select wireless network security mode. By default, security mode is disabled, so we strongly recommend that you enable it to prevent unauthorized access to your local network. Essentially, choosing a Wi-Fi network security mode comes down to choosing the encryption type from the drop-down list:

• WEP (WiredEquivalentPrivacy)- an outdated encryption algorithm, the use of which is not recommended today.
• WPA And WPA2(Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a modern technology for protecting wireless networks. Home routers often use its simplified mode Pre-Shared Key (WPA-PSK,WPA2-PSK,WPA-Personal,WPA2-Personal), where a password is required to access the network. Choose your encryption type from these options. Preferred modes - WPA2WPA2/WPA or WPA-Auto.

Cipher type (WPA Encryption, WPA Algorithms, WPA Encryption) - type of encryption used in WPA technology. There can be two types: TKIP And AES. TKIP is a legacy option used in WPA version 1. The more secure WPA2 uses encryption AES. Based on this, the choice of this parameter is obvious: either AES, or a more universal option TKIP+AES.

WPA Pre- Shared Key ( Network Key, Password, Network Key, Key WPA) - network key (code word or password), which will need to be specified when connecting to a wireless network. The keyword is created independently from Latin letters and numbers and can include from 8 to 63 characters.

All other Wi-Fi network parameters can be left unchanged at the initial stage. In most cases, you are unlikely to need to configure them.

Recently, routers capable of deploying wireless networks in two bands simultaneously - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz - have become increasingly widespread. These networks are each configured individually on separate menu tabs, although the settings themselves are identical and are listed above.

Configuring local network settingsLAN

The item in the router menu is responsible for setting the wired local network parameters LAN (Local Network, LAN). It can be located either in the main menu or in the submenu of the main network settings, adjacent to the WAN tab. As a rule, there is no special need to configure the LAN interface, but some parameters are still worth paying attention to.

IP Address - IP address of the internal network interface of the router, through which you can access it and enter the settings menu. This address is also the main gateway through which data is exchanged between the external and local networks. Typically the default is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 .

Based on the value of this IP address, the rank of your local network and the range of private IP addresses that will be assigned to devices within it are established. For example, if the default gateway IP address is 192.168.1.1, then all devices on that LAN must have addresses in the range 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254.

In principle, you are free to assign any address to your local network from the three reserved ranges of private IP addresses (we discussed this above). But, as a rule, there is no particular need to change the default values. After all, at home you are unlikely to create several subnets or use more than 254 devices within one network.

DHCP server ( DHCP Server) - a tool that allows the router to distribute IP addresses to local network devices automatically. By default, the DHCP server is enabled and is capable of issuing up to 253 addresses (from 2 to 254) within one local network. Please note that if you disable DHCP, all nodes on your home or office network will have to register IP addresses manually.

Also, in the DHCP server settings, you can independently define the range (pool) of IP addresses that can be assigned to devices automatically and set the network address lease time.

SettingsIPTV

Recently, Internet television has been developing rapidly. Today, almost any major provider, in addition to providing Internet access, offers users the opportunity to watch various television channels using network technologies. This option in many cases becomes a good alternative to low-quality cable television or expensive satellite television.

To organize television broadcasts on the network, not traditional IP addressing technology is used, but multicast technology Multicast. Local network support for this technology is a necessary condition for operation IPTV.

In routers, IPTV support can be organized in two ways. In the first case, the router is equipped with the Multicast function and organizes multicast data transmission to all LAN ports using its own hardware and software. Checkbox responsible for enabling/disabling the option Multicast streaming ( IPTV, IGMP, Multicast Routing) , can be located on completely different tabs, starting from settings WAN or LAN (Local Area Network) and ending Additional settings (Advanced) . So search brute-force and read the instructions for your model.

Unfortunately, many router models do not have the most outstanding technical characteristics and debugged software, which leads to failures during multicast addressing. This is especially true for broadcasting high-definition television (HDTV) channels, which can be shown with very noticeable distortion, scattering of the picture into pixels and interruptions.

But there is another way to transmit a multicast stream through a router to local network devices. Some routers have the ability to change the functionality of one or several LAN ports, making them pass-through. That is, for certain ports, you can disable the IP address translation (NAT) mechanism, making it possible for network traffic to pass through them without any transformations, as happens in a regular switch. If you connect a set-top box to such a port, it will receive the incoming “multicast” stream from the provider without changes. But, most importantly, the load on the router in this case is minimal, which means that its hardware component practically ceases to affect the quality of the television picture.

As in the previous option, the choice ports STB IPTV can be done in completely different router options. And yet, IPTV settings most often occur in the parameters of the main menu items Local network ( LAN Network, Home network), WAN or Advanced on the additional tab IPTV (other options: IP television , Advanced ).

Depending on the router model, it may have either the Multicast function, or the function of assigning ports for IPTV (bridge), or both of these functions at once, or not have them at all (as for example in the ASUS WL-520GU). In some advanced routers, multicast data transmission (Multicast) can also be organized for wireless networks (for example, in the ASUS RT-N66U).

Firmware update

The functionality of a router depends not only on its hardware, but also on the software with which it is controlled. Moreover, the quality of the router firmware affects the stability of this key device. Unsuccessful firmware can turn a router with even the most advanced technical components into a useless piece of hardware.

Understanding this, developers are trying to constantly improve the firmware for routers, periodically releasing updated firmware versions that correct errors and “bugs” of previous editions. Also, newer firmware can increase the performance of the router and provide it with new useful functions. Therefore, from time to time, it is worth checking for new software versions for your router model.

The firmware update is carried out in two stages. First, you download the new firmware to your computer. Then in the router menu we find the item System Setup (other options: System, Administration, Administration, Maintenance, Maintenance, Tools ) and inside it the option Firmware Upgrade (other options: Firmware update, Software update, Firmware Update ). Next, in the window that opens, you need to specify the path to the file with the new firmware and click the button Upload ( ).

Conclusion

Developers have long been striving to make it easier to configure router settings, making it accessible even to novice users. In most cases, when you first enter the router menu, a wizard launches, offering quick step-by-step configuration of its main parameters. This option saves beginners from searching for the necessary options among numerous menu sections. If necessary, the installation wizard can be launched manually using the item Quick Setup (other options: Setup Wizard, Installation Wizard, Quick Setup ).

However, keep in mind that using the installation wizard it is not always possible to configure the router correctly, since in this case some important parameters are not always selected correctly automatically. Also, in certain situations, connecting to the Internet may require special settings, the ability to enter which is simply not possible in the wizard mode. Therefore, in many cases, the use of manual mode for setting parameters cannot be avoided.

Not so long ago, a computer, and especially a laptop, was a luxury. Today, almost every family has a computer or laptop, and in many families almost every family member has these devices. Each such device must have access to the Internet, since a computer without the Internet is a “box”. With the development of technology, in order to divide Internet traffic into several devices, it is no longer necessary to connect a separate cable to each device; everything can be done over the air - using Wi-Fi technology.

Contents of the article:

Benefits of Wi-Fi

Before we talk about setting up a Wi-Fi network at home, we’ll talk about the tasks and advantages of this technology. So, if you need to divide your existing Internet channel into several devices, then you need a router. If you want to share the Internet channel by connecting devices without using wires, then a Wi-Fi router will help you with this. We have already told you about this and therefore, before purchasing it, we recommend that you read this article again. A Wi-Fi router is a great option if you have devices that support Wi-Fi networks. Thus, by installing a Wi-Fi router at the most central point, you can provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout the entire apartment, which is very convenient, because you will not need to run unnecessary wires. If your computer does not have a Wi-Fi adapter, then this issue can be solved in two ways: install a Wi-Fi router in the room where the computer is located, or purchase a Wi-Fi adapter. A Wi-Fi adapter is a small device in the form of a flash drive or in the form of a card inserted into a PCI slot.

Considering that almost every family needs to install a Wi-Fi router, we will tell you how to set it up yourself, without calling a technician.

Setting up a Wi-Fi router

To configure the router, it must be connected via a cable to a computer or laptop. The connection diagram must be shown in the instructions. We unpack the router, screw the antennas to it, then connect one part of the network cable (which is included) to the router, and the other to the computer (laptop). Then we connect the router’s power and after that we connect the Internet provider’s network cable to it.

How to enter the router menu

Absolutely all Wi-Fi routers are configured using a WEB interface, this is a kind of website with settings. That is, in order to configure the router, you need to open the page with its settings in your browser. To do this, enter “192.168.1.1” in the address bar of your browser and press the “Enter” key. After this, a window will appear on the screen in which you will need to enter your login and password to access the router settings. Standard (by default) login and password from the router settings menu: “admin” - in small letters. After entering, click “OK” and get to the menu.

Reflashing a Wi-Fi router

So, in order to set up a Wi-Fi router, you first need to reflash it. If you are a fairly experienced person and know what and how, then now we will tell you what you need to do for this. If you don’t really like to understand all the intricacies of computer technology, then you can do without flashing the router. Firmware is a kind of operating system of the router on which its operation is based.

Why is flashing needed? Reflashing the router is necessary in order to ensure normal and high-quality operation of the device. As a rule, every Wi-Fi router has the same firmware version from the moment it is released until it is discontinued. This firmware only passes internal tests, but when the device goes on mass sale, users find all sorts of problems in the operation of the device in various situations. Therefore, the “native” firmware is not perfect and you may have problems with the device: low speed, freezes, problems with Wi-Fi, etc. That is why it is better to install a new firmware version.

In order to reflash the Wi-Fi router, you need to download the firmware file. Of course, you can download it from the manufacturer’s official website. To do this, on the website of the device manufacturer, find the model of your Wi-Fi router, and click on the “Downloads” tab; this is where the list of available firmware should be located. Some manufacturers may send you to an FTP server where the firmware is stored. But do not rush to download the latest version of the firmware, first read the forums where users who installed this firmware wrote a review about its work and made a conclusion: is it worth installing or not.

After downloading the archive with the firmware, unzip it and copy the firmware file to the downloads folder. In the router menu, go to the Firmware section and in the available field, indicate to the router the path to the new firmware. You can find more detailed instructions on how to reflash the router in the instructions for the device.

After flashing, go to the Network / IPConfig / Network menu (depending on the model of your router) and first enter the provider settings.

WAN connection type

• Dynamic IP / DHCP / Dynamic IP – select if the provider provides dynamic IP;


• Static ip / Statistical IP address - select if the provider is built on a local network, where to access the Internet you need to enter the IP address, subnet mask and Gateway.


• PPPoE – select if you need to enter a login and password to access the Internet.

DNS

DNS 1 and DNS 2 - it is advisable to leave them installed automatically, but if the provider requires their manual installation (which is very rare), then enter the primary and secondary DNS. It is not always necessary to enter the provider's DNS in the network settings; sometimes external DNS work better than the provider's.

Then go to the Wireless tab, which contains Wi-Fi settings.

How to set up a Wi-Fi network

Network name (SSID)

Network name is the name of your Wi-Fi router, which will be displayed when the device searches for a network to connect to Wi-Fi. We recommend that you set the name as original as possible to avoid coincidences. If you have 2 devices on the network with the same names, the Wi-Fi connection may not work correctly.

Channel

This is the frequency channel over which data transmission will occur. Pay special attention to this parameter, as this may result in low Wi-Fi speeds. Why? Each channel has its own, so to speak, data transfer volumes. The more of your devices are connected via Wi-Fi, the lower the Internet speed for each device - the same goes for the channel, the more devices use the same channel, the lower its bandwidth. Therefore, even if you have a high Internet connection speed, and the Wi-Fi channel is overloaded, the Wi-Fi connection speed will be very low.

If you have not so advanced neighbors, then this parameter can be left at “Auto”. It’s very easy to check the Wi-Fi activity of your neighbors - call up the Wi-Fi connections menu list and look at the number of Wi-Fi routers that are available in your apartment: if there are few of them, then the channel is enough, if there are many, then it’s better to install it manually.

Since “Auto” selects the 6th or 7th channels, when manually selecting it is necessary to select the channels located at the beginning. That is, if in the future the Wi-Fi connection speed drops, but the cable connection speed is as stated, then it is possible that the whole problem lies in the Wi-Fi channel.

Wireless Mode

This setting sets the wireless network standard. Two factors depend on the wireless network standard: the ability to operate old-type devices in it and Wi-Fi speed. That is, Wi-Fi has its own operating standards, and to make it more clear to you, let’s look at an example. In cellular communications, first the Internet was transmitted via WAP, then via GPRS, then via EDGE, etc., with each new type the data transfer speed also increased - in our situation everything is the same. The further a letter in the alphabet represents a communication standard, the higher the data transfer rate it supports. But here it is necessary to take into account one more point: not all devices released quite a long time ago and supporting work in Wi-Fi networks support the latest type of connection - and this must be taken into account.

When choosing a wireless connection type, set the type that will be supported by all your Wi-Fi devices. Newer types of devices can work with older types, but not vice versa. But don’t be upset, most modern Wi-Fi routers can work with several standards - which is very convenient; for this, set the value to “b/g/n” (if available).

Channel width

The channel width is indicated in megahertz. We recommend leaving this parameter at “Auto”, or setting it to its maximum value.

Maximum data transfer rate

This parameter sets the maximum data transfer rate - speed limit. Of course, it is best to set this parameter to the maximum value. If you are the main Internet user, and you need high speed data transfer via a network cable on your computer, then you can reduce the speed via Wi-Fi in this way.

Encryption type

Another important parameter when setting up a Wi-Fi router is the type of encryption of the transmitted data. The stronger the encryption type, the more securely your data will be transmitted. Today, the best type of encryption is WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK. But here you should also pay attention to the fact that not all devices support this type of encryption and therefore it is possible that when choosing it you will need to find a “golden mean” for all devices.

How to set up Wi-Fi on a computer and laptop

Let's briefly tell you how to set up Wi-Fi on Windows 7 and Windows 8. In order to set up Wi-Fi on a laptop or computer, you need to select your Wi-Fi router in the list of Wi-Fi devices, to which you gave the original name. Then we click on its name 2 times with the mouse, and we are prompted to enter a password - enter the password, it is checked, and if you entered everything correctly, the device connects to Wi-Fi. After this, we recommend checking both over the network and over Wi-Fi. Please note that Wi-Fi speed may be limited by your router's bandwidth. Therefore, it may differ from the one available over the LAN.

Sometimes, to connect a laptop via Wi-Fi, you need to separately enable the Wi-Fi module. As a rule, on laptops the corresponding button is responsible for this; it can be either separate or combined with the F7 key.

You can find out more detailed information about setting up a Wi-Fi connection from the video below.