A wireless network in a home, also known as Wi-Fi or hotspot in certain situations, is a method used to permit a lap-top, computer, printer, smart phone, iPhone or other internet capable devices to share and access the internet using the home’s existing Internet account. In this article we will walk you through how to set up Wifi.

What equipment do I need to set-up wifi?

In order to setup the wireless network you will need several specific pieces of equipment. They are:

1)  A laptop which has a wireless capable card built-in or connected to the laptop via usb such as a wireless stick. Or, you need a desktop PC with a built in NIC card (network interface card)
2)  An account from an Internet Service provider with active service to inside the home or office
3)  A modem
4)  An Ethernet Cable
5)  A wireless Router
6)  User name and password issued to you by your Internet Service Provider

WiFi Setup steps

1.Connect the Ethernet cord to your computer or laptop

2.Plug the Ethernet cord into a port on the back of the router. Do not plug into the WAN port.

3.Plug in the power cord to the Router and wait 60 seconds. This will give the router enough time to properly boot up

4.Open a browser on the computer or laptop you connected to the router. A browser will be a software program something like Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer or Google Chrome or Firefox or Safari

5.Once the browser software has been opened and finished loading (usually within a matter of just a few seconds) then within the address bar of the browser, typically located at the top of the browser software window input your wireless routers IP address. Usually the IP address will be digitals similar to the following: 192.168.1.1 however not every manufacturer will use this address so you will want to consult your wireless router manual or examine the router itself to see if the IP address is affixed to a sticker

6.Once you’ve input the correct IP for you given router you will be prompted to enter a USER name and Password. You must input the correct user name and password otherwise you will not be granted access to the settings page of your wireless router. If you wireless router was just bought and you just took it out of the package then you might try something like User Name: Admin and Password: Admin or no password at all. If this is an old router and you don’t know the information you need to either find the login User Name and Password or you need to reset the router by locating a small, often Red colored, reset button somewhere on the router. Once the reset is complete begin this step over until you can access the wireless router settings page.

7.Once you’ve been granted access into the wireless router’s settings page a menu will appear allowing you to select certain programming selections within the router itself. We are going to look for: DHCP, PPoE for DSL, Network Name, Security Encryption Type and Security Keyword

    1. a)If you are using Internet service from your cable company then typically you can ignore PPoE. If you have DSL service then you will need to select PPoE within the Router and input the User Name and Password within the PPoE field. Also, you will likely need to set your DSL modem to bridged mode so the router will communicate with the DSL modem
    2. b)DHCP is the feature that allows multiple internet connected devices on your Home Computer Network to access the Internet. If it’s not already enabled go ahead and enable it by checking the box and making sure to click save, often located toward the bottom of the screen
    3. c)Next you will want to give your network a name and save it
    4. d)Within the wireless security field you need decide on whether you want everyone to have access, which is very insecure and risky, or if you want to secure your network, which is recommended. Select a security method such as WPA2 and save
    5. e)Select a key code or passcode so that when you or any other person wants to gain wireless access to your network they must know the key code or passcode.
    6. 8.Upon completing and saving your work within the router disconnect your router and computer by carefully unplugging the Ethernet cable. To unplug the cable sometimes takes patience to unhook the tab that locks the jack into the port. Use of force will risk breaking the tab, port, plug or all and then make accessing the Internet unlikely

9.Connect your modem to the incoming Internet account wire. For Cable Internet this is a TV jack and for DSL this is to a phone outlet or better, a filter provided by your DSL provider

  10. Next, connect the Ethernet cable between the WAN port on the back of the router to the Ethernet Jack on the back of the Modem.

11. Plug in the power to the modem and wait 60 seconds

12. Plug in the power to the router and wait 60 seconds

13. On your laptop or wireless capable computer go to the Network connections feature and perform a search for networks

14. The Network name you assigned in step 7( c ) should come up as an available yet secured network.

15. Select your network and input the key code you setup in step 7 ( e )

Congratulations, you should now be able to surf the Internet. And you can connect other Home Electronics to your Home Computer Network