Regarding technological advances, wireless networks have been lagging a bit behind in reference to other devices. Despite this, they have been moving slowly but surely. Currently there are fewer and fewer modems that use or make use of ADSL connections . Most operators usually offer other types of devices that are a bit more complex to use and configure, but at the same time offer a great capacity for Internet connection.
These devices are generally known as a router and allow the connection between several computers through small local networks . Connecting and configuring the router correctly is essential to improve the security and operation of the connection, this will improve its performance and allow you to maximize its performance.
Nowadays it is very common to change operators, so it is very common to be changing the router since each operator imposes theirs. It can also happen that you have a new router at home and we do not know how to connect it or how to configure it to be able to make the most of its performance , which is why we will show you how to achieve this step by step.
Index:
Complete manual to connect and configure a router from 0 to 100
When you want to use and configure the router you have to check if all the elements of the device are complete. Which would be: The power adapter, the modem, an eight-wire braided cable with RJ45 connectors , this will be the one that allows you to connect the router to the ADSL Internet connection device. Only the elements described are able to connect directly to the ADSL line. Most of them come prepared to provide connectivity between a cable modem and the rest of the network.
Hardware installation and preparation of the elements
To be able to carry out this connection you just have to follow the following steps:
To start it is recommended to disconnect the power supply of both equipment , then you must choose the most suitable place for the modem, so that you can take full advantage of its wireless capacity.
- To make the connection between the equipment we will need a standard RJ45 network cable that will go to one of the router’s connection ports.
- Next we will to connect the other end of the cable to the operator modem and then we will connect the PC to which you want to connect to the Internet.
- These devices allow connect several computers simultaneously , once the desired equipment is connected we will reconnect the power cables.
- Once this is done you can start the connection configuration to Internet .
Router configuration types
There are two ways to configure the device correctly and you can start enjoying your Internet connection as soon as possible. The first one is through a program that is provided by the hardware manufacturer at the time of purchase. This form is recommended to always use it especially when it is not clear what to do or if it is your first configuration.
The other method of being able to do this is directly accessing the configuration program that brings the device by default, it can be accessed from any browser. In order to access the default program you just have to follow the following steps:
- To enter the configuration program you just have to go to your browser and place in the address bar the router’s IP, this will be found on the back or under the hardware, this address will be a series of numbers Like the following: 192.168.0.1 If the equipment is new or this address has been modified before, a series of questions that will appear will be answered.
- It is recommended to perform this configuration via a cable connection. Since the wireless network in many cases is disabled by default. This can cause problems if you want to modify something of the connection.
- Then you have to enter values of User and Password to access the configuration of the factory settings of the equipment .
- Then a screen will appear showing the configuration option. It is there where we can modify the general parameters of our equipment.
Basic configuration
When entering the previous section of the device, the basic configuration will appear in the Internet Setup section. That is where you will have to continue with the configuration of the equipment.
- To configure the router for the Internet connection you have to keep in mind that you will be asked for various information where the vast majority of the answers can be provided by your Internet provider .
- Then you will have to choose the type of Internet connection, you must make sure you choose the one provided by your provider. By default the configuration that is configured is DHCP . In these cases, the equipment is already configured automatically, this should only be retained if the provider accepts DHCP.
- In the case that the provider does not support DHCP you must choose between the other options, in which you will find Static IP. If you select this option, a series of questions will be displayed which you must fill out.
If what you need is to use a permanent IP address to always connect to the Internet, usually you have to request this from your server and it will surely have a separate cost.
- In this case, in the “Internet IP Address” field you must enter the modem address. The provider must provide you with this IP address, it must also provide you with the response of the value of the field « Subnet Mask» , the gateway and at least one of the DNS server IP addresses.
- By selecting the PPPoE option , you will have to fill in a series of parameters that will appear on the screen.
Some of the ADSL providers often use PPPoE to make Internet connections . If this method is used, you must contact the supplier for the values of the following parameters that you will be asked to carry out the configuration: Username, password, in both cases you must enter only the values indicated by the company.
The “ Connect on Demand ” parameter will allow you to configure the modem to interrupt the Internet connection when it is inactive for a set period of time. To restore the connection is through the option to connect, this will allow the connection to be automatically restored when accessing the Internet again.
In the case that you do not want to activate the interruption of the Internet we must select the “ Button Keep Alive ” box, if this option is selected the router will constantly stay connected to the Internet. Other parameters that will also appear will be “ Optional Settings “.
Connection parameters
- Router Name : In this option we must write the name of the equipment
- Host Name / Domain Name : In these boxes you must to provide a hostname and domain name that most connection companies request to identify them. Of course you have to check this data with your Internet company. Normally there are no problems when this data is left blank.
- MTU : This corresponds to the maximum signal transmission unit. By default it already has a marked value and which allows you to enter the maximum size that will be transmitted. In this box it is recommended to enter a value of 1492 . This value should always be in the range of 1200-1500.
- If you want the modem to choose the optimal MTU for the connection you must select automatic.
Within the basic configuration you will also find the configuration of the local network. This will be carried out in the «Network Setup» parameters, where you can change the parameters of the local network to which your device is connected.
- The first parameter is “ IP Router “, here you can configure the IP address and the “Subnet Mask”.
- And finally you will find the parameters of the network address servers, DHCP, Network Address Server Settings.
Advanced configuration
Within this option we will find the rest of the steps to carry out this:
- DDNS tab , here the router will provide a dynamic system function of domain names. This service allows you to set a domain name and fixed host to an Internet IP address.
- In order to take this to the end you must enter these parameters: DDNS Service, User Name, Password, Host Name, Internet IP Address, Status
- Once you have entered these parameters, you must click on the “ Save Settings ” option to apply these changes.
- Once this is done, the “ MAC Address Clone Tab” option will appear, this is a 12-digit code assigned to a hardware device for identification.
- When entering this parameter, the following boxes must be completed: « Enable / Disable «, where you can enable or disable the cloning of the MAC address. « User Defined Entry», will allow you to enter the MAC address registered by your Internet company and « Clone Your PCs MAC Address «, which allows you to make a MAC cloning
- Other of the tabs that will appear will be Advanced Routing , this option allows you to configure all the advanced functions of the router. This will vary depending on the operation chosen either “ Gateway ” or “ Routing “.
This last function will allow the modem to automatically adjust to the physical changes that occur in the network design. The team will be in charge of determining the routes of the packages according to the number of jumps between the origin and its destination.
There is also another drop-down menu that will show you other options that we can select but are alternatives:
- LAN & Wireless: Performs dynamic routing over wireless or Ethernet networks.
- Wan: It is responsible for routing with data from the Internet.
- Both: Allows routing for data from the Internet, as well as for both networks.
- Static Routing: This is a static route through which all network information travels until a specific host is obtained.
- In order to configure a static network between the router and another network, you have to select a drop-down list number of this option, once the list is chosen you must complete the information requested.
- In this list you will have to complete this information: Delete this entry, Enter route name, destination LAN network IP, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and Interface.
- Once all this is done you must click on the « Save Settings » button to apply the changes.
Once all this is completed, you will have completed the configuration of your router in a complete way so that you can enjoy it to the fullest.