#Basic router configuration how to#
#Basic router configuration Pc#
#Basic router configuration series#
#Basic router configuration free#

Ensure your modem is turned on, and you'll be ready to connect to the internet. This port might look slightly different from router to router, but it will usually have a distinct color from the other ports and be labeled 'WAN,' 'Internet,' or something similar.В From the WAN port, connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the back of yourВ modem. For this, you'll need an Ethernet cable, which you'll want to plug into the WAN (wide-area network) portВ on your router's rear face. Start this process by connecting your router to your modem. But for those working with standard routers or even wireless range extenders, this will require some patience and testing to see where your optimal placement areas are. Wi-Fi mesh systems get around this problem by letting you place an attractively designed node wherever coverage is weakest. Try to avoid proximity to large metal, glass, brick, or concrete objects. Be aware that walls and floors will impede Wi-Fi signals, so the more obstructions you have between your devices and your router, the weaker (and potentially slower) the signal will be.

Finding an open space near the center of your residence is the best way to ensure optimal coverage.

#Basic router configuration series#

Wi-Fi mesh makes all that go away with a very quick and easy path to initial setup and a series of compatible 'nodes' that integrate seamlessly into a single wireless network that blankets your entire home.Д«efore getting started, you need to consider where you'll place your router. While you can increase the coverage in your home with a standard router and a wireless range extender, that solution tends to make users jump through a few additional hoops to get things working smoothly, notably forcing users to log into different wireless networks depending on where they are in the home. Wi-Fi mesh systems are for folks willing to pay a little more for two primary benefits: easy basic setup, and whole-home Wi-Fi coverage. (Check out our Wi-Fi 6 explainer for more in-depth information first.) There are still plenty of capable Wi-Fi 5 routers out there that will handle light to moderate networking needs, but if you want the latest technology and the performance it brings, youвЂ™ll want to go with a Wi-Fi 6 router. When choosing a router, youвЂ™ll have to decide whether you want a Wi-Fi 6 router, a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router, or a Wi-Fi mesh system.

#Basic router configuration Pc#

All these buying guides contain our best and latest reviews in each category with every player completing PC Labs' wireless router testing suite. If you're looking for the fastest possible pipe with which to enjoy video gaming, then check out our gaming routers guide. If you're still looking to make a purchase, check out ourВ wireless router buying guide (link above) or, if you're looking for something a little cheaper, try our budget routers roundup, which consists of our top players under $100.

These steps assume that you've already found the right router for your home.

Follow these basic steps to properly configure your router and optimize your wireless network. Just because you've plugged in everything and all the blinking lights have turned green doesn't mean your network's performance and its security are as good as they could be. While networking-gear makers have been making installation utilities easier to use over the years, getting the best out of your new wireless router purchase usually means delving a little deeper than the standard installation routine will go.

#Basic router configuration how to#

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#Basic router configuration free#

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