Lesson 1- Installing the Router
Introduction
In Lesson 1 we connect the router to the modem, reset the modem so it can see the router and they can connect to each other. We connect our home office computer to the router using an Ethernet cable. We'll use this computer in Section 3 to configure the router.
Recommended Networking Hardware
Router Placement
Since the router is the center of your home network, you first need to decide where to put it. If you already have a cable or DSL modem in your home the router will go right next to it since they have to be connected with an Ethernet cable. If you have the option of moving your modem you want to put it near the center of your house. This will give you the best wireless signal coverage; increasing connectivity of all your computers to the network and giving you faster file transfer speeds between your computers.
Connections
On the back of the router you will find a power connection, 4 LAN ports for connecting computers near the router with Ethernet cables, 1 WAN or Internet port which is where the router will connect to the modem and a reset switch that we will talk about in Section 3.
The router comes with the Ethernet cable we need to connect the modem to the router. On the back of the cable or DSL modem you will find a Ethernet port labeled Ethernet or LAN. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the this port on the modem. On the back of the router, connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the WAN or Internet port.
To get the modem and router to see each other correctly we need to reset the modem. Before you do this take a look at the modem and note which lights flash and which stay on constantly. To reset the modem unplug the power cable from the back of the modem for about 15 seconds and plug it back in. The lights on the front of the modem will turn on, flash some and then start flashing intermittently just like they were before you reset the modem.
Next plug the routers power adapter into the wall outlet and plug the circular power connector into the power connection on the back of the router. The lights on the front of the router will turn on, flash some and settle into a routine. Some flashing and some not. That's all of the physical connections between the router and modem. The modem and router are located in a home office right next to a desktop computer. We're going to use this computers built in ethernet adapter, to connect to the router, using an Ethernet cable. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the computer. Plug the other end into the number 1 Ethernet port on the router. On the front of the router an indicator will light up letting us know the number 1 port is connected to a computer. Back on the desktop we also see a light indicating a connection.
In section 3 we will configure the router using this desktop computer, but first lets get all the other computers ready for the network by installing the wireless network adapters.
{/reg}
Get access to all our video lessons for as low as $19.95
