Setting Up a Wireless Router for Computer Access

Firstly you will need to connect to the router using either Ethernet, USB or Wireless.

The method you choose depends on what your router supports. I prefer to use the Ethernet port and connect to the admin page by typing in the IP address of the Router.

If you do it this way you will be required to login using the admin user name and password. Once logged in select select wireless configuration.

There are in general only two things you will need to configure:

• SSID- The network name. All router use a default name which for security purposes should be changed. The name is case sensitive and should be short and descriptive. This name will also be used when configuring the clients.
• Encryption type and shared key- Two choices are WEP and WPA-PSK. WPA-PSK is the newer and more secure encryption method but not universally supported. My recommendation is not to use any encryption initially and once it is working without encryption then to enable it on the router and then on the clients.
  If you do use it you need to enter a shared key (password) this will also be used when configuring the client machines.

All other settings should be left to the defaults. You can always change them later. Once complete you now need to configure your wireless clients.

See Setting up Windows XP Computer on a home Wireless Network