I know some of you don’t need this, but believe or not there are those out there who do and we (people who understand it) can help them.  Wireless networking is hardly anything new; if you have a laptop you are likely to have a wireless network at home.  I’ve recently ran into several people who didn’t know how to configure their wireless router and I think it is something the owner should have a handle on.  Additionally, my router (A Belkin, the simplest in my opinion) somehow messed up last night and I had to re-configure it.

I want to just look at some concepts because all routers are slightly different and I couldn’t possibly cover them all.

Configuration - Every router that I’ve set up needs to be connected physically to configure – most of them come with a network cable (ethernet cable or CAT5) in the box.  If not, you can buy one at Wal-Mart, Circuit City or Best Buy.

If this is a re-configuration, you will more than likely need to reset the router to factory defaults.  This can be done easily by using a paperclip or ball-point pen to push in the reset button that is on the back of the router.

You will be able to configure your router via an Internet browser (IE, Firefox, etc.).  Most of the time you will go to the address bar and type in either 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.1.1.

This is important.  Your router probably came from the factory with a blank password.  If you are configuring for the first time or re-configuring, don’t forget to change this.  I know from experience, recent experience.

LAN – Your Local Area Network (LAN) is the first thing you should set up.  Again, don’t get too intimidated by all of this.  You will see some DHCP settings which is where your computers, all of them, will get their IP address from.  Make sure it is enabled and you shouldn’t have to do much else.

Wireless – This is the big one.  This is why you have this router to begin with.  First thing you will have to do is come up with a SSID or a name for you wireless network.  Think of a name that is totally arbitrary and even your next door neighbor wouldn’t associate it with you.  Call me cautious, but I don’t want someone to be able to know which wireless network belongs to me.  Knowing your network will get someone half way to getting into your network.  Once security is set up a password will be required.  If someone knows you they can begin to try passwords like you phone number, your dog’s name, etc.

Don’t worry too much about the channel.

You need to choose your security.  Keep in mind this is only for your wireless connections.  If someone can physically plug into the back of your router it is safe to assume you trust them.  You will have to choose WEP or WPA for security.  I use WPA because it is the newer method and supposedly superior.  After choosing this, you will need to come up with a password.  Once someone finds your wireless network, they will be forced to enter the password you choose.  Like I said before, if they have no idea whose network it is, they will have to start randomly entering passwords.  Make your password somewhat difficult to guess, but don’t forget it.

Odd and Ends – There are additional settings, but you should be up and running with what we’ve covered so far.  The added benefit of all of this is you will have a couple more dollars in your pocket if you didn’t know what was going on with your wireless router before.  The Geek Squad and the Firedogs get paid decent money to do what we’ve covered.  Now you shouldn’t have to pay them.

I mentioned Belkin before as my router of choice.  I’m going to be a little biased and say if you see a D-Link router in the store, run fast.  If you see Netgear approach with caution.  If you see Linksys, I don’t know what to tell you.  My experience with Linksys is the configuration wasn’t as easy as Belkin and the range wasn’t what I needed at the time.

If you live someplace where range of your wireless network is important – townhouse or a house with a basement – look for MIMO.  MIMO stands for multiple in, multiple out and normally has a better range than other routers.

Another benefit of Belkin – I’m not a paid sponsor – is their dummy lights.  When my router goes out, I can look at the router and tell where the problem is.  For instance, last night something was actually wrong with the Internet connection.  These lights really help the troubleshooting process and I think some other manufacturers have started to use something similar.

Sorry if this is old hat to you, but I feel like there are some people out there who need to know this.