Wireless Router: Selection and Setup Guide

This guide covers how to set up a wireless router and provides a selection guide to help you choose the right one. Unlike DSL modems which offer internet access at fixed locations, wireless routers allow you to browse the internet from anywhere in your home, like the living room or bedroom.

Wireless Router Selection Guide

Here’s a breakdown of the factors to consider when buying a wireless router:

• Wireless Network Type (Wi-Fi or LTE): Choose based on the support available in your devices.
  • Wi-Fi: Based on WLAN standards like 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, and 11ac. 802.11ad is also in development. Wi-Fi is popular for homes and businesses.
  • LTE: Offers wider coverage than Wi-Fi. Check out resources for Wi-Fi router and LTE router manufacturers.
• RF Frequency Bands (Single or Dual): WLAN devices typically support 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. LTE utilizes various frequencies based on different bands.
• Router Speed: The speed of wireless access varies based on supported standards.
• Security Support: Security is a primary concern. Most routers provide WPA2 security, which helps prevent cybercrime.
• IPv4 and IPv6 Support: Ensure support for both IP network protocols.
• Printer or File Sharing Support: Routers with USB ports and SD card slots offer convenient printer and file sharing capabilities.

How to Set Up a Linksys Wireless Router

The following guide explains how to set up a Linksys wireless router from Cisco.

Figure 1 shows the top view of a Linksys Cisco router, while Figure 2 highlights the ports on the back. Follow these steps to quickly set up your wireless router:

Step 1: Power on the router by connecting the AC-DC adapter to the “12V DC power” port.

Step 2: Connect the broadband line cable provided by your internet service provider to the “Internet” port.

Step 3: Once powered on, the router will emit electromagnetic RF signals compliant with WLAN standards like 11n or 11ac. Devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones need WLAN compatibility to browse the internet.

Step 4: You can directly connect a PC to the router using an Ethernet cable plugged into any of the four ports on the back, as shown in Figure 2.

Step 5: You’ll need to configure a username and password in the device you’ll use for internet browsing.