How To Set Up A Wireless Network Using A D-Link Wireless Router By: Michael Weber

What is a wireless network A wireless network is a computer network that allows computers and other electronic devices to communicate with each other and the internet without physically being connected to each other. This usually accomplished using radio waves A router is the central device in a wireless network, acting as the facilitator of communication between computers and the internet.

Reasons to have a wireless network If you have multiple computers, it allows for all of them to access the internet without having wires all over the place If you have a laptop, you can get full use of its portability Allows computers to share files with each other

Reasons not to have network If you only have one desktop computer that is close to your access point. Wireless networks can be insecure and some jobs do not allow employees to maintain a wireless network at home.

Required materials to set up a wireless network Wireless Router - Linksys, D-Link, NetGear Computer with Ethernet port and wireless card Access to Internet Two Ethernet cords

The D-Link WBR2300 Router

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Physical Setup Find a convenient location for the router. This should be somewhere close to your modem or other source of internet. Plug router into power outlet with provided power cord.

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Physical Setup Take one of the Ethernet cords and run that from your cable modem or source of internet to the WAN port on the back of the router. Take the other Ethernet cord and run that from your computer to one of the LAN ports on the back of the router. These ports are shown in the next figure

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Location of ports

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Software Setup Open up a web browser on the computer Type the router’s IP address into address bar. The IP address can be found with the router’s documentation and usually starts with 192.168 Type in the username and password when prompted. This again can be found in the documentation.

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Software Setup Screen

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Router Settings Click the checkbox “Enable Wireless” Choose a name for your network. Type this in the “Wireless Network Name” check box Click the checkbox “Enable Auto Channel Scan.” This will allow the router to switch its signal if is detects interference.

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Security Setup Select “Enable WEP Wireless Security” from the Security Mode menu. This protects your network by only allowing those with a password to access it. In the “WEP Key” textbox, type a 10 digit hexadecimal password. Hexadecimal contains digits from 0 to 9 and A to F. At the top of the screen, click save settings.

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Getting on to the Internet Disconnect the Ethernet cord from your computer. At the top right of the computer screen, select the AirPort Icon, click Turn AirPort On and then click on your network, as shown in the next figure.

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Selecting the wireless network

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Getting on to the Internet In the window that appears, select “WEP Password” from the security menu. Type in your hexadecimal password in the password textbox.

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Finishing up

Setting up a D-Link WBR2310 Router - Finished You are now finished setting up the router, you may access the internet as you normally would, but now wirelessly. QUESTIONS?