SETUP and TROUBLESHOOTING of Linksys WRT54G

A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks.  When a data packet comes in one of the lines, the router reads the address information in the packet to determine its destination,then it directs the packet to the next network. Routers perform the "traffic directing" functions on the Internet.

A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is commonly used to provide access to the Internet. It does not require a wired link, as the connection is made wirelessly.

LINKSYS WRT54G

The Linksys WRT54G (and variants WRT54GS, WRT54GL, and WRTSL54GS) is a Wi-Fi router and is capable of sharing Internet connections among several computers .

SETUP OF LINKSYS WRT54G

1. Begin setup of your Linksys Wireless Router by first plugging in the power. Give it 10 seconds  to initialize and then plug an ethernet cable from modem into the port on the back of the router marked Internet. Next get another ethernet cable and plug one end into your laptop and the other into one of the ports labeled 1-4 on the router. Your computer is now properly connected to the router to begin its setup and configuration.

2. Next open a web browser (like INTERNET EXPLORER) on the connected computer and type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar and press enter. A window will pop up asking for a username and password to access the configuration page for your router. Enter admin for both the username and password.

3. Next, click on the Wireless tab at the top of the settings screen. Change the Wireless Network Name (SSID) from the default value to something so that you can identify your network from a list of various wireless available networks. Then click Save Settings and then Continue when the Settings are successful page is displayed.

4. Now click on the Wireless Security section at the top of the page. In order to protect your network from any unauthorized access. Select the Security Mode from dropdown box to select from various security modes like WEP, WPA, WPA2. Finally click Save Settings and then Continue when the Settings are successful page is displayed.

5. Congratulations, Your Wireless Network is now secure.

6. Next you need to select any wireless device and from the wifi settings you have select your own network from a list of available networks and it will prompt for a password when selected, just put the password and then you are connected to the wireless network.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Any wireless device that is connected to your router should be able to access the Internet if there are already computers that are able to do so.  However, if you are having difficulty connecting wirelessly to your network with your computer, you may need to perform the following steps:

1. IP CONFLICT – Check the IP address of the modem. If it is the same as that of the Linksys (192.168.1.1) the internet will not work. So you have to change the router’s IP address  from the ROUTER SETUP page.

2. MAC BINDING – Some times when you connect the router to the computer the internet doesn’t work. So we have to go for MAC BINDING. This uniquely identifies the computer’s MAC address and the internet starts working. We have to go to the ROUTER SETUP page and select SETUP and in the subsection of SETUP you have to go to MAC ADDRESS CLONE. You have to Enable it and then click on CLONE YOUR PC’s ADDRESS. And the Click on Save Settings. The internet will start working. If it still doesn’t work, just pull out the power cable of the router for 5seconds and then plug it back and wait for 20-30 seconds. Wait for the computer to connect with the wireless network and the internet will work.

A2z Tech Support has a special cell for troubleshooting all your linksys router setup including Wi-Fi setup, networking and security etc. If you are looking for linksys support, You can reach A2z Tech Support online technical support at their Toll Free No +1-800-313-4520.