Setting up a wireless router may not always seem like the easiest task but we hope to take some of the mystery out of it with this guide.

Unpack / Boot-Up

1. Place the wireless router in a central location to where you will want to access the Internet. Keep in mind that a good router will reach about 150 feet in diameter without ANY obstructions. In a home you have walls and furniture that will greatly reduce the range this wireless network will reach. Also keep in mind that you will need access to a power outlet and your ISP modem.
2. On the reverse (back) side of the Linksys router you will find 4 LAN ports, 1 WAN/Internet port, a reset port and an AC power port (see pic). Plug your Ethernet cable from your modem into the WAN port.
3. Now insert another Ethernet cable into any of the 4 available LAN ports and the other end into your computers Ethernet port.
4. Plug in the power to the available outlet.
5. While the Linksys router boots the power light will blink, once it stops blinking it has completed booting-up. This process could take up to 2 minutes.
6. Reboot your computer so it can obtain a new IP address from the router through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

Configuration

1. Open a browser (Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer), type http://192.168.1.1 into the address bar and press enter.
2. When prompted for a username type “admin“. The password can be left blank. In a few Linksys routers (depending on the model) the password can be “admin”. You can lookup your model here.
3. Click on the “Internet Setup” wizard.
4. Choose your connection type from the drop-down menu. Choose “DHCP” for dynamic IP (non-static), this includes most basic cable or DSL modems. If you are unsure of these options, check with your ISP.
5. Set the name of your wireless network (SSID) to identify the router and change the password.
6. Encrypt your wireless network using WPA or WPA2 standards. Under the “Wireless Security” option, enter a passphrase you will remember.

Thats it! The most difficult of these steps are the last three. Wireless security is very important as most ISPs will hold the account holder (thats YOU!) accountable for sharing copyrighted content on popular filesharing networks. In addition this will help keep the spammers off your network and keep your computers safe from prying eyes.

If you’re confused or have questions please feel free to leave us a comment below or send us your questions to @BL3NDlabs on Twitter.