I recently bought a new HP laptop and decided to buy a router so that I can access internet in every room. Here are a few simple steps that will help you setup your wireless internet connection.

1. Choosing your Router

It’s really important to choose a router that can support all of the features in a wireless router/access point. My personal preference would be Linksys because it does a great job of providing almost everything you will need.

2. Wireless Survey

It’s very difficult to predict the propagation of radio waves and detect the presence of interfering signals without the use of test equipment. When conducting a wireless site survey, consider the following steps

  • Understand the wireless requirements
  • Obtain a facility diagram
  • Visually inspect the facility
  • Assess existing network infrastructure
  • Identify coverage areas
  • Determine preliminary access point locations
  • Verify access point locations

Once you’re satisfied that the location of access points you’ve identified will provide adequate signal coverage, document your findings on the facility diagrams by depicting the location of each access point

3. Updating the router/access point

Ability to upgrade with a readily available firmware download that is usually available through the manufacturer’s website. The updates only take a few minutes and can alleviate many problems that you might run into with your device, especially when it comes to compatibility issues.

4. Internet connection

Open your web browser and make sure you can get online. If not, you may have to manually configure your Internet settings. It can be done by providing your username and password provided by your ISP


5. Configure your router/access point

For configuring your router/access point, locate the manual and find the default IP address to enter the router setup. I am using a linksys router and the IP address for most of the linksys routers are 192.168.1.1 and the defualt Username and password is “admin”. If its not, find the default username and password from the manual. Log in and change the password and write it down somewhere.

6. Setting up security

There are 3 types of protocols used in home networknig, WEP, WPA and WPA2. WEP can be cracked by most of the free softwares so its preferred you use WPA or WPA2 from your settings. Other things depend on your operating system and level of security of you PC. Once you go in your router settings, you will have an option of encryption type and a passphrase that you or anyone in your home will use to connect to the wireless network.

7. Connect to the network

As everything is done now, Just enable your wireless and there will be a popup stating that a new connection has been found. Just connect and give the passphrase and you are good to go.