Setting Up Your Router
Step 1 – Check the cable modem that came with your cable installation. In some cases, these modems also function as Wi-Fi routers. Check the back for an antenna or check the modem’s manual to find out. If it has Wi-Fi capability, skip to Section 2. If not, continue to Step 2.
Step 2 – Purchase a wireless router. Popular brands include D-Link, Linksys, Cisco, Netgear and Belkin. As of April 2010, the fastest available routers use the "Wireless-N" standard. This type is ideal if you plan to stream video to multiple computers at once or if you plan to regularly send large files over your wireless connection. Routers that use the "Wireless-G" standard offer a slower connection speed, but they are cheaper and adequate for most household Internet use.
Step 3 – Turn off your cable modem before you begin setting up your wireless router. If your laptop is currently connected to your cable modem with a network cable (which looks like a thick telephone cord), disconnect your laptop.
Step 4 – Place your wireless router near the cable modem and connect it to the modem via the network cable into the router’s "Internet," "WAN" or "WLAN" port.
Note: this port may be be labeled differently, depending on your router’s manufacturer. It may also be a different color from the other ports on the back of the router. If you are unsure of which port to connect to, check the router’s setup guide.
Step 5 – Plug the modem back in and wait a few minutes. The router’s lights will blink, indicating that it is communicating with the modem and establishing an Internet connection. Once the lights appear steady, continue to Section 2.
Configuring Your Router
Step 1 – Connect your computer to the router (or wireless-enabled modem) using a network cable, which looks like a fat telephone cord.
Step 2 – Open your Internet browser and go to your router’s configuration page. The address for this page varies by manufacturer, so check the manual that came with your router. Enter the default user name and password (usually "admin" and "admin").
Step 3 – Configure your router. Assign your network an SSID, the name you will see when you search for your Wi-Fi network on your computer. You should also choose an encryption scheme (WEP or WPA) and a network key that will keep your network secure from unauthorized users. Choose an administrative password (not "admin") that will allow you to change these settings in the future. Write down your SSID, network key and administrative password in a safe location, then click "Save" or "Save and Exit."
Step 4 – Check your router’s box to see if it came with a setup disk. If so, insert the disk into your computer and follow the program’s prompts. If not, open your computer’s list of available Wi-Fi networks. On Windows 7 computers, you can find this on the right side of the taskbar.
Step 5 – Select your network from the list and click "Connect." Enter your network key and click "OK." Open your Internet browser to confirm that everything is working. You should not be able to use your Wi-Fi laptop wirelessly.