Linksys WRT51AB manual Configure the PCs, Wireless Connection to a PC

Instant Wireless® Series

Wireless Connection to a PC

If you want to use a wireless connection to access the Router, follow these instructions:

1.	Before you begin, make sure that all of
	your network’s hardware is powered
	off, including the Router, PCs, and
	cable or DSL modem.
2.	Connect an Ethernet network cable
	from your cable or DSL modem to the
	Internet port on the Router’s rear	Figure 3-4
	panel. This is the only port that will
	work for your modem connection.

3.Power on the cable or DSL modem.

4.Connect the power adapter to the Power port, and then plug the power

Note: You should always plug the Router’s power adapter into a power strip with surge protection.

adapter into a power outlet.

•The Power LED on the front panel will light up green as soon as the power adapter is connected properly.

•The Diag LED will light up red for a few seconds and turn off when the self- test is complete. If this LED stays on for one minute or longer, see “Appendix A: Troubleshooting.”

4.Power on one of the PCs on your wireless network(s).

5.For initial access to the Router through a wireless connection, make sure the PC’s wireless adapter has its SSID set to linksys (the Router’s default set- ting), and its WEP encryption is disabled. After you have accessed the Router, you can change the Router and this PC’s adapter settings to match the your usual network settings.

Note: You should always change the SSID from its default, linksys, and enable WEP encryption.

The Router’s hardware installation is now complete.

Go to “Chapter 4: Configure the PCs.”

Dual-Band Wireless A+B Broadband Router

Chapter 4: Configure the PCs

Overview

The instructions in this chapter will help you configure each of your comput- ers to be able to communicate with the Router.

To do this, you need to configure your PC’s network settings to obtain an IP (or TCP/IP) address automatically, so your PC can function as a DHCP client. Computers use IP addresses to communicate with the Router and each other across a network, such as the Internet.

First, find out which Windows operating system your computer is running. You can find out by clicking the Start button. Read the side panel of the Start menu to find out which operating system your PC is running.

You may need to do this for each computer you are connecting to the Router.

The next few pages tell you, step by step, how to configure your network set- tings based on the type of Windows operating system you are using. Make sure that an Ethernet or wireless adapter (also known as a network adapter) has been successfully installed in each PC you will configure. Once you’ve configured your computers, continue to “Chapter 5: Configure the Router’s Basic Settings.”

Important: By default Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP has TCP/IP installed and set to obtain an IP address automatically.

If your PC does not have TCP/IP installed, click Start and then Help. Search for the keyword TCP/IP. Then follow the instruc- tions to install TCP/IP.

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