How to Add an Android Device to your Belkin Router

What’s the point in having a stylish, new Android Jelly Bean or Ice Cream Sandwich device if you don’t use it to access Wi-Fi through your Belkin Router? Well that’s what an Android device is mostly used for. You can connect to your home network, surf the web, email, game, download apps, or share files etc. to and from other devices.

You can do much more than what I just said here. Amazing it sounds and easy it is to set up your Android device to your Belkin router: 

You can also check out my previous post on adding XBOX 360 to your wireless router.

Step1: Make sure that your Belkin router iks on and you are connected to your wireless home network. Also make sure that you can browse the Internet.

Step2: Also make sure that you have your wireless network name (SSID) and the encryption key handy. Without this information, you cannot connect to your home network on your Android device.

Step3: If you never set up a custom SSID name and security key, you can find the default ones at the bottom of your Belkin router. The information also comes with your original Belkin router setup documentation.

Step4: Once you have the details, do this. On your Android device, tap Settings> Wireless and Network> Wi-Fi. Your Android device will now display the available wireless networks.

Step5: Once you see your wireless network name (the SSID), select it and then tap Connect. If set up a secured wireless network, it may prompt you to enter your encryption key or passphrase.

Step6: Enter the key and proceed to connect. Wait unless you are connected to your Wi-Fi network. When done, open your browser and start browsing the web or emailing etc.

Step7: That’s all you had to do to connect your Android device to your Belkin router. like your Android device, you can connect your gaming console, TV, or another computer to your Belkin router.

How to Set up WPA/WPA2 Security in a Belkin Router

Chances are that in fear of wireless network hijack, bandwidth theft, online intrusion, or virus infections, you might want to secure your wireless network. Setting up an encryption key is the best method for protecting your home or wireless network. Your Belkin router has both WEP and WPA encryption types. In this post, I am going to discuss about the WPA2 security key, which is better in terms of security than WEP. Check the steps given below and secure your wireless network:

Step1: If you have a wireless network configured, you will need to make a wired connection first. Connect your computer directly to your Belkin router using the Ethernet cord.

Step2: Open up the Belkin router’s web interface. To do so, first open your web browser and type ‘192.168.2.1’ in the address bar. Hit Enter to proceed.

Step3: Click Login in the upper right hand side. Enter your Belkin router’s password and then click Submit. Belkin routers, by default, are shipped without passwords. So you can just click Submit. However, do check your Belkin router support docs for exact details.

Step4: On the Belkin Router Setup Wizard window, click Security under Wireless in the left hand side. Beside Security Mode, click the drop-down menu and select WPA/WPA2-Personal (PSK). (See Also how to reset Belkin router to factory settings)

Step5: Beside Authentication, select an authentication type. Once you select the authentication type, the Encryption Technique field will automatically populate.

Step6: Type your password in the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) box. The password should be 8-63 characters (alpha-numeric) long. Also you can use a combination of upper and lower case to make your case sensitive and difficult to crack.

Step7: Make sure that you note down or memorize your password to avoid losing a track of it. Since memorizing the password doesn’t always work, it’s better to make a note of it.

Step8: Click Save Settings to save the changes. From now onwards, any wireless computer that connects to your wireless network will have to provide this encryption key. And that’s it!

DIR600 D-Link Wireless N 150 Home Cloud Router: A Review

Not necessarily that you will be expecting a router to be stylish and compact by design and yet as powerful as delivering greater throughput and covering corner to corner throughout your house or apartment. To help you accommodate your wireless home networking needs, there are so many routers available in markets. However, D-Link Wireless n 150 Home Cloud router is one such stylish router that not only meets your home networking needs but also offers enhanced web protection and miscellaneous features that won’t let you think of buying any other router.

Let’s check the specifications below and then pros and cons of this D-Link router.

Specifications:-

Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u.

Single Band: 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz

Antennas: 1 Fixed 5dbi built-in external

Speed: up to 150 Mbps

Ports: 4 x Ethernet 10/100 ports

Encryption Type: WPA and WPA2

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS): Enabled (PBC/PIN)

App Enabled: Yes for Android and iOS devices

UPnP® Support: Yes

Advanced Security: Advanced Dual-Active Firewall with NAT (Network Address Translation) and SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection). Mac Address Filtering (MAF) and URL Filtering for enhanced web protection

Remote Cloud Services: Enabled

OS Compatibility: Windows 7 (64-bit & 32-bit), Vista (64-bit & 32-bit), XP

Miscellaneous Features: Traffic Control, Wireless Distribution Support (WDS), Remote Cloud Access, easy setup and configuration

Pros: excellent for small apartment or house. Easy to install and set up with D-Link setup wizard. Offers enhanced web protection with Dual-Active firewalls viz. NAT and SPI. MAC Address Filtering and URL Filtering ensure that you browse and see what’s safe and not contaminated. Integrated with D-Link Cloud Services, WPA & WPA2 encryption techniques, and UPnP® support. Amazingly affordable at a price of just $29.99 with so many built-in features.

Cons: Not designed for multi-room homes or big apartment. Lacks advanced Wireless standard and dual band. Limited wireless coverage with 1 built-in external antenna. Limited bandwidth and slow data transfer speed with 10/100 4 Ethernet ports. (D-Link router support)

Overview: Dir600 D-Link Wireless n 150 Home Cloud router is an affordable, easy to set up router that meets small home networking requirements. Don’t take it if you have a large, multi-storey or multi-room house. When it comes to web protection, it offers the best with Dual-Active NAT and SPI firewalls. (See Also how to configure firewall settings in D-Link® router)

With Mac Address filtering and URL filtering, it blocks intruders from stealing your bandwidth and data. Enhanced WPA™ and WPA2 encryption ensures that you remain safe and protected from the unprotected wireless network traffic. You can choose any encryption type as per your requirements.

Cloud is the buzz today and D-Link has really heard it. The router integrates Remote Cloud Services that will help you virtually access your wireless home network from anywhere via a Android or iOS device on a Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G network. For this to work, you will have to download the free mydlink app on your Android or iOS device from the D-Link App Store.

This remote cloud service can help you manage your home network from your Android or iOS device. You can see who and when connects to your network, view the web browsing history in real time, set up automatic email alerts, block intruding device connections, and even upgrade your router with the latest updates when available.

If you have multiple devices at your home, there is UPnP® support in the router. With UPnP® (Universal Plug and Play) support, you can multiple devices to the router for file sharing, gaming, and streaming media etc. Thus you can easily connect your printer, XBOX or Nintendo, or TV etc. to start enjoying media or games.

Remember, if you connect and simultaneously share on multiple devices, you may experience slow speed and data transfer issues. To avoid this, you may prefer to connect one device at a time. With Traffic Control, you get ultimate web traffic control and peace of mind as well.

Limited wireless coverage is not meant for you. With Wireless Distribution Support, the D-Link router allows your network to expand using multiple access points without requiring additional equipment. Despite that, with limited hardware capabilities you may not experience significant wireless coverage access. (See Also how to use D-Link wireless bridge to extend your network)

How to Reset Netgear Router’s Password on a Mac Computer

Need help resetting password of your Netgear device on your Mac computer? You may want to reset your password for security reasons or because it has been misplaced or forgotten. Well, whatever the reason is, the problem is there. Don’t worry! Check the below mentioned tips and reset your Netgear device’s password. (See Also Reset Wireless Network's Password)

Resetting password when you have access to your existing password:

1: Connect you Mac computer to your Netgear wireless router using the Ethernet cable. Plug its one end into the computer and run the other end into the back of the router into any of the 4 ports. Disconnect the modem if it is connected in between.

2: When done, open Safari or whichever web browser you use. Type ‘http://192.168.1.1’ in the address bar and hit Enter. When prompted, enter your username and password and click OK. The default username and password for a Netgear router is ‘admin’ and ‘1234’ respectively (may vary as per router’s model) unless you have changed. If you set up a custom password, enter that. (See Also Default Password for Netgear Devices)

3: When logged in, click Set Password under Maintenance in the left hand side. Type the existing password, new one in the respective boxes. Retype to confirm the password. If needed, review your passwords to ensure that there is no typing mistake.

4: Click the Apply button to save changes. Your password is now changed successfully. You must make a note of the password for future use. You will enter this password next time you will log in to the router. Exit the setup screen. Disconnect the Ethernet cable, reconnect your modem, and connect to your wireless network again.

Resetting password when you have lost or forgotten the existing password:

1: Unfortunately, it is impossible to recover a forgotten or lost password from the router. In this case, you must hard reset your Netgear router to restore it to the factory defaults. Disconnect the devices connected to the router.

2: Take a sharp, thin paperclip or pen and push it in the Reset button hole located at the back of the device. Press the button, hold it for around 10 seconds, and then release it. Wait until the router completes rebooting. (See Also how to reset Netgear router to facotry settings)

3: When done, reconnect the devices like computer and modem and power cycle them. Wait until the devices have fully rebooted. Now open Safari and type ‘http://192.168.1.1’. Hit Enter. When prompted, enter default username and password that came with the router docs. When logged in, reset the password as desired (see above for password reset procedure)

***You must check your router manual before entering anything as username and/or password. (See Also Default Password for Netgear Devices) If you still can’t get past the login problem, contact Netgear router support.

How to Manually Upgrade Firmware of Linksys EA2700 Router

Firmware is a hardware version of your router designed to maintain its functionality, performance, security and reliability. When you say you have to upgrade firmware of your router, it means you will upgrade its hardware version.

Like others, your Linksys EA2700 router also has a firmware version that needs to be upgraded from time to time. Cisco releases firmware upgrades for all its products from time to time. Check out the steps given below and upgrade your router’s firmware:

Step1: Open your web browser and visit the Cisco website. Locate your Linksys model number’s details on the website and look for the firmware file (Cisco Connect Cloud). Make sure that you download the correct firmware file designed for Linksys EA2700 router. (See Also how to set up guest access in Linksys EA4500 router)

Step2: Save the file when prompted. Choose a location to save the file. Now extract the file’s contents by right-clicking on it and selecting Extract All. A new folder will appear in the same location. Remember, you will have to upload this file to upgrade the firmware. (See Also how to reset Linksys E1200 router)

Step3: When done, exit the browser window. Before you begin to upgrade, save your existing wireless configurations, otherwise these will be lost. You must log in to your Linksys router’s web interface to do so. Once you have backed up the settings, you can begin to upgrade its firmware.

Step4: Reopen your web browser and type ‘192.168.1.1’ in the address bar. Hit Enter to proceed. In the next screen, if prompted, enter your admin password to log in to the router. if you never set up a custom password, enter the default one. Once logged in, click the Administration tab and then click Manual Upgrade.

Step5: Click the Browse button to browse the file. Select and open the unzipped firmware file (and not the original zip file) and then click the Start Upgrade button. Ignore if any warning appears on the screen. Wait for the upgrade to complete. When prompted, restart your computer.

Step6: That’s it and your router’s firmware will be upgraded. This method can be applied to the entire Linksys EA series to upgrade the firmware. (See Also how to install a Linksys WAG200G gateway device)

Belkin Wireless Router and Its Benefits!!!

Internet is such a medium that connects each and every person. People across the world, mostly the teens, have been very eager to get themselves appear on the Internet. Almost all the computer owners have Internet access today directly through an ISP provider or their office Wi-Fi.

Yes, wireless or Wi-Fi is not a new buzz in the Internet world. In fact, wireless now goes hand in hand with the Internet. All you need to do is purchase a wireless router device, configure the settings, and enjoy anytime, anywhere access to the Internet or connect a gaming console to play games etc. (See Also Belkin Router Support here)

There are various routers available in the market, but it is must to choose the best one. The most preferred router by users is Belkin Wireless Router. These routers are rated as one of the best wireless devices and therefore these are being used by most of the people across the world. (See Also home network setup here)

The reason behind the extensive use of these routers is that they are compatible with most of the operating systems such as Windows, Mac, or UNIX etc.  The router provides good speed, data transmission, good range cover, and ability to withstand cell phone interface, and easy installation among other things. You won’t need more than this when you go for a wireless router. The router is an excellent choice for home-based wireless networks and small-large office networks.

There are numerous routers found in the market but why do people go with Belkin router?

Well, there are various reasons why these routers are preferred over other wireless devices. Some of these are listed below:

1.    Some say that these routers provide the best networking speed and hence they are quite happy with it. The networking speed is good and as a result it becomes easier to access files and network with hard drives, CD-ROMS, and printers etc.

2.    The parental control system is an awesome feature and moreover it is provided free of charge for 6 months. This ensures that parents remain tension free and relaxed as they can block the sites which they do not want their children to see.

3.    Belkin router is easy to set up and configure and it hardly takes time. Moreover, the installation wizard automatically detects the Internet settings and adjusts them to get online access.

4.    It is also excellent in handling multiple connections at a time and without slowing them down. The Internet connections used in the houses are of poor quality and they only use half of the total capacity of the routers. But Belkin router lets users unlock the full capacity of their Internet connection.

When you consider all the above mentioned points, Belkin Router is the best when it comes to using wireless device at home or starting a small business. The best part is that there are various online technical Support companies that provide excellent on-site and/or off-site Belkin router support for Belkin routers. You can contact these companies 24/7 and throughout the year depending on the type of your subscription plan. It is a good value for money and can be used without any problems.

How to Configure Any Netgear Router without Disk

If your Netgear router was shipped without the installation disk (though there are rarest chances of the same) or you lost it due to some reason, all the hope is not lost. You can set up and configure your Netgear router without the installation disk and that too quickly. Check the steps given below and set up your Netgear router:

Step 1: Before you begin, make sure that you have connected your router to your DSL/Cable modem and computer as well. If you need assistance, you can refer to your Netgear router setup documentation. Keep your ISP’s username and password handy to connect to the Internet during the configuration procedure. Also keep your Netgear router’s default username and password handy. These are printed at its bottom.

Step 2: When done, open your web browser and type ‘192.168.0.1’ or ‘www.routerlogin.net’ and hit Enter on the keyboard. When prompted, enter your router’s username and password in the respective boxes. Click OK to proceed.

Step 3: If prompted ‘Check for updates’, click Cancel. In the Netgear router setup interface, click Setup Wizard in the left hand side. You will see the Yes button automatically selected to let the Smart Setup Wizard configure your Internet connection and other settings. Click Next.

Step 4: If you want to manually configure your router, click the No, I want to configure the router myself button and click Next. Follow rest of the on-screen prompts and provide all the necessary details. (See Also restore/reset Netgear router to factory defaults)

Step 5: When done and connected to the Internet, check for any firmware upgrade if available. Click the Firmware Upgrade link to do so. When done, you can move to set up a secure wireless network. Click Wireless Settings under Setup in the left hand side.

Step 6: Select your region, check the Enable SSID Broadcast box, type a name for your SSID (its wireless network’s name), select channel, and select an encryption type. Complete the settings and do not forget to make of note of your wireless network details viz. encryption key, SSID etc. (See Also Reset Wireless Router Password)

Step 7: Review your settings if needed. Then click the Apply button to save your settings and configurations. When done, pull out the Ethernet cable from your computer. Connect to your wireless network from the wireless icon in your system tray.

How to Set up Netgear WNDR4000 N750 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router

Your home networking needs have a solution and that is the Netgear WNDR4000 N750 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit router. It’s an excellent router designed to offer excellent wireless coverage across throughout your home or office to help you wirelessly surf, email, print, or back up data using USB storage device. Also, it’s easy to set up and configure this router using the installation disk or the web-based interface. let’s check the steps given below and install the Netgear router: (Find Here Netgear router support)

1. Before beginning, make sure that you have login details of your ISP to connect to the Internet. Also keep the router login details handy. The default username and password will be printed at the bottom of the Netgear router. (See Also Default Password for Netgear Devices)

2. Power off all your devices viz. the DSL modem and computer. First connect the DSL cable to the Internet port of your DSL/cable modem. Now connect your Netgear router to your modem using the Ethernet cable (a yellow cable, it may also be of different color)

3. Now connect your router to your computer using the Ethernet cable. Plug the Ethernet cable in to one of the 4 LAN ports at the back of the router and run its other end into the Ethernet port of the computer.

4. Now plug the modem and router in their respective Power outlets. Make sure that your computer is also plugged in its Power outlet. Turn on the modem first and let it boot properly. When done, power on the router also and wait for its power cycle to complete.

5. Turn on your computer afterwards and wait for Windows to load. When done, you should see the Power, Wireless and Ethernet lights lit up on the router. When done, insert the Netgear router setup disk in the drive of your computer. For the web-based method, skip to the step number 8.

6. Once the installation media has been detected, Windows will automatically launch a Netgear Welcome screen. Click the Router Setup option. Follow rest of the on-screen instructions and complete the installation of your Netgear router.

7. Make sure that you provide all the required details and make a note of them during the setup procedure. These details include wireless network name (SSID), security key, router’s login details etc.

8. When finished and if required, restart your computer. You can now begin to connect to your wireless network and do miscellaneous things. If you want to quickly skip to the home network setup and configurations, launch your web browser after booting up all the devices.

9. Type ‘192.168.0.1’ in the address bar of your browser and hit Enter. Provide the router’s username and password if prompted. Since you are setting up your router for the first time, the interface will direct you to the Netgear setup screen.

10. You can now set up your home wireless network, create a custom password, configure firewall of parental controls, or do miscellaneous things. Do not forget to make a note of the details for future use. (See Also how to restore a Netgear router to factory defaults)

How to Configure Netgear WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router

In my previous post, I wrote about default password for Netgear devices. In this post, I am going to walk you through the configuration procedure of the latest WNDR4500 Wireless N900 Dual-Band router. It’s an excellent device for wireless home network setup, fast Internet access over a DSL line, guest network setup, and USB storage among other things. Check the steps given below and configure your Netgear WNDR4500 router: (See Also Netgear router support)

1. Before you begin, make sure that you have your ISP’s login details viz. username and password to connect to the Internet on your Netgear router. Also keep the router’s username and password handy. You will find it on the Netgear router setup documentation or the bottom of the router.

2. Connect your router to your DSL modem and to the computer using Ethernet cables.  Refer to the Netgear documentation if you need assistance making the connection. When connected, turn on your Netgear router, computer, and the modem and wait till they boot up.

3. When done, insert the Netgear installation disk and follow the on-screen instructions (self-explanatory). Since you are setting up your router for the first time, you might Network Genie, an auto assistant to help you perform the setup and various other features.

4. It’ll take about 15 minutes or so to complete the installation. Once you have completed the setup and connected to the Internet, your router check for all the latest, available updates. Wait while all the updates are duly installed.

5. When done, reboot your router and other devices and connect to the wireless network or set up guest network etc. If you immediately want to configure your settings without the installation disk, open your web browser and type ‘192.168.0.1’ in the address bar and hit Enter.

6. When prompted, enter your router’s default login details and click OK or Submit whichever you see on the screen to proceed. Now configure your settings as desired. You can set up a custom password, wireless network or miscellaneous settings for your home network. (See Also how to configure Linksys E1200 Wireless router)

What is the Default Password for Netgear Devices

Every Netgear device comes with a unique username and password that helps you log on to it and do miscellaneous things such as wireless network setup, firewall configuration, port forwarding, or access point setup etc. The default login details come printed at the back of the Netgear device or on the documentation supplied with it.

You can change the default password for your Netgear device to protect it from unauthorized users or set up a custom password etc. You can also reset your custom password to defaults. If you have forgotten your custom password, you can reset it to defaults by hard resetting your Netgear device. Find here how to hard reset a Netgear device.

Most of times problem arises when you need to log in to your Netgear device to reconfigure the settings but you have lost the Netgear router setup documentation and have also forgotten the custom password. In that case, you will need to first obtain the default login details and then hard reset your Netgear device.

Since you can’t spend all your time looking for the default login details if you are in urgent need, I am detailing them here in this post.

Most of the Netgear routers use

Username – admin

Password – password

For ReadyNAS Products

Username – admin

Password – netgear1

***It is still recommended that you refer to your Netgear router support documentation provided that you have it.

How to Set up Guest Network Access in Linksys EA4500 Router

If you own an EA4500 Dual-Band N900 router with Gigabit and USB, you might already have a fair idea about its features and utilities. The brand new Linksys router besides being stylish offers excellent wireless coverage, throughput, and powerful & strong signals etc. Among other things that the router offers is the set up of a guest account for network access. Yes, you can set up a guest access to let a guest of yours to connect to the guest wireless network without interfering with your main wireless network and configurations. Check the steps given below: (See Also Linksys router support)

1. Connect your computer directly to your Linksys router using the Ethernet cable. When done, open your web browser and type ‘192.168.1.1’ (default IP address) in its address bar. Hit Enter to continue.

2. On the login screen, enter your router’s username and password and click OK. If you never set up a custom password, enter the default one. The default password is ‘admin’; however you must check your Linksys router setup documentation for the same.

3. If you have lost your custom password, you will need to hard reset your Linksys router. When logged in, you will see the Cisco Setup screen. Click the Wireless tab> Guest Access. Click the Yes radio button beside Allow Guest Access.

4. Note down the guest network name (SSID) using which the guest will connect to your main wireless network. If you want to change the guest password, click the Change button beside Guest Password. Enter the desired password and click Change.

5. Do not forget to note the guest account SSID and password on a piece of paper to avoid the risk of loss. Make sure the SSID Broadcast option is set as Enabled. Click the Save Settings button to save your changes. See also how to access Linksys router login.

6. You can set up 10-50 guest accounts on your Linksys EA4500 router. Exit the router’s interface if you are done. Give out the details of the guest access to the guest user. The method of connecting to the wireless guest network (SSID) remains the same as you connect to your main  wireless network.

How to Reset Belkin Router to Factory Defaults

If you have lost track of your custom wireless configurations like SSID, wireless encryption key etc. or want to reset your login details to defaults, you can reset your Belkin router to factory defaults. Doing so will reset your custom Belkin router settings including login details to defaults.

Check the steps given below and hard reset your Belkin router:

1. Grab a sharp/thin pin or object and keep it aside.

2. Make sure that your Belkin router is powered on. Now locate the Reset button, a tiny hole at the back of the router. The button may also be located underside the router.

3. Take the sharp pin or object and insert it in the hole. Press and hold the button for 7-10 seconds and then release it.

4. The lights will flash and the Belkin router will reset to the factory defaults. Let the router reboot fully.

5. When done, you can set up your Belkin router. To do so, connect your computer directly to the Belkin router.

6. Open your web browser and type ‘192.168.2.1’ in the address bar. Hit Enter to continue.

7. Click the Login button and enter the default router password in the Password box. Click the Submit button. If you don’t know the password, check your Belkin router setup documents.

8. When logged in, set up your Belkin router, configure wireless settings or firewall, do port forwarding, or convert it into an access point etc. (See Also Reset Wireless Password)

***Most of the Belkin routers are shipped without any password. Hence the Password field is left blank if you are using the default password. However, you must always refer to your Belkin router support manual for more specific details.

How to Configure Firewall Settings in a D-Link® Router

Firewall is an integral part of any device and application like computer, router, antivirus etc. It helps keep unauthorized access at bay to and from your computer, wireless network etc. If you have a D-Link router, you can customize the firewall settings according to your wireless network or browsing needs. Check the steps given below and configure firewall settings in your D-Link router:

1. Connect your D-Link router directly to your computer using the Ethernet cable. When done, launch your web browser and type ‘192.168.0.1’ in the address bar. Hit Enter to proceed. On the D-Link Login screen, enter your router’s username and password. You may also be required to enter a capatcha depending on its model etc. (See also how to configure D-Link DL 524 Wi-Fi router)

2. If you don’t know the login details, refer to your D-Link router setup documents. If you changed login details and have forgotten or misplaced them, you can reset your D-Link router to factory settings and use the default login details. When logged in, click the Advanced tab> click Firewall Settings in the left hand pane. (See also wireless network support)

3. On the Firewall Settings screen, you can enable or disable SPI. Choose a NAT ENDPOINT FILTERING from UDP and TCP. If you want to protect your router and wireless network from spoofing, check the Enable anti-spoof checking box. You can check the Enable DMZ box if you are unable to access the Internet on a particular computer on your wired/wireless network.

4. You should enable the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) option only if you cannot work out the Internet connectivity or browsing problem on that particular computer. The DMZ option will put this computer out of your wireless network and the router. (See also how to configure a D-Link Dir 655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router)

5. Under APPLICATION LEVEL GATEWAY (ALG) CONFIGURATION, you will find advanced settings viz. PPTP, VPN, RTSP, SIP etc. You can enable or disable these settings according to your wireless or port forwarding needs. When done, click the Save Settings button to save the changes. If prompted, reboot your D-Link router. (See also how to set up and secure a wireless router)

Connecting Two Linksys Wi-Fi routers for the Internet Access

Need help interconnecting 2 Linksys wireless devices for the Internet access all over your home or office? If yes, then this post is for you. You may want to set up and extend the range of your wireless connection to have Internet access all over your house or the area you are in. Check the steps given below and connect your two Linksys wireless routers for the same: (Also find here how to set up a Linksys router)

1. Connect your first Linksys router (the one that you want to use as the main\server router) to the PC using an Ethernet cable. Set up the router in a proper manner using the right cables. Now you need to configure the router. To do so, open your web browser and type ‘192.168.2.1’ in the address bar. Hit Enter to proceed.

2. On the router login screen, type the admin username and/or password and proceed. On the Linksys Setup utility, click the Wireless tab> the Basic Wireless Settings sub tab. Note down the Wireless Network Mode (mixed, g, or b whatever is there), Wireless Network Name (SSID), and other information on a piece of paper and keep it safe as it will be required in next steps. (Find here how to reset router password)

3. Click the Wireless Security sub tab> select Security Mode viz. WEP, WPA or WPA2> choose pre-shared passkey and type the desired password in the relevant filed. Note down all this information on a piece of paper and keep it aside for further use. Click the Save Settings button and exit the router’s interface.

4. Now connect the second router (the one that needs to be bridged with the server router) to the second PC using an Ethernet cable. Plug the power cable into the power outlet and boot the devices. When the devices have booted, login to the router’s interface (check first and second steps for more info). (Find here Linksys router support)

5. On the Linksys Setup screen, click the Setup tab> Basic Setup. Select the Disable button under Network Setup next to Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) to turn off the DHCP feature in this router. Since the server (main) device will be using this feature, it is not required to have it enabled in the bridge device.

6. Click the Wireless tab> Basic Wireless Settings. Select Client Bridge from the drop-down menu beside Wireless Network Mode. Match the settings on this tab to the settings in the server router. Now click the Wireless Security tab and ensure that all the setting match with those in the server router. (Find here how to set up a Linksys E1200 Wireless N Router)

7. Click the Status tab> Wireless> click the Site survey button to bring up the Site Survey dialog box. It will display a list of all the wireless networks it could find in the area. Locate your Wi-Fi network (SSID) and then click the Join button. Now open your web browser and check whether you can connect to the Internet or not. If you cannot, then review and match your settings exactly to those mentioned in this post. (Find here how to reset Router password)

How to Upgrade Netgear Router Firmware

A firmware upgrade is the hardware upgrade for your Netgear wireless router intended to fix hardware issues, bugs etc. and enhance its performance, reliability, and lifecycle. Netgear rolls out firmware upgrades for each of its products time to time. So, if your Netgear router needs a firmware upgrade, check the steps given below and do so: (Also find here Netgear router support)

1. Before you begin, back up your wireless network configurations or settings before doing the firmware upgrade. Otherwise, all the settings will be lost and you will have to set up your wireless connection or access point from the scratch.

2. Close all the windows and open your web browser. Visit the official Netgear (worldwide) website and look through when the page loads up. Look for the Find your Product search box in the middle of the page and select your Netgear router model from the drop-down arrow.

3. If you don’t know the model number of Netgear router, refer to Netgear router setup documentation that was originally shipped with it. You can find the model number on your Netgear router itself. Turn it upside down and locate the model number. When done, repeat the first step.

4. Once you select your model number, you will be steered to another page showing the available downloads for it and general info etc. Under Downloads, click the available Firmware link and then click the Download Now button. (Find here Netgear wireless router problems and fixes)

5. If you see region-specific firmware downloads, select the one which applies to you and then proceed. Save the file to your PC and exit the browser window. Connect your Netgear wireless router directly to your computer with the Ethernet cable. (Troubleshoot Netgear wireless router)

6. When done, open your web browser and type ‘http://www.routerlogin.net’ in its address bar. Hit Enter to proceed. If prompted, enter login details and continue. On the Netgear Setup Wizard screen, click Router Upgrade under the Maintenance section (in the left hand panel).

7. When prompted, click the Browse button and locate the firmware file that you just downloaded from the Netgear website. Select the file and click the Upload button. If you see any warning, click OK or Yes to proceed. Wait while the firmware is being upgraded.

8. When done, click OK or whatever you see on the screen to proceed. Your Netgear router will reboot during this procedure. When done, log in to your Netgear wireless router or connect to your wireless network. Find here how to update Netgear device drivers.

How to Fix Internet Connectivity Issues in a Netgear Wireless Router

If you are unable to access the Internet wirelessly or the webpages don’t load up on your Netgear wireless router, you may not feel good. Your Netgear device may not connect wirelessly to the Internet because of several reasons. Check these steps mentioned below and troubleshoot Internet connectivity or browsing issues in your Netgear wireless router:

1. Check the ADSL or cable modem status light. If it is solid green, it indicates that your ADSL/cable modem has a good connection. If the light is off, check modem’s physical connection. You can refer to your modem user manual or wireless router support docs for the same.

2. Verify that the Internet light on your Netgear wireless router is solid or blinking green. It indicates a good connection and correct wiring. If the light is off, check the Ethernet wire’s connection between your modem and router. Refer to your Netgear router support docs for any assistance on the same.

3. When done, log in to the web interface of your Netgear device and check if it can obtain the IP address from your ISP or not. Open your web browser, enter ‘192.168.1.1’ in the address bar, and hit Enter. Enter the login details on the login screen and proceed. Click Router Status under Maintenance and check if you see your IP address.

4. If you see 0.0.0.0, the router is not obtaining the IP address. It can happen due to various reasons. Contact your ISP and ask for the details including username, password for PPPoE etc. and try to connect to the Internet again afterwards. If you are unable to browse the Internet, check a few more things. Configure DNS server settings in your Netgear device.

5. You may also need to configure the default gateway settings also. To configure your Netgear device as the default gateway, reboot your PC. When done, open Command Prompt, type ‘ipconfig/all’ and hit Enter. Check Default Gateway, it should be 192.168.1.1, your Netgear device’s IP address.

6. If you are still unable to browse the Internet, ping your router’s connection to the PC. Open Command Prompt, type ‘ping 192.168.1.1’, hit Enter. If your PC is receiving connection from your Netgear device, you will see a message like Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes etc. If there is no connection, you may see the Request timed out message.

7. The Request timed out error can occur due to two things: (1). incorrect physical connection between your Netgear device and the PC or (2) incorrect wireless network setup & configuration. Recheck and correct the Ethernet connection between your PC and the Netgear device. Also reinstall the TCP/IP stack and update Netgear device driver software.

8. When done, check back if you can browse the Internet or not. If the problem persists, hard reset your Netgear wireless router and you will be done. Save your existing wireless network setup configurations and then perform a hard reset. That’s all you need to do.