Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

2

To prepare your router for installation:

1.

Carefully peel off the protective film covering both sides of your router (see

Figure 1

).

2.

Set up your wireless router by inserting the tabs of the stand (supplied with your router) into

the slots on the bottom of your router as shown in

Figure 2

. Then, remove the protective film

covering the status light panel of the router.

3.

Place your router in a suitable area for installation (near an AC power outlet and accessible to

the Ethernet cables for your wired computers).

Figure 1

Figure 2

To ensure proper heat dissipation and for router stability, it is important that you

connect the stand and place your router in an upright position.

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

3

Hardware Features

Before you install and connect your router, take a moment to become familiar with the front and

back panels of the router—especially the status lights on the front panel.

Front Panel

The router front panel, shown in

Figure 3

, contains status lights. (For more information on

interpreting the status lights, see

“Verifying Your Connection” on page 16

and

“Checking Basic

Router Functions” on page 27

.)

You can use the status lights to verify various conditions.

Figure 3

Table 1.

Status Light Descriptions

Label

Activity

Description

1.

Power

Solid Amber

Solid Green

Off

The router is performing the power-on self-test diagnostic.

The power is on and the router is ready.

Power is not being supplied to the router.

1

2

3

4

5

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

4

2.

Internet

Solid Amber

Solid Green

Off

No IP address acquired.

The wireless router has acquired an Internet address.

No Ethernet cable is connected to the modem.

3.

Wireless

Solid Blue

Off

The wireless interface is enabled.

The wireless interface is turned off.

4.

LAN

(Ports 1–4)

Solid Green

Solid Amber

Off

The local port is connected to a 100 Mbps device.

The local port is connected to a 10 Mbps device.

No link is detected on this port.

5.

Push 'N'

Connect

Solid Green

Off

Indicates that wireless security (WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK) is

on.

No WPS connection exists.

Table 1.

Status Light Descriptions

(continued)

Label

Activity

Description

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

5

Back Panel

The router back panel, shown in

Figure 4

, contains port connections.

Viewed from top to bottom, the rear panel contains the following elements:

1.

Wireless On/Off button.

2.

Restore factory settings button. Press for approximately 5 seconds to reset the router to the

factory default settings.

3.

Four Local Area Network (LAN) 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for connecting the router to

your local computers.

4.

Internet/Wide Area Network (WAN) Ethernet port for connecting the router to a cable or DSL

modem.

5.

AC power adapter outlet for connecting the power adapter

6.

Power on/off push-button.

Figure 4

1

5

4

6

2

3

Getting to Know Your Wireless Router

6

Router Label

The label on the back of the wireless router shows the router’s MAC address, serial number,

security PIN, and factory default login information.

1.

The ports on the router are color-coded to distinguish your Internet port from the other four

ports that connect to the wired computer(s) on your Local Area Network (LAN).

Positioning Your Wireless Router

The wireless router lets you access your network from virtually anywhere within the operating

range of your wireless network. However, the operating distance or range of your wireless

connection can vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router. For

example, the thickness and number of walls the wireless signal must pass through might limit the

range. For best results, place your router:

•

Near the center of the area where your computers and other devices will operate, preferably

within line of sight to your wireless devices.

•

Accessible to an AC power outlet and near Ethernet cables for wired computers.

•

In an elevated location such as a high shelf, keeping the number of walls and ceilings between

the wireless router and your other devices to a minimum.

•

Away from electrical devices which are potential sources of interference, such as ceiling fans,

home security systems, microwaves, or the base for a cordless phone.

•

Away from any large metal surfaces, such as a solid metal door or aluminum studs. Large

expanses of other materials such as glass, insulated walls, fish tanks, mirrors, brick, and

concrete can also affect your wireless signal.

Figure 5

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in significant performance degradation

or an inability to wirelessly connect to the Internet.