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1.

Hardware Setup

Getting to know your router

This chapter explains how to set up your hardware. If you have already set up your N150R

router, you can skip this chapter. Chapter 2 explains how to set up your Internet connection.

This chapter contains the following sections:

•

Unpack Your Router

•

Position Your Router

•

Hardware Features

Hardware Setup

7

N150 WiFi Router (N150R)

Unpack Your Router

Open the box and remove the router, cables, and installation guide.

Ethernet cable

N150R WiFi Router

Power adapter

Figure 1. Check the package contents

Your box contains the following items:

•

N150 WiFi Router (N150R)

•

AC power adapter (plug varies by region)

•

Category 5 (Cat 5) Ethernet cable

•

Installation guide with cabling and router setup instructions

If any parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged, contact your On Networks dealer. Keep the

carton and original packing materials, in case you need to return the product for repair.

Position Your Router

The 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 passes through can limit the range. For

best results, place your router:

•

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

preferably within line of sight to your wireless devices.

•

So it is 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 router and your other devices to a minimum.

Hardware Setup

8

N150 WiFi Router (N150R)

•

Away from electrical devices that are potential sources of interference. Equipment that

might cause interference includes ceiling fans, home security systems, microwaves,

PCs, the base of a cordless phone, or 2.4 GHz 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.

When you use multiple access points, it is better if adjacent access points use different radio

frequency channels to reduce interference. The recommended channel spacing between

adjacent access points is 5 channels (for example, use Channels 1 and 6, or 6 and 11).

Hardware Features

Before you cable your router, take a moment to become familiar with the front, side, and back

panels and the label. Pay particular attention to the LEDs on the front panel.

Front Panel

The router front panel has the status LEDs and icons shown in the following figure.

Figure 2. Router front view

Table 1.

Front panel LED descriptions

LED

Description

Power/

Check

•

Solid green

.Power is supplied to the router.

•

Blinking green

. The router is starting up.

•

Off

. Power is not supplied to the router.

Wireless

•

Blinking green

. Data is being transmitted or received over the wireless link.

•

Off

. The wireless radio is turned off.

Internet

•

Solid green

. The Internet connection has been established.

•

Blinking green

. There is traffic on the Internet port.

•

Off

. No Internet connection.

Ethernet

(1, 2)

•

Solid green

. The LAN port has detected an Ethernet link with a device such as a computer.

•

Blinking green

. Data is being transmitted or received.

•

Off

. No link is detected on this port.

Hardware Setup

9

N150 WiFi Router (N150R)

Back Panel

The back panel has the connections shown in the following figure.

Ethernet

Internet port

Power On/Off

Power connector

LAN ports (2)

Reset button

Figure 3. Router, rear view

See

Default Factory Settings

on page 83 for information about restoring factory settings.

Hardware Setup

10

N150 WiFi Router (N150R)

Label

The label on the bottom of the router shows the preset WiFi network name and password,

login information, MAC address, and serial number.

MAC address

Serial number

Preset WiFi

Router login

Password

WiFi Network

Name (SSID)

Figure 4. The label shows unique information about your router