RF-Link WRT55AG - Manual (Page 10)

Dual-Band Wireless A+G Broadband Router
Chapter 4: Configure the PCs
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, setup the Router, either by using the Setup Wizard as shown
in “Chapter 5: Setting Up the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Broadband Router” or
by using the Web-based Utility as shown in “Chapter 6: Configuring the
Router’s Basic Settings with the Web-based Utility”.
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Instant Wireless ® Series
12
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.
Overview
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
panel, as shown in Figure 3-4. 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
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-a or linksys-g (which are
the Router’s default SSID settings, depending upon the wireless devices you
are using), 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.
The Router’s hardware installation is now complete.
Go to “Chapter 4: Configure the PCs.”
Wireless Connection to a PC
Note: You should always plug the Router’s power adapter into a power
strip with surge protection.
Figure 3-4
Note: You should always change the SSID from its default, linksys,
and enable WEP encryption.