Abstract: In this paper, we were asked to find a device that is connected to our major and write a description and instructions as to how someone can use the device to it’s best capabilities following the instructions. My device is a router and everything about it talked about in the paper below.

Device: Router 

A router is a small box like structure that is connected via a power cable and a Ethernet cable that comes from your modem, the device that internet service providers setup at your home to give you access to the internet. The router has really powerful transmitters as it enables you to have WiFi at your house. This router presented on the picture above is from Net Gear, it covers up to a full house that consists of four bedrooms as described in their website. There are other manufacturers of routers like TpLink, Asus and LinkSys. Some routers even have one to four antennas on them that strengthens their range and the speed that they are able to connect to all the devices connected to the WiFi. This enables higher speeds and less disconnection. But the basic layout is really similar among all routers they have lights up front that represent the state they are in, if they are on, connected to other devices, if the internet is accessible or not and if any Ethernet cables are being used directly from the router to connect to the internet physically. At the back of the router are Ethernet ports which help connect devices with a Ethernet cable.

What’s in the Box? 

The product package should contain the following items: 

1. The wireless router 

2. An AC power adapter (varies by region) 

3. A blue Ethernet cable 

4. Resource CD, including: 

1. The Smart Wizard Installation Assistant 

2. This manual 

5. Warranty and Support Information cards 

The Front of the Wireless Router 

Figure 1 

You can use the status lights on the front of the wireless router to verify various conditions. 

Status Light	Activity	Description
1. Power	On — Amber  On — Green  Fast blink — Green Slow blink — Green Off	The router integrity test is running.  Power is on and the router is ready.  Software update is in progress.  There is a problem with the wireless router software. Power is not supplied to the router.
2. Internet	On — Amber On — Green Blink — Green	The Ethernet cable is connected but the wireless router has not gotten an Internet address.  The wireless router has an Internet address.  Data is being communicated with the Internet.
3. Wireless	On Blink Off	Indicates that the Wireless port is enabled. Traffic is being transmitted or received. Indicates that the Wireless port is disabled.
4. LAN (Local Area Network) Lights 1-4	On (Green) Blink (Green) On (Amber) Blink (Amber) Off	The local port is connected to a 1000 Mbps device.  Data is being transmitted at 1000 Mbps.  The local port has detected a link with a 10/100 Mbps device. Data is being transmitted at 10/100 Mbps.  No link is detected on this port.

The Back of the Wireless Router 

Figure 2 

The back of the wireless router has the following port connections: 

1. Factory default reset button 

2. Four local Ethernet ports for connecting the local computers 

3. Internet port for connecting to a cable or ADSL modem 

4. Power adapter port 

What You Need Before You Begin 

Prepare the following before you set up your router: 

• Internet service. 

• The configuration information your Internet Service Provider (ISP) gave you. Depending on how your Internet account was set up, you may need one or more of these settings for the wireless router to access the Internet: 

—  Host and Domain Names 

—  Internet Login Name and Password (frequently an email address and password) 

—  Domain Name Server (DNS) Addresses 

—  Fixed or Static IP Address 

Your ISP should have provided you with all the information needed to connect to the Internet. If you cannot locate this information, you can ask your ISP to provide it. 

• For cable modem service, use the computer you first used to set up your Internet service. 

Setting up Router using Smart Wizard 

• Smart Wizard Setup: Click Setup on the CD to use the Smart Wizard. 

—  This is the easiest way to set up a router. The wizard guides you through the setup process, automates many of the steps, and verifies that necessary conditions exist and that steps you perform have been successfully completed. 

—  This requires a PC running Microsoft Windows. 

1. Insert the CD that came with the router into a Windows PC. The CD will automatically start and detect the language you are using on your PC. Accept the language option or change to a different language. 

2. Click Next to proceed. 

3. Click Setup to start the Smart Wizard installation assistant. Follow the wizard instructions. 

To Connect Your Wireless Router 

1. Connect the wireless router, the computer, and the modem. 

1. Turn off your computer. 

2. Turn off and unplug the cable or ADSL broadband modem. 

3. Locate the Ethernet cable (1) that connects your computer to the modem. 

Figure 3 

4. Disconnect the cable at the computer end only (2).  

Figure 4 

5. Securely insert the Ethernet cable from your modem into the Internet port of the wireless router (3). 

Figure 5 
 

6. Securely insert the blue cable (4) that came with your wireless router into a LAN port on the router such as LAN port 1 (5), and the other end into the Ethernet port of your computer (6). 

Your network cables are connected and you are ready to start your network. 

2. Start your network in the correct sequence. 

1. First, plug in and turn on the cable or DSL modem. Wait 2 minutes. 

2. Now, plug the power cord into your wireless router and into a power outlet. Wait 1 minute. 

3. Last, turn on your computer. 

Figure 6 

4. Check the wireless router status lights to verify the following:  

1. Power: The power light (1) should turn amber and then solid green. 

2. Wireless: The wireless light (2) should be lit after turning on the router. 

3. Internet: The Internet port light (3) should be lit. 

4. LAN: A LAN light (4) should be lit. Green indicates your computer is communicating at 1000 Mbps; amber indicates 10/100 Mbps.  
    

3. Connect to the wireless router by typing http://www.routerlogin.net in the address field of your browser, then click Enter. 

Figure 7 

A login window like this should appear 
 

4. For security reasons, the router has its own username and password. When prompted, enter admin for the router username and password for the router password, both in lower case letters. 

After logging in, this menu will show up. 

5. Click Next. The wizard will assist you with configuring your wireless router to access the Internet. 

6. Click Done to finish. 

You are now connected to the Internet!