Linksys WRT54G Series Router Setup for MINET
To begin setting up your Linksys WRT54G router you need to familiarize yourself with its various ethernet ports.
Look at the back of your router and begin by comparing it to the picture below :
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The first step in setting up your router is to verify that all cable connections are correct.
You should have an ethernet cable going from the wall outlet installed by MINET to the WAN port on your router.
The WAN port is labeled as "Internet" on the router. See the following pictures for details :
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Next, you should plug your computer in to any of your routers LAN ports with an ethernet cable.
* It is not recommended that you perform router setup using a wireless connection.
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After verifying that your connections are correct you will want to log on to your computer.
Open Internet Explorer, Firefox, or whatever internet browser you regularly use.
After opening your browser locate the internet address bar near the top.
Delete its contents and enter the following : 192.168.1.1
Hit Enter.
See the picture below for details.
192.168.1.1 is the default IP Address of your Linksys router.
After hitting enter you will be prompted with the "Connect to 192.168.1.1" login box.
By default, the Linksys user name is blank, and the password is admin.
Type admin in the Password field and click OK. You should be taken into the Linksys Router Administration page.
If you are NOT taken into the admin page but instead get an "Unauthorized" response as shown below,
your router is not currently at factory defaults. If you do not know the login password you will need to reset the router.
In order to reset your router back to factory default settings simply press and hold in the recessed "reset"
button located on the back of the router for ten seconds. See the picture below for details.
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After successfully logging in to your Linksys WRT54G router you will be directed to the following administration page :
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Note the Menu options along the top including Setup, Wireless, Security, Access Restrictions, Applications and Gaming, etc.
Also of note are the various sub-menu options directly below the menu options.
The sub-menu options for Setup as shown in the above image are Basic Setup, DDNS, Mac Address Clone, etc.
Out of the box your linksys router should be set up to work with the MINET system. You do not need to run the
Linksys setup CD or enter any special information pertaining to the MINET system.
To configure Wireless Security for your router begin by clicking the "Wireless" menu option near the top.
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You should be taken to the "Basic Wireless Settings" option in the "Wireless" menu. You do not need to change any of
the settings here with the exception of the Wireless Network Name (SSID). This is the name of your router.
By default your router is named "Linksys" or "WRT54G". It is recommended but not required that you change your
router name to something more meaningful to you, to help distinuish it from other Linksys routers in the area.
Change the SSID then click the "Save" button at the bottom.
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You should see a confirmation message similar to that shown above. Click the "Continue" button.
You should be directed back into the Linksys administration pages. It is possible that you may need to
enter 192.168.1.1 into the address bar at the top again, and log back into your router.
After setting your SSID you will need to configure the Wireless Security portion of your router. Click the "Wireless"
menu item at the top of the Linksys administration page then the "Wireless Security" option underneath it.
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Set the Security Mode to WEP. Leave the Default Transmit Key at 1 and WEP Encryption at 64 bits.
Type a unique password into the "Passphrase" box then click the "Generate" button next to it.
The fields below this labeled "KEY1, KEY2, KEY3, KEY4" should be automatically filled out.
You will want to write down what is showing in the Key 1 field exactly as shown (including case).
This will be the password used when associating a wireless device (i.e. laptop) with your router.
Click the Save Settings button at the bottom and you will again be taken to the "Settings are Successful" page.
You are done configuring your Linksys router. You can now close out of your web browser.
Connecting Your Wireless Computer To Your Router
Now that your have set up your Linksys WRT54G wireless router you will be able to securely associate your wireless
computer with it. Covered below are the steps to create a wireless connection through Windows XP and Vista.
Other operating systems work in a similar manner. If you need help connecting your Operating System with your
router contact MINET.
Connecting to your router using Windows XP
Depending on how your version of Windows XP is set up, access the Control Panel in one of the following ways :
Click Start -> Control Panel
Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
You should see one of the following control panel layouts :
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If you see the version on the above left, click the link in its upper left corner that says "Switch to Classic View".
Your Control Panel will then appear as the image on the right is shown, above.
After you have done this, double click on "Network Connections".
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Locate your Wireless Connection. Right click on it and choose "View Available Wireless Networks".
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You should see your router listed. It should show up with the SSID (Router Name) you set it to in the
Linksys Administration page. If you do not see your router listed click on the link in the upper left
of the window labeled "Refresh Network List" then look for your router.
Your router should also show up as "Security Enabled". If you see your router listed but it is
showing as "Unsecured" (similar to those in the picture above) then your Wireless Security settings have
not been saved properly. You will need to go back through the router setup instructions above.
Click on your router then click the "Connect" button in the lower right corner of the window.
You will be prompted to enter your network password / encryption key. Enter Key 1 exactly as it was saved
when doing your router configuration and click OK. You should now be connected to your wireless network.
Connecting to your router using Windows Vista
To start setting up a wireless connection with Vista Click the Windows button in the lower left corner then
click on "Connect To".
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After selecting "Connect To" you should be taken into the available wireless networks dialog box, as shown below.
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You should see your router listed here, and it should be showing up as "Security Enabled". If your router is not showing up
try clicking the refresh button (with the two arrows) in the upper right. If your router is showing up but is
listed as "Unsecured Network" then your wireless security settings did not get saved properly during router setup.
You will need to log back into your router and go back through the steps for wireless setup.
If your router is showing up properly select it then click the "Connect" button at the bottom.
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In the "Security key or passphrase" field enter KEY 1 exactly as it was saved during the router setup process.
If all goes well you will see a window similar to that shown below indicating that the secure connection was
sucessfully created. You can click the close button at the bottom. Your wireless connection is ready to use.
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