How to Setup Broadband Router/Modem?

You might be very much familiar with the word "Broadband". It is nothing else but the normal internet connection that we take in our homes. The major difference between these connections and the corporate connections in offices is that the broadband connection works on a sharing basis. The entire bandwidth is shared with all the users who have taken connections from that vendor in your area. For example, in a corporate connection, if you take a 2 MBPS connection from Airtel you can enjoy this 2Mbps speed for all the day. But if it is a 2 MBPS Broadband connection, then the 2MBPS mentioned there is the maximum speed. It may vary to anything below this maximum bandwidth depending on the network traffic at that time. That is why sometimes you feel that your Broadband connection is working very slow.

As you got a brief idea about the Broadband connection, let us check how to set up broadband router/modem. The broadband router/modem is the device at your end on which the broadband connection is terminated. Under normal circumstances, your Internet Service Provider will configure this device for you. But if required you can even do it for yourself. Let us check why we recommend you configure the broadband connection on your own. 

Benefits of Configuring a Broadband Connection By Yourself

Below are some of the major benefits that you can enjoy if you set up broadband router/modem by yourself without taking the support of a second person.

1. You can set the Wi-Fi Password of your choice without letting it know to anyone else. This helps to avoid unauthorized use of your internet connection by anyone else.
2. It can help you make your network safer. Intruders are eagerly waiting to get connected to your network and enjoy free internet and other resources. Any information regarding your network can help them get easy access to your network.
3. You can change the configuration of the device at any time. Whenever you feel something suspecting you can easily change your broadband settings and make sure that everything is working fine.

Steps for Basic Configuration of a Broadband Router/Modem

The Wi-Fi router that comes along with your Broadband connection has a default IP Address, Login Credentials and in most cases a Wi-Fi Password also. Majority of the routers displays these details on their bottom so that you can easily check it. If you can’t find it on your device then there is no need to worry as we have an alternate option for this. Connect your laptop to the broadband router with the help of a LAN Cable. Then click on "Windows+R” keys on your laptop. In the newly opened window type “CMD” and click enter. Now you can see that a black colored window is opened. Type “IPCONFIG” there and click Enter. There you can see the IPV4 Address, which is the IP Address of your laptop and the Default Gateway which is the broadband router’s IP Address.

Open any web browser in your laptop, enter the broadband router’s IP Address and click enter. Now you can find that a login page has appeared there. Most of the broadband router models have the default Login ID and Password as "admin". If it is not working refer the router's user manual or manufacturer website for these details. This is required only if these details are not mentioned on the bottom of the device. After a successful entry of the login details, you will get access to the configuration page of the broadband modem/router. In the "Wireless" Menu of this configuration page, you can view the Wi-Fi password of the device. It is strongly recommended to change this password to a new one. Also, remember to make a note of this password for future reference.

Advance Setup Of Broadband Router

The broadband router provides a lot of options for its users to customize the device as per their requirement. Below are some of the most important things that you should take care of during the initial configuration itself.

1.       Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP)

 

This feature is popularly known as DHCP. It is this feature that decides whether the devices connected to your broadband router will get automatically assigned IP Address or not. Make sure that this feature is disabled. Otherwise, anyone who came to know about your Wi-Fi password can easily use your internet connection. If this feature is disabled, they require your IP Address series along with the password to get connected to your router. This feature can be found either in the “Network” menu or the "DHCP" Menu depending on your broadband router model.

2.       LAN IP Address

It is very much required to note down the LAN IP Address series as one of these IPs should be entered into your computer or smartphones if they want to connect to your router. This is the case when the DHCP feature is disabled. Otherwise, the connected devices will automatically get assigned with the IP Address. The LAN IP Address can be checked from the ‘Network” Menu of the router. Any device that you will connect to your network should possess an IP Address of this series. For example, if your router’s LAN IP Address is 192.168.1.1, you can use any IP Address starting from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254 in your connected devices with 192.168.1.1 mentioned as the default gateway. If you are not sure about setting up IP Address in your computer visit my post on “How to Setup an IP Address on Your Computer?”. 

Conclusion: -

Broadband routers come with a lot of options that can help you make your network work exactly as per your requirement. A highly customized home network provides you with effective use of the resources also. Apart from these basic configurations, the broadband routers can be used for network troubleshooting as well. Most of the people directly get in touch with the ISP even for any small issues related to their connection. But a lot of such issues can be checked and resolved by yourself. The only thing that you need is to have a mind which is ready to learn new things.