Author: HQH
Released: May 21, 2001
Updated: January 18, 2003
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A good location to place the Linksys router is next to your cable modem. Also, try to keep in mind that it is also a good thing that
the Linksys router and the cable modem should be within reach if there should be any trouble arising. I have my Linksys router set
right next to the cable modem, where they're right next to my computer. Easy access if anything goes wrong. I'm not here to say that
there would be something to go wrong, but for easy access in the future, it is a good idea to find an easy accessible location for
your router and cable modem.
Now, to setup the Linksys router. First, run a CAT5 (CAT5e or CAT6) cable from the router's WAN port to the cable modem's RJ45
port. The Linksys router's WAN port is the one that is labeled WAN above the port and it is upsidedown for BEFSR41 version 1 (version
2, it's the port that is on the far left end and has a label of WAN above the port).
Next step is to run additional cabling from the Linksys router's LAN ports (labeled above the ports as 1,2,3,4 and uplink) to
each computers' network interface card's (NIC) RJ45 port. We are not going to use the Uplink port, as we're not extending our network.
If needed, either use a hub or a switch, connecting the router's Uplink port with one of LAN ports on the hub/switch would extend
your network. An uplink port saves you from buying a crossover cable if you were to expand your network. Be aware that the ports
Uplink and 1 are shared on the router, so only one cable can use each port. Having two cables in port 1 and Uplink may cause network
access failure.
Now to configure each computers how they communicate with the router. Turn on all the computers. Do the following to each
computers:
For Windows 9x/Me
1. Click the Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel. Select Network.
2. Select your NIC's (Network Interface Card - a.k.a. Ethernet card) TCP/IP component. In my case, my NIC component is NETGEAR
FA410TX Fast Ethernet PC Card. Click Properties.
3. Select IP Address tab.
3a. Select 'Specify an IP address' option. You have the option to enter in IP Addresses: 192.168.1.###, where ### is
between 2 through 254. For ease, I recommend starting with 100 and increment (e.g. 192.168.1.100, then 192.168.1.101, etc.) Note:
each computer must have a unique IP address. For an example, if one computer is already 192.168.1.100, you cannot reuse 192.168.1.100
for another computer. Pick a different IP address, like 192.168.1.101.
3b. For Subnet mask box, fill in 255.255.255.0. All computers will have the same Subnet mask address.
Note: In the picture above, Win98/SE doesn't have the 'Detect connection to network media' option. This is just an option for
WinMe. There's no harm if you have or don't have this option checked.
3c. Click the WINS Configuration tab. Make sure that the option 'Disable WINS Resolution' is selected.
3d. Click the Gateway tab. Under 'New gateway', add the IP address 192.168.1.1. All computers will have the same
gateway address.
3e. Click DNS Configuration tab. Select 'Enable DNS'. The Host box should be different for all the computers. For my
computer, I put in the Host's box as HQH (same as Computer Name from Identification tab from Network setting, which can be viewed
below). All the computers should have the same DNS Server Search Order IP address: 192.168.1.1. Enter that in, and click Add.
3f. You are finally done with TCP/IP Properties, so click OK. You should now return to the Network dialog box.
Select Identification tab. For your computer name, choose one that will be unique within your LAN. It could be your name, an object,
whatever. I chosen mine as HQH, and the other 2 computers that I manage with different names. So do this for your computers. For the
Workgroup, I will give it Home. As for Computer Description, put in whatever you wish, but unnecessary to have a description.
3g. Click OK. It'll ask to restart your computer. Do so right now. You should be done with everything setting up
your computers for LAN (Local Area Network).
For Windows 2000/XP
1. Click the Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel. Select Network Connections.
2. Right click on Local Area Connection. Select Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), but don't uncheck the box. Click Properties.
4. From the General tab, do the following:
4a. Select 'Use the following IP address:
4b. For IP address box, you have the option to enter in IP addresses: 192.168.1.###, where ### is between 2 through
254. For ease, I recommend starting with 100 and increment (e.g. 192.168.1.100, then 192.168.1.101, etc.) Note: each computer must
have a unique IP address. For an example, if one computer is already 192.168.1.100, you cannot reuse 192.168.1.100 for another
computer. Pick a different IP address, like 192.168.1.101.
4c. For Subnet mask box, just click somewhere in the box and it should automatically fill in 255.255.255.0. If not,
fill in 255.255.255.0. All computers will have the same subnet mask address.
4d. Default gateway box, enter in: 192.168.1.1. All computers will have the same gateway address.
4e. Under 'Use the following DNS server addresses', for Preferred DNS server, enter in: 192.168.1.1. Leave Secondary
DNS server blank. Click OK and then OK. All computers will have the same DNS server address.
5. Right click on My Computer, select Properties (or Windows Key + Pause key).
6. Select Computer Name tab, click on Change button.
7. Take note of Computer name box. This is identifies each computer on the network. Under 'Member of', select 'Workgroup', and
enter in: Home. This is to make it easier for Windows to search in your own workgroup and find computers easier when file sharing.
Click OK, then another OK, and reboot. You should be done with everything setting up your computers for LAN (Local Area Network).
Time to access the router. Now, from one computer after rebooting, log into the router. By default, the router's IP address is
192.168.1.1. Click here and it should open it up a browser for you to log into the
router. You can do it manually too: open up an Internet browser and type in 192.168.1.1 and hit the Enter/Return key. You should see
the window shown below. For the first time logging into your router, the default password is 'admin' (no single quotes). So type in
admin in the Password box. There is no User Name for the router. Also, you cannot save the password, so you'll have to type in the
password every time you log into the router. You can change this password later on, but for now, don't worry about it just yet.
Click OK and you should be brought into the router's features and options menu.
Setup Tab Section
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