192.168.1.1

192.168.1.1 is a private IP address used by many router manufacturers as a default address for accessing router setup. Linksys and Netgear are the most popular brands that use it.

How to configure a Linksys router

Step 1: Set up a Linksys router and a broadband connection

Step 2: Open the web browser and type ‘http://192.168.1.1/’ and click Enter. Note that we’ve entered this string of numbers as the device (router) being used is assumed to be having this as the default IP.

Step 3: A pop-up box will appear. Type ‘admin’ which is usually the default username and leave the password blank. If this does not work out, you can quickly check for more username and password combinations here. Otherwise, you could always call the customer support staff up and acquire this information or check the router manual.

Step 4: Connect to the internet and click on the Internet Setup option.

Step 5: Select your connection type from the drop-down menu. Choose Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for cable modems, or Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) for most Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modems.

Step 6: Set up a Service Set Identifier (SSID) which will enable you to identify the router and thereby change your password.

Step 7: Encrypt the wireless connection using a Wireless Encryption Protocol (WCP) key. Under the ‘Wireless Security’ option, enter a password and click ‘Generate’. This will generate a password which will be used by any client trying to connect to your router. This security will enable you to keep your internet connection clandestine.

How to configure a Netgear router

Step 1: Connect the LAN port of the router to a computer using an ethernet cable.

Step 2: Open the browser and in the address bar type the URL http://192.168.1.1, it being the default IP address.

Step 3: In the pop-up box that appears, type the username as ‘admin’ and enter ‘password’ in the password option.

Step 4: In order to configure the wireless network, click on the Wireless setting in the setup option of the left menu bar.

Step 5: Under the Wireless Network option perform the following actions:

a) Change the SSID from the default setting of ‘Netgear’ to the desired name that you want to give this connection
b) Select the Region that is applicable (a wrong selection could lead to performance problems and network problems in the future)
c) Select any one of the available channels
d) Lastly apply the changes

Step 6: This should configure your wireless service and you can make any other required changes in the blocking of websites or web certificates by clicking on the relevant options on the side in the setup menu bar.

These were the basic ways to set up a Linksys/Netgear router at home. Always keep in mind the model number and the location for enhanced performance and configure your password and settings for maximum security.

How does a router work?

In order to understand the functionality of a router we must first understand data transferability. Every computer is connected to a network which functions through a router. The router essentially performs the task of filtering out relevant data and depositing it to the required servers. The transfer of data from the computer to the server and back is done through a network which grants access to the internet. The data required is entered in the device which filters it through the network to the router, which then proceeds to find the relevant server and information. Once the information is accessed by the server it is resent to the relevant IP address and this process of filtering which the router undertakes prevents overloading of data on a network by dealing only with the required IP addresses.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

Each device connected to a network has a particular unique identification number known as an Internet Protocol (IP) Address. This becomes a marker for a particular device connected to a network and provides the server with a path to transfer data and information. Without this IP address it becomes impossible to identify the network interface or location of the device. It is this identification number that makes it possible for the router to distinguish the path from the source to its destination. There are two types of IP addresses in use today. The most common ones today are 32 bit numbers which consist of four fragments separated by three dots known as the IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4). In 1998 however while predicting the possible increase in demand that would occur on the exhaustion of the IPv4 addresses, the RFC 2460 standardized the IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) addresses which were 128 bit numbers consisting of eight characters separated by colons. One of the major issues with the IPv4 is that if there is a repetition of addresses within open networks the possibility of a network data crash or other unpredictable issues between the two computers exists. For this reason most open networks do not repeat addresses. However with the limited availability of IPv4 addresses the possibility of running out of unique number combinations remain.

192.168.1.1 as a private IP address

To combat this problem the IP addresses that range between 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 are reserved and termed as private addresses because they are non routable without Network Address Translation (NAT). The routers that run on these addresses are only recognizable within the network they are set up in. They cannot be accessed from any other network. This way the repetition of an IP address between two networks does not present a problem as neither address can be accessed outside the network zone. Essentially a call from an IP address in a private network will only be answered and accessed from within the network thus increasing security and reliability, and also preventing clashes between similar devices. Of course, it remains a condition that no two routers within a single network have the same IP address, as such a case would always lead to network clashes. The IP 192.168.1.1 is an example of a private address and it is also the default IP address for several broadband router manufacturers such as Linksys, Netgear, Westell and others.

Network engineers are able to extract a lot of functionality from the Linksys routers. However the administration of these networks requires routine and characteristic manipulations in wireless security modes, Service Set Identifier (SSID) alterations and constant changes in the keys of the security networks. However these can be done at home for personalized routers and connections as well. All the above manipulations can be made by accessing the router setup page. Detailed instructions for configuration of a Linksys and Netgear router are given at the bottom of the article.

Possibility of changing the default IP

192.168.1.1 is one of the default IP addresses found to be set in most home broadband routers during their manufacturing, but it is definitely not something that is hard to change. In fact, you can easily set your desired network’s IP address according to your convenience through the administrative console. Linksys, Westell, Speedtouch and Netgear are some of the major broadband router manufacturers that use the RFC defined 192.168.1.1 as a default IP address in their routers to simplify the configuring process for a new user. The process is as simple as entering the default IP on the browser’s address bar and you are ready to set up your broadband router properly in the browser itself. It is always advisable to configure the router and IP address in order to increase security and track your internet usage.