No home network is complete without a router. It’s one of the most important components of any home, which is why it is essential that you take your time deciding which one would best suit your needs. While a lot of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) give their users router to go with their connection, that isn’t always the case. However, even with those provided models, the features might not be the best, and you may have to pay a rental fee.

Getting a separate router for your home system can be a good idea, especially if you have a lot of devices in your home that are connected to it. This can be particularly beneficial in smart homes, since all smart appliances require a strong Wi-Fi connection to function. For any queries regarding smart home automation, bundles or services, you may contact customer service using your Spectrum mobile phone number.

Browse the market

There are a lot of different routers available with their own distinct set of features. These features should be compared with several others before you decide which one you should buy. For example, some routers will provide a shorter range. If you live in an apartment or a small home, this should suffice, but a home with a larger area and several rooms might require a router with antenna upgrades, so if the default setting doesn’t suit your needs, you always have the option to improve the connection.

Connect the hardware

The router and modem are two devices that are very closely related, but serve very different purposes. A router is essentially a device that functions using data that is transmitted to it by the modem, so neither the router, nor the modem alone can provide a working Wi-Fi connection.

• The router and modem can be connected using an Ethernet cable, which is usually provided in the box that the device comes in.
• The modem has to be connected to the internet port (WAN) on your router.

The router, once connected and working, will allow you to bring multiple devices to your Wi-Fi network.

Choose your Ethernet device

In order to log in and make changes in the router settings, you must connect at least one computer to your router using an Ethernet cable. This will allow you to get on the ISP’s website and monitor the rest of the connections from there. This connection does not have to be permanent; you can always disconnect it and make the connection wireless once all the settings are in place, but that may require a separate device for your computer in some cases. If you’re working with a laptop, then the Ethernet cable will not be required – you can simply connect it wirelessly using the provided username and password.

Connect the router to the internet

To do this, you must visit your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) website, and use the provided credentials to log in. After that, MAC address update option will allow you to add your router’s MAC address there and save it. The router is now authorized, and can be used for wireless internet provided by its respective broadband company. After this, you can use the IP address printed on the router to get to the configuration page for your router. This will also require the username and password, and will lead you to wireless settings page for your router.

Set up your wireless network

It’s often wise to leave the settings at default, unless the ISP provided specific instructions. You may now enter the name for your own network. There is also the option to enable SSID broadcast, after which you must choose the security for your network. WPA2-PSK is often the best security option for home Wi-Fi networks, so that would be your best bet to protect yourself from hackers and such. After this, all you have to do is create the password, and you’re good to go.

Connect your devices

Test your Wi-Fi connection by connecting any device in your home to it wirelessly. If the internet is working, you have successfully set up your router.

Conclusion

Setting up a router at home can be very easy through the above steps. The manual should be enough to guide anyone through the process, the most important step remains to be the research before the router is bought; it’s what will ensure that you always have a good online experience and your home functions as best as it can.