The Equipment You need

Ever the desire to setup your own wireless home network? But lack the know-how to do it?
Look no further as this guide provides you the simplest steps on how to create and secure your home network.

For this guide, we are using the SMCWBR14T-G and the SMCWUSBT-G provided by SMC:

Figure 1: The router and USB adapter

 

Before we begin, always check that all the package contents are inside before continuing....

Figure 2: Package Content

Begin Installation

To begin the installation, remove the router from the packaging. With the back of the router facing you, screw in the antenna. Then plug in one end of the ethernet cable into your modem and the other end into the WAN port. Then power up the router by plugging the power cable in.

Figure 3: The I/O connections at the rear

The router should look like this after the router is powered up:

Figure 4: Front of the powered router

Now put the CD of the USB adapter into your CD-ROM and install the Drivers and Utility:

Figure 5: SMC Driver/Utility

After installation of the driver/utility, restart your pc.

Step 1

Now your USB adapter should automatically be connected to the Wireless router. Open a Internet Explorer and type in this http://192.168.2.1 to access the router configuration page.

Figure 6: Login Page

Connection Settings

Step 2

Login by typing the default password: smcadmin. Then you should see the following screen:

Figure 7: Home network setting page

 

Step 3

Now click on the Home network setting tab, then on the WAN settings. You would be given some choices to choose type of connections (Refer to Figure 8). For Singnet users, select PPPoE. For starhub users, then select Dynamic IP address. For Singnet users, click on “More configuration”, you should be able to see some options as shown in figure 9.

Figure 8: Connection settings

Figure 9: PPPoE configuration

 

Step 4

Under the Home Network Settings, click on Wireless. Click on Channel and SSID option. Then under the option SSID, change the default to a suitable one. Then save settings.

Figure 10: SSID

Protecting your Network

Step 5

We are now going to setup encryption to protect your network and your information.
Under Security, click on Wireless then WEP. Leave everything as default except for the Key. Change the key to something that you desire before you save your settings.

Figure 11: WEP

 

Step 6

Click on Wireless Encryption and select the client type to “WEP Only”. Remember to save settings.

Figure 12: Wireless Encryption

At this point of time, you should have lost connectivity to the router. To reconnect, refer to “Getting your PC connected back to the Wireless router.”

Step 7

Under Firewall‘s Intrusion detection, check the following options: SPI and Anti-DoS firewall protection, RIP defect, Discard Ping To WAN Interface. This helps to reduce downtime and also reduce chances to get hacked.

Figure 13: Firewall

 

Step 8

Under Home Network Settings, Select LAN Settings and change the following fields:

Figure 14: LAN settings

Getting your PC connected back to the Wireless Router

Run the SMC Wireless USB adapter Utility (refer to Figure 15). Then under profile management, click “New” (refer to Figure 16). Add in your profile name and the SSID you put in (figure 17). Under the security tab, select “Pre-shared Key(Static Key)” then click on configure.( Figure 18). Add in the WEP key you have previously changed in the router and save the settings. (Figure 19)

Figure 15: USB Utility

Figure 16: Profile Management

Figure 17: Profile Settings

Figure 18 and 19: WEP Configuration

That's all to setting up your own home network. Simple right? Look out for the next article as we explore the functions available to help protect your network The SMCWBR15T-G and the SMCWUSBT-G also have some unique features that we will be exploring and sharing with you readers!

 

** Guide written by Crazy **

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