Posted: 1/9/2017 10:22:50 PM EDT
| My Fathers area only has DSL availability and the DSL modem/router has no wifi capability. Is there a way to gain wifi ability by routing the DSL modem through a wifi router ? If so, what is the process ? I ask because why some of my IT enable friends have told it is possible but have completely failed to explain how to achieve it. Thanks. |
|
Plug in the router you want to use for Wi-Fi and power it up. These are usually set to start broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal out of the box. With his computer, he should be able to "see" the Wi-Fi network. If he can't, download WiFi Analyzer for your smart phone, fire it up and look for the WiFi network. Once you can see the network with his computer, connect to it. You won't yet have any internet (because it's not connected to the DSL modem) but you should be able to log into the router itself. Usually, you would open a web browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You'll probably be asked for a username and password, which should be in the router's manual. Or, just google the default password for that model. Sometimes, it's on a sticker on the router itself.
Once you've logged in, change the router password and then go change the WiFi network name, called the SSID, to something recognizable, like "Dad's DSL" or something. Make sure to turn on wireless security, usually WPA2. Definitely not WEP. This should be included in the router manual. If not, Google is your friend. Now connect the router to the DSL modem. The router should come with an Ethernet cable. Plug it into the WAN port on the router. The DSL modem likely has 1 (or maybe 4) ports in it. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into one of the DSL ports. Most consumer routers will try to get an IP address automatically from the DSL modem. Once it does, he should be good. Make sense? |
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.