High Speed Internet: Cable, DSL & Router Settings, Wireless Security WPA, etc.

Security: For average use the router built in firewall and Microsoft Security Essentials is sufficient.

These days no one should connect directly to the internet without a router. Its features and cheap prices these days make it a must have.

Most quality remote assistance programs will pass easily through a router. Some may require additional settings, such as letting them through Windows Firewall.

Cable and DSL are comparable in use as far as speed and ease of use. Be aware that some companies cap their download speeds and then provide a premium service for a few dollars more per month. The speed that you used to get for the original price.

Often rates are cheaper if you get a 'Bundle', tying your Internet, TV and Phone service together from the same provider.

The installer doesn't set up your computer and cable/DSL modem to the best settings. They use a generic 'fit all' setting. There are many tweaks you can do yourself if you are familiar with adjusting the registry settings. Or check some of the sites such as those below for programs that will do the work for you. It is definitely worth a little research and tweakin' time. As always with these types of adjustments, proceed with caution, do backups and only one step at a time.

Connect Two Routers - want more connections, want your wireless to transmit from a higher level, here's how.

Router Setting Shortcut

If you find you are accessing your router administration program frequently, you know how irriating it is to type in that IP number all the time, not to mention remembering it.

Just make a shortcut on your desktop for it, and you can get to it with one click. Or if you use a program like Find + Run Robot, just type Router, and it will start the browser with the sign in configuration page immediately. (Of course you still have to have the shortcut on your desktop or in a folder for it to read it.)

Much faster, you don't have to remember the number, and you can do it from any of your computers if you put a shortcut on each one.

A wireless router gives you both a wired system and wireless. Most have 4 wired ports. The wireless system is easily turned off via the software if you wish. Providing you activate and set up the security features, there should not be a problem.

If you are planning a wired system, use inside walls for your jacks. And take advantage of closets if you have to. They are much easier to get to if you have to wire from below, and exceptionally easy if you have a suspended ceiling in any of your downstairs rooms. Also by using an inside wall quite often you can put two jacks opposite each other and serve two rooms from one cable run behind the wall. For example two bedrooms, or a kitchen and living room.

Powerline Network

A few years ago these may not have worked well. Our recent tests of the D-link PowerLine Network system put it very close to a wired system for speed and security. Setup couldn't be easier.

If you have special or difficult requirements, one of these options may be worth your consideration.

There are two types of CAT5 cables. Straight Through and Crossover.

You will want the straight through type for normal router hook up. The links above will tell you how to tell the difference between the two types. The short way is to hold the two cable ends side by side. If all the colours are in the exact same order, then it is a straight through cable. If they are not, then it is a cross over cable. (D-Link routers automatically adjust to whatever cables you use. No need for any Crossover cables.)

Tip: Add Guest Connection

These days when friends visit many of them have tablets and smart phones. Of course they'd like to use the internet.

Instead of just handing out your password which probably stays on their device forever, why not create a "Guest Connection"?

Most routers have a setting where you can create a guest connection, which allows the use of the internet without access to your LAN (Local Area Network), meaning they can't access your computers or files.

Just go into your router settings and look for Guest Connection or something similar.

Just fill out the Network Name, give it a separate password (Network Key) and turn it off and on whenever you have guests. Or it can be left running all the time if you wish.

If you make a Router Setting Shortcut as mentioned above, it is pretty easy to turn this setting off and on as needed.

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