How to configure a Cisco router?

Almost any Cisco router is perfect not only for home use, but also as an office router, in an educational, medical or any other institution. However, it is not enough to buy a good and multifunctional model, you still need to be able to properly configure it.

Models from this company there are several, but the most popular today is the Cisco Linksys e1200 router, so it makes sense to review the settings on its example. For other models, the principle of action will be similar, it is important only to understand the essence. However, it should be borne in mind that, depending on a particular model, there may be differences in the program interface and in menu items.

Basic Specifications

This Cisco router has the following specifications:

1. WAN port - standard Ethernet (RJ-45). Supported protocols: L2TP, PPPoE, PPTP.
2. LAN ports (4 pieces) for connection at a speed of 100 Mbps.
3. Support for Wi-Fi with a working frequency of 2.4 GHz and a maximum connection speed of 300 Mbps.
4. The Cisco router has two built-in antennas.
5. There is support for IPTV and some other secondary functions.

Advantages of the Cisco Linksys e1200 router:

• The price is affordable for most users.
• Despite the budget, the router applies all the most popular technologies to date for an Internet connection.
• CiscoLinksys e1200 is reliable and unpretentious in operation. If he is exploited in the proper conditions, he will certainly serve faithfully for more than one year.
• Stylish and attractive design.
• Good ergonomics. All controls and connectors are in place. We can say that they are made in the "classical" version. After connecting, the wires will not interfere with each other and block access to other elements of the device.
• Multifunctionality. A router can not only receive and distribute the Internet over a traditional LAN, but also through a wireless Wi-Fi network.
• Ease of use. Do not need any knowledge and skills of a professional to start using a router. Of course, the launch "out of the box" can not be done, for this you will need to configure the router according to the available Internet connection, however, the configuration process itself is implemented very clearly and intuitively.
• Cisco Linksys e1200 allows you to perform a lot of "minor" functions. For example: open and close additional ports, enter the guest mode and much more, which, incidentally, in everyday use is unlikely to come in handy. Nevertheless, to have all this functionality is very pleasant.

Resetting the preset settings

If you purchased a used router or the previous settings were not performed correctly, you must reset them. To do this, you need to turn on the device itself and find the Reset button on the bottom of it. It should be pressed and held for at least 10 seconds, after which the router will restart again, but with the settings reset.

Connecting to a computer

The Cisco e1200 router connects to the computer no harder than any other similar router. To begin with, of course, you need to connect it to a power source and turn it on. On the back of the device there is an Ethernet input, it is marked in yellow. It needs to insert a cable from the provider, and any of the four LAN ports need to be occupied by a computer.

Configuring the Network Card

In order for the network card to automatically obtain the IP address assigned to the router, it may be necessary to make initial settings for the card. For this you need:

• Open the Control Panel and select the "Network and Sharing Center";
• In the left part of the window, click on "Change adapter settings";
• In the opened window, you need to find and double-click on the "Local Area Connection" item;
• In the dialog box that opens, click on the "Properties" button;
• In the new list you should find the item "Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP / IP v4)" and click on "Properties" again;
• While in the "General" tab, check the box corresponding to the automatic receipt of the IP address and DNS server and click on the OK button.

The network card configuration is now complete, now you can consider how to configure the Cisco router .

Enter the settings program

To launch the built-in tool for the settings, you need to open any Internet browser and dial in its address line: 192.168.1.1 - after that the program stitched into the router will open.

You need to select "Work with an open unprotected network" to be able to configure the Cisco router as flexible as possible.

Next, you need to enter the authorization parameters. It is entered here by default:

• Username: admin;
• Password: admin.

After that, the technical settings window will appear.

Thin compounds

The first thing to do is to specify your ISP. To do this, select "Settings" - "Basic settings" in the start window. Next, you need to select from the drop-down menu the type of connection that the provider uses. These can be: PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP are the most common types.

If the provider uses dynamic IP, then you need to specify: automatic configuration - DHCP, and do not change anything else. The Internet should already earn on the router.

Otherwise, you will need to fill in such fields as IP address, host name, password, login and other information that the provider issues when signing the contract.

It remains only to reboot the router - and the configuration of the Cisco Linksys router is now complete. You can start using wired internet on any device connected via the LAN port.

Set up Wi-Fi

In modern families, as a rule, everyone has a personal gadget, through which the access to the World Wide Web, so often at home there is a need to organize your own Wi-Fi network and distribute the Internet to all kinds of devices - for this purpose you can also use this router.

In order to configure Wi-Fi, you need to select the "Wireless network" item in the start-up window of the settings program. In the settings of the work settings, select the item "Manually", in the "Modes of operation" item, select "Mixed".

In the field "Network Name (SSID)" you can type absolutely any name - this will be the name of the network that will be seen by the device connected to the Wi-Fi.

But the password should be chosen as hard as possible, so that no stranger could connect to someone else's account to the Internet being distributed. It is recommended to invent a password consisting of 8 symbols in the Latin alphabet, which include both lowercase and uppercase letters, as well as numbers. The main thing is not to forget the invented password. If authentication parameters became known to third parties, you can change the password by selecting "Wireless Network Security" and "WPA2 \ WPA Mixed Mode".

A text field called "Identification phrase" and is responsible for the password. The remaining parameters should be left unchanged and then click on the "Save Changes" button.

At this Cisco WiFi-router can be considered tuned to work.

Protection of the router

To prevent unauthorized access to changing the settings of the router, you must select the "Settings" tab and the "Administration" section - at the top of the window. After that, in the "Management" section in the "Password of the router" field, you need to type a fictitious password (not the one used to connect to the Wi-Fi network) and confirm it in the field "Re-enter for confirmation".

Then click on the bottom item "Save settings".

If you plan to use a Cisco home router, you certainly need to change the input parameters so that neighbors, for example, can not change the settings of the device via Wi-Fi and start using another's connection for free.

If something does not work

However, despite all the efforts, it may happen that the router will still refuse to distribute the Internet over the devices. Of course, there can be a lot of reasons for this, starting from software and finishing with hardware problems, but the main ones are that:

• Incorrect connection parameters were entered. For example, an IP address may be mistakenly entered, a dynamic IP can be specified instead of a static one assigned by the provider, DNS parameters, etc. "Treatment" in this case suggests itself: it is necessary to double-check all the parameters entered and, if necessary, specify them From the provider.
• The cable is damaged or not firmly attached to the connector. It is necessary to check the integrity of the LAN and Ethernet cables. In case the damage is found, respectively, eliminate it or buy a new one. Also, it will not be superfluous to check whether the nest is not loosened either inside the router itself or inside the computer.
• You also need to check if the connection type is correct. Beginners usually do not see any difference in that the type of PPPoE, L2TP or PPTP is used. If there are any difficulties, you need to call the support service provider and clarify the information.

If all the settings are correct, the cable integrity check also shows no damage, then it is likely that the cause is internal faults of the device itself. Perhaps you should contact the service center.

As you can see, it is quite easy to configure the router even at home, it is not necessary to have the skills of a system administrator. If you read all the instructions and recommendations in the article in detail, setting up a Cisco router will not seem like such a difficult process for you.