Nerds wanted... home wifi set-up

[OreoGaborio]

Okay... setting up a wireless network at Alex's...

Comcast into the house and going to the modem.

I have THREE wireless routers to choose from:

D-Link DI-624 (currently plugged in and working, though I don't know the IP to change network name, password, etc)
D-Link N300
D-Link DAP-2553

All three were previously set up to handle some weird ass complicated network at the Church my father works at. They ditched it all & started fresh so I got these to work with.

Currently the DI-624 is plugged in and working.

Couldn't get the other two to work. I have the right passwords but it is saying my security key ain't working. It TRIES to connect but then says "screw you" (that's a technical term).


Goals:
1 - Get the best signal and speed throughout the house, garage & backyard.
2 - Change the network name
3 - Change the password

Any ideas? Please speak slowly.

[jasnmar]

I'm not by any means an expert on the D-Link model line, but step 1 is to get them all in a state where you can use them.

Most of the D-Links I've been around have a reset button on the back. You need to use a paperclip or something like that to reset it. Plug it in. Let it come up. Press the reset button for 10 seconds. Wait for it to boot. The new address should be 192.168.0.1. Admin is the user name. Password is blank.

After we see if this we'll know what we have to work with.

[Paul_E_D]

What he said. And it really doesn't matter which one you use.

[nhbubba]

Generally you can tell what the IP is by looking at what your PC has been given for a gateway address. On windows, run "ipconfig /all" and look for something that says "Default Gateway". This will tell you what the IP of router probably is. Then point your web browser at that address. Try changing the http to https if you get an error. This will get you to the admin web page for the router.

Although if you don't know the admin password, you're SOL and need to reset anyway.

[GingahNinjah]

welcome to the 21st Century Pete! lol

[OreoGaborio]

welcome to the 21st Century Pete! lol

Gee willikers! Thanks, Mr. Gates!

[OreoGaborio]

I'm not by any means an expert on the D-Link model line, but step 1 is to get them all in a state where you can use them.

Most of the D-Links I've been around have a reset button on the back. You need to use a paperclip or something like that to reset it. Plug it in. Let it come up. Press the reset button for 10 seconds. Wait for it to boot. The new address should be 192.168.0.1. Admin is the user name. Password is blank.

After we see if this we'll know what we have to work with.

Thanks... I didn't even think to try resetting the routers... duh.

What he said. And it really doesn't matter which one you use.

So ya don't think any of them will be a choke point? I did a speedtest.net through the one that I got working and only got like 15mbs upload, 4mbs download... That's wireless... shoulda tried plugging into it directly. Maybe I'll do that this evening.

Generally you can tell what the IP is by looking at what your PC has been given for a gateway address. On windows, run "ipconfig /all" and look for something that says "Default Gateway". This will tell you what the IP of router probably is. Then point your web browser at that address. Try changing the http to https if you get an error. This will get you to the admin web page for the router.

Although if you don't know the admin password, you're SOL and need to reset anyway.

Thanks... I'll try that this evening as well if I get back over there before work.

[ZX-12R]

I did a speedtest.net through the one that I got working and only got like 15mbs upload, 4mbs download... That's wireless... shoulda tried plugging into it directly.

If you reverse the upload and download numbers, that sounds about right for a middle of the road cable modem package. Your internal wifi speed is significantly faster than your pipe to the Internet so plugging in a network cable won't improve anything.

[TheIglu]

Just use whichever one is newest.

Only use one. One is all you need.

"only" 15Mbps, that's funny.

OH NOES I NEED MOAR SPEEDS FOR....what exactly? That's the thing. Even streaming hi-def video will tap you out at 8Mbps on the best possible scenario.

You do have your numbers reversed.

I've had the DI-624, that's an old one.

[TheIglu]

Use the second one, the third isn't a router, just an access point.

[nhbubba]

OH NOES I NEED MOAR SPEEDS FOR....what exactly?

Downloading porn, duh!


Seriously though. Curious about the "use only one, its all you need" recommendation. I use 2 Asus routers. One is setup as an access point with the router functionality disabled. I had range issues with the garage and room above it until I installed that.

I'd start with one, then spark up a 2nd or that AP if you have issues like I did.

[TheIglu]

Unless you have a big house, tons of walls or are living in a frequency congested area, most houses can be well served by a single centrally located AP. If range is an issue, force it into 2.4Ghz only mode. Better range than 5Ghz.

But yes, I've seen situations where one AP didn't cut it. Just keep it simple at first and expand if only necessary.

[xsiliconkid]

what everyone said
If you get stuck google "<model name> factory reset"
some models have different default "username,password,ip address"

once up and running enter the IP address into your browser url window

The easiest method to get more range - find a Access Point with removable antenna...get a high gain antenna. I have managed 5 miles from the roof of my house. For under $80 bucks you can get 1watt and a 15db gain antenna and still be close to federal law on power putput...(low output is a manufacturers consortium not a legal thing)

[OreoGaborio]

Thanks Clayton. I know the DI-624 works but I'll try & get the N300 going since that's the newer model. I'll try doing a reset when I get back to the house.


Appreciate the help, everyone.

[R1]

[OreoGaborio]

[drop]

pete i'll stop by and take a look, let me know a good time. i promise i'll only break one of the three in the process.

[OreoGaborio]

Thanks, man. I'll give you a shout when I'm gonna be around. Maybe Monday evening?

Like I said earlier, have the oldest of the three working at the moment... just trying to maybe get the newer one working & reconfigured. I reset it but now it doesn't seem to wanna stay up and running... think the reset button might be faulty or some crap.

[csmutty]

You sure you're pressing the right one Petey?

[OreoGaborio]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xZwM9fIioU

[OreoGaborio]

Word... got the newer one of the two working.

Question: What would cause my laptop to only get 12mbps download, but allow my phone to get 26mbps download, both connected to the same wifi network? This laptop is only a couple years old.

[snwbrdr435]

Put some more quarters in the router

[jasnmar]

Could be any number of things...

What protocols does the wifi adapted on the laptop support?

Drivers could be out of date on the laptop.

Antivirus could interfere.

"One time" or consistently?

Other processes?

Priorities on the router?

Testing from the same location? Even if yes, what is the actual signal strength on the device?

Cable modem? What are the neighbors doing at the same time?

Probably a few dozen other dependencies.

[TheIglu]

I wouldn't look into it. No point.

Just ask, what could I possibly use more than 12Mbps to a single device for?

[jasnmar]

Just ask, what could I possibly use more than 12Mbps to a single device for?

You just can't have too much bandwidth for porn.