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Install and Connect Your New Router

Note: This is an UNSUPPORTED configuration! Neither Road Runner nor USM can assist with the setup or troubleshooting of a home network. We provide the following only as a helpful tool for the do-it-yourselfer. With that said, it's not very difficult, so read on….

image of a linksys router The following instructions will walk you through setting up a network using a router, including the following topics:

A standard Road Runner internet connection requires that you connect your computer to the cable modem with a Category 5 (CAT-5) Ethernet cable. However, in order to allow multiple computers to connect to the internet at one time, you may use a device known as a minihub, or a broadband router. Using a wireless broadband router, you can share your Road Runner internet connection with several machines.

A Typical Home Network

When configuring a home network using a Linksys wireless broadband router, you will need to have a wireless network card or a CAT-5 Ethernet cable for each computer that will be connected to the Internet. In addition, you will need a CAT-5 cable to connect your router back to your cable modem.

Please refer to the diagram below in setting up your home network. Your router configuration may vary, so please be sure to refer to the documentation that comes with the router as well.

Tip: Consider placing your router in the basement of your house. That way, you are "broadcasting" up through your house rather than outward toward your neighbors.

Figure A: (below) Typical network setup with a Linksys wireless broadband router:

diagram of a typical home network setup with a Linksys wireless router

Installing and Connecting your Linksys Router

The software that comes with your Linksys Wireless Router will help to guide you through the installation process. However, there are a number of changes you can make to the default configuration to make sure that your router is secure and working properly for both wired and wireless users.

Using the instructions that come with your router, insert the CD that contains the router setup wizard. You should use the setup wizard on the CD before connecting your router with any cables. Also, you should disconnect the power to your Road Runner cable modem.
Next, the wizard will ask you to disconnect the CAT-5 Ethernet cable that goes from your cable modem to your computer, and connect it from your cable modem to your router on the Internet port.
Then you may re-connect the power to your cable modem, and use the blue Cat-5 Ethernet cable to connect your personal computer to port 1, 2, 3, or 4.
The wizard will then check to make sure your router is properly connected, and inspect your computer's configuration. This step may take a few minutes.