User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- Product Overview
- Setting Up: Basics
- How to create a home network
- Where to find more help
- How to install your router
- How to configure your router
- How to test your Internet connection speed
- How to connect devices to your network
- How to set up parental controls
- How to configure your guest network
- How to back up your router configuration
- How to customize Linksys Smart Wi-Fi
- Using an External Drive
- Setting Up: Advanced
- How to manually set up your router
- How to associate a router with your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account
- How to get the most out of your dual-band router
- How to control access to your network
- How to set up the DHCP server on your router
- How to access your network on the Internet
- How to clone a MAC address
- How to connect to your corporate office using a VPN
- How to optimize your router for gaming and voice
- How to enable Voice over IP on your network
- How to configure UPnP
- How to use a router as an access point
- How to put your new router behind an existing router
- How to expose a device to the Internet
- Port Forwarding and Port Triggering
- Maintaining and Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Specifications
5
Setting Up: Basics
Linksys EA-Series
5
How to create a home network
What is a network?
A network is any group of devices that can communicate with each other. A
home network can also include Internet access, which requires a router like
this one.
A typical home network may include multiple computers, a printer, a modem,
and a router. A large home network may also have a switch, additional routers,
access points, and many Internet-capable media devices such as TVs, game
consoles, and web cameras.
• Modem—Connects a computer or a router to your ISP (Internet Service
Provider). Your ISP may have provided one. The modem is a device that
connects to a phone jack or your cable TV outlet.
• Router—Connects your wireless and wired network devices to each
other and to the modem (and to your ISP).
• Switch—Allows you to connect several wired network devices to your
home network. Your router has a built-in network switch (the Ethernet
ports). If you have more wired network devices than available Ethernet
ports on your router, you will need an additional switch to consolidate
the wired connections.
How to set up a home network
1.
Purchase the proper equipment. For a network that includes Internet
access, you’ll need:
• Computers with an Ethernet port or wireless networking capabilities
• A modem for connecting to your ISP (typically supplied by your ISP)
• A router to connect your computers with each other and to the modem
• Internet service to your home, provided by an ISP (Internet Service
Provider)
2.
Make sure that your modem is working. Your ISP can help you set up your
modem and verify that it’s working correctly.
3.
Set up your router. See “How to install your router” on page 6.
4.
To connect a computer or other network device to the network, see
“How to connect a computer to your network” on page 11 and “How to
connect other devices” on page 12.
Where to find more help
In addition to this User Guide, you can find help at these locations:
• Linksys.com/support (documentation, downloads, FAQs, technical
support, live chat, forums)
• Linksys Smart Wi-Fi help (connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, then click
Help at the top of the screen)
Setting Up: Basics