Tech Tip of the Day: How to manually troubleshoot your Network Connection for Vista or Windows 7

If your computer is having issues with getting on the internet, you may have to reset your IP configuration. Your computer may have an issue renewing its IP address from your router. Below is a guide to manually do this procedure.

1. Open a command prompt using one of the following methods:

• From the start menu, enter "CMD.EXE" (without the quotes) in the search box and press enter.
• From the start menu, select "Run". Enter CMD.EXE in the "Open:" box, and click OK
• From the start menu, select All programs, Accessories, and then click on "Command Prompt"

2. In the Command Prompt window, enter "ipconfig/all" (without the quotes) and press enter. This will display all of your network connection's configurations. You can use the scroll bar to move through the list if you have several logical and physical network adapters. Verify that you do not have a "media disconnected" error for your Ethernet Adapter connection. (If so, check that all cables are connected and that your router or network switch shows activity for your connections.)

3. In the Command Prompt window, enter "ipconfig/release" and press enter. This command will release your computer's current IP address.
4. In the Command Prompt window, enter "ipconfig/renew" and press enter. This command will ask your router for a new IP address using DHCP protocol

If this is the only issue, you should now have access to the internet. If you still have issues connecting to a web site, you may need to check your Internet Options.

1. To do this from Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options. From the Control Panel, click on Internet Options if you display controls in an icon view, or click "Network and
   Internet" from the category view, and then click "Internet Options" to open the Internet Properties window.
2. Select the "Connections" tab, and click on "LAN Settings"

3. Check to see if "Automatically detect settings" is the only option checked. If it does not have a check mark, add one by clicking in the box. Make sure that "Use a Proxy Server" is unchecked. (Some malicious software will turn this on to control or limit your Internet access to convince you to pay to fix it.)

4. Click OK and apply settings. Refresh the page in your web browser to test if the problem is fixed.

These are the most common fixes for internet connectivity.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Set Up a Tenda Router as a Repeater

This guide shows you how to setup a Tenda router as a repeater. These instructions require that you already have a working Tenda router. If you don't have your Tenda router configured, consult the Tenda documentation on setup.

For the purpose of these instructions, the router that is hooked up to the modem will be identified as "Router 1", and the second router will be identified as "Router 2" which will be setup as the repeater. Before starting, you need to have a wired connection to both routers using a computer and any available yellow port.

1. Connect the computer to Router 2 using an Ethernet cable. Go from the computer to the yellow port on the router.
2. Once connected, open your web browser and type in the address bar "192.168.0.1". Press Enter.
   
   
   
3. You will be prompted for a username and password unless they have been changed from the default. The default username and password is "admin" without quotes.
4. Under SSID, change Tenda to Tenda 1 to identify it as Router 1.
   
   
   
   IMPORTANT: Make note of which channel the router is using. Both routers need to be using the same channel. You can change the channel by using the drop down menu and clicking Apply to save the change.
   
   
5. Click on WLAN settings from the menu on the left side. The sub categories will be revealed. Click on WDS Settings.
   
   
   
   
6. In the WDS settings menu, select Lazy Mode from the drop down menu. Click Apply.
   
   
   
   
7. Next, configure the existing router that is currently connected to the modem. Start by connecting the computer to the router using any available yellow port. Open up a new web page and type in "192.168.0.1" in the address bar. Use the term "admin" for the username and password.
   
   
   
8. Select WLAN Settings, then WDS Settings. Select Repeater from the drop down menu.
   
   
   
   
9. Choose Open Scan. All of the available routers in your local area will be displayed. Select Tenda 1 router, then click Apply.
   The router will reboot. Once it reboots, the MAC address from the second router
   will be displayed.

Tenda W268R Basic Setup and Configuration

This How-To Guide will walk you through installing your Tenda W268R router for basic internet access.

1. Unplug all network cables from the modem, computer and router (if applicable).
2. Unplug the power from the modem and the power from the router, and shut down the computer.
3. Take one end of the existing Ethernet cable and plug it into the modem in the Internet port, then plug the other end of the same cable into the blue WAN port on the router.
   
   
   
   
4. Take the Ethernet cable that came with the router and plug one end into one of the four yellow numbered ports on the router and plug the other end of the same cable into the computer.
   Though the intent may be to use the router wirelessly a hard wired connection is required for setup.
   
5. Plug the power back into the modem and wait one full minute, then plug the power into the router. Wait one full minute, and then turn the computer back on.
6. Click on the Start button, choose All Programs and click on Internet Explorer.
7. In the address bar at the top of the Internet Explorer window, type “192.168.0.1” (without the quotes) and press the Enter key.
   
   
   
   
8. In the window that appears requesting a username and password enter the username “admin” (without the quotes) and the password “admin” (without the quotes) and click OK.
9. Once the setup wizard is displayed click Next to proceed with setup.
   If the type of internet connection is unknown it can be determined by contacting the internet service provider.
10. Once setup is complete, click on System Tools on the left, choose Reboot, and then click the Reboot The Router button.
    
    
    
    
11. Once the router has been rebooted on the left side of the screen click on WLAN Settings.
12. On the right there will be an option for SSID which will by default be either “Tenda” or “WIRELESS_N.” Clear that text and change the SSID to whatever the desired network name is and click Save Settings.
    
    
    
    The SSID is the name of the wireless network that will be broadcast wirelessly.
    
13. Click on WLAN Settings on the left, then beneath WLAN Settings click on Security Settings.
    
    
    
    
14. Under Security Mode select WPA2 Personal.
15. In the Pass Phrase field enter a password of at least 8 characters that includes at least one letter and one number. Write down this password as it is required to connect to the wireless network.
16. Click Save Settings.
17. In the address bar at the top of the Internet Explorer window type “www.microcenter.com” (without the quotes) to verify internet connectivity.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Configure Port Forwarding

Port forwarding can help in getting network-enabled applications, such as online games or chat services that would be otherwise inoperable, up and running. This document contains information specific to Linksys routers but the steps are largely the same. If you have questions that are not answered in this document, we recommend you look in the manual that came with your router.

This article will show you how to set up port forwarding on your router.

Before you begin:

You will need to know the port number required by the application. To get this information, contact the application vendor or look at the documentation included with the program.

You will need to know the IP Address of the computer to forward the port to. To find this, first power on the computer you will use and go to Start » All Programs » Accessories » Command Prompt. When it opens, type in "ipconfig" and use the IP Address or IPv4 Address.

Here's how to set up Port Forwarding:

1. Click on the Start button and choose All Programs.
2. Locate and open the Internet Explorer application from the All Programs menu.
3. In the address bar located at the top of the screen, erase whatever address is in the bar and replace it with "192.168.1.1" without the quotes. Note that some routers use the address "192.168.0.1", so if it does not work right away, try the second option. Consult your router documentation.
   
   
   
   
   
4. When prompted for a username and password, enter "admin" without the quotes for both the username and the password.
   
   Note that some routers differ in their default username and password, check the manual that came with your router for more information on the default username and password.
5. Once logged in, choose the Applications & Gaming tab seen highlighted in the figure below.
   Note that some routers may have these settings on the Firewall or Port Forwarding tab.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Enter the name of the application into the Application field. This is the program for which you want to forward the ports.
7. Enter the Start and End port range for the program. This information should come from the program's documentation.
8. Choose the protocol that should be used for the application; TCP, UDP, or Both. Most of the time Both is fine. Consult the application documentation for more details.
9. Enter the IP Address for the PC that is running the application. You can find this information in the Network Settings for your PC.
   
   
   
   
   
10. Place a check in the box to Enable the forwarding. This gives you the ability to set up several applications and turn them on and off without having to reenter the settings all over again.
11. Click on Save Settings or Apply along the bottom.

That's it! Your ports are now forwarded and you will be able to use the respective applications as normal.

How to Setup a Home Network

A network can give you the ability to share files between computers, share hardware like printers, share a single Internet connection, or get your game console online without having to swap cables.

The most basic home network involves connecting two computers with an Ethernet cable. Using a router provides convenience, expansion, and easy maintenance should your network grow.

This guide will provide the basics to setting up a home network.

Depending on the type of network you are setting up, the connections the computers and devices make could be wired or wireless. Wireless routers are very convenient because you don't have to worry about running wires through walls or around rooms. Wired routers are usually faster and are not subject to interference from cordless phones or other items that create RF interference. No matter what type of router you have selected, it will require power and when it is powered on, various LEDs let you know devices are connected or the device is working.

Setting Up a Router:

1. Find a convenient location to start the process. It doesn't have to be the permanent location. You may need to move it around to accommodate cables or signal strength.

2. Connect the power and follow the instructions on powering the router.

3. Connect the router to your modem. This is usually a network cable that goes from a port labeled WAN, Internet, or Uplink on the router to a port on the modem.

4. Power cycle the modem (turn it off, then turn it on) to make sure the router recognizes the modem.

5. Connect one computer to the router. You only need to connect one at this point so you can configure the router settings.

6. Open Internet Explorer.

7. In the address bar located at the top of the screen, erase whatever address is in the bar and replace it with "192.168.1.1" without the quotes. Most routers use this address or "192.168.0.1". Consult your router documentation to determine the exact address for yours.

8. Using the username and password supplied in your router documentation, log in to the administration tool.

9. Make changes to the default configuration depending on your particular needs.


Here are some basic things to look for:

1. Connection type. Are you using DSL? Most DSL providers use PPPoE. It requires a Username and password supplied by your ISP. If you are on cable broadband there are generally no settings that need to be changed just leave it on Automatic, or DHCP.

2. If this is a wireless router, change the network name from the default setting. If it's a wired router, change the username and password to something unique to you.

3. Take advantage of any other security options the router may offer. Features like WPA or WiFi Protected Access on a wireless router, Port Filtering, and Firewalls, when enabled can help protect against unauthorized access to your router and your network.

Ok, so now the router is set up and you can get one computer on the Internet, what's next?
Well, one of the main advantages to using a router is it allows you to share resources with all the computers on your network. Getting those resources on the network just requires you to connect the devices to the router either by cable on a wired router or through the WiFi technology of a wireless router.

Some of the devices you can connect are:

• Notebook or Netbook computers
• Printers
• Game consoles

Just make sure the devices you want to connect work the same way as your router whether it's wired or not and consult the manufacturer's information for details specific to that device.

Networking Terms

For Day 2 of Networking 101, we are going to review some basic networking terminology. This information can be useful when configuring your home network and choosing the right hardware.

802.11
A networking standard established by the IEEE for LAN protocols. There are several levels of 802.11 standard: a, b, g, and n. Each represents a different bandwidth, frequency, data rate and network range.  802.11n is the current standard.

Protocol	Bandwidth	Frequency	Data Rate (Mbit/sec)	Indoor Range
802.11a	20	5	6-54	35
802.11b	20	2.4	6-54	38
802.11g	20	2.4	7.2-72	38
802.11n	20-40	2.4/5	15-150	70

Bandwidth
Refers to the transmission capacity of a network or network device.

Broadband
Wide band of frequencies for transmitting data. For Internet service, broadband describes the type of service available such as cable or DSL. Broadband cable supports data rates up to 30Mbsp, but DSL is normally limited to only 10Mbps.

DHCP
DHCP or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is an automatic configuration protocol used for configuration on Internet Protocol (or IP) Networks. This can be a local area network using a router with DHCP, or when connecting to the internet.  DHCP allows a computer to be configured automatically, eliminating the need for human intervention when connecting to a network. DHCP works by keeping a central database and assigning numbered addresses called IP Addresses to computers on the network in order to relay information to and from them, which prevents computers from ending up with the same IP Address, accidentally or otherwise. Without a DHCP server (behind a network switch, for example) each computer must have its IP address configured manually.

DSL
Digital Subscriber Line. Type of broadband connection that uses a phone-line to connect to the Internet. Typically, DSL provides only 10Mbps which is slower than cable broadband service.

Encryption
The process of securing data by converting it into cyphertext so it cannot be easily read while in transmission. This process is based on a key system in which the sender shares a translation key with the receiver to decrypt the data.

Ethernet
A network protocol developed by IEEE that describes how data is placed on and retrieved from a networking device. Ethernet is commonly used for LAN (local area networks).

Gateway
A device that connects two different networks to one another.  Example: the Internet.

Host
A computer that is connected to a network that provides information and resources.

IP Address
A 32-bit number that identifies a computer or device on a network.

LAN
Local Area Network.  Describes the computers and networking hardware within a single home or office.

NAT
NAT or Network Address Translation is the name of a process for modifying network addresses information in an IP (Internet Protocol) packet. NAT is done by a router, and it translates incoming packets from the Internet in to local network packets so that they can be transferred to the correct location – one of the computers connected to the router. NAT is typically used by a router to allow multiple host computers to connect to the Internet using a single public IP address, acting as a gateway.

PPPoE
PPPoE is a connection protocol that is used mainly by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to give access to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) High speed internet service. It increases the capability of the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) by allowing a connection over Ethernet. PPPoE also uses the same standards of authentication, encryption, and compression as PPP. PPPoE encapsulates PPP frames inside Ethernet frames to transmit data from the Internet to a DSL modem, which is then translated into data that your computer understands, when using the provided software.

SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.  This is a standard email protocol for transmitting and receiving email.

Subnet  Mask
Part of an IP Address that designates the size of the network. When computers are grouped together into a subnet, each system is identified with a common IP address to determine their location. The default value is normally 255.255.255.0.

TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This is basic communication method for the Internet. TCP/IP requires that the recipient acknowledge the data sent.

Reference:
Belkin. Support.
http://bit.ly/c8xBGm

D-Link. Help Glossary.
http://bit.ly/g1jXWQ

Linksys. Learning Center.
http://bit.ly/fEswve

Networking 101

This week, we are going to focus on networking - specifically setting up your own home network and troubleshooting hardware issues.

Today, we are going to provide some frequently asked questions and solutions for setting up your router:

Q: How can I protect my router from unauthorized wireless access?
A: Wireless routers can be secured from unauthorized access and hackers by adding a wireless security key or encryption key. For more information, see the manual included with the router either in paper form or on the setup disc.

Q: Which wireless security type is the most secure?
A: WPA2 is the most secure wireless network encryption type. For additional security, use a password of at least ten characters with mixed letters, numbers and special characters.

Q: What is WiFi Protected Setup (WPS)?
A: WiFi Protected Setup or WPS is a system that allows the wireless networking function of the router to be set up without physical connection using a PIN.

Q: What is the difference between a Router and a Switch?
A: First, a router can also provide wireless network access. The purpose of a router is to join the WAN (Wide Area Network, or The Internet) with your LAN (Local Area/Home Network) for the purpose of Internet connection sharing, as well as local file sharing. A switch allows one computer to access the Internet and other machines must connect to the Internet through that machine.

Q: How can my router be reset to its factory settings?
A: There is a reset button on the back of the router in pin-hole labeled Reset. While the router is on, press this reset button for 30 seconds, then reset the router by unplugging the power and it will be back at factory settings.

Q: Does my router have a built-in firewall?
A: Yes, by default a router will not allow incoming connections unless specified by a local program or port forward setup.