How do I setup a router as a wireless access point?
If you’re living in student accommodation we’re happy for you to use your routers as a wireless bridge / network switch, its only the routing functionality and the DHCP server that is against the terms of use.
Please follow all of the steps below, step 10 is particularly important:
**If you use the WAN, INTERNET or MODEM port on step 10 then you will not be able to connect – please use the LAN ports only**
1. Disconnect your router from the ask4 network.
2. Connect your computer directly to one of the LAN ports on the router with an Ethernet cable (at this point your router should just be connected to the power socket and your computer).
3. Login to your router’s web configuration page – usually by opening your web browser and entering the router’s IP address (typically 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.0.1 however, if neither of these work then please refer to manufacturer’s manual).
4. If you are wanting to set up a wireless network within your flat (and your router has wireless capabilities) then you should now go to step 5 – if you are wanting to use your router as a network switch (not wireless) then please skip to step 8.
5. To set up a wireless network you will need to visit the “wireless setup” option on your router.
6. First of all you should set an SSID, this is the name of the network that you are creating – your should make it something that you can remember (so that you know which network to select when searching for wireless networks).
7. You should now ensure that you set up some wireless security, ideally using WPA or WPA2 with a long password (using a mixture of characters, numbers and symbols) – make sure that you click on “save” at the bottom of the page once complete.
8. You will now need to disable the DHCP server on the router – this should be found within the LAN settings and usually requires you to untick a tickbox or select the “No” radio button and then click “save” at the bottom of the page.
9. Your router should now be configured correctly – we just need to ensure that it is now connected to the network the right way.
10. You can now connect an Ethernet cable from the network socket on your wall to one of the LAN ports on the router – please ignore any WAN, INTERNET or MODEM ports that the router may have.
11. If you aren’t going to be using the wireless function on the router then please skip to step 14.
12. You should now search for a wireless network using your computer/phone/console/etc – once you can see your wireless network you should attempt to connect to it as normal, entering the wireless password that you previously created.
13. Once connected to the wireless network, you will probably see the ask4 welcome page when you try to use the internet – you will then need to make sure that your device’s MAC address is registered to your account (your computer will usually have a different MAC address for it’s wireless adapter).
14. If you are connecting via Ethernet cable with your original computer then you should be able to use the internet straight away, if you are using a new device then you will need to add the MAC address of that device to your account.
15. You can update your account details and registered devices by logging into your account and visiting the Manage Connections section.
*Please note – to register more than one device to your account you will need the 4Connect add on (which allows a total of 5 devices to be registered) – you can upgrade your account from Manage Connections, then Upgrade Package/Edit Connection, then Purchase addons and then select the 4Connect addon and make payment.*
**Please also note – unfortunately we are unable to provide dedicated support for 3rd party routers – this guide should assist you with configuring your router so that it is compatible with our network but we can’t guarantee that your router’s menu system will be set out the same way as described above. Your router’s manufacturer should have a support helpline who will be able to provide comprehensive support for your particular device**