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the router must be reset to the factory default settings. This will allow the default IP address,
username and password to function again. Once the router is reset and the router menu accessed,
new settings can be applied to the router. Here are the steps for resetting the router:
1. Find the small hole marked “Reset” on the rear panel of the router. The reset button is
recessed in this hole.
2. Disconnect power from the router, and then use a pen or the end of a paper clip to press
the Reset button.
3. Re-connect power to the router while pressing the reset button. Wait about 3-10 seconds
and watch the LED’s on the front panel. The LED’s will blink indicating the reset has
occurred. You may now release the Reset push button.
4. Once the router has been reset, it can be accessed using the following information:
a. Default IP address is “http://192.168.1.1”. In rare cases this may conflict if
your computer is set to the same address.
b. Default user name is “admin”.
c. Default password is “admin”.
3. What is WPA?
WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) provides the latest security capabilities available for 802.11
networks. It was meant to replace WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) security protocols and
algorithms that are easy to circumvent. WPA can be set up using the WPS function, thus making it
easier for the average user to setup a secure wireless network without having knowledge of the
system. This makes it more likely for security to be used. WPA also prevents packet forgeries
through packet integrity checking.
WPA uses more complex key generation algorithms to generate encryption keys, this makes
it very difficult if not impossible to calculate a common key. WPA also prevents data tampering by
using authentication functions.
4. What is NAT?
NAT (Network Address Translation) is the process of translating an IP address to another IP
address. In the case of a router, usually only a single IP address is provided by your internet
service provider. Each internet enabled device must have its own IP address and an IP address
cannot be shared. In order to allow multiple Internet enabled devices to function within a home
or small office a Network Address Translation is provided by the router. The single IP address
provided by your internet service provider on the WAN, is translated to multiple IP addresses on
your local are network within the home. This hides the local management of IP addresses to the
WAN side of the router which reduces the risk of external network attacks. Each home or small
office can have many non-registered IP addresses, and convert them to a single outside the
registered IP address. This reduces the cost of IP address registration and helps save the current
lack of addresses.
NAT functionality is often integrated into a router, firewall, or stand-alone NAT device.
Popular operating systems and other software (mainly proxy software, such as WINROUTE), also
provide a NAT function. NAT devices or software maintain a state table for the internal network of
private IP addresses that are mapped to the external network IP address. Each packet traveling
