Configuration of ADSL routers

Original Polish version by Lukasz Sawicki

ADSL service (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is one of the most popular ways of getting Internet access, especially in the case of home users. To share the service among several computers one needs a router integrated with ADSL modem, which is connected directly to the telephone line (RJ11).
Typically, the ISP provides the user with basic ADSL modem which is suitable only for cooperation with a single PC.
Buying his/her own router the user can connect a number of home computers and optionally use wireless connectivity. The router may have additional functions that will be useful for optimum performance of the network.

A typical network used in one-family home

Add to the Cart items from the diagram

Annex A or B? The home user should first get informed what kind of line is provided or available. In the case of common telephone lines (POTS/PSTN), there will be needed a router with Annex A. We recommend TP-Link devices: TD-8840 N2905, or TD-W8910G N2901 - router integrated with Access Point. For digital lines (ISDN) - the user has to employ a router with Annex B, such as TD-8840B N2906.

To begin the configuration connect the computer to any of the LAN ports in the router. It is also possible to use wireless connection, but the restart of the device will take more time.
The NIC adapter in the PC should use the same address pool that is set in the router.

The procedure:

• Enter Start >> Settings >> Network and Dial-up Connections >> Local Area Connection >> Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties (START menu in Windows OS);
• Select: Obtain DNS server address automatically;
• If the NIC didn't get IP address automatically, it is indispensable to enter the address manually, from the pool 192.168.1.2 ~ 192.168.1.254 (after configuring the router it is recommended to restore the automatic option).

Example of assigning the TCP/IP address (if automatic option does not work). At this stage other information is not needed.

After getting or entering the address use Internet browser to enter IP address of the router (the default one is 192.168.1.1). Then log in (the user name and password are given in user manual) and start the configuration procedure.

Login window

The service will be available only if all parameters are assigned correctly, for example according to the following table (ADSL services available in Poland). The service subscriber can always get proper configuration parameters from the ISP.
The easiest way to configure the router is to choose "Quick Setup" option.

Operator (ISP)	Service	Encapsulation	VPI	VCI	Multiplexing
TPSA	Neostrada	PPPoA	0	35	VC/MUX
GTS Energis	Multimo	PPPoE	0	35	LLC
Netia	Net24	PPPoA	0	35	VC/MUX
Dialog	DialNet	PPPoE	0	35	LLC
Tele2	Tele2	PPPoE	0	35	LLC

Operator (ISP)	Service	Encapsulation	VPI	VCI	Multiplexing
Netia	Net24	RFC2516 PPPoE	8	35	LLC
Dialog	DialNet	RFC1483 Bridge	1	32	LLC

Begin with VPI/VCI paramters. They are responsible for connection and channel identification. E.g. for Neostrada+ it is 0/35 adequately (like the default ones). Then click Next.

ATM window (VPI and VCI)

The next step is configuration of connection type (for Neostrada+: PPPoA and VC/MUX.

Configuration of connection type

Then enter user name and password. For the first time, these are the default strings given in the table below (for the specific services). It allows to register the service after configuring the router, and obtain a unique user name and password.
Sometimes these parameters are provided separately (e.g. as a part of the contract - it depends on the ISP), together with other user's manual. However, in most cases after configuring the router the user should connect a dedicated website (apparently the only one available), and follow the instructions.

Operator (ISP)	Service	User name	Password
TPSA	Neostrada	rejestracja@neostrada.pl	rejestracja
GTS Energis	Multimo	start@gtsenergis.pl	start
Netia	Net24	Internet	Internet
Dialog	DialNet	lack of data	lack of data
Tele2	Tele2	lack of data	lack of data

Remarks on some items below:

• Authentication Method (default: AUTO)
• MTU - depends on ISP (default: 1492)
• Dial on demand - it should be switched off.

Login window

Next, confirm Service Name, and, preferably, switch off Multicast function. Improper WAN Service parameter can block Internet access.

WAN window

Device Setup allows to configure LAN, including IP of the device (being the gateway of the network) and subnet mask. It also enables the user to switch on/off DHCP server. Use of DHCP server is a convenient option that automatically enables the computers in the network to obtain such parameters like IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS servers.

LAN window

The last step is WLAN setup:

To use Access Point it is needed to:

• select operating channel (it can be changed in the Wireless >> Basic window),
• set SSID,
• choose region (it can be changed in the Wireless >> Basic window),
• set security options (it can be changed in the Wireless >> Security window).

Access Point setup screen

Before final approval Quick Setup provides a table with main WAN parameters. If they correspond to ISP data, click Save/Reboot. The configuration will be saved, and restored after each restart of the device.

The setting table

Congratulations, the basic configuration has been completed.

When restarting the device, the ADSL LED should blink, which indicates attempt of synchronization. In the Device Info window there is possibility of monitoring status of the router. When the link is set up correctly, the information Line Rate- Upstream/ Line Rate- Downstream will also be displayed.
The synchronization process includes network identification of the device - external IP address, default gateway, DNS server etc. The procedure can take up to 2 minutes.

Device Info window

IP address can be changed in the Advanced Setup >> LAN window, similarly to parameters of DHCP server.

Setting IP and DHCP parameters

Settings of Access Point can be changed in Wireless window. In the screenshot below there is shown its default configuration. The initial region is the United States, so it should be changed according to actual location.

In the Wireless >> Basic window the user can:

• switch on/off wireless interface (Enable Wireless)
• switch on/off SSID broadcasting (Enable SSID Broadcast)
• change SSID
• choose region

Basic wireless settings

It is important to choose adequate region:

Choosing the region of operation

In the Wireless >> Advanced window the user can:

• change Access Point mode
• change Access Point channel
• enable QoS
• change other advanced parameters of Access Point

Advanced settings of Access Point

To secure WiFi it is needed to enable data encryption and set cryptographic keys. By default security options are disabled. The settings can be performed in Wireless >> Security window.

Wireless Security window. By default security options are disabled (Network Authentication - Open, WEP Encryption - Disabled)

Currently one of the best security measures in WLANs is WPA2-PSK encryption, the option shown in the window below. "Click here to display" opens new window with the current cryptographic key (after clicking Save/Apply).

Wireless Security - WPA2-PSK encryption.

It is indispensable to change the default passwords in the Management >> Access Control >> Password window. On the Internet there are active programs which try to log in to routers of the users that have forgotten to do so:

Password window

It is reasonable to save the configuration data:

In the Management >> Settings >> Backup window the user can backup the configuration data to hard drive of the computer.

Configuration backup window

The Management >> Settings >> Update window allows to restore the backup configuration.

The Managment >> Settings >> Restore Default window allows to restore default settings.