WPA And WEP setup in Wi-Fi Router

Setting up WEP, WPA or WPA2 personal wireless security on a Linksys wireless router

Wireless security is one of the first things to do in setting up your router.  This is the best way to prevent other people from deliberately using your wireless Internet connection.

How do I set up the wireless security of my Linksys router?

To set up wireless security on your router, you need to access its web-based setup page first.  Follow the instructions below to know how:

Step 1: Open any web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer).  On the Address bar, enter your router’s local IP address then press [Enter].  The default IP address of Linksys routers is192.168.1.1.

Step 2:When the login prompt appears, leave the User name field blank, then enter “admin” on the Password field.

NOTE:  If you have set a password before but forgot it, you need to reset the device. 

QUICK TIP:  The router’s password (which you used in this step) is different from the password of your wireless network.  This password is only used to access the router’s web-based setup page.

You will be redirected to the main screen of the setup page.

Step 3:On the setup page, click the Wireless tab then click the Wireless Security sub-tab.

Step 4:On the Configuration View section, click the Manual radio button.

IMPORTANT:  For other models, you may immediately scroll down the page until you reach the Wireless Security section.

Choosing the ideal wireless security for your router

Your Linksys router supports four (4) of the most commonly used wireless security types: WEP, WPA Personal, WPA2 Personal and WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode.  Here’s a table that best compares the different security types:

Security	Rank	Number of Characters
WEP Wired Equivalent Protocol	Basic	40/64-bit (10 characters) 128-bit (26 characters)
WPA Personal Wi-Fi Protected Access Personal	Strong	8-63 characters
WPA2 PersonalWi-Fi Protected Access 2 Personal	Strongest	8-63 characters
WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode	WPA2:  Strongest WPA:  Strong	8-63 characters

WPA, WPA2 and WPA2/WPA security modes are highly recommended over WEP for a higher level of security.  Using WEP encryption makes your wireless network susceptible to security breaches.  Follow the instructions below to know how to set up each security mode.

For WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode

Step 1:On the Security Mode field, select WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode and enter your Passphrase.

NOTE:  The Passphrase must consist of at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.

NOTE:  WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode is also referred to as PSK2-Mixed for some Linksys routers.  Refer to the image below for an example.

Step 2:

Click .

For WPA2 Personal

Step 1:On the Security Mode field, select WPA2 Personal and enter your Passphrase.

NOTE:  The Passphrase must consist of at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.

NOTE:  WPA2 Personal is also referred to as PSK2 for some Linksys routers.  Refer to the image below for an example.

Step 2:Click .

For WPA Personal

Step 1:On Security Mode, select WPA Personal and enter your Passphrase.

NOTE:  The Passphrase must consist of at least eight (8) characters and is case-sensitive.

NOTE:  WPA Personal is also referred to as WPA Pre-Shared Key or PSK Personal for some Linksys routers. Refer to the images below for an example.

WPA Pre-Shared Key

NOTE:  The WPA Shared Key in the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.

PSK Personal

NOTE:  The Pre-shared Key in the image above is the network password you will use to connect wirelessly.

Step 2:Click . 

Other things to remember

•     For dual-band routers, setting up the wireless security may depend on the exact type of dual-band router that you are

      using.  Dual-band routers can be either simultaneous or selectable.  If the router is selectable, this means that you can

      only use one (1) wireless band at a time and set a single wireless network password.

      However, if your dual-band router is simultaneous, you can use both 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless bands at the same time. This

      also means that you can set two (2) different wireless network names and wireless passwords for each frequency (which

      is actually recommended to avoid interference).

15 Killer Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts That Might Surprise You

One of my personal favorites among the new features that Windows 7 came with was the introduction of some awesome and long awaited keyboard shortcuts. I personally use them as much as I can to save time, and I recommend the practice of using keyboard shortcuts to others too.

This article talks about 15 really cool keyboards shortcuts that are specific to Windows 7. I can bet that you don’t know all of them. Check them out, some of them will surprise you for sure.

1. Ctrl+Shift+N to Create a New Folder

Creating a new folder in Windows explorer is something we all need to do on a frequent basis. And until now, there was no default shortcut key available for this task. But Windows 7 changed that.

You could now use Ctrl+Shift+N to quickly create a new folder in Windows or anywhere on your computer where a folder can be created.

2. Ctrl+Shift+Click to Open a Program As Administrator

There are many instances when just clicking on the icon of the application and opening it doesn’t solve your purpose. You need to right click on it and click on “Run as Administrator” so that you can make the required changes to the app.

In Windows 7, this can be done with a keyboard shortcut. You just need to point your mouse cursor on that program and then click on it while pressing Ctrl+Shift keys to open it as administrator.

3. Shift+Right-Click Enhances Send to Menu

The above screenshot shows the default send to menu that I get when I simply right click on a program.

Now, if I press the Shift key, and while having it pressed, I right click on the icon, I get an enhanced send to menu. See the screenshot below to check how it looks.

Nice, isn’t it?

Also check 2 Useful Tools To Add Items & Customize the Windows Right Click Menu.

4. Shift+Right-Click on a Folder to Open Command Prompt

If you do Shift+right-click on a folder, you’ll find an option that says “Open command windows here.” If you love working with the command prompt, this option should come in handy.

5. Win+Space to Quickly Show Desktop

Remember our quick tip on hiding open windows in windows 7 ? Well, this is the keyboard shortcut version of that mouse cursor trick. Pressing the Win key and the space bar simultaneously shows you the desktop immediately.

6. Win+Up/Down/Left/Right for Moving the Active Window

If you intend to quickly move the active window to make space for other apps, you could do that by using the Win key and one of the arrow keys. Each arrow key would move the window in the direction it is meant to.

7. For Dual Monitors: Win+Shift+Left Arrow Key to Move Active Window to Left Monitor

If you are on a dual monitor setup using Windows 7 then you could press the Win+Shift+Left arrow key combination to move the active application window to the left monitor.

8. For Dual Monitors: Win+Shift+Right Arrow Key to Move Active Window to Right Monitor

Similarly, if you need to move the current window to the right monitor screen, just press Win+Shift+right arrow key.

9. Win+T to Get to Taskbar Items

You could use the key combination Win+T to toggle through the applications pinned on the taskbar in Windows 7.

10. Shift+Click on a Taskbar App to Open a New Instance of the App

Let’s say you’ve got a bunch of Chrome windows open. And you need to quickly open a new blank window of the browser. Here’s the way – point your cursor to the chrome icon on the taskbar, hit Shift and click on it. There you go!

11. Win+B to Move Focus to the System Tray

In a previous article, we talked about a technique to add more clocks to the default Windows clock in the system tray. Now, if you need to get there without using your mouse cursor, how’d you do that?

Answer – Win+B. That would move the focus on the system tray, and then you could use the arrow keys to cycle through the items, including the Windows clock.

12. Win+P for Quickly Connecting Your Laptop to a Projector

Windows 7 has a nifty projection menu feature which enables you to quickly connect your laptop to a projector or an extended monitor. Win+P is the keyboard shortcut for that purpose.

13. Win+1, Win+2..so on for Opening Taskbar Programs

Want to quickly open a program that’s pinned to your Windows 7 taskbar? You can press the Win key and the number corresponding to the location of the app on the taskbar.

14. Win+Pause helps you check System Properties

Need to take a quick look at what’s the processor model you are using, or may be check the device manager, or advanced system settings? You could use Win+pause key combination to open the system properties window.

15. Ctrl+Shift+Esc Can Quickly Open Windows Task Manager

I think this was in Vista too, I am not sure. But it’s a cool shortcut nevertheless. Just press the Ctrl key, Shift key and the ESC key simultaneously and you have the task manager pop up right in front!

So that was about the amazing Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts. I hope you find them useful. In fact, learn them if you are on Windows 7. That’s what I did and it has helped a great deal. If I’ve missed a cool shortcut, do share that in the comments

Source:-http://www.guidingtech.com

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Cable - Color Coding Diagram

The information listed here is to assist Network Administrators in the color coding of Ethernet cables. Please be aware that modifying Ethernet cables improperly may cause loss of network connectivity. Use this information at your own risk, and insure all connectors and cables are modified in accordance with standards. The Internet Centre and its affiliates cannot be held liable for the use of this information in whole or in part. T-568A Straight-Through Ethernet Cable The TIA/EIA 568-A standard which was ratified in 1995, was replaced by the TIA/EIA 568-B standard in 2002 and has been updated since. Both standards define the T-568A and T-568B pin-outs for using Unshielded Twisted Pair cable and RJ-45 connectors for Ethernet connectivity. The standards and pin-out specification appear to be related and interchangeable, but are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. T-568B Straight-Through Ethernet Cable Both the T-568A and the T-568B standard Straight-Through cables are used most often as patch cords for your Ethernet connections. If you require a cable to connect two Ethernet devices directly together without a hub or when you connect two hubs together, you will need to use a Crossover cable instead. RJ-45 Crossover Ethernet Cable A good way of remembering how to wire a Crossover Ethernet cable is to wire one end using the T-568A standard and the other end using the T-568B standard. Another way of remembering the color coding is to simply switch the Green set of wires in place with the Orange set of wires. Specifically, switch the solid Green (G) with the solid Orange, and switch the green/white with the orange/white. Ethernet Cable Instructions: Pull the cable off the reel to the desired length and cut. If you are pulling cables through holes, its easier to attach the RJ-45 plugs after the cable is pulled. The total length of wire segments between a PC and a hub or between two PC's cannot exceed 100 Meters (328 feet) for 100BASE-TX and 300 Meters for 10BASE-T. Start on one end and strip the cable jacket off (about 1") using a stripper or a knife. Be extra careful not to nick the wires, otherwise you will need to start over. Spread, untwist the pairs, and arrange the wires in the order of the desired cable end. Flatten the end between your thumb and forefinger. Trim the ends of the wires so they are even with one another, leaving only 1/2" in wire length. If it is longer than 1/2" it will be out-of-spec and susceptible to crosstalk. Flatten and insure there are no spaces between wires. Hold the RJ-45 plug with the clip facing down or away from you. Push the wires firmly into the plug. Inspect each wire is flat even at the front of the plug. Check the order of the wires. Double check again. Check that the jacket is fitted right against the stop of the plug. Carefully hold the wire and firmly crimp the RJ-45 with the crimper. Check the color orientation, check that the crimped connection is not about to come apart, and check to see if the wires are flat against the front of the plug. If even one of these are incorrect, you will have to start over. Test the Ethernet cable. Ethernet Cable Tips: A straight-thru cable has identical ends. A crossover cable has different ends. A straight-thru is used as a patch cord in Ethernet connections. A crossover is used to connect two Ethernet devices without a hub or for connecting two hubs. A crossover has one end with the Orange set of wires switched with the Green set. Odd numbered pins are always striped, even numbered pins are always solid colored. Looking at the RJ-45 with the clip facing away from you, Brown is always on the right, and pin 1 is on the left. No more than 1/2" of the Ethernet cable should be untwisted otherwise it will be susceptible to crosstalk. Do not deform, do not bend, do not stretch, do not staple, do not run parallel with power cables, and do not run Ethernet cables near noise inducing components. Basic Theory: By looking at a T-568A UTP Ethernet straight-thru cable and an Ethernet crossover cable with a T-568B end, we see that the TX (transmitter) pins are connected to the corresponding RX (receiver) pins, plus to plus and minus to minus. You can also see that both the blue and brown wire pairs on pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 are not used in either standard. What you may not realize is that, these same pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 are not used or required in 100BASE-TX as well. So why bother using these wires, well for one thing its simply easier to make a connection with all the wires grouped together. Otherwise you'll be spending time trying to fit those tiny little wires into each of the corresponding holes in the RJ-45 connector. Source:-incentre.net