Set Up an Internet Connection

Depending on whether you have a cable or DSL internet service provider (ISP), the steps you'll need to take to setup your internet connection will be different. Click here for instructions on setting up your cable internet connection. Click here for instructions on setting up your DSL internet connection. If you're not sure what type of internet connection you have, contact your ISP.

Steps

Setting Up a Cable Internet Connection

  1. Plug the cable modem into your computer. Make sure your computer is near a wall cable socket.
  2. Plug the cable modem into the wall cable socket.
  3. Plug in the cable modem's power cord. Most modem's don't have an On/Off switch. Plugging and unplugging them is how you turn them on and off.
    • When the cable modem is turned on, it has to go through a boot up process. You can tell this process is done when most of the lights have turned on and stopped blinking. There's usually one light that will keep blinking.
    • It usually takes about 30-60 seconds for a modem to finish turning on.
    • If you've purchased a new modem, you'll need to call your cable ISP and give them information about your new modem, because they won't recognize it as being associated with your account otherwise. You'll need your modem's serial number and its MAC address, both of which should be printed on the bottom or side of the modem.[1]
  4. Test your internet connection. Open a web browser and go to a website that you haven't been to before. If you go to a website you've been to recently, your browser may load it from its cache. If the website loaded, then you're connected to the internet. If not, complete the rest of the steps.
    • Searching for something using a search engine is a good way to do this.

Setting Up a DSL Internet Connection

  1. Plug the DSL modem into your computer. Make sure your computer is near a wall cable socket.
  2. Plug the DSL modem into the wall cable socket.
  3. Plug in the DSL modem's power cord. Most modem's don't have an On/Off switch. Plugging and unplugging them is how you turn them on and off.
    • When the DSL modem is turned on, it has to go through a boot up process. You can tell this process is done when most of the lights have turned on and stopped blinking. There's usually one light that will keep blinking.
    • It usually takes about 30-60 seconds for a modem to finish turning on.
    • If you've purchased a new modem, you'll need to call your DSL ISP associate your modem with your ISP account username and password. If you don't know what these are, you'll need to call your ISP to get them.
  4. Log in to the modem's administrative screen. Open a web browser. In the address field, type the modem's IP address. It's often printed on the modem itself. If not, it will be in the modem's manual.
    • Common modem IP addresses are 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1. Click here for a list of modem specific IP addresses.
  5. Enter your DSL account username and password. Once you've connected to the modem's administrative screen, look for PPPoE. Enter your DSL account username and password into the PPPoE fields. The username is usually an email address.
    • If you don't know your account username and password, contact your DSL ISP.
  6. Save your settings. When the setup is complete, save the settings. The internet light on your modem should turn green to indicate that you are online.
  7. Test your internet connection. Open a web browser and go to a website that you haven't been to before. If you go to a website you've been to recently, your browser may load it from its memory. If the website loaded, then you're connected to the internet. If not, complete the rest of the steps.
    • Searching for something using a search engine is a good way to do this.

Common Modem and Router IP Addresses

  • Alcatel SpeedTouch Home/Pro – 10.0.0.138 (no default password)
  • Alcatel SpeedTouch 510/530/570 – 10.0.0.138 (no default password)
  • Asus RT-N16 – 192.168.1.1 (default password admin)
  • Billion BIPAC-711 CE – 192.168.1.254 (default password “admin”)
  • Billion BIPAC-741 GE – 192.168.1.254 (default password “admin”)
  • Billion BIPAC-743 GE – 192.168.1.254 (default password “admin”)
  • Billion BIPAC-5100 – 192.168.1.254 (default password “admin”)
  • Billion BIPAC-7500G – 192.168.1.254 (default password “admin”)
  • Dell Wireless 2300 router – 192.168.2.1 (final .1 is *fixed*)
  • D-Link DSL-302G – 10.1.1.1 (Ethernet port) or 10.1.1.2 (USB port)
  • D-Link DSL-500 – 192.168.0.1 (default password "private")
  • D-Link DSL-504 – 192.168.0.1 (default password "private")
  • D-Link DSL-604+ – 192.168.0.1 (default password "private")
  • DrayTek Vigor 2500 – 192.168.1.1
  • DrayTek Vigor 2500We – 192.168.1.1
  • DrayTek Vigor 2600 – 192.168.1.1
  • DrayTek Vigor 2600We – 192.168.1.1
  • Dynalink RTA300 – 192.168.1.1
  • Dynalink RTA300W – 192.168.1.1
  • Netcomm NB1300 – 192.168.1.1
  • Netcomm NB1300Plus4 – 192.168.1.1
  • Netcomm NB3300 – 192.168.1.1
  • Netcomm NB6 – 192.168.1.1 (default username "admin," default password "admin")
  • Netcomm NB6PLUS4W – 192.168.1.1 (default username "admin," default password "admin," default WEP key "a1b2c3d4e5")
  • Netgear DG814 – 192.168.0.1
  • Netgear DGN2000 – 192.168.0.1 (default username “admin,” default password “password”)
  • Web Excel PT-3808 – 10.0.0.2
  • Web Excel PT-3812 – 10.0.0.2[2]

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Sources and Citations