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[Bulldog]

I'm looking forward to installing my DIR-625 / DWA-140 setup. I'm finally going wireless!

I don't want to sound like a smarta$$. I just know from experience with other manufacturer's products that the manufacturer's recommended installation procedure isn't always the best way to go. So forgive me for asking, but...

Am I likely to have the best installation experience by simply following D-Link's installation wizard? I currently have a wired router (also by D-Link) which I'll be replacing with the above wireless gear. I think I have a pretty good understanding of wireless networking, and I don't have anything complicated to connect: just Windows PCs.

Thanks for your advice.

[smlunatick]

The "wizard" might be the "Network Magic" software.  I usually do a manual install.

Please not that you should use an Ethernet cable to do the manual set up as the wireless network is not set up at the first start.

[Bulldog]

Thanks for your help.

There's only one part of the setup procedure that eludes me:

I understand how to setup the router with an Ethernet cable. And I understand how to install the network adapter. At some point, I'm going to want to disconnect that Ethernet cable and go wireless...when?

[smlunatick]

Access the router's internal configuration web pages and complete the manual set up, including the setting up of the Wireless SSID and WPA2 network security key.  Then, once the router is set up, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable and use the wireless.

Do not get rid of the Ethernet cable as you will need it to do router firmware update and to re-do the wireless setting if/when the wireless network has any problems.

[Bulldog]

So the process goes like this...

1. Setup the router as a wired router.
2. Install the network adapter.
3. Go back to the router and perform the wireless setup.
4. Once all is well, disconnect the Ethernet cable and...voila! Wireless.

Is that correct?

Thanks for the reminder to keep the Ethernet cable. I am aware that certain updates, like firmware, need to be done over a wired connection. I guess that means my wired NIC stays in the computer, so I'll actually have two network adapters.

Thanks for all your help.

[smlunatick]

There should be a little bit of changes:

1) Install wireless adapter
2) Connect to router as a wired router
3) Set up all settings (Internet access, router access password change, set up wireless network)
4) Check to make sure the Internet access is working
5) Disconnect Ethernet cable
6) Use the wireless adapter and connect onto your wireless network

Please note that you should be using WPA2 wireless network security.

[Bulldog]

I'm looking forward to reporting back with positive results!

[Bulldog]

Well, I did the deed. And it was - as my 7-year old would say - easy-shmeezy.

I probably could have setup everything in less than 30 minutes, but seeing as this was my first time, I decided to go slow and read through everything, so I took around 2 hours. I consider it time well spent.

One real eye-opener: how many unprotected networks there are within range of my router.

[smlunatick]

Yeah!  Most "home" users will just plug in their routers and access the Internet.

Please note that several D-Link routers have a small switch on the side of the unit.  This is to set up the units with a ID number and several of the D-Link adapters can use this ID number to connect to the wireless network.  This is known Wi-Fi Protected Setup.  It is an attempt to secure networks.