In recent years, a Wi-Fi signal, which requires a router to receive, has been widely used to set up local Internet networks. Without the use of this equipment, it is impossible to create a wireless network. But not everyone knows that any router can not only catch Wi-Fi signal, but also has a number of other properties. And you don’t need to have a specific knowledge or to “surf” hundreds of forums in order to expand the capabilities of your router, because we will tell you the secrets of managing a wi-fi router in this article.
The router itself is a small box on one of the panels (usually on the back) which has LAN ports for PC connection, WAN port for the Internet cable connection, socket for the power cable and the button for resetting to factory settings. The last button should not be pressed unless necessary as it will reset all the individual settings. How many devices can be connected to the router depends on the number and type of ports. There are also antennas installed on the back or sides of the device to receive the signal. And from this follows the first tiphack.
1. Connecting to someone else’s Wi-Fi signal
One of the most useful features of the router is the ability to connect to the Wi-Fi of a neighbor or the nearest cafe with a password. This feature is called WISP – “wireless ISP” and will be useful:
– In conditions of poor signal quality, while a conditional neighbor has a better one;
– for maximum security of data transmission – the router’s security features allow you to avoid “lights out”;
– if you need a backup Internet in case of breakdown at the provider or for distribution from your smartphone.
2. How to use your router as a multi-ISP wi-fi receiver
With the Multi WAN feature, you can create a backup Internet connection from another provider by selecting the cheapest package. You don’t need to reconnect anything – the cables connect to the router at the same time, but to different ports, so in case of an emergency you won’t even notice the switch to another network.
3. See the browsing history of all the gadgets on your network
Many parents are interested in the safety of their children on the network, and how to know what sites were accessed through the router (via wi-fi). In order to monitor all the sessions, the router must be set up to save logs using the SysLog system. This will save the history of all visits on all gadgets connected to the network. And without administrator access to your router, no one will be able to delete them. However, it is ethical to use the “parental control” feature that almost all modern routers have. Also read here how to activate your Mercury Mastercard.
4. “Parental Controls
It blocks access to social networks and any other untrustworthy sites for specific gadgets, as well as setting up access to the network by clock. Some models combine these features. You can activate the function in the web interface of the gadget.
5. Signal distribution from USB-modem
Using a modem from a mobile operator as a network access point, it is possible to distribute wi-fi with a router. All you have to do is plug a modem into the USB port on your device. You’ll get backup Internet with automatic switching, and you can access the network in places where it’s not provided: on the road, at the cottage, etc. Of course, in the presence of a connection signal from the operator and an adapter adapter adapter that allows you to power the router from the cigarette lighter in the car.
6. Downloading and watching content via torrents without a PC
After activating this feature in the settings of the router you can download files remotely by controlling them via the Android application designed for this. In this case, the channel is not clogged thanks to the optimal download and upload speeds set by the developers.
You can watch the downloaded movies on your DLNA-enabled TV. If you want, in the settings of the torrent, you can set the sequential download and watch the movie while it is downloading.
7. Control your flash drive from your smartphone without the OTG cable
The function allows you to record or view files with your smartphone without the support of OTG or the appropriate cable. According to the instructions, connect the drive to the appropriate router port and open a file manager with network access on your gadget – you will have access to all the contents of the drive regardless of its file system.
8. How to use a router with a VPN sparingly
Buy licensed VPN access from a particular provider, but only for one device, and use it on all gadgets at once. It’s simple to do: turn on the VPN right on your router – all the gadgets connected to it will go online already through the VPN. If necessary, you can specify in the router settings which gadgets will work this way and which will work in standard mode.
9. Increasing Wi-Fi speeds
Most routers work in the 2.4 GHz band. If several of these devices are located near each other, the quality and speed of the Internet drops noticeably. But it is possible to provide yourself with stable high quality Internet. The fact is that the range of the router is divided into several channels, and the new accessories know how to find the less busy ones and switch to them. But since it is possible that your neighbors’ devices also know how to do this, create as many networks as possible, give them the most dissimilar names (so neighbors do not guess) and come up with passwords. All these networks will appear on the same channel, which will be perceived by the analyzer as overloaded, and creating a new one will look impractical. As a result, you will get a whole channel and enjoy a stable and fast Internet.
10. Creating backups for MacBooks
Not all routers have such functionality, but it’s a sin not to tell about it, given the popularity of Apple equipment. In order to create backups you need to plug in a hard drive formatted in the Apple HFS+ system, if necessary, and start making backups on the router by following the instructions.
The above tips can be done not with all router models, but only with those whose official firmware is regularly updated, expanding their capabilities. Also important are the limitations of the device and the maximum range of the router. But if your gadget and its firmware are designed with the latest trends in mind, you won’t have any problems expanding the functionality.
Depending on the manufacturer and model of the router, there may be other functionality and, accordingly, there will be other tips.
We hope that this article has been useful for you and helped you to learn more about the capabilities of your router. If you can’t figure out the router’s functionality, or activate and configure certain functions on your own, please call the Lanet network contact number. Our competent specialists will be glad to help you!
