How to Set Up a ZyXel Router

If you have a new ZyXel router and you want to connect to the internet safely and securely, you need to perform a basic setup for your device. This is generally a straightforward process, and you should be able to start using your ZyXel P-600 Series or other ZyXel wireless modem within 10 minutes. Most of the setup process addresses changing the SSID and wireless password because you don't need to change the majority of the other settings unless you have a specific reason for doing so.

The first stage of the ZyXel modem setup is connecting all the required cables. Find the power supply for your router and insert it into the power jack on the back of the router and connect the plug to an outlet. Press the power button if there is one on your model and ensure that the power light on the router switches on. You should have a telephone cable and possibly a splitter so you can connect both your phone and the router to the telephone socket in your house. Insert the telephone cable into the "DSL" jack on your router and then into the splitter. Finally, connect the cable from your landline phone to the other part of the splitter and insert it into the wall socket for your phone line.

You can now connect to the router itself on your computer using an Ethernet cable or via Wi-Fi. To use an Ethernet cable, connect the yellow cable to one of the yellow Ethernet ports on the router. To use Wi-Fi, find the router's Wi-Fi network and log in using the details provided by your internet service provider, which are usually the same as those on the label on the back of the router.

Most of the ZyXel router setup process takes place on the web configurator. This is an online portal to all your router's settings, and it allows you to change your security details, the name of your network and other settings. On some devices, such as the ZyXel WAP7205, you can use the "zyxelsetup" page by typing "http://zyxelsetup" into the URL bar of your browser. However, the most reliable method is to type "192.168.1.1" as the URL, because this is the standard internal IP address for ZyXel routers. You'll be prompted to enter a username and password. For the username, type "admin" and for the password, type "1234" (both without quotation marks). If this doesn't work, check the back of the router for a different internal IP address or different login details.

You are prompted to change the password when you log in, which you can either do or just click "Ignore" to keep it as "1234."

In the web configurator, you can change most settings. For most devices, there is a built-in wizard that leads you through the setup, and all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions. In other cases, you have to go to "Network Setting" manually and then select "Wireless" or "Network" and "Wireless LAN" to find the relevant page.

You can change the name of the Wi-Fi network under the "Wireless Network Name" or "Network Name" field, which also says "SSID." This is the name that appears when you look for a connection on your computer or another device. Scroll down to see an area for your password or preshared key. This can be generated automatically as it is from the factory, but you can uncheck this option and enter your own password if you prefer. Click "Apply" to complete the setup and save the changes.