Trish,
General discussion first, then caveats below based on your message re:
wireless modems.
Most of the major brand routers Cisco (a.k.a. Linksys), Netgear, Dlink, are
easy to configure via web interface. Each router will have a default
address that you need to enter for web setup.
Some of them come with software, although I've never used that. Many of the
newer routers (within the last five years or so) come with WPS which is a
button that allows you to configure other computers that are going to
connect to the routers. I don't use WPS and I disable it because it does
present a security risk if you run a wifi network, but I'm sure most
consumers use it. Since I generally use the web setup, I am not conversant
on how accessible the software setup is with screen readers. But, I'll
discuss the general process quickly, knowing that specifics on where to find
the different tabs will depend on the specific router you are going to use.
When you open the initial page for the router, you will generally be in the
basic setup or summary area. There will be links for Internet, Security,
Wireless, Administration, Tools, etc. Administration allows you to set
time, access passwords, etc. Internet lets you configure your router with
whatever service you have, Cable I.e. Roadrunner, Comcast, Cox), DSL i.e.
AT&T, Verizon IOS, etc. If you have DSL, you will enter your UserName and
Password, Cable doesn't generally require that. Security is where your
router will act as a hardware firewall, you can also control which sites can
be accessed if you have reason to need to block or allow certain sites, etc.
Usually, wireless security is found under the wireless settings. The
wireless area is available if you select a wireless router, this is where
you will set up the wireless network such as giving it a name so you can
identify it, determining whether you will broadcast or hide the SSID
(service set identifier), setting up wifi security (whether you will have
your network require a password to access it, which is strongly
recommended), the mode your network will use (B, G, N, mixed mode, or there
is a newer AC standard which is just being adopted). The tools area will
have some diagnostic stuff as well as a way to upgrade the firmware on the
router, the manufacturers occasionally release patches that address
performance or security issues.
Now, as for the caveat. You mention that you have a question about buying
one for a wireless modem now. If you have a wireless modem and you are
using cable, your email address indicates Roadrunner, then your modem may
have a router built-in. If the wifi modem is part of a multimodal system
that handles phone, internet and tv distribution, it may have the features
you need. I have U-Verse, and if you want to network a router to it, there
are a few more hoops you have to jump through, it isn't as simple as just
hooking it up to a straight DSL or cable modem.
Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.
Steve
Lansing, MI
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trish" <trishzoellers-sc...@austin.rr.com>
To: "jaws" <jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 06, 2013 7:51 AM
Subject: [JAWS-Users] Routers
I have a question on routers.
If I buy one for wireless modem, do I install the software it comes with
and
then do I just have to plug it into the modem?
What all is involved with these routers exactly?
Thanks for any help.
Trish
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