Asus RT-N12: Configuring the Router

An inexpensive and very functional entry-level router is the Asus RT-N12. Setting up its software firmware and creating a small local area network is what will be detailed in this material.

Network Router Features

First of all, it should be noted that the designation RT-N12 hides not a single device, but a whole family of routers. Most of the technical parameters, with rare exceptions, they are identical. But at the same time the form of the case differs among them. Also at the end of the name of the series of routers, an alphanumeric designation of the model is added, for example, Asus RT-N12 D1. The setting is standard for all devices in this series. Otherwise, they have the following technical specifications:

• 4 output ports RJ-45 (painted yellow). They are designed to create a wired part of the network with a twisted pair and are capable of providing information exchange at a speed of 100 Mbps. So connect to the router TVs (which do not have Wi-Fi), IPTV - a set-top box or a second router (with it you can, for example, increase the coverage area of a wireless network).
• 2 antennas that provide information transfer over the wireless part of the network at speeds up to 300 Mbps. It should be noted right away that almost all Wi-Fi standards are supported, except for "a" and "ac". The first one is morally and physically obsolete? And it is not so often found on wireless gadgets. The second appeared after the sales of the router family started.
• For the organization of connection to the equipment of the provider one RJ-45 port is provided, along the perimeter it is painted in blue color. Its maximum speed is limited to the standard 100 Mbps. As a result, to exchange data with the Global Web, a local network based on such a router can only with the specified speed.
• The indication of the status of the device is assigned to the LED panel (it is located either on the front of the device or on the top
  Cover). It allows you to determine the presence of power (indicator with the inscription POWER), connect to the Internet (WAN LED), wireless (Wi-Fi indicator) and wired (1-4 LEDs with LAN) on the network.

Before installation

Before installing and configuring the router, it is necessary to study in detail the contract concluded with the provider for the provision of services. It indicates the information that will be needed during the configuration process. This is the type of connection, and the type of address (static or dynamic), and the password for accessing the Global Web. All these data must be entered in the configuration process in the Asus RT-N12. Setting up a Rostelecom-connection requires setting the following values:

• Connection type is PPPoE.
• Login and password specified in the contract.
• The IP address must in this case be dynamic.

The remaining parameters remain unchanged in the Asus RT-N12. Setting up the "Beeline" -connection is slightly different and requires the following settings in the settings of the router:

• Connection type in this case L2TP.
• The IP address is obtained automatically by the router from the equipment of the provider.
• You also specify a login and password, without which you can not access the Global Web.

In any case, before the start of the configuration, you need to specify the necessary values of the router parameters in the contract from the provider.

Package Contents

A typical package for this series of devices. It includes this:

• Router series RT-N12.
• Twisted pair, crimped at both ends, 1 m long.
• Power supply with a cord to connect to the router.
• A quick guide to setting up and using the network device.
• Warranty card.
• CD with technical documentation and software.

Indication

As noted earlier, this series of routers has a panel of LED indicators. With its help you can easily and easily determine the status of the router. Depending on the model of the device, it can be displayed on its top cover or on the front panel. It consists of the following indicator elements:

• The first from left to right is the Power LED. When the router is loaded, it flashes slowly, and lights up continuously during operation. On some models of routers there is no indicator WPS, and its functions when searching for a new device using the same technology is performed by Power, for example, Asus RT-N12 C1. Setting up a wireless connection in this case is visualized by the frequent flashing of this LED.
• The second indicator is the wireless network indicator. When it is constantly on, the device is ready, and during the exchange process it flashes continuously.
• The next indicator is WAN. It shows the presence of a connection to the global web. As in the previous case, its continuous glow indicates the presence of a connection, and continuous blinking is the exchange of information with the Internet.
• The next LED - WPS - is not available on all models of this family of routers. It starts flashing only when you set up a new wireless connection using WPS technology.
• The last 4 LEDs are indicators of the wired LAN1-LAN4 ports. If nothing is connected to the port, the indicator does not light. If there is a connection, it lights up continuously. But in the process of exchanging data, it flashes.

Time Scheme for Configuring the Router

At the first stage of setting up the router you need to collect a temporary scheme. To do this, the router is installed next to the switched off PC or laptop. Next, the complete twisted pair with one end is installed in any of the 4 yellow LAN ports, and the second - in the socket of the network card PC or laptop. Then install the power supply in a nearby socket, and the cord with a plug - in the socket of the router. The timing diagram is now ready for configuring the Asus RT-N12. The configuration is now reduced to turning on the PC and the router and entering the necessary data into the latter.

Software configuration

Then you need to turn on the router and the personal computer. After downloading each of them, you must run any of the installed Internet browsers installed on the PC. In its address bar it is necessary to type four three-digit numbers, separated by the symbol ".". The first of them is 192, the second is 168. Well, the last two of them are the same - 001. After that, press Enter. In response, you will be prompted, in which you will enter the login and, of course, the password. In our case, they are the same - admin. Then a window opens with the interface for configuring the network device. Here we enter all the necessary parameters that were previously clarified. Also, you must enter the name of the future wireless network and the password to access it. Still need to set the encryption method WPA2 - it provides for today the maximum level of protection. In the end, do not forget to save your changes. Then we leave the interface settings of the router and close the browser. Turn off the PC and the router, disassemble the timing.

Connection on a permanent basis

Now it is necessary to install it in a permanent place (it should be located as close to the center of the apartment as possible - this will ensure the maximum range of the wireless network) Asus RT-N12. The configuration of the network device is over, you just need to connect it and check the correctness of the specified parameters. The constant scheme is similar to the time scheme. The difference between them is only that the blue WAN port connects the input wire from the provider. The yellow LAN ports connect those devices that will exchange information using wires. Well, connect the wire with a plug from the power supply, which is pre-installed in the nearest outlet or carrying.

Wired segment test

Next, you must check the operability of the settings you made to the Asus RT-N12 router without fail. Setting up the Beeline connection or any other is over, and you just need to make sure the settings are correct. To do this, when the router is turned on and the personal computer connected to the network using a twisted pair, we run on the last one of the installed browsers. Then in its address bar enter the address of the desired site and click "Enter". If done correctly, the start page of the selected Internet portal will be opened.

Checking the wireless LAN part

Then you need to check the wireless part of the computer network, implemented with the help of Asus RT-N12. WiFi setup has already been performed in the previous stages. The testing procedure using mobile gadgets in this case is:

• The router must be turned on, and the connection to the global web should function.
• Go to the settings of the mobile device and make a list of available wireless networks. In the list that appears, select the name that was previously specified.
• Then you must enter the password in the request.
• After that, you must close all previously opened windows and wait for the network address to be received. On its receipt will indicate the change in the indicator "Wai-Fay" at the top of the screen.
• Then start the browser and open any of the possible Internet portals.

If everything is done correctly, then almost immediately the corresponding thematic resource will be opened. The procedure for setting up a wireless connection on a PC or laptop is identical. Only for these purposes, instead of the touch panel, you need to use a manipulator. And the taskbar in this case is located at the bottom.

Update to the latest firmware

To ensure reliable and stable operation of the router, it is absolutely necessary to update the software, or, as it is also called, the firmware. For this, when the router and PC are turned on, we run any of the installed on the last browsers. In its address bar, enter asus.com and press Enter. After opening the official website of the manufacturer, go to the "Support" section (located in the top menu of the web page). Then, in the search bar, type the entire router model and press "Search". Then you need to go to the "Drivers and Utilities" section. In the next step, choose the version of the operating system in the drop-down list and in the opened list download the new version of the firmware to your computer. Next, go to the settings of the router (this has already been described previously) and go to the "Advanced settings" (located in the right column of the router menu). In it we select the sub-item "Administration". Then move to the "Firmware Update" tab. Using the "Browse" button, we open the update downloads window from the hard disk of the computer and find the previously downloaded firmware and select it. Then close this window and click the "Send" button. Then the procedure for updating the software of the network device will start. Upon its completion, the start page of the router settings will automatically open. After that, you can exit the router setup menu and close the browser window.

IPTV

This series of routers allows you to connect to the Global Web of IPTV-set-top boxes. To do this, you need to use a compressed twisted pair to connect it to any of the 4 LAN ports of the router (they, as noted earlier, are colored yellow). Then, using any computer, smartphone or laptop connected to the network, go to the settings of the network device according to the previously described method. In the opened router settings menu, go to the "Advanced settings" section in the right column. In the next step, go to the WAN subsection and move to the "Internet Connection" tab. Then we find the item "IPTV Port" and select the port in the drop-down list, to which the prefix has already been connected. Next, we save the program changes made to the Asus RT-N12 parameters. Setting up the IPTV set-top box is over, you can exit the router's settings and check it in action. Preliminary, of course, you need to remember to connect it to the TV and to the AC power supply. Also, do not forget that you need to turn it on with the Power button.

Results

After all the previous manipulations, the Asus RT-N12 is fully operational. Its configuration is completed, and now it is possible to connect various network devices and use them for their intended purpose. That is, to download and upload various information from the Global Web.