Setting Up a Home Network: 5 Steps to a Connected Home

Step 1: Set up the router

The router is the heart of your home network. It connects all devices to the internet. The exact setup process may vary depending on the manufacturer and model, but it generally follows a similar procedure. Please refer to the included instructions!

Place your router as centrally, freestanding, and as high as possible to achieve optimal WiFi coverage. Connect the device using the included cables and access its virtual user interface through a compatible device.

This can be done, for example, using a PC or laptop connected to a free LAN port on the router via an Ethernet cable. A WiFi connection via smartphone or tablet should also work.

Open the list of available WiFi connections and identify your new router. Since you haven't assigned a custom name yet, you will need to look for the corresponding model designation. This default name (SSID) is also printed on the back of the device or on the included card with your access credentials. The 16-digit default password, also known as the WiFi key, is provided as well.

Now open the virtual user interface of the router in your browser window. This often works by typing the default IP address 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. The exact instructions for your model, as well as the necessary login data, can be found again in your provider's documentation. Follow the instructions in your browser to set up the router and install any firmware updates.

Step 2: Set up WiFi and enhance network security

Once your router is up to date and ready for use, you should first set up your WiFi and establish a new network name (SSID). This makes it easier for you to connect all devices in the house to the WiFi and also increases the security of your home network.

The reason: Your SSID is publicly visible and often contains information such as the name of the router manufacturer. If you do not change this default naming, it can give criminals clues about possible vulnerabilities in your home network . While it is not very likely that you will be hacked solely because of your network name, it is also not difficult to take additional precautions. Plus, you can come up with a fun WiFi name.

If you frequently host guests and invite them to your home network, it is also worth setting up a second SSID – a separate guest WiFi. This way, you can secure your home network and provide your visitors with internet access without giving them access to all devices and file folders in your home network. For more information, please see our guide on setting up a guest WiFi.

Of course, an important aspect is a secure WiFi password when setting up your home network. At least 12 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters as well as special characters, are recommended. Don't worry, you and your guests won't have to painstakingly type in such a complicated password every time: modern routers typically offer alternative, more convenient ways to connect to WiFi, which we will discuss in the next step.

Step 3: Connect devices via WiFi

After you have configured the WiFi settings on your router, you can now connect all devices to your home network. This can be done as usual through the list of available WiFi connections as well as through the SSID and password set in the previous step. However, typing this in every time can become quite a task, especially if you have many smart home devices in use.

It's faster with QR codes that can be generated by many routers. When you scan such a code with your smartphone, it connects directly to your home network without the need to enter a password. This is especially convenient for guests: print the QR code and place it in the guest room, making internet access easier for your visitors—and their stay in your home even more enjoyable.

If your router does not have this feature, such a QR code can also be generated through certain web services, apps, or directly on your smartphone. Alternatively, modern smartphones typically have a function that allows WiFi access to be shared with other smart devices in the vicinity at the push of a button.

Step 4: Setting up File and Printer Sharing

Do you want to exchange files, back up to network storage, or print documents from different devices within your home network? Then you need to connect the relevant devices to the home network and set up the necessary shares.

In the first step, you should assign a unique network name to each device – for example, your name or that of a family member, combined with the type of device, such as "PC," "Laptop," "Smartphone," etc. This can be easily done in the system settings of almost any device.

Here you can also set up a device to be discoverable on the network – and of course share individual folders or entire drives for file exchange. This allows network participants to send files to each other or to printers and home servers (NAS) on the network. Whether you want to print documents from your home office or back up entire family photo albums: everything can be done quickly over the home network.

Step 5: Conduct a network test

Have you set everything up as you need it? You will automatically notice whether your home network is functioning properly and if you are enjoying sufficiently fast internet in every room. This becomes especially apparent when the video conference in the home office lags, the online game is delayed, and the series stream is of poor quality or not working at all. To prevent these annoyances, a network test is recommended.

Open the devolo Online Speed Test on a mobile device and measure the internet speed in each room. Use the speed measured close to the router as a reference. If the measured internet bandwidth here is approximately what you subscribed to, but is significantly lower in a more distant room, you should make improvements there.

When setting up your home network, experimenting with router positions and additional cables can help. But let's be honest: there usually isn't much space or time for moving furniture and laying cables. It's easier with smart quick solutions from devolo, which extend the home network throughout the entire living area without annoying renovations and compromises.

Magic Powerline

Strong WiFi and Ethernet in Every Room

Why run long LAN cables throughout the house when it can be done easily? The Magic Powerline adapters from devolo transmit the internet signal from the router through the electrical wiring of the house or apartment. This way, you can enjoy strong WiFi reception in every room and additional LAN ports for wired internet access via Ethernet.

And it's that simple:

1. Place the Magic Powerline Adapter next to the router and connect it via LAN cable.
2. Place additional powerline adapters in rooms where there is no internet.
3. Set up a WiFi connection using your smartphone.

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Repeater

Simple Extension of the WiFi Signal

When the WiFi signal is weak, a repeater can help to boost the signal into adjacent rooms. This is particularly useful in apartments where the router's signal cannot reach further rooms due to distance or other interference factors.

And it's that simple:

1. Place the repeater near the router.
2. Start the Home Network App and complete the setup.
3. Place the repeater halfway between the router and the living area, where the WiFi has been weak.

Our Tip: If you already have network cabling at home, you can alternatively connect the devolo Repeater 3000 and 5400 to the router via LAN cable. In Access Point Mode, you can extend WiFi to very distant rooms without needing to set up a second router as an access point.

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