How to Connect Wireless Ethernet Bridges to DSL Modems

Step 1

Connect your incoming DSL connection to the back of your DSL modem using the cable installed by your DSL provider. This will look like a telephone cable. The input will most likely be on the back of the modem and labeled "Input" or "DSL."

Step 2

Plug one end of your Ethernet cable into an available port on your DSL modem. These will be labeled as outputs. Plug the other end of your Ethernet cable into the Input of your wireless bridge. This may be marked "Internet" or some similar designation and is located on the back of the device.

Step 3

Plug one end of your second Ethernet cable into an output port on your wireless bridge. You may use any output port. Plug the other end into the Ethernet port on your computer. This will be located on the side of your computer if you are using a laptop, or the back of your computer if you are using a desktop computer.

Step 4

Open your preferred Web browser. Connect to your wireless bridge by typing in your bridge's IP address. This will be provided when you purchase your router, but by default, this is "http://192.168.0.1" or "http://192.168.1.1." Type in the user name and password for your bridge, which will also have been given to you when you purchased the bridge. If you do not know use "admin" as the user name and leave the password box blank. Follow the on-screen instructions to bring you to your "Settings" page.

Step 5

Select "Wireless Security." Choose either WPA or WPA2 instead of WEP as your security. WPA automatically generates a key for you to use, so it is harder to access. This will be the most secure for a wireless bridge. Select your desired password for your wireless bridge, and select "OK" or "Save Settings."

Step 6

Select "AP Mode" from your Wireless settings page. Select the "Wireless Bridge" option, or select "Client Bridge" as your Router mode. This will allow you to enter the MAC address of any network that the wireless bridge is being used to connect. The MAC address can be found on the settings page of individual networks that you are connecting to. You can access the settings page by entering in the IP address into your web browser as you did in Step 3. Enter in the MAC addresses of the networks you would like to connect.