Setting up your wireless router
43
Enabling Remote Management
Before you enable this advanced feature of your router, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SET THE
ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD. Remote management allows you to make changes to your
router's settings from anywhere on the Internet. There are two methods of remotely
managing the router. The first is to allow access to the router from anywhere on the Internet
by selecting Any IP address can remotely manage the Router. By typing in your WAN IP
address from any computer on the Internet, you will be presented with a login screen where
you need to type in the password of your router. The second method is to allow a specific IP
address only to remotely manage the router. This is more secure, but less convenient. To use
this method, enter the IP address you know you will be accessing the router from in the space
provided and select Only this IP address can remotely manage the Router. Before you
enable this function, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you set your administrator
password. Leaving the password empty will potentially open your router to intrusion.
Enabling/Disabling Network Address Translation (NAT)
Note: This feature should only be modified by advanced users.
NAT is the method by which the router shares the single IP address assigned by your ISP with
the other computers on your network and is enabled by default. NAT should only be disabled
if your ISP assigns you multiple IP addresses or you need NAT disabled for an advanced
system configuration. If you have a single IP address and you turn NAT off, the computers on
your network will not be able to access the Internet. Other problems may also occur. Turning
off NAT will disable your firewall functions.
Enabling/Disabling UPnP
UPnP (Universal Plug-and-Play) is yet another advanced feature offered by your router. It is a
technology that offers seamless operation of voice messaging, video messaging, games, and
other applications that are UPnP-compliant. Some applications require the router's firewall
to be configured in a specific way to operate properly. This usually requires opening TCP and
UDP ports. An application that is UPnP-compliant has the ability to communicate with the
router, basically "telling" the router which way it needs the firewall configured. The router