fishacura
join:2008-01-25
Phoenixville, PA
| New Wireless Network Question
I had Verizon installed in February and have the Actiontec MI24 router. I am getting ready to get a laptop and build a wireless network (somewhat computer savy but have never done any of this before). I had a couple of questions:
1. How can I tell what firmware my router has and does it matter? Do I need to update it every so often?
2. Should any wireless card suffice? Looks like the router is 802.11g/b but some of the wireless cards mention WPA/WPA2 and I wasn't sure what that was or if it was important.
Sorry if these are basic questions...
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People who don't get good service on average tell 10 others while people who do get good service on average tell 1. |
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Smith6612
Premium
join:2008-02-01
united state
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·FrontierNet Intern..
 ·Dish Network
| Any card should work with the ActionTec, so #2 is out of the question. However, some devices like XBox 360s have problems with the ActionTec, but people here have been able to get them to work with the ActionTec.
As for the firmware, you don't have to update it but Verizon will update your firmwae for you when they release the new firmware. I don't know where you can find your firmware version since I don't have FiOS. My guess is that if you log in to the main page of the ActionTec, it should tell you what is installed right on the page. |
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fishacura
join:2008-01-25
Phoenixville, PA
| YOu mean if I go to the Actiontec web site it will know what firmware version I have? Or are you talking about a specific actiontec page on the Verizon site?
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People who don't get good service on average tell 10 others while people who do get good service on average tell 1. |
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Tollhouse
join:2008-07-15
Wallback, WV | reply to fishacura
If you can't find it, a quick call to the Verizon FSC will get the firmware number for you, and if it isn't updated, we can even update it for you from our end. Quick and painless for you. |
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dpridgen
Premium
join:2004-01-14
Port Washington, NY
| reply to fishacura
1. Firmware does not matter too much, but it is best to be on the latest.
2. Any wireless card should work. WPA/WPA2 are security protocols used to encrypt your wireless traffic, both are supported by the Actiontec.
The Actiontec comes pre-configured with a specific SSID and WEP key. (at least mine did) if it did, it will be on a sticker on the bottom/back of the router. I recommend you do not use them as WEP encryption can be broken in about 5 minutes.
To change your wireless settings log in to the admin page of your router by pointing your browser (IE/Firefox) to 192.168.1.1
default login is admin
password is password or password1
Click on the wireless settings to see and change the existing settings. I recommend you hide the SSID (don't broadcast it) This will prevent casual discovery of your wireless network. I also recommend you use WPA or WPA2 for your encryption. You can find these under the advanced settings. Whatever you use as the pre-shared key will need to be manually entered into each device connecting to your wireless network. The configuration of each of your clients will need match what you configure in the router. |
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fishacura
join:2008-01-25
Phoenixville, PA | That's tremendous info dpridgen. Thanks for taking the time! |
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More Fiber
Premium
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| reply to fishacura
said by fishacura  :You mean if I go to the Actiontec web site it will know what firmware version I have? Or are you talking about a specific Actiontec page on the Verizon site? Neither. Login to the Actiontec router (192.168.1.1), Click on the SYSTEM MONITORING icon at the top. A router status page is displayed which shows the revision level of the firmware.
The current version is 4.0.16.1.56.0.10.7. |
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