An inexpensive, but very functional entry-level Internet center with good technical specifications is Keenetic Start. Its setup, technical parameters and other important nuances associated with its work will be described in detail later in the text.
Device features
Let's start with the technical specifications of this network device. Everything you need to deploy a full-fledged local computing home network is in ZyXel Keenetic Start. WiFi setup not difficult. This wireless standard allows information to be transmitted at speeds of up to 150 Mbps. But the area of its coverage is limited to a radius of 10 meters. This is enough for an apartment or a small office. Five Ethernet ports allow you to organize a wired section of a computer network that can exchange information with the global web at speeds up to 100 Mbps. If necessary, they can be reconfigured. Also in this device there is a convenient display system. The following LEDs are displayed on the front panel: power availability, operation indicators for each wired port and wireless coverage. There is also a separate indicator of the availability of an Internet connection. The router itself is built on the basis of MIPS® CPU model 24KEc with a clock frequency of 360 MHz. There is no separate USB port in it, but there is support for network printers. This allows you to turn this router into a print node if necessary. It also integrates 32 MB of RAM.
Equipment
Everything necessary for work is included with this network device. In addition to the router itself, there is a power supply, a twisted-pair crimped pair for configuration, and an antenna for transmitting a wireless signal. Configuring the ZyXel Keenetic Start router is described in stages and very detailed in the instruction manual. The second important document that comes with the kit is the warranty card. Also along with them in a paper envelope is a CD with the necessary software. With it, you can easily and simply configure a router.
Appearance and controls
As noted earlier, this router model has an indication system displayed on the front panel. It consists of 8 LEDs. The first of them shows the availability of food. When the router is turned on and booted, it blinks. As soon as the initialization process is completed, it starts to glow continuously. The “zero” LED is tied to the input port by default. It shows the connection to the equipment of the provider. Also, the last, eighth LED, which indicates the receipt of information from the Internet, should flash simultaneously with it. The following four indicators show the output of information from a network device. Configuring the ZyXel Keenetic Start router allows you to programmatically change the destination of each port. You can even configure it so that there will be two input ones, and three for outputting data will work. On the back side are the previously indicated ports for connecting a twisted pair cable. To their left is a connector for installing the antenna and a reset button for the current settings. But on the right are the power supply socket and the power button of the router. Another important control located on the top cover of the device is the WPS button. It allows you to quickly connect a computer, smartphone or tablet to a wireless local area network. It is enough to press it and immediately start the connection procedure. There is no need to enter a security password.
Provider Options
The ability to change parameters allows you to use ZyXel Keenetic Start in almost all local area networks. Setting up Rostelecom consists in setting the following parameters:
- The protocol for organizing access to the global web is PPPoE.
- Login and password specified in the contract.
- It is imperative to set an option that automatically obtains the network address.
In turn, setting up ZyXel Keenetic Start Beeline provides for an introduction such parameters:
- The type of protocol used is L2TP.
- Server address must be tp.internet.beeline.ru.
- Username and password, as in the previous case, we take from the contract.
All other parameters are left unchanged. By analogy with the previously mentioned examples, you can configure this Internet center for any provider. In any case, this information must be clarified in advance so as not to be distracted by its refinement in the process of setting up the router.
First connection
The first step in the configuration process is the correct Keenetic Start switch. The setup begins with this operation. When you first configure your router, it’s not necessary to have an Internet connection. It is enough just to install the power supply in the socket, and its cord in the corresponding socket of a router. On the other hand, it is necessary to use a complete twisted pair cable, which will organize the transfer between the network device and the computer. The latter may be a laptop, netbook or computer. We install one end of the wire in the blue port of the router, and the other end in the connector on the PC network card . As soon as such a system is assembled and the correctness of the previously specified connections is checked, turn on the computer and the router, wait for the end of their download. At this point, the first phase, consisting of switching equipment, is over, and you can now proceed to configure ZyXel Keenetic Start. Setting up PPPoE or VPN is already in the next step.
Quick setup
Setting up a Keenetic Start router programmatically consists of the following steps:
- We go into network connections and delete all previously created connections to eliminate the possibility of conflicts. To do this, in the lower right corner we find the icon of the network control center and click on it. Select all the networks and delete them by pressing the “Del” button.
- Then, in the same window, go to the "Adapter Settings" item. In the list that opens, we find the desired wireless router and set it to automatically obtain the network address and DNS.
- We launch any of the installed browsers. Then we enter 192.168.1.1 in its address bar and press Enter.
- In response, a request appears with a username and password, which are indicated on the sticker on the top cover. It is them that need to be introduced now. After typing, click on the "Login" button.
- As a result of all the previously mentioned manipulations, the main window for configuring the router will open.
- The next step is to go to the "Authorization" section. Here we set the connection protocol, username and password specified in the contract from the provider, receive the address automatically.
- Then you need to save the changes by clicking the corresponding button. Close all previously opened windows and turn off the equipment. Then you need to disassemble the circuit.
Reconnecting and Installing
Now you need to install Keenetic Start in a permanent place. Customization Its software components are over. You need to install the router so that the wire from the provider easily reaches it. There should also be a power outlet nearby. Well, to ensure maximum coverage, it should be located in the center of the apartment. After installing the router, we connect it. First, we put the cord from the power supply into the corresponding socket, and we install it ourselves in the outlet. The wire from the provider is installed in the blue port. If there is a wired segment of the local area network, then we connect all the necessary wires to the yellow ports 1 to 4 on the back of the router. Once the switching is completed and verified, you can apply voltage to the network device by pressing the POWER button. After that, it will start downloading. At this time, the LED of the same name will blink. As soon as he stops doing this, the router has booted up and is ready to go.
Establish a connection
The next step is to connect the computer to the ZyXel Keenetic Start router. Customization the parameters of the network device is over and you need to connect the individual components of the local area network. To do this, the router, PC, smartphone or tablet must be turned on. It is not possible to establish a connection while loading any of the previously specified devices. A wired connection is established automatically, but in the case of Wi-Fi, you need to perform certain manipulations. On the PC, we find the logo of the network control center in the lower right corner of the screen and click on it. In the list of available network connections, select the name of our network. In response, a request appears with a password. Enter the one that was set during the configuration of the router. The algorithm for setting up a smartphone or tablet is similar. The only difference is that you need to use the status menu, which is located at the top of the device.
IPTV connection
No wonder the manufacturer calls the "Internet center" this model of the ZyXel Keenetic Start router. Customization its internal parameters in a certain way allows you to connect the IPTV box to it. Physically, they can be connected using a crimped twisted pair. You can even use the cord that comes with the kit. The output port of the router is configured to output information, and the IPTV set-top box itself is configured in the same way as other elements of the local area network.
Test
Now you need to test the software settings ZyXel Keenetic Start. The configuration of the network device at the final stage must be checked. It is performed as follows:
- The computer and router must be on.
- A wireless or wired connection to the global web must also be established.
- We launch any of the Internet browsers installed on the PC.
- In its address bar, enter yandex.ru and press "ENTER". If everything is done correctly, the start page of the previously specified search engine will open.
Summary
No wonder the manufacturer is positioning itself as an entry-level Internet center Keenetic Start. Customization it is quite simple, and the capabilities allow you to easily create a small computer network. This is the perfect solution for home and small office.