Faculty/Staff Wireless Router Setup

Overview

If you are considering installing or buying a wireless router, STOP.  Contact the HelpDesk to see if RPI wireless can be made available. When RPI wireless is available in your area, do not install your own wireless router. Exceptions may be granted after a review.

Procedures

Wireless Router Configuration

It is important to set up and configure your wireless router to work correctly with the RPI network. If you do not do this, you may cause other people to lose their network connection. When this occurs, your network port will be disabled. You will need to take corrective action to resolve the problem before your connection is restored. Also, if your wireless router is not secure, anyone who has a wireless card can access the Internet through your router. If they are involved in any illegal activities that can be traced back to your router, you will be held responsible. Wireless routers must be secured with WPA-2 encryption or better.

We require that anyone running a wireless router on campus (Cisco, Linksys, Belkin, Dlink, ...) configure the unit with a static IP. You can request a static IP address on-line.

Some units will not work with the campus DHCP servers. If so, you can try upgrading to a newer version of BIOS for the router. That may resolve the problem.

General Router Setup

The steps needed to configure most routers appear below. However, since these steps do not include any specifics for any individual router, please consult the wireless router setup for your specific router if you need help. If no documentation for your router exists, please submit a request for assistance

1. Plug the WAN port into the wall
2. Change the Device IP Address
3. Change the login Username and Password
4. Set the SSID to your RCS userid or your building and room number
5. Enable WPA-2 (Encryption is required)
6. Setup your WPA-2 Key and write it down
7. Make sure that the WPA-2 Authentication type is set to Shared Key
8. Configure the router to use a static IP you recieved from the hostmaster@rpi.edu.
9. Limit the number of clients the router will hold to 10-15
10. Setup any filters, port forwarding , or port triggering
11. Write Down the following settings: Device IP Address, Username, Password, WPA-2 Key, and SSID . You will need these when you setup individual clients to work with your wireless network.
12. DIal down the power so it only covers your immediate lab/office.
13. Disable 2.5Ghz radio and only use the 5Ghz radio. 5Ghz will be faster and cause less interference.

Requirements Summary

In short, all Staff/Faculty running wireless routers or considering running a router must contact DotCIO first. Only if RPI wireless cannot accommodate the need should the following steps be taken.

• Configure the unit with a static IP address.
• Use encryption to make sure their wireless router is secure.
• Dial down the router's power level.
• Use an SSID that identifies the building and room or staff responsible; for example, use an SSID such as MRC_117 or Prof_Lou or an RCS userID. One way or the other, Rensselaer needs to be able to identify either the location or owner via the router's SSID.
• Turn off 2.5Ghz. Use 5Ghz only.

Last Reviewed: 04-Dec-2019