How to configure Linksys WRT54GP2 Vonage Wireless Router
for
Security (more important than you think) !!!!

Broadcasting Mode
A router's default is set in broadcasting mode - but a secure wireless system administrator will always
set the router to non-broadcasting mode.

When troubleshooting a wireless system or adding a new device - remember to set your
router back to broadcast mode.

TO set your ROUTER to BROADCASTING MODE (Public):
Go to ROUTER setup page http://192.168.15.1/ and click
WIRELESS, BASIC WIRELESS SETTINGS, Wireless SID broadcast, ENABLED. 

After you are all set and your wireless system is read to use, its safer to run your router in non-broadcasting mode:

Desktop
WEP Encryption
1. The router is running - Desktop computer.
2. NOT NEEDED HERE --->Click START, RUN, CMD, IPCONFIG
3. NOT NEEDED HERE --->Write down the IP ADDRESS
4. Open webpage for your router WRT54GP2 by typing in the address of your router http://192.168.15.1/
5. Click Administration, give your router a password, and confirm and then write it down somewhere forever.
6. Now click Wireless, Wireless Security, Security Mode WEP, 64 bits, write a passphrase, and then click Generate
7. The router generates WEP Keys.

Now to your LAPTOP:
Set the WEP Encryption filter on your LAPTOP
8. Double Click Dell wireless icon in system drawer
9. Double click your wireless network
10. Enter here the WEP keys from you 7 above.

START, Control Panel, Network Connections, double-click the Wireless Network  Connection, Properties,
Wireless Networks, click the preferred network you recognize. OR just click the DELL Router symbol in the
Clock SPACE drawer
9. Properties, ASSOCIATION, Network Authentication - OPEN, Data Encryption - WEP.
10. Enter the password from WEP 1 that the desktop router setup screen says...from step 6 above.
11. Reenter again, and that's it! Uncheck key is provided to me automatically.

Now, that's it - for configuring low level of encryption.

If that doesn't work, check the FIREWALL on both DESKTOP and LAPTOP computers - by TURNING them off.
PARTICULARLY check the ZONE ALARM firewall. 

THIS WILL THE ALMOST ALWAYS ALLOW THE LAPTOP TO
CONNECT to the desktop.  The router is blocking the laptops IP address.
Get the IP address of the laptop by going to laptop START, RUN, cmd, ipconfig
Open ZONE ALARM, FIREWALL, ZONES, and be sure the IP address of the LAPTOP COMPUTER is entered in
there correctly...(You )

For even better security, you still have to allow only certain computers to have access, correct?

MAC addresses simply put means - each computer has it's own address.
So if you know the address of your laptop, you can allow only your laptop access - a closed network!!!

1. Go to LAPTOP,  START, RUN, type in CMD hit the ENTER key, type IPCONFIG /ALL
2. Read the ETHERNET ADAPTER WIRELESS NETWORK CONNECTIONS
and ETHERNET ADAPTER LOCAL AREA CONNECTION, Physical Address.
You may or may NOT have both.
They will each look something like a 00-15-CF-32-22-D1
3. Go to DESKTOP COMPUTER
4. Go to ROUTER setup page http://192.168.15.1/ and click WIRELESS, WIRELESS NETWORK ACCESS
5. Filter Mode ALLOW, and now type in the MAC 01 and MAC 02 (if you have two)
address from the numbers from step 2 on your laptop.

NOW LAPTOP must be set to receive NON- BROADCASTING NETWORK how?.
1. The Wireless Network Name (or SSID) is in the router setup page http://192.168.15.1/ under the WIRELESS tab.
2. Then look under WIRELESS SECURITY, and get a WEP KEY, use that in the laptop config. to connect.

TO set your ROUTER to NON-BROADCASTING MODE (STEALTH):
After you are all set and your wireless system is read to use, its safer to run your router in non-broadcasting mode:

Go to ROUTER setup page http://192.168.15.1/ and click
WIRELESS, BASIC WIRELESS SETTINGS, Wireless SID broadcast, DISABLED. 

Remember to turn this back ON when installing a new wireless device.
 

IF still having problems, it REALLY is a good idea to shut off the modem, and router and power up again.

NOW that's it!