What Is MAC Address?

MAC Address stands for Media Access Control Address and it is a computer networking term that represents a device’s unique hardware identifying number. With a large number of devices that work on the internet to distinguish each of them there are some unique number sequences allotted to each of them. Network cards when manufactured are given these MAC addresses by manufacturers and it remains the same for that device. WiFi and Ethernet cards have MAC addresses given from the manufacturer so they can work on any network. MAC addresses need to be unique as they are identification numbers for that hardware and IP Addresses are assigned to then with this MAC address. 

The structure of the MAC address is readable to humans and consists of six pairs of characters such as numbers and letters. These pairs have colons in between them to make a proper MAC address. This address is quite easy to understand but has no use to humans as the networks can automatically recognize it. The format of the MAC address may look like this for a device or network card 0d:00:83:b1:d0:8e.

What Is DNS?

In networking, DNS means Domain Name System and this is the very thing responsible for the interaction of user with web pages without using IP addresses. For using internet users use domain names to access the websites whereas the web browsers use the IP addresses to access the same thing. DNS serves the purpose of translator between a domain name and IP Address so the browser gets the IP address every time someone inputs a Domain name.

On the internet, there are too many devices to count that are connected to each other and each of these has their IP address. These IP Addresses are used by devices to recognize other devices and DNS allows user to interact with these devices without using their IP address. It’s too much trouble to remember the IP Address be it the IPv4 or the newer and more complex IPv6 so DNS saves the trouble for users.

Each time a search is made DNS acts as a translator on the internet to make the search possible without the use of the actual IP address directly.

Difference Between Static and Dynamic IP

An IP address stands for Internet Protocol and now there are these two types of IP addresses that can be easily differentiated. There is Static IP which as it sounds is un-editable and more directed towards its permanent existence. On the other hand, Dynamic IP is dynamic as it can be changed and is editable to a better extent. There are some easy to understand the differences between both the IP and one is how it is provided. A static IP address is given to the computer by ISP whereas the dynamic IP address is mostly given by DHCP. Static IP remains the same once it is assigned to a computer of the device whereas Dynamic IP can be changed at any time.

Static and Dynamic IP is different for security reasons as well due to the less security on Static IP whereas Dynamic IP is more secure and contains less risk. The static IP address allows a device to be traceable on the other hand Dynamic IP address makes the device intractable. Stability also makes a difference in both the IPs as the Static IP address is stable as compared to Dynamic IP address.

What Is an IP Address?

IP Address stands for Internet Protocol Address and is a numerical name that each of the devices working on the internet is assigned. For numerous computers and devices communicating on the internet, there is the same number of IP addresses. This IP address is made up of numbers that can be read by users normally as a simple language. It serves a major role in computer networking and has two functions in networking. The two functions of the IP Addresses are interface identification and location addressing as it is responsible for the identification of devices or computers. 

The two Internet protocols that are quite well-known are Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). IPv4 is an older or outdated version as it reads IP addresses as a 32-bit number. IPv6 was next to IPv4 as the users across the internet increased and IPv4 ended with the lack of IPv4 addresses. IPv6 turned out better due to the 128-bit number in IP addresses that started in the year 1998. IP addresses are simple numbers and so they are readable without need of any software as it’s just a simple numerical format.

How To Change WiFi Password?

If you want to change the default router WiFi password then follow this step-by-step guide.

TP-Link:

  1. Login to Router admin panel using its default IP Address – 192.168.0.1 / 192.168.1.1.
  2. Enter the default username and password (admin/admin in most cases).
  3. Navigate to Wireless > Wireless Security > WPA/WPA2 – Personal (Recommended) > Password .
  4. Enter your preferred password and Save the change.

D-Link:

  1. Login to your router settings page via its default IP Address – 192.168.1.1 / 192.168.0.1.
  2. Input your username and password (or here’s list of default username and password).
  3. Go to Wireless > Wireless Security > Security Mode set to WPA2 only > Pre-Shared Key: enter your preferred password.
  4. Apply the change > restart your WiFi and the new password will be applied.

NETGEAR:

  1. Open your router setup page using its default IP address – 192.168.1.1 / 192.168.0.1 / http://routerlogin.com/.
  2. For authentication enter default username and password.
  3. Go to Wireless > Security Options > Select WPA2-PSK [AES] > Now enter your preferred password in Passphrase.
  4. Apply chances and reboot your WiFi for changes to effect.

NETGEAR Router Setup

Setting up a NETGEAR Router is very easy and once you have got the router and are connected to it, configuring the router is just a few minutes away. You can follow this quick guide to easily set up your NETGEAR Router.

  1. Plugin the ethernet cable at back of your NETGEAR router and power it on.
  2. Now connect to internet over WiFi and open your web browser and head over to http://www.routerlogin.com or http://www.routerlogin.net.

  3. A login page will appear. Enter the default username and password. The default username is admin and the default password is password.

  4. Once you log in, go to Internet from menu > Setup Wizard > New Connection and follow the NETGEAR Genie to configure your router.
  5. If “PPPoE DSL Internet Connection Detected” then ask your ISP for the Username and Password.
  6. Once your router is configured then internet connection status will turn GOOD.
  7. Now visit the Wireless section to configure your Wi-Fi Network.
  8. Select an SSID (name) for your Wi-Fi Network and select a suitable password under Security Options (WPA2-PSK) Passphrase:
  9. Apply the changes and you’re now all done setting up your NETGEAR Router.

D-Link Router Setup

D-Link Router can be configured in just a few minutes and once you have configured the router and set it up, your Wi-Fi connection will set up and you will be able to connect to the internet through your D-Link Router.

Before proceeding, make sure the ethernet cable is attached to modem or an active data jack to the ethernet port in back of your router.

Follow these steps to set up your D-Link Router –

  1. Power on your D-Link Router.
  2. Connect your PC to the router using an Ethernet Cable or WiFi.
  3. Once your PC is connected, open a web browser and go to http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1 (The default gateway address may vary from model to model, here is list of default router IP address).
  4. A login page will appear. The default username is admin and the password field is to be left blank. Click on Log In.
  5. Now, you can configure and set up your router using the Internet Connection Setup Wizard.
  6. Under Wireless Setup enter SSID (WiFi Name) and Key (Password).
  7. Under WAN Setup choose Connect type: DHCP/PPPoE/Static (You can ask your ISP about your internet connection and the required details).
  8. After you have configured your internet connection, you can then click on Save and Connect and the router will now connect to the Internet.
  9. You can then visit the Wireless Settings and set up your Wi-Fi Network including its SSID and password.

TP-Link Router Setup

If you have bought a new TP-Link Router, then configuring the router and setting it up is really easy. You can easily set up your new WP-Link Wi-Fi router and will be able to use it.

Note: To connect to the internet, the router must be connected to an active modem or data jack

Follow this guide to set up your new TP-Link Router –

  1. Power on the router and connect your PC to the router using an Ethernet cable.
  2. Once connected, open a web browser and head over to 192.168.0.1 or www.tplinkwifi.net.

  3. Set your router login password by entering it twice. It is preferred to keep it simply – “admin“.
  4. Click on Let’s Get Started/Login.

  5. Now, follow the on-screen instructions and configure your Internet and Wireless Network using the Quick Setup option.
  6. Enter the name (SSID) for your Wireless Network in the given field and also, set a password to secure your Wi-Fi network.
  7. Now, you can finish the process, after which you will be able to join the Wireless Connection with the SSID using your password.