The Cisco Advanced WiFi modem is a high-performance device that combines a modem and WiFi router. Below, you can find details relating to setting up your Cisco Advanced WiFi Modem, where to find your network information, how to change your WiFi broadcasting channel and more.
Modem Setup
Follow these steps to set up your Cisco Advanced WiFi modem:
- Screw one end of the coaxial cable onto an available coaxial outlet
- Screw the other end of that cable onto the cable jack on the back of the modem
- If you are connecting your PC to the modem directly (not WiFi) connect one end of an Ethernet cable into the back of the modem, and the other into an available Ethernet port on your PC
- Connect the power cable to an available power source
- Plug the power cable into the back of the modem
- Allow for two minutes for the modem to come online
- You can now connect your WiFi devices to the network
Connecting to WiFi Internet
If you are connecting your devices through WiFi Internet, start by locating the SSID (network name) and WiFi Security Key (password) for your modem, and then connect to that network on your device. Your SSID and WiFi Security Key can be found on the white sticker located on the bottom of the modem (example image below).
For further instructions relating to finding and connecting to a WiFi network on your device, see the following: Wireless Device Quick Setup Guide
SSID-2.4: The name of your 2.4 Ghz WiFi network
SSID-5: The name of your 5.0 Ghz WiFi network
WI-FI SECURITY KEY: The password used to connect to your WiFi networks, as well as connect to the modem settings.
WiFi Security information sticker
SSID-2.4 vs. SSID-5
With the Cisco Advanced WiFi Modem you have access to two WiFi networks, including a 2.4 GHz network and 5.0 GHz network. 2.4 GHz is the more commonly used network type, and is the network to which you should choose to connect by default, as not all devices will be able to see or connect to the 5.0 GHz network. The 5.0 GHz network typically suffers from less WiFi interference, but will often have a shorter range, so it may not adequately cover your entire home.
WiFi Enhanced Protection (WEP) Setup
WiFi Enhanced Protection (WEP) setup allows you to connect to a WiFi network without having to manually find the network and password. If you have a device that supports WEP, you can connect to your WiFi network using this method:
- Press the WPS button located on the top of the modem
- Press and hold the WPS button on your WPS-enabled computer or other device (not all devices support this type of connection) for five or more seconds
- Repeat step 2 for each additional WPS-enabled device you would like to connect
Additional Information: Getting started with in-home WiFi and Shaw Go WiFi
How to configure modem settings
To access the modem configuration settings for the Cisco Advanced WiFi modem, start by connecting your modem directly to a PC with an Ethernet cable. Although this step is not required it can help prevent issues from arising if settings are changed that cause you to lose WiFi Internet access. Once you have done this:
- Open an Internet browser (Internet Explorer, FireFox, Chrome, Safari) on your computer
- Enter the following into the address bar: 192.168.0.1
- Press ENTER on your keyboard
- You will be taken to the Cisco login screen
- Sign in with the following information, which can be found on the white sticker on the back or bottom of your modem:
- Username: cusadmin
- Password: Your Pre-Shared Key (located on the white sticker on the bottom of your modem)
- Select Login to connect
Changing your WiFi channel
If you find that your WiFi connection is not providing you with the stability or speed that you require, this may be the result of interference affecting the WiFi channel on which you are currently broadcasting. To improve the quality or range of your WiFi Internet network, you can change the WiFi channel that you are currently using.
To change your WiFi channel:
- Sign in to the Cisco configuration page
- Select Wireless from the top navigation bar, and then choose Radio Settings
- Click on the drop-down menu next to Standard Channel and choose the channel number on which you would like to broadcast
- If you would like to change the WiFi channel for your 5 GHz network, simply perform the same steps for the second listed network
- Select Save Settings
Note: It can be difficult to determine which WiFi channel is best for your home, as sources of interference will vary. The easiest method for discovering this is to simply pick a channel from the list and test it. If the connection does not improve you can repeat the above process to test with another WiFi channel. You may need to do this several times before you find the most effective WiFi channel for your area.
Changing your network name
The name of your WiFi network is called the "SSID", which is used to identify your network from other WiFi networks that are in the range of your device. To change the name of your WiFi network so that you can easily identify it, you will need to sign in to the Cisco configuration page which will allow you to configure various settings related to your WiFi network.
To change your network name:
- Sign in to the Cisco configuration page
- Select Wireless from the top navigation bar, and then choose Radio Settings
- Underneath Wireless Network Name (SSID) you can enter in your preferred WiFi network name
- If you would like to change the network name for your 5 GHz network, simply perform these steps for the second listed network
- Select Save Settings to save your changes
Changing your Network password
Your WiFi network password is the password you use to connect to the WiFi network provided by your Cisco Advanced WiFi modem. To change the password for your WiFi network you will need to sign into the Cisco configuration page which will allow you to configure various settings related to your WiFi network.
More information: How to change your WiFi password on a Cisco modem
Note: If you would like to restore this setting to its default you can do so by performing a pinhole reset on the modem. Please be aware that this reset will restore all customized settings, including WiFi channel and network password.
How to create a guest network
With a guest network, you can allow guests to connect easily to your home WiFi, while still protecting your personal information, files, and devices from intruders. You can create a guest network for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
To enable an unsecured guest network in your home:
- Sign in to the Cisco configuration page
- Select Wireless from the top navigation bar, then choose Guest Network
- Select the option for Enabled next to Wireless SSID (this enables your guest network)
- Select the option for Enabled next to SSID Broadcast (this allows users to find the network in their devices list of available networks)
- Select Save Settings to save your changes
You can also change the name for your guest network by updating the "Network Name (SSID)" field.
Note: If you would like to restore this setting to its default you can do so by performing a pin-hole reset on the modem. Please be aware that this reset will restore all customized settings, including WiFi channel and network name.
How to perform a pinhole reset
If you need to restore your modem to default settings you can do so by performing a pin-hole reset. To do this, locate the pin-hole reset button on the back of your WiFi modem, and then push and hold it down with a paperclip or pen for five seconds. If completed successfully, the lights on the modem will begin to flash, and it will take approximately one minute to reset itself.
Note: This reset will delete all of your custom configurations.