This article explains how to set up a guest Wi-Fi network on most routers, and includes a number of tips for using a guest network.
How to Set Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network
Follow these steps to set up a guest network at home:
Benefits of Guest Wi-Fi Networking
A guest Wi-Fi network is beneficial for the owner of the network and those who use it. Guest networking provides a way for users to access a network in seconds with little to no setup on their part. Depending on how the guest network is configured, they can access the internet and local resources on the network like files, printers, and hardware peripherals. Some Netgear routers, for example, provide a check box for administrators to allow guests to see each other and access the local network. Leaving that option disabled blocks guests from reaching local resources but allows them to get online through the shared internet connection. You may also want to limit how many guests can connect to your network at the same time. Choose a reasonable number to prevent the network from overloading and slowing to a halt. From the administrator’s point of view, the guest network broadens the reach of the network to visitors without needing to give out a network password. Guest networks also improve security because the owner can limit what guests can access, for example, the internet but not local resources. This prevents the spread of viruses that may enter from a guest’s device.
Using a Guest Network
Joining a guest wireless network works in much the same way as connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot or the Wi-Fi at a friend’s house. Guests must be provided with the network name and password to access the network. However, some guest networks are open, meaning there isn’t a password to access them. In such cases, the network name (SSID) may be called Guest, Guest Wifi, CompWifi, Free Wifi, or another variation. Open and free Wi-Fi for guests is often found in malls, restaurants, parks, and other public places. In places like hotels, you’ll often receive the guest Wi-Fi information from the staff. For guest networks running from home, you’ll most likely need to ask the owner for their Wi-Fi password. If you upload or download a lot of data, let the administrator know in advance. Drawing a lot of bandwidth causes the network to slow down, so it’s always best to get permission.
Does Your Router Support Guest Networking?
Business-class routers are common platforms for guest networks, but some home routers have guest networking capabilities. Check the manufacturer’s website to be sure, or look in the router settings to see if there’s an option for a guest network. The guest network option in a router is usually called Guest Network or something similar, but there are some exceptions:
D-Link routers typically call it the Guest Zone. Google Wifi names this feature Guest Wi-Fi. Linksys supports a Guest Access tool through its Linksys Smart Wi-Fi remote management interface.
Some routers support only one guest network, while others can run multiple guest networks simultaneously. Dual-band wireless routers often support two—one on the 2.4 GHz band and one on the 5 GHz band. While there’s no practical reason why a person needs more than one per band, some Asus RT wireless routers provide for up to six guest networks. When a guest network is active, its devices operate on a separate IP address range from that of other devices. Some Linksys routers, for example, reserve the address ranges 192.168.3.1 through 192.168.3.254 and 192.168.33.1 through 192.168.33.254 for guest devices.
