Once your broadband has been activated, use this 7-step broadband setup guide to help you get your modem or router setup quickly and easily.

Before starting your broadband setup

1. Make sure you have everything you need before starting your broadband setup. Check the instructions that came with your broadband hardware, and make sure you have all the right cables, CDs and microfilters (sometimes called splitters).

2. Read the instructions that came with your hardware. This way you can see if you need to install any software drivers before you install the hardware as part of your broadband setup. If you do, insert the installation CD and follow the on-screen instructions.

Fitting microfilters

3. Plug the microfilters into your broadband-enabled telephone socket. Microfilters stop any interference from other telephone equipment affecting your broadband service. For more information read our Guide To Fitting Microfilters.

Important: Take care when plugging in your microfilters. Incorrectly installed Microfilters are a common cause of broadband faults. Your broadband hardware should always be plugged into a microfilter. If you have any equipment attached to extension sockets on the same line, they should also be plugged into a microfilter.

Connecting your broadband hardware

4. Plug one end of your USB or Ethernet cable into your broadband hardware. Plug the other end into your computer's USB or Ethernet socket.

Note: If you are installing a wireless router, use your wireless connection instead of any optional cables.

5. Plug one end of the 'dsl' cable into your broadband hardware socket. Plug the other end into the 'dsl' socket of the microfilter you plugged in during step 3.

If your broadband hardware needs a separate power supply, you should attach this to your hardware and plug it into a power socket. Now switch your hardware on.

Connecting your broadband hardware

6. If you have a USB modem or PCI card:
You should be able to setup your connection details by double clicking on the broadband icon (you can normally find this in the lower right-hand corner of your screen). This will open your modem settings window where you enter your username and password.

Username: username@plusdsl.net
Password: Your standard PlusNet password

6. If you have a router (wired or wireless):
To set up your connection settings you need to look at the router control screens. You can usually access these using a web browser. Check your router's instructions on how to do this.

Once you've accessed your router's setup screens, enter your username and password.

Username: username@plusdsl.net
Password: Your standard PlusNet password

• Data Circuit Information: VPI = 0 (Virtual Path Identifier) VCI = 38 (Virtual Channel Identifier)
• Data Link Encapsulation: PPPoA
• PPP Properties: VC Multiplexed

7. Now click Connect to start to use your broadband account and access to the Internet. To go online just open your browser or email program.

Related Links

Broadband troubleshooting
Hardware-specific broadband setup guides

Page last updated 16th August 2007

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