How can you confirm proper configuration of a Small Office Home Office (SOHO) wireless router?

Confirming the proper configuration of a Small Office Home Office (SOHO) wireless router involves ensuring that devices can successfully connect to it. When a wireless client can connect to the router, it indicates that the wireless network is functioning correctly, and the router is properly configured to allow access.

Successful connection means that the router has been set up with the appropriate SSID (network name) and security settings, such as WPA2 encryption, which are essential for establishing a secure communication channel between the router and client devices. This connectivity can also imply that the router has been assigned a valid IP address and that normal DHCP operations are taking place if you are using dynamic IP assignment.

Other indicators, such as the router’s power indicator being on or the presence of a strong signal, do suggest that the router is functioning to some extent; however, they do not definitively confirm proper configuration. Similarly, the ability to access the router's settings remotely is dependent on specific configuration settings being correctly applied, such as enabling remote access and proper firewall settings. Therefore, while useful, those factors alone do not directly verify that the configuration allows for client connections as effectively as the connectivity itself.