First-Time Setup & Web Dashboard Guide

This guide walks you through connecting your WifiSocks router, logging into the web admin dashboard (via local LAN or upstream WAN IP), activating your software license, and completing your initial network configuration.

1. Hardware Cabling & Connecting Your Devices

Connect your cables according to this standard gateway setup:

1. Internet Cable (WAN): Plug an Ethernet cable from your internet modem into the WAN port of the WifiSocks router (or the ETH1 port on PC routers).
2. Device Cables (LAN): Plug your computer, test units, or network switches into any available LAN port.
3. Connecting via Wi-Fi:
   • Default Wi-Fi Names: WifiSocks 2G or WifiSocks 5G
   • Default Wi-Fi Password: wifisocks
4. Device Network Settings: Leave all connected phones and computers on Automatic IP (DHCP).

2. Accessing the Web Admin Dashboard

You can access the WifiSocks web admin dashboard using either of two methods:

Method A: Direct LAN or Wi-Fi Access (Default IP)

This is the standard method for devices connected directly to the WifiSocks router:

1. Connect your computer or phone directly to the WifiSocks router via LAN cable or Wi-Fi (WifiSocks 2G / WifiSocks 5G).
2. Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox).
3. Type http://192.168.105.1 in the address bar and press Enter.

[!TIP] Always use http:// (not https://) when opening the dashboard: http://192.168.105.1.

Method B: Accessing via Upstream WAN IP (From Main Office / Home Network)

If your management computer is connected to your primary office/home Wi-Fi or modem (upstream of WifiSocks), you can open the dashboard directly using the router WAN IP Address without switching Wi-Fi networks or plugging into the WifiSocks LAN port.

Step 1: Find the WAN IP Address in the Dashboard

1. On a device connected to WifiSocks, open http://192.168.105.1.
2. Click the WAN Network Management button in the top navigation bar.
3. Under the Wired Network (Ethernet) card (or Wi-Fi Network (Relay) if using wireless uplink), look for the IP Address field (for example: 192.168.1.150).
4. Note down this IP address.

Step 2: Open the Dashboard from Any Device on the Main Network

1. Keep your management computer or laptop connected to your main home/office Wi-Fi or switch.
2. Open your web browser.
3. Type http://<WAN_IP_ADDRESS> in the address bar (for example: http://192.168.1.150) and press Enter.
4. The WifiSocks admin dashboard opens immediately.

[!IMPORTANT] Admin Password Protection: When managing the router over the upstream WAN network, always set a strong password under Router Configuration -> System Settings -> Use a password to access the WifiSocks admin page to protect your dashboard from other devices on the main network.

3. Activating Your Software License

1. On the top navigation bar of the dashboard, click the WifiSocks tab.
2. Under system information, find the License: field.
3. Enter your digital License Key (format: WLK.XXXXXXXX...) received upon purchase.
4. The license binds permanently to your router hardware.
5. Read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) to activate the router engine.

4. Understanding Initial Device Behavior (Fail-Closed Safety)

When a new phone, computer, or test device connects to the router:

• It will show up on the dashboard under Devices with Blocked Internet on the Proxy Routing screen.
• The device will initially have no internet access.

[!NOTE] Why this happens: WifiSocks uses an automatic safety mechanism (Fail-Closed) to prevent devices from accidentally leaking your real home/office IP address before a proxy is assigned.

How to Give Internet to a Device:

• To route through a proxy: Go to the Proxy Routing tab and paste a proxy next to the device (or enable the automatic proxy dispatcher). See Proxy Routing Guide.
• To use your direct home/office internet: Go to Router Configuration -> Connection Setup -> Direct Internet Access Management and toggle that device to Green. See Direct WAN Access.

5. Recommended Initial Setup Checklist

1. Set Admin Password: Go to Router Configuration -> System Settings -> Use a password to access the WifiSocks admin page to enter a secure password.
2. Configure Wi-Fi Names: Click Manage Wi-Fi Networks in the top navigation bar to create or customize your Wi-Fi names and passwords.
3. Assign Proxies: Open the Proxy Routing tab to paste your proxy pool or assign individual proxies to your client devices.

6. Common Troubleshooting

Cannot open http://192.168.105.1

• Confirm your computer is connected directly to the WifiSocks router (via Wi-Fi or cable).
• Turn off any active VPN or proxy apps running on your computer.
• Try opening the page in an Incognito / Private browsing window.

Cannot open dashboard via WAN IP

• Make sure your management PC is on the same local network subnet as the upstream modem (e.g. both are in 192.168.1.x).
• Check that the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into the router WAN port and that WAN Network Management shows Connected.

Restarting the router

If you ever need to restart the router, go to the WifiSocks tab and click the Restart Router button. When the Confirm Router Restart dialog appears, click Restart now. The router will restart and restore all connections in about 60 seconds.