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# What method should I use to install a Wi-Fi Lifeguard router?

Safe Surfer Wi-Fi Lifeguard supports three different methods of installation. This reference article will help you find and use the best installation method for your home networking situation.

# Getting started

The following table will point you to our method suggestion for each scenario. If more than one scenario is applicable, use the required suggestion.

| Scenario | Suggestion |
| ---- | ---- |
| Fibre connection: multiple Wi-Fi boxes around your home (mesh network) | Method 1: Performance |
| Fibre connection: one Wi-Fi box (standalone network) | Method 2: Simple |
| Fibre connection: you have a landline phone, or a landline-based personal medical alarm | Method 3: Classic (required for this scenario) |
| Fibre connection: you would like two different networks—one filtered, and another unfiltered | Method 3: Classic (required for this scenario) |
| Wireless connection (also called cellular) | Method 3: Classic (required for this scenario) |
| Starlink connection | Method 3: Classic (required for this scenario) |

# Method 1: Performance

Performance is where you get your existing Wi-Fi hardware to become part of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network. This means that you can continue to have all devices connect to your mesh Wi-Fi, but each device can still be controlled through Safe Surfer.

### Performance method for fibre-based connection

To use the Performance method for a fibre-based connection, you'll need to get your main home router to use a setting called AP mode (or bridge mode). This prepares your current network to become part of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network, where your current hardware will simply broadcast Wi-Fi to devices.

1. Set your current network to AP mode in the app that controls you Wi-Fi mesh network (you can find out how to do this on Google or YouTube). For example, there are guides available for [ASUS](https://www.asus.com/nz/support/faq/1015009/), [Eero](https://eero.com/support/articles/what-is-bridge-mode), [Netgear](https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point) (Orbi), and [TP-Link](https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/faq/1384/) (Deco).
2. Once the main home router has been set to AP mode, unplug the Ethernet cable going into the WAN (internet) port of the main home router, then plug it into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard.
3. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end into the WAN (internet) port of the main home router, and the other end into any LAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard.
4. If there are Ethernet cables going into any of the LAN ports of the main home router, move them over to any of the LAN ports of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard.
5. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-performance-fibre_1r3pvwa.png)

# Method 2: Simple

Simple is where you replace your existing Wi-Fi hardware with the Wi-Fi Lifeguard. This means that you can have a simple network without unnecessary Wi-Fi hardware running.

### Simple method for fibre-based connection

1. Unplug the Ethernet cable going into the WAN (internet) port of your main home router, then plug it into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard.
2. If there are Ethernet cables going into any of the LAN ports of your main home router, move them over to any of the LAN ports of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard.
3. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-simple_w9f0jg.png)

# Method 3: Classic

Classic is where you install the Wi-Fi Lifeguard alongside your existing Wi-Fi hardware. This means that you can use the Wi-Fi Lifeguard without changing your current network installation. There are six common situations for the Classic method, where you can find each situation below.

### Classic method for fibre-based connection (mesh situation)

1. Find the mesh satellite in the area that most devices will be using Safe Surfer for filtering.
2. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, and the other end into any LAN port of the mesh satellite.
3. Change the Wi-Fi password for your current Wi-Fi network (you can find out how to do this on Google or YouTube). You'll need to manually reconnect any devices that require the current Wi-Fi network (and won't be using the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network).
4. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-classic-fibre-mesh_1mk4o3x.png)

### Classic method for fibre-based connection (standalone situation)

1. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, and the other end into any LAN port of your main home router.
2. Change the Wi-Fi password for your current Wi-Fi network (you can find out how to do this on Google or YouTube). You'll need to manually reconnect any devices that require the current Wi-Fi network (and won't be using the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network).
3. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-classic-fibre-standa_s8happ.png)

### Classic method for cellular-based connection (mesh situation)

1. Find the mesh satellite in the area that most devices will be using Safe Surfer for filtering.
2. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, and the other end into any LAN port of the mesh satellite.
3. Change the Wi-Fi password for your current Wi-Fi network (you can find out how to do this on Google or YouTube). You'll need to manually reconnect any devices that require the current Wi-Fi network (and won't be using the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network).
4. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-classic-cellular-mes_19cviid.png)

### Classic method for cellular-based connection (standalone situation)

1. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, and the other end into any LAN port of your cellular modem.
2. Change the Wi-Fi password for your current Wi-Fi network (you can find out how to do this on Google or YouTube). You'll need to manually reconnect any devices that require the current Wi-Fi network (and won't be using the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network).
3. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-classic-cellular-sta_1y1f4qc.png)

### Classic method for Starlink-based connection (mesh situation)

1. Find the mesh satellite in the area that most devices will be using Safe Surfer for filtering.
2. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, and the other end into any LAN port of the mesh satellite.
3. Change the Wi-Fi password for your current Wi-Fi network (you can find out how to do this on Google or YouTube). You'll need to manually reconnect any devices that require the current Wi-Fi network (and won't be using the Wi-Fi Lifeguard network).
4. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-classic-starlink-mes_7tn831.png)

### Classic method for Starlink-based connection (standalone situation)

1. Enable [bypass mode](https://starlink.com/nz/support/article/a0fe8d51-32f7-d2b9-d74a-801e31ad9f6a) inside the Starlink app (where this will disable your Starlink Wi-Fi).
2. Get the Ethernet cable from the Wi-Fi Lifeguard product box. Plug one end of the cable into the WAN port of the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, and the other end into [any LAN port of your Starlink router](https://starlink.com/nz/support/article/a206a55c-0597-2d06-1408-dea7dcf24221).
3. Plug in power to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard, then return to the Wi-Fi Lifeguard setup guide.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/8/9/2/f8920d476a21b000/lifeguard-classic-starlink-sta_13p5pma.png)