// Router Brand

Cisco Router Login

192.168.1.1

Cisco is the world's largest networking equipment manufacturer, though their consumer router line was sold to Belkin (Linksys) in 2013. Today, Cisco focuses on small business routers like the RV series and Meraki Go for SMBs. Cisco small business routers use 192.168.1.1 as the default gateway with admin/admin or cisco/cisco as factory credentials. The web interface is more technical than consumer routers, reflecting the product line's target audience of IT administrators and small business owners.

Cisco small business routers use 192.168.1.1 as the default IP address. Open a browser, type that IP in the address bar, and press Enter. You need to be connected to the router via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The admin panel uses HTTPS by default, so your browser may show a certificate warning. Click through the warning to reach the login page.

The login screen asks for a username and password. Enter cisco for both fields on RV series models. On older models, try admin instead. After logging in, you reach the Getting Started dashboard with system information, port status, and quick links.

On first login, the RV340 and RV345 force a password change before proceeding. Choose a strong password and store it securely, as there is no password recovery option short of a factory reset.

If your router has a Linksys logo, it is not a Cisco business product. Cisco sold Linksys to Belkin in 2013.

Cisco Default Credentials by Model

Model	Default IP	Username	Password	Notes
RV260	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco	VPN router, 8 ports
RV260W	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco	RV260 with Wi-Fi
RV340	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco	Dual-WAN VPN router
RV345	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco	16-port VPN router
RV345P	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco	RV345 with PoE
Meraki Go GR10	Cloud-managed	Set during setup	Set during setup	Cloud dashboard
Meraki Go GR12	Cloud-managed	Set during setup	Set during setup	Indoor WiFi 6
RV160	192.168.1.1	cisco	cisco	Basic VPN router

The RV series uses consistent credentials across the lineup. Meraki Go devices skip local IP management entirely and use the cloud dashboard at go.meraki.com. For Meraki Go, you create an account and add devices using their serial numbers.

Setting Up a Cisco Small Business Router

Connect the WAN port (labeled Internet) on the Cisco router to your modem or ISP gateway. Connect your computer to one of the LAN ports using an Ethernet cable. Cisco business routers are often configured via wired connection for the initial setup since Wi-Fi may be disabled by default on some models.

Power on the router and wait 2-3 minutes for it to boot completely. The system LED turns solid green when ready.

Step 1: Open a browser and go to 192.168.1.1. Accept the HTTPS certificate warning. Log in with cisco/cisco.

Step 2: The Getting Started wizard walks you through WAN configuration. Select your connection type: DHCP, Static IP, or PPPoE. Most business connections use DHCP or Static IP. Enter the details provided by your ISP.

Step 3: Configure LAN settings. The default subnet is 192.168.1.0/24 with DHCP enabled. Adjust the DHCP range if needed. Reserve a portion for static assignments (printers, servers, access points).

Step 4: Set up Wi-Fi if your model supports it (RV260W). Configure the SSID, security mode, and password. WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS is ideal for business; WPA2-Personal works for small offices.

Changing Your Cisco Wi-Fi Password

Log into the admin panel at 192.168.1.1. Go to Wireless > Basic Settings. Select the SSID you want to modify. Click the security settings for that SSID.

Change the security mode to WPA2-Personal if not already set. Enter a new passphrase of at least 8 characters (12 or more for business environments). Click Apply.

The Wi-Fi radio restarts and disconnects all wireless clients. Reconnect each device with the new password. For additional guidance, see the change Wi-Fi password guide.

On models without Wi-Fi (RV260, RV340, RV345), manage wireless access through separate access points connected to the switch ports.

Cisco VPN and Dual-WAN Configuration

Cisco RV series routers are built for business connectivity features that consumer routers do not offer. The two most valuable are VPN and dual-WAN failover.

VPN setup. Go to VPN > IPSec VPN for site-to-site connections or VPN > SSL VPN for remote access. Users connect via the Cisco AnyConnect client or a browser portal. See our VPN on router guide for details.

Dual-WAN failover. The RV340 and RV345 have two WAN ports. Connect two different ISP connections for redundancy. Under WAN > WAN Settings, configure the failover mode. Options include failover (secondary activates when primary goes down) and load balancing (traffic splits across both connections). Dual-WAN ensures your business stays online even if one ISP has an outage.

Port forwarding for business applications is configured under Firewall > Port Forwarding. This is essential for hosting servers, remote desktop access, and VoIP systems behind the router. See the port forwarding guide for step-by-step instructions.

Cannot reach 192.168.1.1. Make sure you are connected via Ethernet to one of the LAN ports. Cisco business routers may have Wi-Fi disabled by default. Open a command prompt and run ipconfig to verify your default gateway is 192.168.1.1. If you see a different address, the router’s LAN IP may have been changed by a previous administrator.
HTTPS certificate warning. This is normal for Cisco routers using self-signed certificates. Click Advanced and then Proceed in Chrome, or Add Exception in Firefox. The warning does not indicate a security problem on your local network.
Password cisco/cisco rejected. Try admin/admin as an alternative. If neither works, the credentials were changed. Perform a factory reset by holding the reset button for 15 seconds. Cisco business routers take longer to reset than consumer models, so hold the button for the full duration.
Router boots but no LAN connectivity. Check the port LEDs on the front panel. A solid or blinking green LED means link detected. If the LED is off, try a different cable or LAN port. On the RV345, some ports may be assigned to different VLANs by a previous admin.

// FAQ

Cisco Router FAQ

What is the default IP address for Cisco routers?

Cisco small business routers use 192.168.1.1 as the default gateway. This applies to the RV series (RV260, RV340, RV345) and older Cisco consumer models. Meraki Go devices use a cloud-based dashboard at go.meraki.com instead of a local IP for management.

What is the default Cisco router password?

The factory default is cisco for both username and password on most RV series routers. Older models may use admin/admin instead. The RV340 and RV345 force a password change on first login. Always check the label on your specific model as credentials vary.

What happened to Cisco consumer routers?

Cisco sold its consumer router division (Linksys) to Belkin in 2013. Belkin was later acquired by Foxconn. Linksys continues as a separate brand and is no longer connected to Cisco. If you have a Linksys router, refer to Linksys-specific guides instead.

How do I reset a Cisco small business router?

Locate the reset button on the back of the router. Press and hold with a paperclip for 15 seconds. The power LED blinks during the reset process. Release and wait 3-4 minutes for the router to fully reboot. All configurations return to factory defaults including the cisco/cisco credentials.

What is the difference between Cisco RV and Meraki Go?

Cisco RV routers are managed locally through a web interface at 192.168.1.1. They offer VPN, VLAN, firewall rules, and dual-WAN failover. Meraki Go is cloud-managed through a browser dashboard or mobile app with no local interface. Meraki Go is simpler to set up but requires internet connectivity for management.

Do Cisco routers support VPN?

Yes. Cisco RV series routers support IPSec site-to-site VPN, SSL VPN for remote access, PPTP, and OpenVPN on select models. The RV340 and RV345 support up to 50 IPSec VPN tunnels simultaneously. VPN configuration is done through the web interface under VPN settings.