Do i need to have an ethernet connection to use my router with my ipad the first time?

Well I setup a new router for a friend with just my nook. You should be able to use a browser and log into the router though its config page. On most of them that would be HTTP://192.168.0.1 then you would need to enter the default username and password. Check the manual for that though they are fairly standard as far as the default username and passwords some are admin/admin and others are admin/password but check the manual to be sure.