Gateway E4350 manual Introduction to Networking, Using a router

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Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

Introduction to Networking

An Ethernet network consists of two or more computers connected together through an Ethernet cable. This connection type is commonly used in offices around the world and can be used to build computer networks in the home.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet

Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. Business networks are typically built using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components.

To create an Ethernet network, you or your electrician must install special Ethernet cables in your home or office.

Important

Check local code requirements before installing Ethernet cable or other wiring in your home or office. Your municipality may require you to obtain a permit and hire a licensed installer.

Using a router

The most common way to set up an Ethernet network is Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) using a router. A DHCP network configuration uses a router to automatically assign IP addresses to each computer or network device.

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Contents Page Page Contents Maintaining Your Computer Iii Page Chapter Help and Support To start Help and SupportUsing Your Computer guide To access the Using Your Computer guideSearching for a topic Online help Gateway contact informationIdentifying your computer Checking Out Your Gateway Computer Front Your computer includes the following componentsComponent Icon Description Back Back Gateway Documentation Locating your serial number Microsoft Certificate of AuthenticityFinding your specifications Printers AccessoriesMemory Storage DevicesUninterruptible power supplies USB flash driveGetting Started Working safely Reducing eye strainSetting up your computer desk and chair Setting up your computer and computer accessoriesSitting at your computer Protecting from power source problems Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strainChecking the voltage selection To set the voltage selection switch Starting your computerTo start your computer Turning off your computer Waking up your computerTo turn off your computer Restarting rebooting your computer To close unresponsive programs and restart your computerUsing the keyboard Standard keyboardMultifunction keyboard Function keysSpecial-function buttons Adjusting the volume Wireless keyboardTo adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device Help and SupportUsing Drives and Ports Using the diskette drive To use a disketteUsing the CD or DVD drive Identifying drive typesInserting a CD or DVD To insert a CD or DVDPlaying a CD Playing a DVDCreating CDs and DVDs Using Drives and Ports Maintaining Your Computer To run Windows Update Caring for your computerUpdating Windows Protecting your computer from viruses To scan for virusesTo update Norton AntiVirus To remove a virusCleaning your computer Cleaning the exteriorCleaning the keyboard Cleaning the monitor Cleaning the mouseTo clean your trackball mouse Cleaning CDs or DVDs To clean your optical mouseTo run Microsoft System Restore Microsoft System RestoreReinstalling programs and drivers To reinstall your program or driverRestoring your computer to the original configuration To restore your computer to the original configurationPreventing static electricity discharge Opening the case To open the caseRemoving the front bezel To remove the front bezelOpening the case To replace the front bezel Closing the case To close the caseInstalling memory To install or replace Dimm memoryInstalling memory Replacing the system battery To replace the batteryReplacing the system battery Maintaining Your Computer Troubleshooting Safety guidelines First stepsAudio TroubleshootingAdd-in cards CD or DVD drivesComputer DVD movie will not playComputer will not start You see a Non-system disk or Disk error error message You see a Access Denied or Write protect error messageYou see a Disk is full error message Diskette driveFile management To restore deleted filesDVD drives Hard driveYou see a Data error message InternetYou cannot connect to the Internet Connecting to a Web site takes too long KeyboardKeyboard does not work Memory Modem dial-upTo check the dialing properties To run modem diagnostics Your 56K modem does not connect at 56KModem is not recognized by your computer Screen resolution is not correct To turn down the modem volumeModem is noisy when it dials and connects MonitorComputer is running but there is no picture Color is not uniformText on the display is dim or difficult to read Mouse does not work MouseNetworks Mouse works erraticallyTo set a default printer PasswordsPower PrinterSound You see a Printer queue is full error messageYou see a Printer is out of paper error message To make sure that the printer is not set to work offlineHelp Support Troubleshooting Networking Your Computer Using a router Introduction to NetworkingExample router-based Ethernet network Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet networkInstalling Ethernet cards and drivers Creating an Ethernet networkMaking sure your broadband connection works Naming the computers and the workgroupTo identify this computer on the network Configuring the TCP/IP protocol To use a Dhcp serverCreating an Ethernet network Setting up an Ethernet network Setting up a network using a router Configuring your router To set up a network using a routerTo configure the Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL router Creating an Ethernet network Testing your network Computer does not recognize an add-inEthernet card Troubleshooting Your Ethernet networkYou cannot see the other computers on your network Your Ethernet network is running slower than you expectNetworking Your Computer Appendix a Important safety information Setting up your systemRegulatory compliance statements United States of AmericaCanada Industry Canada IC Unintentional emitter per ICES-003Laser safety statement External television antenna groundingReference Grounding component Environmental information Macrovision statement Trademark AcknowledgmentsIndex DVD Page Page RAM Page Page MAN 4350 USR GDE R0 07/05