Connecting The Cable/DSL Router to Your Network

Note: Some ISPs—most notably some cable providers—configure their networks so that you do not have to enter a full Internet address into your web browser or e-mail

application to reach your home page or receive your e-mail. If your Internet home page address is something very simple, such as “www”, rather than “www.linksys.com”, or your e-mail server’s address is something similar to “e-mail” or “pop3”, rather than “pop.mail.linksys.com”, you won’t be able to properly configure the Cable/DSL Router until you determine the actual Internet addresses of your Web and e-mail connections.

You must obtain this information prior to connect- ing the Router to your network. You can obtain this information by contacting your ISP, or turn to page 35 to learn how to ping for an IP address.

Instant Broadband Series

Connecting The Cable/DSL Router to Your Network

Overview

Unlike a simple hub or switch, the setup of the Cable/DSL Router consists of more than simply plugging everything together. Because the Router acts as a DHCP server, you will have to set some values within the Router, and also configure your networked PCs to accept the IP Addresses the Router chooses to assign them.

You will need the following values from your ISP in order to install the Cable/DSL Router:

•Your broadband-configured PC’s fixed Internet IP Address (if applicable)

•Your broadband-configured PC’s Computer Name and Workgroup Name

•Your Subnet Mask

•Your Default Gateway }

•Your Primary DNS IP address Only if applicable

Whoever installed your broadband access should have left this information with you. If not, call your ISP and they will be able to supply you with it.

About Static & Dynamic IP Addresses

Static IP Addresses A static IP address is an IP address permanently assigned to a computer in a TCP/IP network. Static IP addresses are usually assigned to networked devices which are consistently accessed by multiple users, such as Server PCs, or printers. If you are using the Router to share your cable or DSL Internet connection, contact your ISP to see if they have assigned your home a static IP address. You will need that address during the Router’s con- figuration.

EtherFast Cable/DSL Router

Dynamic IP Addresses A dynamic IP address is an IP address that is automati- cally assigned to a client station (computer, printer, etc.) in a TCP/IP network. Dynamic IP addresses are typically assigned by a DHCP server, which can be a computer on the network or another piece of hardware, such as the Router.

A dynamic IP address may change every time your computer connects to the network.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) DHCP is software that automati- cally assigns IP addresses to client stations logging onto a TCP/IP network. DHCP eliminates having to manually assign permanent IP addresses to every device on your network. DHCP software typically runs in servers and is also found in network devices such as Routers.

Connecting Everything Together & Booting Up

Once you are sure that you have the above values on hand, you can begin the Installation and Setup of the Cable/DSL Router.

1. Power everything down, including your PCs, your Cable or DSL modem and

the Router.

2. Connect a Network cable

from one of your PCs’ Ethernet ports to one of the LAN Ports on the back of

the Router. Do the same with all the PCs you wish to connect to the Router. (LAN Port 8 will become inactive if you toggle the Uplink port.)

3.Connect the network cable from your Cable or DSL modem to the WAN port on the rear of the Router.