Chapter 2
Preparing Your Network
This appendix describes how to prepare your network to connect to the Internet through the CG814WG Wireless Cable Modem Gateway and how to verify the readiness of broadband Internet service from an Internet service provider (ISP).
Note: If an ISP technician configured your computer during the installation of a broadband modem, or if you configured it using instructions provided by your ISP, you may need to copy the current configuration information for use in the configuration of your gateway. Write down this information before reconfiguring your computers. Refer to page
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking
Computers access the Internet using a protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol). Each computer on your network must have TCP/IP installed and selected as its networking protocol. If a Network Interface Card (NIC) is already installed in your PC, then TCP/ IP is probably already installed as well.
Most operating systems include the software components you need for networking with TCP/IP:
•All Windows® 98 SE or later includes the software components for establishing a TCP/IP network.
In your IP network, each PC and the gateway must be assigned a unique IP addresses. Each PC must also have certain other IP configuration information such as a subnet mask (netmask), a domain name server (DNS) address, and a default gateway address. In most cases, you should install TCP/IP so that the PC obtains its specific network configuration information automatically from a DHCP server during bootup. For a detailed explanation of the meaning and purpose of these configuration items, refer to Appendix D, “Networks, Routing, and Firewall Basics.”
The CG814WG Gateway is shipped preconfigured as a DHCP server. The gateway assigns the following TCP/IP configuration information automatically when the PCs are rebooted:
•PC or workstation IP
Preparing Your Network |