3Com Dual 56K manual Before YOU Begin

32CHAPTER 3: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

■A Web Browser, such as Netscape Navigator (4.0 or later) or Microsoft Internet Explorer (4.0 or later).

Your computer is used to configure the LAN Modem, in addition to being one of its networked devices. You use the web browser installed on your computer to access the LAN Modem’s internal configuration screens.

Why Check TCP/IP and The Dual 56K LAN Modem is an IP router designed for optimal use with networks

IP Address Settings? that use dynamic IP addressing. For most people using the LAN Modem for shared Internet access, dynamic IP addressing is the type of addressing scheme most often used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). It is also the type of addressing prevalent in many existing corporate networks.

Although the Dual 56K LAN Modem is not limited to use with dynamic IP networks (some users may find that their ISP or the corporate network to which they want to connect employ static IP addressing), the steps for installing and configuring the Dual 56K LAN Modem will differ, depending on the type of addressing your computer is set up to use.

If you already know that you will be dialing out to a network that uses static IP addressing, or if you are setting up an advanced LAN Modem site-to-site network and plan to use a static IP addressing scheme, refer to the instructions under “Setting Up Your Computer If You Have a Static IP Address” in this chapter.

TCP/IP Settings Because the Dual 56K LAN Modem is an IP-only router, any computer attached to the Dual 56K LAN Modem must also have TCP/IP installed for the LAN Modem to communicate with the computer. For Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000, and for Macintosh OS 7.6 or later, TCP/IP is provided as part of your operating system. However, if you are using Windows and have never made remote connections from your computer, you may have to add TCP/IP to your computer’s protocol list to “bind” it to your Ethernet adapter, even though the protocol is included with the operating system. Instructions for doing this are provided under “Adding TCP/IP to Your Protocols List” below.

Checking TCP/IP and IP To check your TCP/IP settings and your dynamic vs. static IP address setup, follow

Address Settings the instructions for your operating system. You should perform this check for each computer that you plan to connect to the LAN Modem.

Windows 95, 98, NT, and Simply run the EZ-LAN Wizard, located on the OfficeConnect Dual 56K

2000: Companion Programs CD-ROM included with your LAN Modem package, on your computer. EZ-LAN checks your PC’s settings and, if you choose, optimizes them for use with the LAN Modem by making the following changes:

■Sets your PC to obtain its IP address and subnet mask from the LAN Modem's DHCP server.

■Changes your PC’s default gateway settings, so that the LAN Modem is configured as its default gateway.

■Changes your PC’s DNS server settings, so that the LAN Modem is configured as its DNS server.