Cisco Systems BEFSR41 manual Introduction, Welcome

EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch. This Router will allow your computers to share a high-speed Internet connection as well as resources, including files and printers.

How does the Router do all of this? By connecting your computers and peripherals to the Router and connecting the Router to your cable or DSL modem, then the Router can direct and control communications for your network.

But what does all of this mean?

Networks are useful tools for sharing Internet access and computer resources. Multiple computers can share Internet access, so you don’t need more than one high-speed Internet connection. You can access one printer from different computers and access data located on another computer’s hard drive. Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video games. So, networks not only are useful in homes and offices, but also can be fun.

PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is why the network is called “wired”.

To create your network, install and set up the Router. To guide you through the process, Linksys strongly recommends that you run the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD-ROM. If you prefer to manually set up the Router, use the instructions in the Quick Installation or this User Guide to help you. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Router.

Chapter 1: Introduction

lan (local area network): the computers and networking products that make up the network in your home or office

ethernet: an IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium

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Welcome