Cisco Systems WAG54GS (EU) manual Introduction, Welcome, But what does all of this mean?

Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SpeedBooster

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SpeedBooster. This Gateway will provide your computers with a high-speed Internet connection as well as resources, including files and printers. Since the Gateway is wireless, Internet access can be shared over the wired network as well as the wireless broadcast. And since the Gateway has SpeedBooster technology, your wireless network performance is enhanced; in fact, even non-SpeedBooster-equipped devices on your network will see a speed improvement when communicating with SpeedBooster-enhanced equipment.

How does the Gateway do all of this? By connecting the Internet, as well as your computers and peripherals, to the Gateway, then the Gateway can direct and control communications for your network.

To protect your data and privacy, the Gateway features an advanced firewall to keep out Internet intruders. Wireless transmissions can be protected by powerful data encryption. In addition, you can safeguard your family with parental control features such as Internet access restrictions and keyword blocking. You can configure the Gateway’s settings through the easy-to-use, browser-based utility.

But what does all of this mean?

Networks are useful tools for sharing Internet access and computer resources. 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”. PCs equipped with wireless cards or adapters can communicate without cumbersome cables. By sharing the same wireless settings, within their transmission radius, they form a wireless network. This is sometimes called a WLAN, or Wireless Local Area Network. Since the Gateway has wireless capabilities, it can bridge your wired and wireless networks, letting them communicate with each other.

With your networks all connected, wired, wireless, and the Internet, you can now share files and Internet access—and even play games. All the while, the Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SpeedBooster protects your networks from unauthorized and unwelcome users.

Linksys recommends using the Setup CD-ROM for first-time installation of the Gateway. If you do not wish to run the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD-ROM, then use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the Gateway, set it up, and configure it to bridge your different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with SpeedBooster.

Chapter 1: Introduction

wpa (wi-fi protected access): a wireless security protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server.

spi (stateful packet inspection) firewall: a technology that inspects incoming packets of information before allowing them to enter the network.

firewall: Security measures that protect the resources of a local network from intruders.

nat (network address translation): NAT technology translates IP addresses of a local area network to a different IP address for the Internet.

network: a series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or transmission between users

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

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Welcome