Model RM356 Modem Router Installation Guide
Accessing the Internet
When your router and PCs are configured correctly, your router places a call automatically
whenever an application requires access to the Internet. The router also disconnects from the
Internet when the connection has been idle for a period of time. It is not necessary for you to run a
dialer application such as Dial-Up Networking to connect, log in, or disconnect. These functions
are performed by the router as needed.
To access the Internet, launch a browser application such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or
Netscape Navigator. On the router, you should see the Offhook (OH) LED illuminate, followed
shortly by the Carrier Detect (CD) LED. Soon the data transmit and receive LEDs (TD and RD)
will begin to flicker, indicating communication between your router and your ISP. The browser
should then begin to display a page. This process may take up to one minute.
After about five minutes of inactivity, the router will disconnect the call. Upon further browser
activity, the router will redial automatically.
Common ProblemsHere are a few common problems and likely causes:
•If FirstGear cannot find your router, check the Ethernet connection between your PC
and router. The link LED on your Ethernet card and the corresponding port LED on the
router should be on.
•If the connection test fails after the Quick Configuration, look in the displayed trace for
details. Recheck your ISP account phone number, login name, and password.
•If the router does not place a call when you launch your browser, your PC might not
have the router configured as its TCP/IP gateway. If the PC gets its information from the
router by DHCP, reboot the PC and verify the gateway address as described in
“Verifying TCP/IP Properties.”
•If the router connects but you cannot load pages from the Internet, the PC might not
know any DNS server addresses. A DNS server is a host on the Internet that translates
Internet names (such as www addresses) to numeric IP addresses. Typically your ISP
will provide the addresses of one or two DNS servers for your use. If you entered a DNS
address during the Quick Configuration, reboot your PC and verify the DNS address as
described in “Verifying TCP/IP Properties.” You can also configure your PC manually
with DNS addresses as explained in “Configuring TCP/IP.”
More detailed information can be found in the Troubleshooting sections of
Reference Guide for
the Model RM356 Modem Router
and
Getting Started Using FirstGear for the Model RM356
Modem Router.