Preparing Your Network 3-1
This chapter describes how to prepare your PC network to connect to the Internet through the
Model RT311 or RT314 Internet Access Gateway Router and how to order broadband Internet
service from an Internet service provider (ISP).
Preparing Your Personal Computers for IP Networking
The Model RT311 and RT314 Internet Access Gateway Routers use the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). In order to access the Internet through the router, each PC on
your network must have TCP/IP installed and selected as the networking protocol.
Note: In this chapter, we use the term “PC” to refer to pe r sonal computers in general, and not
necessarily Windows computers.
Most operating systems include the software components you need to install and use TCP/IP on
your PC:
• Windows® 95 or later (including Windows NT®) includes the software components for
establishing a TCP/IP network.
• Windows 3.1 does not include a TCP/IP component. You need to purchase a third-party TCP/
IP application package such as NetManage Chameleon.
• Macintosh Operating System 7 or later includes the software components for establishing a
TCP/IP network.
• All versions of UNIX or Linux include TCP/IP components.