Gateway Profile 6 Manual
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CHAPTER 5 45 Networking Your Computer •Introduction to networking •Wired Ethernet networking •Wireless Ethernet networking •Setting up your network connection •Testing your network •Adding a printer to your network •Sharing resources •Using the network 8512031.book Page 45 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Computer 46 Introduction to networking Making sure your broadband connection works Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your broadband connection is working correctly. To test the connection, log onto the Internet using your current setup. If the connection is not working, contact your Internet service provider. Networking terms you should know DHCP—Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) lets a router temporarily assign an IP address to a computer on the network. IP Address—Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that uniquely identifies a computer on the network. Subnet Mask—Subnet mask is a number that identifies what subnetwork the computer is located on. This number will be the same on all computers on a home network. Wired Ethernet networking An wired Ethernet network consists of two or more computers connected together through an Ethernet cable. This connection type is commonly used in offices around the world and can be used to build computer networks in the home. Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. Business networks are typically built using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components. To create a wired Ethernet network, you or your electrician must install special Ethernet cables in your home or office. Using a router The most common way to set up a wired Ethernet network is Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) using a router. A DHCP network configuration uses a router to automatically assign IP addresses to each computer or network device. For information on setting up a router, see the router’s documentation. Example router-based Ethernet network The following is an example of a wired Ethernet network. The network is made up of a router, a cable or DSL modem, your computers, and cables connecting each of these components. The router is the central control point for the network.Important If you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find out how soon after the installation the line will be activated. Broadband Internet settings differ from ISP to ISP. Before you begin setting up your network, you should contact your ISP for any specific instructions they have for setting up a network. ImportantCheck local code requirements before installing Ethernet cable or other wiring in your home or office. Your municipality may require you to obtain a permit and hire a licensed installer. 8512031.book Page 46 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
www.gateway.com 47 Attached to the router are all of your computers or Ethernet-ready devices. Also connected to the router is a cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network For a wired Ethernet network you need: •Two or more computers with Ethernet jacks •One router •One broadband Internet connection (optional) •Ethernet cables connecting all of the network equipment When buying your router, be sure the model includes everything your network needs, including: •Internet security features, such as a firewall, to protect your network from unwanted intruders •4-port switch to eliminate the need for additional network hardware •DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment to automatically configure network and IP addresses Determining if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer To determine if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer: 1Click (Start), then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2Click System and Maintenance, then click System. Important To add the ability to access a wireless Ethernet network to your wired Ethernet network, connect an access point to the router or use a router that has a built-in access point. ImportantFor best results, all Ethernet components should be either standard Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100), or Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps or 10/100/1000). A mixture of components rated at different speeds will result in your network running at the speed of the slowest rated component. Cable/DSL modem Router 8512031.book Page 47 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Computer 48 3Click Device Manager from the task list on the left. The Device Manager window opens. 4Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The Ethernet device installed in your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one. Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware Installing Ethernet cards and drivers After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already installed. To order wired or wireless Ethernet PCI or PC cards, visit the Accessories Store at www.gateway.com . Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on installing the card and any required drivers. Plug your Ethernet cable into your computer’s jack and the router or the cable or DSL modem at this point, if you have not already done so. Connecting network cables We recommend using category 5, unshielded, twisted-pair cable (approximately 1/4-inch diameter with a thin outer-jacket, containing eight color-coded wires), and equipment compatible with this type of cable. This type of cable is equipped with RJ-45 connectors (like a large telephone jack connector, but with eight pins) on each end. Category 5 cables are available in two different types; straight-through cables, used to connect computers to a router, and crossover cables, used to connect two computers. To determine which type of cable you have, hold both ends of the cable with the connectors facing away from you and with the spring clip on the bottom. For straight-through cable, the wires on both connectors are attached to copper pins in the same order (same colors, left to right). For a crossover cable, the wires on each connector are attached to the copper pins in a different order (different colors, left to right). Setting up a network using a router If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be connecting your network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL modem), we recommend the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet connection from any network computer. The router can assign IP addresses to the computers on the network and can provide firewall protection for your network as well. 8512031.book Page 48 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
www.gateway.com 49 In addition to a router, you need a straight-through cable for each computer you want to connect to the network. To set up a network using a router: 1Plug one end of the power adapter into the AC connector on the router and the other end into a grounded, 110V electrical outlet. 2Turn on your computers. 3Plug one end of a straight-through network cable into any numbered port on the router (except the WAN port). The WAN port is used to connect the router to the DSL or cable modem and is identified by a label or a switch. Plug the other end of the cable into the network connector on the computer. As each computer is connected to the router, the corresponding green indicator should light on the front of the router, indicating a good connection. 4Repeat Step 3 for each computer on the network. 5For an Internet connection, plug a straight-through cable into the WAN port on the router and the other end into the Ethernet jack on the DSL or cable modem. Wireless Ethernet networking Wireless Ethernet networking is the latest advance in computer communication. With a wireless home network, you can set up your computer wherever you like. A wireless Ethernet network uses radio waves to communicate. Typically, a wireless Ethernet network is made up of an access point, a cable or DSL modem (for Internet access), and your wireless computers. Wireless Ethernet standards Current wireless Ethernet standards include the following: •802.11a — 54Mbps •802.11b — 11Mbps •802.11g — 54Mbps •802.11n — 540Mbps Router WAN portCable/DSL modem 8512031.book Page 49 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Computer 50 Speed is not the only issue if you decide to use equipment with different standards. Compatibility can also be an issue. Take the following into consideration when you purchase wireless equipment: Using an access point An access point is a small electronic device that serves as the central control point for your network. You connect your modem to the access point, set up a network connection, then browse the Internet, send e-mail, share files and folders with other networked computers, and access other devices, like a printer or scanner. Equipment you need for an access point-based network For a wireless Ethernet network you need: •Your Gateway computer with a wireless Ethernet network card installed •A broadband Internet connection (optional) •An access point Access pointWireless cards supported 802.11a802.11a only 802.11b 802.11b only 802.11g802.11b and 802.11g 802.11n 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n TipWhen you buy your access point, make sure it has: • IEEE 802.11n support. 802.11n is the fastest method for wireless communications. 802.11n is compatible with the older IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11b formats but not with the competing IEEE 802.11a format. Make sure that you get the correct format that matches your computer. • DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment capability that makes it easier to set up and access your network. • Internet security features like a firewall to keep intruders out of your network. • Wireless security features like SecureEasySetup™ or 128-bit WEP encryption. If you are not sure what to buy, check out Gateway’s accessory store at www.gateway.com . Cable or DSL modem Access point 8512031.book Page 50 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
www.gateway.com 51 Determining if a wireless Ethernet device is already installed on your computer To determine if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer: 1Click (Start), then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2Click System and Maintenance, then click System. 3Click Device Manager from the task list on the left. The Device Manager window opens. 4Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The wireless Ethernet device installed in your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one. Setting up wireless Ethernet network hardware Installing wireless cards and drivers After you have determined the type of wireless equipment you are using for your network, you need to install wireless cards and drivers on the computers that do not have them already installed. To order wireless Ethernet PCI or PC cards, visit the Accessories Store at www.gateway.com . Use the documentation that comes with your wireless cards for instructions on installing the cards and any required drivers. Setting up your access point A wireless Ethernet network sends and receives information through radio waves. This means that another computer outside your network can intercept the radio waves and take control of your network. If you do not set up security for your network, a hacker can gain access to your Internet connection to send spam e-mail and to your hard drive to download viruses or view your personal data, like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and personal online banking information. Check your access point documentation for information about installing it and setting network security. Setting up your network connection Naming the computers and the workgroup Make sure that you have set up your router (wired network) or access point (wireless network). If you are setting up a wired network, make sure that you have connected the network cabling. To identify this computer on the network: 1Click (Start), then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2Click System and Maintenance. The System and Maintenance window opens. 3Click System, then click Change Settings in the Computer Name, Domain and Workgroup settings area. The System Properties dialog box opens. 4Click Change. 5If your computer does not already have a name, type a unique computer name in the Computer name box. This name identifies the computer to other users on the network. Use a computer name of up to 15 characters with no blank spaces. Each computer name must be unique on your network. All-numeric computer names are not allowed. Names must contain some letters. Important You must give each computer on the network a unique Computer Name and the same Workgroup Name. 8512031.book Page 51 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Computer 52 6Type a name for your workgroup in the Workgroup box. Use a workgroup name of up to 15 characters with no blank spaces. The workgroup name must be the same for all computers in your network workgroup, and the name must be different than any computer name on your network. 7Click OK. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Restart Now. Configuring the TCP/IP protocol A networking protocol is a language computers use to talk to each other. One of several available protocols must be set up on each computer you plan to use on your network. We recommend you use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which is widely accepted and compatible for local area networks (LANs), as well as for Internet communications. When networking is set up in Windows Vista, TCP/IP is automatically installed as the default protocol. Using a DHCP server In order to use the TCP/IP protocol on a computer with a router or access point router, the protocol must be set to “Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.” This is typically preset when you receive your computer. Configuring your router After you have named your computers and set up TCP/IP on them, you can configure your router using your Web browser. For instructions, see your router’s documentation. Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network Connecting to your network After you have named your computer and workgroup, you need to set up the network connection on your computer.Important Each computer on your network needs a unique Computer Name. All the computers on your network need the same Workgroup Name. You may have already named your computer and workgroup the first time you turned on your computer. HelpFor more information about connecting to your network, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the following in the Search Help box, then press ENTER. • Connect to an available network • Manually add a wireless Ethernet network • Connecting to wireless Ethernet network 8512031.book Page 52 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
www.gateway.com 53 To connect to your wireless Ethernet network: 1Click (Start), then click Network. The Network window opens. 2Click Network and Sharing Center. The Network and Sharing Center window opens. 3Click Connect to a network on the left of the window. The Connect to a network dialog box opens. 8512031.book Page 53 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM
CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Computer 54 4Click a network, then click Connect. If you can see the network name, but you cannot connect to it, your network is using security. Right-click on the network, then click Properties. Modify the security settings to match the settings you set on your access point. Wireless security For information on wireless security, refer to the documentation that came with your access point. Testing your network Now that your home network is set up, log onto one of your computers and access a favorite Internet Web site. If you are unable to connect to the Internet: 1Click (Start), Control Panel, Network and Internet, then click the Network and Sharing Center. 2Choose Diagnose and Repair on the left of the window. Take any actions suggested. •If you are using a wired Ethernet network, check all physical cable connections •If you are using a wireless Ethernet network, make sure that your access point is plugged in and compare the status lights on the front of the access point with the patterns described in the access point documentation •Compare the status lights on the front of the router or access point with the patterns described in the router or access point literature •Temporarily turn off any firewall software on your desktop computer •Turn off all of the devices, then power them back on •Refer to your router’s or access point’s troubleshooting information •Contact your Internet service provider Adding a printer to your network Instead of plugging a printer into your computer, you can add a printer to your network. To add a printer to the network, do one of the following: •Connect your printer to your networked computer, then share the printer. For information about sharing printers, see “Sharing drives and printers” on page 55. •Connect your printer to your router or access point if the router or access point includes a USB or parallel port. For more information, see the instructions that came with your router or access point. •Use a printer that has built-in networking. •Use a print server. Help For more information about wireless network security methods, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type wireless network security methods in the Search Help box, then press E NTER. 8512031.book Page 54 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 2:15 PM