eMachines EL1358G, User Manual

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15
Connecting network cables
We recommend using category 5 (
Cat 5
), unshielded,
twisted-pair cable (about 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.
Cat 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.