Gateway 200ARC, Network Manual

Page: 13 / 160

7
Learning the Basics
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Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet
network
For a wired Ethernet network you need:
■
An Ethernet jack on each desktop computer, notebook, and tablet PC.
- OR -
An Ethernet card (also called network interface cards or NICs) installed in
each desktop computer.
- OR -
An Ethernet PC Card installed in each notebook.
■
An Ethernet router. Select a router that gives you the following features:
■
A jack for connecting to a cable or DSL modem.
■
The ability to assign IP addresses to your network computers
dynamically. This prevents intruders from seeing the computers over
the Internet.
■
A built-in firewall to protect the computers on your network from
intruders trying to access your data over the Internet.
■
Built-in switching (with enough ports for all computers and devices
on the network) so you will not have to purchase a hub or switch.
■
If you did not purchase a router that includes built-in switching or if the
router does not have enough ports to attach all your computers, an
Ethernet hub or switch with enough ports for all computers and devices
in the network.
■
Ethernet cable going from each computer to the router, hub, or switch.
Important For 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.