Gateway Desktops, User Manual

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Creating an Ethernet network www.gateway.com
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Tips & Tricks
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, such as the Linksys wireless
access point router with 4-port switch.
Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network
For an Ethernet network you need:
Important
For best results, Ethernet network
components should be either all
standard Ethernet (10 Mbps), all Fast
Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100), or all
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.
■
Two or more computers with Ethernet jacks
■
One router
■
Ethernet cables connecting all of the network equipment
■
One broadband Internet connection (optional)
Tips & Tricks
When buying your router, make sure that
the model includes everything your
network needs, including
Internet security features, such as a
firewall, to protect your network from
unwanted intruders,
a 4-port switch to eliminate the need for
additional network hardware, and
DHCP server/dynamic IP address
assignment to automatically configure
network and IP addresses.
Determining if an Ethernet device is already installed on your computer
To determine if Ethernet is already installed on your computer:
1
Click Start , then click Control Panel . The Control Panel window opens. If
your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and
Maintenance .
2
Click/Double-click System , click the Hardware tab, then click Device
Manager . The Device Manager window opens.
3
Click 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.
Creating an Ethernet network
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. Use the documentation that comes with your
Ethernet cards for instructions on installing the card and any required drivers.
For information on installing cards in your computer, see the Hardware
Reference Guide.
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