Gateway M520, User Manual, Page: 112 / 168

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Introduction to networking
A network is a collection of computers and other devices that
communicate with each other.
Using a network
A network lets you:
■ Share a single Internet connection
■ Share computer drives
■ Share peripheral devices
■ Stream audio and video files
■ Play multi-player games
Sharing a single Internet connection
Each computer connected to the network can share the same broadband
connection or modem and telephone line to access the Internet at the
same time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line
for your second computer and paying for a second Internet service
provider (ISP) account.
Sharing drives
With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by
copying and pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste
your time transferring files by using recordable media. In addition, you
can map a drive on a networked computer to another computer, and
access the files as if they were located on the hard drive of the computer
you are using.
Sharing peripheral devices
Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same
peripheral devices, such as a printer. Select print from the computer you
are currently using and your file is automatically printed on your printer
no matter where it is located on your network.