Preparing Your Network
3-1
Chapter 3
Preparing Your Network
This chapter describes how to prepare your PC network to connect to the Internet through the
Model HR314 802.11a Hi-Speed Wireless Router and how to verify the readiness of a broadband
DSL or cable modem account from an Internet service provider (ISP). .
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking
Computers access the Internet using a protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol). Each computer on your network must have TCP/IP installed and selected as its
networking protocol. If a Network Interface Card (NIC) is already installed in your computer, then
TCP/IP is probably already installed as well.
Most operating systems include the software components you need for networking with TCP/IP:
•
Windows
®
95 or later includes the software components for establishing a TCP/IP network.
•
Windows 3.1 does not include a TCP/IP component. You need to purchase a third-party TCP/
IP application package such as NetManage Chameleon.
•
Macintosh Operating System 7 or later includes the software components for establishing a
TCP/IP network.
Note:
If an ISP technician configured your PC during the installation of a broadband
modem, or if you configured it using instructions provided by your ISP, you may need
to copy the current configuration information for use in the configuration of your router.
Write down this information before reconfiguring your PCs. Refer to
“Obtaining ISP
Configuration Information for Windows Computers
” on
page 3-10
or
“Obtaining ISP
Configuration Information for Macintosh Computers
” on
page 3-11
for further informa-
tion.
