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7. Configuring a Cordless Gateway Network
This chapter describes how to configure the Cordless Gateway to allow
cordless computers to share a high-speed Internet connection and/or commu-
nicate with devices on a wired Ethernet network.
This chapter also includes instructions for how to share files between
computers using the Maestro Configuration Tool and how to print to a
network printer.
Cordless Gateway Topologies
The Symphony-HRF Cordless Gateway performs two important networking
functions: Network Address Translation (NAT) and Transparent Bridging.
NAT allows the Cordless Gateway to share a high-speed Internet connection
with its cordless clients using a single IP address assigned by the ISP.
Transparent Bridging allows cordless computers to communicate with wired
Ethernet computers as if all devices, wired and cordless, were attached to the
same physical network.
The Cordless Gateway may be configured to operate in NAT mode only, in
Transparent Bridge mode only, or in both modes simultaneously from within
the Symphony Maestro Configuration Tool. The Cordless Gateway will
perform both NAT and Transparent Bridging by default.
Understanding Network Address Translation (NAT)
When two computers are members of the same local area network or LAN,
each communicates directly with the other. However, two computers located
on different networks cannot communicate directly with each other but
require an intermediary device, known as a router, to exchange information
between the two networks. This is the case whenever a computer on your
cordless network accesses a Web page on the Internet. NAT is a type of
software router that forwards packets between different networks.
Using NAT, the Cordless Gateway allows multiple computers to access the
Internet simultaneously while only using a single public IP address assigned
to you by the ISP. Each of these client computers is assigned a unique
internal IP address that is only valid on the cordless network.
