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NETWORK TERMINOLOGY
General information
The Switch ensures that the individual components within a network are
connected correctly. This is only possible if it can identify each device within the
network unambiguously; this is the reason why every component is assigned a
form of “house number” (IP address). The IP address consists of four blocks of
digits with numbers in the range 0 to 255, separated by dots (e.g. 192.168.1.1).
Each of the individual number blocks may contain values between 1 and 254
(the values 0 and 255 are reserved for certain special functions, and should
therefore not be used). However, if the network is to operate reliably, the
network owner should only select addresses designed for home network use -
i.e.: the first two number blocks should always be 192.168.xxx.xxx; the third
block can be selected without restriction within the above limits (but should be
the same for all devices on the network), and the fourth block must distinguish
each device uniquely (e.g.:
r
192.168.001.001, NAS: 192.186.001.002,
PC: 192.168.001.003, ...).
If this local network is to include Internet music sources (Internet radio) as well
as physical devices, then the
must have access to the Internet.
This facility is provided by a device such as a router with connection to the DSL
network. This router is also a constituent part of the network, and is assigned
its own IP address. The
must also be informed of the address of
the router (Gateway) to enable it to gain access to the outside world.
Please ensure that the first three blocks of the Device IP, Gateway IP and DNS
1 share the same address space (e.g. 192.168.0.xxx). The fourth block assigns
a unique address (house number) to the components in the local network. This
number must not be present more than once in the local network.
The Device IP mask should always be assigned the address 255.255.255.0.
DNS
The Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the most important services on the
Internet. Its primary task is to convert “Internet addresses”, such as
www.taelektroakustik.de, into the associated IP address. In most home
networks the router carries out the DNS function.
If you decide to configure your network manually (without DHCP), then simply
enter the address of your router as the DNS address when configuring the
network.
Ethernet-LAN
Wired network. Interference-free network technology, with the drawback of
having to deploy a network cable.
Gateway
The computer or router in your network which is responsible for managing data
traffic between your home network and the outside world (i.e. the Internet).
Client
Network device which obtains data from the network, decodes it and converts it
into, for example, analogue music signals which can then be reproduced via an
amplifier and loudspeakers. Streaming Clients also contain functions for
displaying media content, and for navigating on the Internet or servers.
DHCP
DHCP is an abbreviation of
D
ynamic
H
ost
C
onfiguration
P
rotocol. The primary
purpose of DHCP is to enable Clients to obtain your network configuration
automatically from a server or router.
IP-Adresse
Network address. Each device in the network requires an IP address at which it
can be accessed, and by which it is unambiguously identifiable. No individual
network address may be present more than once. This is important if you are
entering network addresses manually. If the addresses in your network are
assigned by DHCP, you do not need to worry about IP addresses at all, as the
DHCP server manages the addresses automatically without your intervention.
