ZyXEL Communications MAX-200HW2, User Manual

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MAX-200HW2 Series User ’ s Guide
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C
HAPTER
9
LAN
Use these screens to set up the ZyXEL Device on the LAN. You can configure its IP address
and subnet mask, DHCP services, and other subnets. You can also control how the ZyXEL
Device sends routing information using RIP.
9.1 LAN Overview
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a shared communication system to which many computers
are attached. A LAN is usually a computer network limited to the immediate area, such as the
same building or floor of a building.
9.1.1 IP Address and Subnet Mask
Similar to the way houses on a street share a common street name, computers on a LAN share
one common network number.
Where you obtain your network number depends on your particular situation. If the ISP or
your network administrator assigns you a block of registered IP addresses, follow their
instructions in selecting the IP addresses and the subnet mask.
If the ISP did not explicitly give you an IP network number, then most likely you have a single
user account and the ISP will assign you a dynamic IP address when the connection is
established. If this is the case, it is recommended that you select a network number from
192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.0 and you must enable the Network Address Translation (NAT)
feature of the ZyXEL Device. The Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA) reserved this
block of addresses specifically for private use; please do not use any other number unless you
are told otherwise. Let's say you select 192.168.1.0 as the network number; which covers 254
individual addresses, from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254 (zero and 255 are reserved). In other
words, the first three numbers specify the network number while the last number identifies an
individual computer on that network.
Once you have decided on the network number, pick an IP address that is easy to remember,
for instance, 192.168.1.1, for your ZyXEL Device, but make sure that no other device on your
network is using that IP address.
The subnet mask specifies the network number portion of an IP address. Your ZyXEL Device
will compute the subnet mask automatically based on the IP address that you entered. You
don't need to change the subnet mask computed by the ZyXEL Device unless you are
instructed to do otherwise.