Gateway 200 series User Manual

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Networking Your
Computer
Connecting your home, small office, or home office 
computers lets you share drives, printers, and a single 
Internet connection among the connected computers.
Read this chapter to learn about:
■Benefits of using a network in your home, small office, 
or home office
■Types of network connections
■Purchasing additional network equipment
■Installing and configuring your notebook for Ethernet 
networking
■Turning wireless Ethernet on and off 

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Benefits of networking
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 that is connected to the network can share the same broadband 
connection or modem and telephone line and access the Internet at the same 
time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your...

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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.
Streaming audio and video files
With a network, you can store audio files (such as the popular .MP3 files) and 
video files on any networked computer, then play them on any...

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Selecting a network connection
The biggest decision you need to make when creating your network is what 
type of connection you will use. Gateway supports both wired and wireless 
Ethernet networks. Use the following criteria as a guide when selecting a 
network connection.
Wired Ethernet network
Create a wired Ethernet network if:
■You are building a new home or your existing home already has Ethernet 
cable installed in each room that has a...

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Using a wired Ethernet network
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Using a wired Ethernet network
A wired Ethernet network consists of two or more computers connected 
together through an Ethernet cable. This connection type is commonly used 
in offices around the world and can be used to build computer networks in 
the home.
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 
10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 
1000...

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Example wired Ethernet network
The following is an example of a wired Ethernet network. The network is made 
up of a router, a cable or DSL modem, your computers, and cables connecting 
each of these components. The router is the central control point for the 
network. Attached to the router are all of your computers or Ethernet-ready 
devices. Also connected to the router is a cable or DSL modem that provides 
access to the Internet.
Tips &...

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Using a wired Ethernet network
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Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet 
network
For a wired Ethernet network you need:
■An Ethernet jack on each desktop computer and notebook.
- OR -
An Ethernet card installed in each desktop computer.
- OR -
An Ethernet PC Card installed in each notebook.
■An Ethernet router. Select a router that gives you the following features:
■A jack for connecting to a cable or DSL modem.
■The ability to assign IP addresses to your networked computers...

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Using a wireless Ethernet network
A wireless Ethernet network is ideal for creating a home or office network or 
adding mobility to an existing wired Ethernet.
Wireless Ethernet is available at two different speeds. IEEE 802.11a and 
IEEE 802.11g wireless Ethernet run at speeds up to 54 Mbps, or about half the 
speed of Fast Ethernet. 802.11b wireless Ethernet runs at speeds up to 11 Mbps, 
or approximately the same speed as standard wired...

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Example access point wireless Ethernet 
network
By using an access point, you can join a wireless Ethernet network and access 
a wired Ethernet network. An access point also lets you access the Internet.
The following is an example of an access point wireless Ethernet network. The 
network is made up of an access point, a cable or DSL modem, and your 
computers. The access point is the central control point for the network. 
Attached to the access...

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Equipment you need for an access point 
wireless Ethernet network
For an access point wireless Ethernet network you need:
■A wireless Ethernet PCI card installed in each desktop computer
- OR -
A wireless Ethernet USB adapter attached to each desktop computer
- OR -
A notebook with wireless Ethernet built-in
- OR -
A wireless Ethernet PC Card installed in each notebook that does not have 
wireless Ethernet built-in
■A wireless Ethernet access point...