Gateway m520 User Manual

Chapter 9
105




■Introducing networking
■Creating a wireless network
■Testing your network
■Sharing your resources
■Troubleshooting your network 

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Introduction to networking
A network is a collection of computers and other devices that 
communicate with each other.
Using a network
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 connected to the network can share the same broadband 
connection or modem and telephone line to access the Internet at the 
same time. This...

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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 of 
the other computers or devices connected to your network. This process 
is called streaming.
Playing multi-player games
With a home network, you can play multi-player games. Load a game 
like Microsoft Racing Madness 2 on your computers, and in minutes, you 
and your friends can race in competing cars or on...

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The most common way to set up a wireless network is Dynamic Host 
Control Protocol (DHCP) using a wireless access point router.
 A DHCP 
network configuration uses an access point router to automatically assign 
IP addresses to each computer or network device.
Example access point wireless network
By using an access point router, you can join a wireless network and access 
the Internet.
The following is an example of an access point wireless network that 
shows how an access point...

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Equipment you need for an access point wireless network
For an access point wireless network you need:
■Two or more computers with wireless networking
■One access point router
■One broadband Internet connection (optional)
Cable/DSL 
modem
Access point
router
USB wireless 
adapter 

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Determining if wireless networking is already installed on your 
computers
To determine if wireless networking is already installed on your 
computer:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 
If your Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Performance and 
Maintenance
.
2Click/Double-click System, click the Hardware tab, then click Device 
Manager
. The Device Manager window opens.
ImportantIEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g use the same 
radio frequency....

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3Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The wireless 
networking device installed in your computer is listed. If one is not 
listed, you must install a PC card or USB adapter.
Creating an wireless network
Making sure your broadband connection 
works
Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your 
broadband connection is working correctly. To test the connection, log 
onto the Internet using your current setup. If the connection is not 
working, contact...

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To identify this computer on the network:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 
If your Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Performance and 
Maintenance
. The Performance and Maintenance window opens.
2Click/Double-click System. The System Properties dialog box opens.
3Click Computer Name.
4Click Change. The Computer Name Changes dialog box opens.
5Type a unique computer name in the Computer name bo x. Th is na m e 
identifies the computer to...

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Terms you should know
DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enables an access 
point router to temporarily assign an IP address to a computer on the 
network.
IP Address - Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that uniquely 
identifies a computer on the network.
Subnet Mask - A number that identifies what subnetwork the computer 
is located on. This number will be the same on all computers on a home 
network.
Using a DHCP server
In order to use the TCP/IP protocol on...

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3Right-click Local Area Connection, then click Properties. The Local Area 
Connection Properties dialog box opens.
4Click to select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) check box in the This 
connection uses the following items 
list. If you do not see TCP/IP, drag 
the scroll bar to see more choices.
5Click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box 
opens.