Gateway Profile 5 Manual

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Self-help
If you have how-to questions about using your Gateway-supplied hardware or software, 
see the following resources:
■The printed or online documentation that came with your hardware or software. In 
many cases, additional product information and online documentation for 
Gateway-supplied hardware can be found in our Web sites Documentation Library.
■This user guide and the Using Your Computer guide.
■The software publishers Web site.
Tu t o r i n g
For help on using hardware or...

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Chapter 7
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Networking Your Computer
■Introducing networking
■Creating an Ethernet network
■Testing your network
■Sharing your resources
■Troubleshooting your Ethernet 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 saves...

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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 competing motorcycles.
Selecting a network connection
The biggest decision you need to make when creating your network is what type of 
connection you will use. Gateway products support wired and wireless Ethernet networks. 
Use the following criteria as a guide when...

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Wireless Ethernet speed and frequency
Wireless Ethernet is available at two different speeds and at two different frequencies. The 
following table compares the various wireless Ethernet network types.
ImportantIf your computer came equipped with an internal radio frequency 
wireless device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information” in 
your user’s guide for general wireless regulatory and safety 
guidelines. To find out if your computer has an internal wireless 
device, check the...

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The most common way to set up a wireless Ethernet 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 router wireless Ethernet network
By using an access point, you can join a wireless Ethernet network and access a wired 
Ethernet network.
The following is an example of an access point wireless...

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Equipment you need for an access point wireless Ethernet network
For an access point wireless Ethernet network you need:
■Two or more computers with wireless Ethernet emitters
■One access point
■One broadband Internet connection (optional)
Tips & TricksTo add the ability to access a wired Ethernet network to your wireless 
Ethernet network, connect an access point to the router or use a 
router that has a built-in access point, such as the Linksys wireless 
access point router with...

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Determining if wireless Ethernet is already installed on your computers
To determine if wireless Ethernet 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.
3Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The wireless Ethernet device...

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Wired Ethernet network
Create a wired Ethernet network by using special wires to connect all the computers and 
devices on your network. Wired Ethernet networks are typically faster than other network 
types. 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 device you want to connect
■You are creating a network in an office or business where network speed is more 
important than moving...