Gateway Profile 5 Manual
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85www.gateway.com 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 software that came with your Gateway computer, contact Gateways fee-based tutorial hotline: ■800-229-1103 (rate charged per minute; charged to a major credit card) ■900-555-4695 (rate charged per minute; charged to your telephone bill) Training Gateway provides the following computer-based training: Help and SupportFor more how-to information about Windows, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword practice in the Search box , then click the arrow. Resource Service description For more information Gateway Learning LibrariesA variety of courses and tutorials are available on CD. Select from several easy-to-use learning libraries.www.gateway.com/training Online Training from Learn With GatewayMore than 450 online courses are available from Learn With Gateway. All you have to do is go online and log in. You select the subject matter, and the learning format (self-paced tutorials or virtual classrooms), all from the comfort of your computer.www.learnwithgateway.com
Chapter 7 87 Networking Your Computer ■Introducing networking ■Creating an Ethernet network ■Testing your network ■Sharing your resources ■Troubleshooting your Ethernet network
88www.gateway.com 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 on the cost of installing another telephone line for your second computer and paying for a second Internet service provider (ISP) account. Sharing drives With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copying and pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste your time transferring files by using recordable media. In addition, you can map a drive on a networked computer to another computer, and access the files as if they were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using. 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 of the other computers or devices connected to your network. This process is called streaming.
89www.gateway.com 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 selecting a network connection. Wireless Ethernet network A wireless Ethernet network is created by using radio emitters that may be embedded into your computer or plugged into it. Create a wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, or IEEE 802.11g) network if: ■You are looking for an alternative to installing cable for connectivity ■The ability to move about with your computer is as important as network speed ■Your computer has wireless Ethernet for networking 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 network. A wireless Ethernet network lets you move about your home or office with your notebook or tablet PC. For example, you can take your notebook or tablet PC from your home office to your patio without having an Ethernet jack available. Help and SupportFor more information about using a network, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type one of these keywords in the Search box , then click the arrow: ■internet sharing■sharing network drives■streaming■network games WarningRadio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and IEEE 802.11g communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication.
90www.gateway.com 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 device manager. For more information, see “Determining if wireless Ethernet is already installed on your computers” on page 93. ImportantNote any antenna placement constraints in the user guide of each type of wireless device in your network. Network Type Speed Frequency Advantages Disadvantages IEEE 802.11a 54 Mbps 5 GHz Less possible interference than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g■Shorter range (25 to 75 feet) than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g ■Not compatible with IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g networks IEEE 802.11b 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz ■Large number of access points already exist in airports, college campuses, and businesses ■Compatible with IEEE 802.11g networks ■Longer range (100 to 150 feet) than IEEE 802.11a ■Possible interference from cordless telephones and microwaves ■Not compatible with IEEE 802.11a networks
91www.gateway.com 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 Ethernet network that shows how an access point also lets you access the Internet. 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 point is the cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Each of the computers or Ethernet-ready devices communicate with the access point using radio waves. If your computer does not have a built-in wireless Ethernet emitter, you need to add a wireless PCI card (desktop), PC card (notebook), or USB adapter. IEEE 802.11g 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz■Compatible with IEEE 802.11b networks ■Longer range (100 to 150 feet) than IEEE 802.11a ■Possible interference from cordless telephones and microwaves ■Not compatible with IEEE 802.11a networks ImportantThe speed of a wireless network is related to signal strength. Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and by interference from natural obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors. Network Type Speed Frequency Advantages Disadvantages
92www.gateway.com 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 4-port switch. For more information about accessing a wired Ethernet, see “Using a wired Ethernet network” on page 94. Cable/DSL modem Access point USB wireless adapter
93www.gateway.com 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 installed in your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one. ImportantIEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g use the same radio frequency. IEEE 802.11a uses a different radio frequency than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g. All wireless Ethernet components must use the same frequency. A combination of IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11g components will not work. Some wireless devices can broadcast and receive signals on both frequencies. A mixture of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g components will result in your network running at the speed of the slower IEEE 802.11b components. Tips & TricksWhen buying your access point, be sure the model includes everything your network needs, including: ■802.11g support - for next-generation, high-speed wireless communications ■Internet security features - such as a firewall to protect your network from unwanted intruders ■Wireless security features - such as 128-bit WEP encryption■4-port switch - to eliminate the need for additional network hardware■DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically configure network and IP addresses
94www.gateway.com 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 about with your computer ■Your computer has an Ethernet jack for connecting to the network 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 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. Business networks are typically built using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components. To create a wired Ethernet network, you or your electrician must install special Ethernet cables in your home or office. The most common way to set up a wired Ethernet network is Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) using a router. A DHCP network configuration uses a router to automatically assign IP addresses to each computer or network device. ImportantCheck local code requirements before installing Ethernet cable or other wiring in your home or office. Your municipality may require you to obtain a permit and hire a licensed installer.