Gateway Profile 5 Manual

							95www.gateway.com
Example router-based 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.
Equipment you need for a router-based wired Ethernet network
For a wired Ethernet network you need:
■Two or more computers with Ethernet jacks
■One router
■One broadband Internet connection (optional)
■Ethernet cables connecting all of the network equipment
Tips & TricksTo add the ability to access a wireless Ethernet network to your wired 
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 wireless Ethernet, see “Using a wireless Ethernet 
network” on page 89.
Cable/DSL 
modem
Router 
						

							96www.gateway.com
Determining if wired Ethernet is already installed on your computers
To determine if wired 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 wired Ethernet device installed in 
your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one.
Creating an Ethernet network
Installing Ethernet cards and drivers
After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need 
to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already 
installed. To order wired or wireless Ethernet PCI or PC cards, visit the Accessories Store 
at accessories.gateway.com
.
Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on installing 
the card and any required drivers.
ImportantFor best results, all Ethernet components should be either standard 
Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100), or Gigabit 
Ethernet (1000 Mbps or 10/100/1000). A mixture of components rated 
at different speeds will result in your network running at the speed 
of the slowest rated component.
Tips & TricksWhen buying your router, be sure the model includes everything your 
network needs, including:
■Internet security features - such as a firewall to protect your network 
from unwanted intruders
■4-port switch - to eliminate the need for additional network hardware■DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically 
configure network and IP addresses 
						

							97www.gateway.com
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 your Internet service provider.
Naming the computers and the workgroup
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 box. This name identifies the 
computer to other users on the network. Use a computer name of up to 15 characters 
with no blank spaces. Each computer name must be unique on your network. 
All-numeric computer names are not allowed. Names must contain some letters.
6Type a name for your workgroup in the Workgroup box. Use a workgroup name of up 
to 15 characters with no blank spaces. The workgroup name must be the same for 
all computers in your network workgroup, and the name must be different than any 
computer name on your network.
7Click OK to close the Computer Name Changes dialog box.
ImportantIf you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make 
the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find out how 
soon after the installation the line will be activated.
ImportantBroadband Internet settings will differ from ISP to ISP. Before you 
begin setting up your network, you should contact your ISP for any 
specific instructions they have for setting up a network.
ImportantYou must give each computer on the network a unique Computer 
Name and the same Workgroup Name. 
						

							98www.gateway.com
Configuring the TCP/IP protocol
A networking protocol is a language computers use to talk to each other. One of several 
available protocols must be set up on each computer you plan to use on your network. 
We recommend you use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), 
which is widely accepted and compatible for local area networks (LANs), as well as for 
Internet communications.
When networking is set up in Windows XP, TCP/IP is automatically installed as the default 
protocol.
Terms you should know
DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) lets a router 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 - Subnet mask is 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 each computer with a router or access point router, 
you must set the protocol to “Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.”
To use a DHCP server
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control 
Panel is in Category View, click 
Network and Internet Connections. The Network and 
Internet Connections window opens.
2Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens. 
						

							99www.gateway.com
3Right-click Local Area Connection, then click Properties. The Local Area Connection 
Properties dialog box opens.
- OR - 
If you do not have a LAN connection setup, click 
Create a new connection and follow 
the instructions in the New Connection Wizard.
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. 
						

							100www.gateway.com
6Click the General tab.
7Click Obtain an IP address automatically.
8Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.
9Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box.
10Click X to close the Network Connections window.
11Repeat this procedure for every computer on your network.
Where to go from here
If you are setting up a wireless Ethernet, go to “Setting up a wireless Ethernet network” 
on page 101.
-OR-
If you are setting up a wired Ethernet, go to “Setting up a wired Ethernet network” on 
page 108. 
						

							101www.gateway.com
Setting up a wireless Ethernet network
See the instructions that came with your access point or wireless access point router for 
initial setup. How you set up your access point varies depending on the features of the 
access point and your networking situation.
Mounting the access point
When selecting a place to mount your access point, consider the following guidelines:
■Mount your access point as high as possible (to avoid interference from natural 
obstacles and appliances).
■Mount your access point in a location where you can run an Ethernet cable from the 
access point to either your wired Ethernet network or your cable or DSL modem.
Configuring the access point
To configure the Linksys wireless access point router with 4-port switch:
1If you are connecting any wired devices to your wireless access point router, follow 
the instructions in “Setting up a network using a router” on page 108, then go to 
Step 7.
-OR-
If you are not connecting any wired devices to your wireless access point router, go 
to Step 2.
2Plug one end of a straight-through cable into the WAN port on the wireless access 
point router and the other end into the DSL or cable modem.
3Plug one end of the power adapter into the AC connector on the router and the other 
end into a grounded, 110V electrical outlet.
4Turn on the DSL or cable modem.
5Press the reset button on the wireless access point router.
6Temporarily connect a computer to the wireless access point router using a 
straight-through cable and turn the computer on.
7From one of the computers plugged into your wireless access point router, open your 
Web browser.
ImportantThe following configuration information applies to the Linksys wireless 
access point router with 4-port switch. For any other brand or model 
of access point, see the manufacturer’s documentation, which may 
accompany the access point or be available from the manufacturer’s 
Web site. 
						

							102www.gateway.com
8In the browser’s Address box, type http://192.168.1.1, then press ENTER.
9When prompted for a username and password, leave the username box empty and 
type admin in the password box, then click 
OK. The setup page opens.
10Enter the following values in the appropriate fields:
■Host Name and Domain Name - Check with your ISP to see if entries are required in 
these fields and, if so, what entries are required.
■Enable/Disable wireless - Click Enable to turn on the wireless functions of your access 
point router.
■SSID - Type a unique name for your wireless access point.
■Allow Broadcast SSID to associate - Clicking Ye s lets you automatically see the SSID 
in the 
Available Networks list (see “Connecting to an access point network” on 
page 103). Clicking 
No means that you will need to manually add the access point 
(see “Adding an access point” on page 106). Clicking 
No makes your wireless 
network more secure because intruders will not be able to connect to your network 
without knowing the name of your access point.
■Channel - In the United States, you can specify any channel between 1 and 11.
■WEP - To use WEP (wired equivalent privacy) encryption, select Mandatory. If you 
use WEP encryption, all computers on your network must use the same WEP 
encryption. See the documentation that came with your access point on how to 
use WEP encryption.
■WAN Connection Type - If your ISP assigns you a different IP address each time you 
log on, click 
Obtain an IP Address Automatically. If your ISP requires a fixed IP address, 
click 
Static IP, then type the values provided by your ISP.
11Click Apply, then click Continue to save the settings.
12If you temporarily connected a computer to the access point router in Step 6, 
disconnect it.
13Reset the power on your cable or DSL modem.
14Restart all of your computers on the network.
15To connect to the access point, see “Connecting to an access point network” on 
page 103.
Tips & TricksIf you live in an apartment building or dormitory, you may want to click 
No to prevent your neighbors from discovering and accessing your 
network. 
						

							103www.gateway.com
Connecting to an access point network
After you have set up your wireless access point, you need to set up the network connection 
on your computers.
To connect to an access point wireless Ethernet network:
1Before connecting to an access point, you must turn on the wireless Ethernet emitter 
by clicking 
Start, then clicking Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your 
Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Network and Internet Connections. The Network 
and Internet Connections window opens.
2Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.
3Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, then click View available wireless 
networks
. The Choose a wireless network window opens.
4Click the network you created in the Choose a wireless network list, then click Connect. 
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the wireless network connection.
-OR-
If you are unable to connect to the network in the 
Choose a wireless network list, click 
the 
Learn about wireless networking topic located in the Related Tasks area. 
						

							104www.gateway.com
Configuring computer settings for an access point
If you are unable to connect to an access point in the Choose a wireless network list, the 
most likely cause is that the access point is using WEP security. You need to configure your 
network settings to use the same WEP security settings as those used by the access point.
To configure computer settings with WEP security for an access point wireless Ethernet 
network:
1With the Wireless Network Connection window open, click Change advanced settings. 
The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.
2Click the Wireless Networks tab.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about connecting to a wireless network, click 
Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword connecting to wireless network in the Search 
box  , then click the arrow.