Netgear Router WGR614 User Manual

							Preparing Your Network C-1
 
Appendix C
Preparing Your Network
This appendix describes how to prepare your network to connect to the Internet through the Model 
WGR614 Cable/DSL Wireless Router and how to verify the readiness of broadband Internet 
service from an Internet service provider (ISP).
Preparing Your Computers for TCP/IP Networking
Computers access the Internet using a protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol). Each computer on your network must have TCP/IP installed and selected as its 
networking protocol. If a Network Interface Card (NIC) is already installed in your PC, then TCP/
IP is probably already installed as well.
Most operating systems include the software components you need for networking with TCP/IP:
•Windows® 95 or later includes the software components for establishing a TCP/IP network. 
• Windows 3.1 does not include a TCP/IP component. You need to purchase a third-party TCP/
IP application package such as NetManage Chameleon.
• Macintosh Operating System 7 or later includes the software components for establishing a 
TCP/IP network.
• All versions of UNIX or Linux include TCP/IP components. Follow the instructions provided 
with your operating system or networking software to install TCP/IP on your computer.
Note: If an ISP technician configured your computer during the installation of a 
broadband modem, or if you configured it using instructions provided by your ISP, you 
may need to copy the current configuration information for use in the configuration of 
your firewall. Write down this information before reconfiguring your computers. Refer 
to “Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Windows Computers” on page C-19 or 
“Obtaining ISP Configuration Information for Macintosh Computers” on page C-20 for 
further information. 
						

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In your IP network, each PC and the firewall must be assigned a unique IP addresses. Each PC 
must also have certain other IP configuration information such as a subnet mask (netmask), a 
domain name server (DNS) address, and a default gateway address. In most cases, you should 
install TCP/IP so that the PC obtains its specific network configuration information automatically 
from a DHCP server during bootup. For a detailed explanation of the meaning and purpose of 
these configuration items, refer to “
Appendix B, “Network, Routing, Firewall, and Basics.” 
The WGR614 router is shipped preconfigured as a DHCP server. The firewall assigns the 
following TCP/IP configuration information automatically when the PCs are rebooted:
• PC or workstation IP addresses—192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.254
• Subnet mask—255.255.255.0
• Gateway address (the firewall)—192.168.0.1
These addresses are part of the IETF-designated private address range for use in private networks.
Configuring Windows 95, 98, and Me for TCP/IP Networking
As part of the PC preparation process, you need to manually install and configure TCP/IP on each 
networked PC. Before starting, locate your Windows CD; you may need to insert it during the 
TCP/IP installation process.
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components
To install or verify the necessary components for IP networking:
1.On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2.Double-click the Network icon.
The Network window opens, which displays a list of installed components: 
						

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You must have an Ethernet adapter, the TCP/IP protocol, and Client for Microsoft Networks.
If you need to install a new adapter, follow these steps:
a.Click the Add button.
b.Select Adapter, and then click Add.
c.Select the manufacturer and model of your Ethernet adapter, and then click OK.
If you need TCP/IP:
a.Click the Add button.
b.Select Protocol, and then click Add.
c.Select Microsoft.
d.Select TCP/IP, and then click OK.
Note: It is not necessary to remove any other network components shown in the 
Network window in order to install the adapter, TCP/IP, or Client for Microsoft 
Networks.  
						

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If you need Client for Microsoft Networks:
a.Click the Add button.
b.Select Client, and then click Add.
c.Select Microsoft.
d.Select Client for Microsoft Networks, and then click OK.
3.Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Enabling DHCP to Automatically Configure TCP/IP Settings
After the TCP/IP protocol components are installed, each PC must be assigned specific 
information about itself and resources that are available on its network. The simplest way to 
configure this information is to allow the PC to obtain the information from a DHCP server in the 
network. 
You will find there are many similarities in the procedures for different Windows systems 
when using DHCP to configure TCP/IP.
The following steps will walk you through the configuration process for each of these 
versions of Windows.
Locate your Network Neighborhood icon.
• If the Network Neighborhood icon is on the Windows desktop, position your mouse 
pointer over it and right-click your mouse button.
• If the icon is not on the desktop,
• Click Sta rt on the task bar located at the bottom left of the window.
• Choose Settings, and then Control Panel. 
• Locate the Network Neighborhood icon and click on it. This will open the Network 
panel as shown below. 
  
						

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Verify the following settings as shown: 
• Client for Microsoft Network exists
• Ethernet adapter is present
• TCP/IP is present
•Primary Network Logon is set to 
Windows logon
Click on the Properties button. The 
following TCP/IP Properties window will 
display.  
						

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Selecting Windows’ Internet Access Method
1.On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2.Double-click the Internet Options icon.
3.Select “I want to set up my Internet connection manually” or “I want to connect through a 
Local Area Network” and click Next.
4.Select “I want to connect through a Local Area Network” and click Next.
5.Uncheck all boxes in the LAN Internet Configuration screen and click Next.
6.Proceed to the end of the Wizard.
Verifying TCP/IP Properties
After your PC is configured and has rebooted, you can check the TCP/IP configuration using the 
utility winipcfg.exe:
1.On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, and then click Run.
• By default, the IP Address tab is open on 
this window.
• Verify the following:
Obtain an IP address automatically is 
selected. If not selected, click in the radio 
button to the left of it to select it.  This 
setting is required to enable the DHCP server 
to automatically assign an IP address. 
• Click OK to continue.
Restart the PC.
Repeat these steps for each PC with this 
version of Windows on your network. 
						

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2.Ty p e  winipcfg, and then click OK.
The IP Configuration window opens, which lists (among other things), your IP address, subnet 
mask, and default gateway.
3.From the drop-down box, select your Ethernet adapter.
The window is updated to show your settings, which should match the values below if you are 
using the default TCP/IP settings that NETGEAR recommends for connecting through a 
router or gateway:
• The IP address is between 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.254
• The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0
• The default gateway is 192.168.0.1
Configuring Windows NT4, 2000 or XP for IP Networking
As part of the PC preparation process, you may need to install and configure  
TCP/IP on each networked PC. Before starting, locate your Windows CD; you may need to insert 
it during the TCP/IP installation process.
Install or Verify Windows Networking Components
To install or verify the necessary components for IP networking:
1.On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2.Double-click the Network and Dialup Connections icon.
3.If an Ethernet adapter is present in your PC, you should see an entry for Local Area 
Connection. Double-click that entry.
4.Select Properties.
5.Verify that ‘Client for Microsoft Networks’ and ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)’ are present. If 
not, select Install and add them.
6.Select ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)’, click Properties, and verify that “Obtain an IP address 
automatically is selected.
7.Click OK and close all Network and Dialup Connections windows.
8.Then, restart your PC. 
						

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C-8 Preparing Your Network
 
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP, 2000, or NT4
You will find there are many similarities in the procedures for different Windows systems when 
using DHCP to configure TCP/IP.
The following steps will walk you through the configuration process for each of these versions of 
Windows.
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows XP 
Locate your Network Neighborhood icon.
• Select Control Panel from the Windows XP new Start Menu.
• Select the Network Connections icon on the Control Panel.  This will take you to the next 
step. 
• Now the Network Connection window 
displays.
The Connections List that shows all the 
network connections set up on the PC, 
located to the right of the window.
• Right-click on the Connection you will 
use and choose Sta tus.
  
						

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• Now you should be at the Local Area 
Network Connection Status window. This 
box displays the connection status, duration, 
speed, and activity statistics.
• Administrator logon access rights are needed 
to use this window.
• Click the Properties button to view details 
about the connection.
• The TCP/IP details are presented on the 
Support tab page.
• Select Internet Protocol, and click 
Properties to view the configuration 
information. 
						

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C-10 Preparing Your Network
 
DHCP Configuration of TCP/IP in Windows 2000 
Once again, after you have installed the network card, TCP/IP for Windows 2000 is configured.  
TCP/IP should be added by default and set to DHCP without your having to configure it.  
However, if there are problems, follow these steps to configure TCP/IP with DHCP for Windows 
2000.
• Verify that the Obtain an IP address 
automatically radio button is selected.
• Verify that Obtain DNS server address 
automatically radio button is selected.
• Click the OK button.
This completes the DHCP configuration of TCP/
IP in Windows XP.
Repeat these steps for each PC with this version 
of Windows on your network.