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Router / Gateway Installation
If you have broadband internet access (cable
modem, DSL modem, or satellite internet), installing a router will allow you to
securely connect multiple PC's to a single internet connection. Since the
router controls internet traffic to each PC individually, everyone can use the
internet whenever they wish, and at the same time.
Additionally, multiple connections are only one
of a router's advantages. There are many services today's routers provide,
and here are just a few of them:
 | A hardware firewall is also part of
the router. This firewall prevents anyone else on the internet from
seeing any of your computers. The router uses a single internet address
to the outside world, and conceals the internet addresses of your PC's
(this is called Network Address Translation or NAT). |
| Stateful Packet Inspection is
included. This is similar to a software firewall which maintains a table
of internet pages requested by each computer (by clicking on a link, for
example.) When internet information is received by the router, the
origin of the information is checked against your table of requests. If the
origins don't match, the incoming information is blocked and discarded.
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| A 4-port switch is integrated in the
router. This allows you to make 4 wired connections from your
router to your devices. Your devices can be network-attachable PC's, printers,
storage drives, or other network devices. Your router is expandable (you
can add simple hubs or switches) for a maximum of 253 devices. By
itself, the router can connect 4 wired devices and 50 wireless devices. |
| A home network is created inherently.
A peer-to-peer network exists when you connect PC's to your router, allowing
resource sharing. You have an option to share between your PC's:
Folders and files, printers, scanners, disk/tape/CD/diskette drives.
Almost any hardware device may be shared among users in your network, and
these devices don't need to be connected directly to the router. |
A network gateway is a very convenient
device. In home applications, it provides the same router as described
above, and also includes a built-in industry-standard cable or DSL modem.
Plan on 1-2 hours for this.
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