Connecting The Wireless Access Point + Cable/Dsl Router To Your Network; Overview; About Static & Dynamic Ip Addresses; Connecting Your Hardware Together & Booting Up - Linksys EtherFast Instant Broadband BEFW11S4 User Manual

Connecting the Wireless Access
Point + Cable/DSL Router to Your
Network

Overview

Unlike a simple hub or switch, the setup of the Wireless Access Point +
Cable/DSL Router consists of more than simply plugging everything together.
Because the Router acts as a DHCP server, you will have to set some values
within the Router, and also configure your networked PCs to accept the IP
Addresses the Router chooses to assign them.
You will need the following values from your ISP in order to install the
Wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router:
• Your broadband-configured PC's fixed Internet IP Address (if applicable)
• Your broadband-configured PC's Computer Name and Workgroup Name
• Your Subnet Mask
• Your Default Gateway
• Your Primary DNS IP address
Whoever installed your broadband access should have left this information
with you. If not, call your ISP and they will be able to supply you with it.
About Static & Dynamic IP Addresses
Static IP Addresses A static IP address is an IP address permanently assigned
to computer in a TCP/IP network. Static IP addresses are usually assigned to
networked devices, which are consistently accessed by multiple users, such as
Server PCs, or print server. If you are using your Router to share your cable
or DSL Internet connection, contact your ISP to see if they have assigned
your home a static IP address. You will need that address during your Router's
configuration.
Dynamic IP Addresses A dynamic IP address is an IP address that is automati-
cally assigned to a client station (computer, printer, etc.) in a TCP/IP network.
Dynamic IP addresses are typically assigned by a DHCP server, which can be
a computer on the network or another piece of hardware, such as the Router.
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A dynamic IP address may change every time your computer connects to the
network.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) DHCP is software that automati-
cally assigns IP addresses to client stations logging onto a TCP/IP network.
DHCP eliminates having to manually assign permanent IP addresses to every
device on your network. DHCP software typically runs in servers and is also
found in network devices such as Routers.
Connecting Your Hardware Together and Booting Up
Once you are sure that you have the above values on hand, you can begin the
Installation and Setup of your Wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router.
1. Power everything down, including your PCs, your Cable or DSL modem
and the Router.
2. Connect a Network cable from one of your PCs' Ethernet ports to one of
the LAN Ports on the back of the Router. Do the same with all the PCs you
wish to connect to the Router. (LAN Port 4 will become inactive if you use
the Uplink port.)
3. Connect the network cable from your Cable or DSL modem to the WAN
port on the rear of the Router.
4. Connect the power-supply cable to the Power port on the rear of the
Router, then plug the supplied AC power cable into a power outlet.
• The Power LED will illuminate green as soon as the power adapter is
connected.
• The Diag LED will illuminate red for a few seconds while the Router
goes through its internal diagnostic test. The LED will turn off when the
self-test is complete.
5. Power on the Cable or DSL modem. Verify that the power is on by
checking the Link LED in the WAN column on the front of the Router.
The Link LED will be illuminated if the power is on and the modem is
ready.
® Wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch
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