Router Setup Overview - Linksys WRT51AB User Manual

Dynamic IP Addresses
A dynamic IP address is automatically assigned to a device on the network,
such as PCs and print servers. These IP addresses are called "dynamic"
because they are only temporarily assigned to the PC or device. After a certain
time period, they expire and may change. If a PC logs onto the network (or the
Internet) and its dynamic IP address has expired, the DHCP server will auto-
matically assign it a new dynamic IP address.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Servers
PCs and other network devices using dynamic IP addressing are assigned a new
IP address by a DHCP server. The PC or network device obtaining an IP
address is called the DHCP client. DHCP frees you from having to assign IP
addresses manually every time a new user is added to your network.
A DHCP server can either be a designated PC on the network or another net-
work device, such as the Router. By default, the Router's DHCP Server func-
tion is enabled.
If you already have a DHCP server running on your network, you must disable
one of the two DHCP servers. If you run more than one DHCP server on your
network, you will experience network errors, such as conflicting IP addresses.
To disable DHCP on the Router, see the DHCP section in "Chapter 6: The
Router's Web-based Utility."
Note: Even if you assign a static IP address to a PC, other PCs can
still use DHCP's dynamic IP addressing, as long as the static IP
address is not within the DHCP range of the LAN IP Addresses.
If the dynamic IP addressing fails to provide a dynamic IP address,
refer to "Appendix A: Troubleshooting."

Router Setup Overview

Note: You should always you run the Setup Wizard CD-ROM to con-
figure the Router for Internet access. If you wish to manually config-
ure the Router, you may follow the instructions in the Quick
Installation guide or this User Guide.
4
Instant Wireless Series
®
Dual-Band Wireless A+B Broadband Router
This User Guide covers the steps for setting up a network with the Router. After
going through "Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Dual-Band Wireless A+B
Broadband Router," most users will only need to use the following chapters:
• Chapter 3: Connect the Router
This chapter instructs you on how to connect a cable or DSL modem to the
Router and connect your PC(s) to the Router.
Notebook with
Wireless Adapter
Cable or DSL Modem
Figure 1-1
• Chapter 4: Configure the PCs
This chapter instructs you on how to configure your PCs to be DHCP clients,
if you have previously set static IP addresses on your PCs.
• Chapter 5: Configure the Router's Basic Settings
This chapter explains how to configure the Router using your web browser
and the Router's web-based utility. You will configure the Router for Internet
access using the settings provided by your ISP.
When you're finished with these basic steps, you will be ready to connect to the
Internet. You can also modify the Router's settings further; for example, you
can adjust security features and other settings to enable online gaming (see
"Chapter 6: The Router's Web-based Utility").
Notebook with
Wireless Adapter
Router
PC with
Ethernet
Adapter
5