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Overview
Understanding Functions
Before installing your wireless router, please take a few minutes to review the wireless
networking functions described in this section.
Router
Generally, routers connect two networks together. The HH1620 connects your home network
with the Internet, which can be thought of as a very large network.
The router's firewall inspects each packet of data as it flows in from the Internet before
delivering it to the appropriate PC. Network Address Translation (NAT) protects the privacy of
the IP addresses of devices on your home network, by translating them into a single address
when visible to the public Internet. This is how your network remains protected and private on
the Internet.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A local area network provides a full-time, high-bandwidth connection over a limited area such
as a home, building, or campus. Ethernet is the most widely used LAN standard.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) comprises the backbone of the
Internet. IP moves packets of data between nodes while TCP verifies delivery from client to
server. Every device you hook up to your wireless router identifies itself with an IP address.
You are able to assign devices on your network with either a static or dynamically assigned IP
address.
Static IP Address
A static IP address is a fixed address that is assigned manually to a device on the network.
Static IP addresses must be unique and cannot be shared, therefore they are used in
situations where the address should never change, like print servers or PC servers.
If you are using your wireless router to share an Internet connection, your Internet Service
Provider (ISP) might have assigned you a static IP address, which you will use when
configuring your router. See Section 3: Configuration.
Dynamic IP Address
A dynamic IP address is a temporary IP number, dynamically or randomly generated by a
DHCP server. The address lasts only as long as the server allots, usually in the space of a
day or two. When the IP address expires, the client is automatically reassigned a new IP
address, ensuring smooth communication.
If you are using your wireless router to share an Internet connection, your ISP might have
assigned you a dynamic IP address, which you use when configuring your router. See
Section 3: Configuration.
DHCP Server
A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server assigns IP addresses to clients
connected to the router. A client is any device that can connect with your router. The client
(PC, gaming device, etc.) is automatically assigned an IP address every time a device is
added to your network, which frees you from manually assigning IP addresses.
HH1620 Wireless VoIP Gateway
10
User's Guide
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