What You Need To Set Up A Lan; Setting Up A New Lan - Dell Inspiron 545 MT User Manual

What You Need to Set up a LAN

• Cable or DSL broadband modem with Internet access established. For
information on broadband connection, see "Broadband Access" on
page 151.
• Router — A router connects computers and peripherals on the network to
each other, allowing the computers to share Internet access provided by
the broadband modem. A router has multiple ports, each supporting one
computer or one peripheral such as a printer.
• Network cables — Use either CAT 5 or CAT 5e cables.
• Network interface card
Broadband Access
Broadband access provides much faster data transfer rates than dial-up access.
Broadband access is particularly suited to e-mailing large digital photographs,
downloading music, or viewing streaming videos.
What you Need for Broadband Access
• You can choose between two specific types of broadband access offered by
ISPs—cable and DSL. DSL broadband access is marketed by telephone
companies, but it is not available at all locations. If you have cable
television access, you can obtain cable broadband access through your
cable provider.
• You must connect your computer or computer network to a cable modem
or DSL modem for broadband access. You can purchase your own
broadband modem or use the ISP's modem for a monthly equipment fee
added to your monthly service charge.
• Your computer must have a network interface card.
• Your existing phone line or cable television line is used to provide the
broadband service; a new line is not required.

Setting up a new LAN

The following steps are general guidelines for setting up a typical LAN. See
the documentation provided with your router for specific details.
Networks (LAN, Wireless, Mobile Broadband)
151