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For access to the Internet, you need to contract with an Internet service provider (ISP) for a
single-user Internet access account using an external broadband access device such as a cable
modem or DSL modem. This modem must be a separate physical box (not a card) and must
provide an Ethernet port intended for connection to a Network Interface Card (NIC) in a PC.
For a single-user Internet account, your ISP supplies TCP/IP configuration information for one
PC. With a typical account, much of the configuration information is dynamically assigned when
your PC is first booted up while connected to the ISP, and you will not need to know that dynamic
information.
In order to share the Internet connection among several computers, your router takes the place of
the single PC, and you need to configure it with the TCP/IP information that the single PC would
normally use. When the router's WAN port is connected to the broadband modem, the router
appears to be a single PC to the ISP. The router then allows the PCs on the local network to
masquerade as the single PC to access the Internet through the broadband modem. The method
used by the router to accomplish this is called Network Address Translation (NAT) or IP
masquerading.
Some ISPs require a special login protocol. In this case, you will need to know what type of
protocol is used, and you will need a login name and password. Some common protocols are:
•
PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)
Two common PPPoE clients are WinPOET and EnterNet.
•
RoadRunner
Not all RoadRunner service areas require a login protocol. If your ISP is RoadRunner, you
should ask whether your PC must run a RoadRunner login program.
•
PPTP
PPTP is a VPN client, but it is also used in Europe by Alcatel's ANT system and others as an
account login client.
•
BigPond Authentication
After your network and router are configured, the router will perform the login task when needed,
and you will no longer need to login from your PC.
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