Chapter 1: Introduction; Welcome - Linksys RT31P2 Installation And Troubleshooting Manual

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for choosing the Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports. This Router will allow your computers to share
a high-speed Internet connection as well as resources, including files and printers. And after you have set up
your Internet phone service, you will be able to make phone or fax calls using your Internet connection.
How does the Router do all of this? By connecting your computers and peripherals, including phones or fax
machines, to the Router and connecting the Router to your cable or DSL modem, then the Router can direct and
control communications for your network.
But what does all of this mean?
Networks are useful tools for sharing Internet access and computer resources. Multiple computers can share
Internet access, so you don't need more than one high-speed Internet connection. With Internet phone service,
your Internet access can now be shared by your phones or fax machines as well. You will be able to make phone
calls using the account you set up with your Internet phone service, even while you're surfing the Internet. Plus,
you can access one printer from different computers and access data located on another computer's hard drive.
Networks are even used for playing multiplayer video games. So, networks not only are useful in homes and
offices, but also can
be fun.
PCs on a wired network create a LAN, or Local Area Network. They are connected with Ethernet cables, which is
why the network is called "wired".
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports
lan (local area network): the computers
and networking products that make up
the network in your home or office.
ethernet: an IEEE standard network
protocol that specifies how data is placed
on and retrieved from a common
transmission medium.
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