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Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer
Setting up a network using a router
If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be connecting
your network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL modem), we
recommend the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet connection from any
network computer. The router can assign IP addresses to the computers on the network
and can provide firewall protection for your network as well.
In addition to a router, you need a straight-through cable for each computer you want to
connect to the network.
Important Category 5 cables are available in two different types;
straight-through cables, used to connect computers to a router, and
crossover cables, used to connect two computers.
To determine which type of cable you have, hold both ends of the
cable with the connectors facing away from you and with the spring
clip on the bottom. For straight-through cable, the wires on both
connectors are attached to copper pins in the same order (same
colors, left to right). For a crossover cable, the wires on each
connector are attached to the copper pins in a different order (different
colors, left to right).
Router
WAN port
Cable/DSL
modem