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Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing the EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch. This Router will allow your computers
to share a high-speed Internet connection as well as resources, including files and printers.
How does the Router do all of this? By connecting your computers and peripherals 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 computer resources. 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”.
To create your network, install and set up the Router. To guide you through the process, Linksys strongly
recommends that you run the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD-ROM. If you prefer to manually set up the Router,
use the instructions in the Quick Installation or this User Guide to help you. These instructions should be all you
need to get the most out of the Router.
Ethernet: an IEEE standard network protocol
that specifies how data is placed on and
retrieved from a common transmission
medium.
LAN (Local Area Network): the computers
and networking products that make up the
network in your home or office.