User's Manual

Wireless-G Router User's Manual
(The router can connect automatically whenever you access the Internet, or it can
stay connected all the time. The choice is yours.)
• DHCP: This stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. To communicate
on the Internet, a machine needs Internet Protocol (IP) settings such as an IP
address. The router is set at the factory to be a DHCP server, that is, to give
machines on the LAN IP settings if they request them. Most computers are set by
default to be DHCP clients, that is, to request IP settings from a DHCP server.
• NAT: This stands for Network Address Translation. The router uses one IP
address on the LAN and another on the WAN. When a machine on the LAN
sends a request to the Internet, the router changes the source IP address to its own
WAN IP address. Any reply, therefore, is addressed to the router. The router
changes the reply's destination IP address to that of the local machine originating
the exchange, and places it on the LAN so that machine can receive it.
• Firewall: NAT helps protect your computers by hiding their IP addresses from the
WAN. The router also has a firewall that performs "stateful packet inspection,"
monitoring each connection for abnormal activity. By default, the router blocks
common denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. In fact, it blocks all attempts to connect
from the Internet, but you can set it to accept connection types that you need.
The above list is far from complete. The router's other functions will be explained in
the chapters on setup.
Care of the Router: Observe the following precautions to ensure that the router has a
long service life:
• Never block the air vents on the bottom and sides of the router.
• Use only the 12-volt, 0.5-ampere AC power adapter that came with the router.
• Keep the router away from liquids and moisture. Clean it only with a slightly
damp cloth.
• Never open the router. For reasons of electrical safety, the router may only be
opened by an authorized service technician.
About this Manual
A large part of this manual explains the router's setup utility — the user interface that
the router displays to let you change router settings. In this section we explain the
terminology we use to describe the setup utility. This will also help you understand
the setup utility's organization and manner of operation.
The setup utility is coded, and served to your computer, in exactly the same way as a
World Wide Web site, and you will view it with your Web browser, so some of our
terminology comes from the language of the World Wide Web.
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