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What is a Router? An electronic device that connects a local area network (LAN) to a wide area network (WAN) and handles the task of routing messages between the two networks. An electronic device that connects a local area network (LAN) to a wide area network (WAN) and handles the task of routing messages between the two networks. LAN - Local Area Network (your home) LAN - Local Area Network (your home) WAN - Wide Area Network (your ISP or the internet) WAN - Wide Area Network (your ISP or the internet)

But, what does it do? The router for your home allows you to share an internet connection with multiple computers without having to use a computer that acts as a "gateway". The router for your home allows you to share an internet connection with multiple computers without having to use a computer that acts as a "gateway". Gateway - computer that acts as a "host" computer Gateway - computer that acts as a "host" computer

Yeah, but what does a router do? It sits between your modem and your computer or your network. It is difficult to hack your computer or your network when it is hidden behind a hardware box. It sits between your modem and your computer or your network. It is difficult to hack your computer or your network when it is hidden behind a hardware box. Modem - A device that adapts a terminal or computer to a voice-grade telephone line. Modem - A device that adapts a terminal or computer to a voice-grade telephone line. Hack is usually a technique used to subvert, misuse or subtly change a program, gadget or mechanism in such a way as to change, or add to, its functionality. Hack is usually a technique used to subvert, misuse or subtly change a program, gadget or mechanism in such a way as to change, or add to, its functionality.

Why do I want a router? A router is the controller of your network. (POLICEMAN) It has multiple functions, all of which together allow your network to operate. A router is the controller of your network. (POLICEMAN) It has multiple functions, all of which together allow your network to operate. The router has a FIREWALL - keeping hackers from attempting to connect to your computer from the outside. The router has a FIREWALL - keeping hackers from attempting to connect to your computer from the outside. Firewall - A firewall is a system that secures a network, shielding it from access by unauthorized users. Firewall - A firewall is a system that secures a network, shielding it from access by unauthorized users.

Firewall? There are two basic types of firewalls. There are two basic types of firewalls. Software – You load the program onto your computer Software – You load the program onto your computer Hardware – This type comes pre-loaded in a box (like a router). Hardware – This type comes pre-loaded in a box (like a router).

How does a firewall work? A firewall may allow all traffic through unless it meets certain criteria, or it may deny all traffic unless it meets certain criteria. A firewall may allow all traffic through unless it meets certain criteria, or it may deny all traffic unless it meets certain criteria. A firewall will not stop virus, Trojans or other parasites. A firewall will not stop virus, Trojans or other parasites.

What type of routers are there? Wired – Must use a cat 5 cable. Can normally connect up to 4 computers. (More if you use a switch) Wired – Must use a cat 5 cable. Can normally connect up to 4 computers. (More if you use a switch) –Starting at approx. $40 Wireless – Just like wired only it also has an antenna for transmitting radio waves to a wireless receiver. Can connect 4 wired and endless wireless. Wireless – Just like wired only it also has an antenna for transmitting radio waves to a wireless receiver. Can connect 4 wired and endless wireless. –Starting at approx. $100

Give me some brand names. Linksys – Linksys – D-link – D-link – Belkin – Belkin – Airlink 101 – Airlink 101 – Netgear – Netgear – There are other companies which make routers. These are the major players. There are other companies which make routers. These are the major players.

How do I set up my router? Normally, you just plug the router into the modem and the computers into the router. The default settings are usually good enough. Normally, you just plug the router into the modem and the computers into the router. The default settings are usually good enough. You will have to power cycle both the modem and router. You will have to power cycle both the modem and router.

What does a home network look like?

What should I manually setup? Change the password Change the password Turn on wireless Turn on wireless Give your wireless a unique name (SSID) Give your wireless a unique name (SSID) Turn on wireless security (WEP or WPA) Turn on wireless security (WEP or WPA) –Enter a pass phase to generate keys Select a channel (channel 6 is the default) Select a channel (channel 6 is the default)

What else? This site has some great information. This site has some great information. _Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayo ut&cid= &pagename=Linksy s%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid= L01 _Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayo ut&cid= &pagename=Linksy s%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid= L01 _Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayo ut&cid= &pagename=Linksy s%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid= L01 _Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayo ut&cid= &pagename=Linksy s%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid= L01

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