User Manual Part 5

205
Selecting a network connection
www.gateway.com
Broadband Internet connections
You can use your computer’s Ethernet or USB jack for more than just
networking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems
and DSL modems, connect to your computer’s Ethernet or USB jack. Typically,
if one computer is connected to the Internet, other networked computers also
access the Internet through the shared Internet connection. A broadband,
versus dial-up, connection adds speed and an “always on” connection to your
home network.
Wireless Connections
Instead of connecting your computers with wires, you can consider two types
of wireless networks.
Wireless Ethernet
A wireless Ethernet network (also known as IEEE 802.11b or WiFi) exceeds
the speed of either HPNA 2.0 or standard Ethernet. In addition, this type of
network allows you the freedom to move about your home or office with your
computer. For example, you can take your notebook computer from your
home office to your patio without having a telephone or Ethernet jack
available. Although you save on the cost of wiring, the higher cost of wireless
Ethernet equipment may result in a wireless network costing more than a
wired one.
Important Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere
with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation
regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while
traveling in an airplane. Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b (also
known as wireless Ethernet or WiFi) communication
devices are examples of devices that provide wireless
communication.
Important If your system came equipped with an internal radio
frequency wireless device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and
Legal Information” on page 281 for general wireless
regulatory and safety guidelines. To find out if your system
has an internal wireless device, check the label (see
“Identifying your model” on page 23).
Solo9550.book Page 205 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM