User Manual

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4 B ASIC IP N ETWORKING
IP = Internet Protocol
IP stands for Internet Protocol. In an IP network, every device has a unique IP Address (For example: 192.168.10.35)
to identify itself. There are two ways of assigning an IP address to a PC or Router: Static and Automatic (DHCP).
Static IP addresses are keyed-in manually, while Dynamic IP’s are distributed by a DHCP Server.
Ports
Every packet of traffic is identified by its Source and Destination Addresses, which would ensure that the packet
arrives at the correct destination. A Port Number is also embedded in each packet; to identify which software
application that generated and uses that packet. Therefore, if it blocks a certain port number, it denies the particular
software from using the connection.
Static IP Address
Static IP addressing ensures that the device will always have the same IP address. Static addressing is commonly used
for your servers.
Dynamic IP Address
A dynamic IP address is one that is automatically assigned to a PC. These IP addresses are “dynamic” because they are
only temporarily leased to the PC when it connects to the network. This is the most convenient and common way of
managing IP addresses in a network. The Server that manages this pool of IP addresses is called the DHCP Server. The
product has a DHCP Server built-in to simplify the network management.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
The PC obtaining an IP address from the Server is called the DHCP Client. If there is already a DHCP Server running
on your network, you must disable one of the two DHCP servers. Running more than one DHCP server together will
cause network problems!
Wireless LAN Basics
A Wireless LAN (WLAN) is a computer network that transmits and receives data with radio signals instead of using
cables. WLAN has become common in homes, offices, airports and public Hotspots. WLAN can support the same
applications and software that run on a wired network (LAN). Besides supporting the same software and functions,
WLAN brings greater convenience and eliminates the need to lay Ethernet cables in a home or office.
The AP can even support 108Mbps wireless data rate at Turbo mode. This is only applicable for user using
recommended Turbo-capable Cardbus (with Atheros chipset).
WLAN networking involves a few additional parameters to be configured: