5

Chapter 2: Planning Your Network

IP Addresses

Wireless-G Cable Gateway

Since you use the Gateway to share your cable Internet connection, contact your ISP to find out if they have

assigned a static IP address to your account. If so, you will need that static IP address when configuring the

Gateway. You can get that information from your ISP.

Dynamic IP Addresses

A dynamic IP address is automatically assigned to a device on the network, such as computers and print servers.

These IP addresses are called “dynamic” because they are only temporarily assigned to the computer or device.

After a certain time period, they expire and may change. If a computer logs onto the network (or the Internet) and

its dynamic IP address has expired, the DHCP server will automatically assign it a new dynamic IP address.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Servers

Computers and other network devices using dynamic IP addressing are assigned a new IP address by a DHCP

server. The computer or network device obtaining an IP address is called the DHCP client. DHCP frees you from

having to assign IP addresses manually every time a new user is added to your network.

A DHCP server can either be a designated computer on the network or another network device, such as the

Gateway. By default, the Gateway’s DHCP Server function is enabled.

If you already have a DHCP server running on your network, you must disable one of the two DHCP servers. If you

run more than one DHCP server on your network, you will experience network errors, such as conflicting IP

addresses. To disable DHCP on the Gateway, see the DHCP section in “Chapter 5: Configuring the Gateway.”

dynamic ip address

: a temporary IP

address assigned by a DHCP server.

dhcp

(dynamic host configuration

protocol): a protocol that lets one

device on a local network, known as a

DHCP server, assign temporary IP

addresses to the other network

devices, typically computers.

6

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Cable Gateway

The Back Panel

Wireless-G Cable Gateway

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Cable Gateway

The Back Panel

The Gateway’s buttons and ports, where network cables are connected, are located on the back panel.

On/Off Switch

This switch is used for turning the Gateway on and off.

Power

The Power port is where you will connect the power adapter.

Reset

Press this button and hold it in for five seconds to restore the Gateway to its factory default

settings.

Ports 1-4

These four ports are used to connect network devices, such as PCs, print servers, and remote

hard drives to your local area network (LAN).

USB

This is where you can use a USB cable to connect the Gateway.

Cable

The Cable port is where you will connect your coaxial Cable line.

IMPORTANT:

Resetting the Gateway to factory

defaults will erase all of your settings (Internet

connection, wireless, security, and other

settings) and replace them with the factory

defaults. Do not reset the Gateway if you want

to retain these settings.

Figure 3-1: Back Panel

7

Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Wireless-G Cable Gateway

The Front Panel

Wireless-G Cable Gateway

The Front Panel

The Gateway's LEDs, which displays information about network activity, are located on the front panel.

Power

Green or red.

The green Power LED is solidly lit when the Gateway is powered on. If the

LED lights up red, there is an error.

Internet, DS

Green. The DS (Downstream) LED lights up and flashes when the Gateway is trying to lock

on a downstream signal. The LED stays solidly lit when it has locked on the signal.

Internet, US

Green. The US (Upstream) LED lights up and flashes when the Gateway is trying to lock on

an upstream signal. The LED stays solidly lit when it has locked on the signal.

Internet, Online

Green. The Online LED flashes when the Gateway is establishing a connection to your cable

ISP. It is solidly lit when the Gateway is synchronized with your cable ISP.

Ethernet-1-4

Green or red.

Ethernet 1-4 LED serves multiple purposes.

If the LED is solid green, the

Gateway is successfully connected to a device through the corresponding port (1, 2, 3, or

4).

If the LED is flashing green, the Gateway is actively sending or receiving data over that

port. If the LED lights up red, there is a collision.

USB

Green or red.

The LED is solid green when a PC is connected to the Gateway via USB, and

drivers are installed. If the LED flashes red, the cable is connected, but the driver isn’t

loaded.

Wireless

Green or red. The LED flashes green during wireless activity. If the LED flashes red, there is

an error.

Figure 3-2: Front Panel

NOTE:

If the US and DS LEDs are flashing, the

Gateway is still operating, but your Internet

service has been disabled by your Internet

Service Provider (ISP).

NOTE:

If the US, DS, and Online LEDs are flashing,

the Gateway is performing a self-test.

8

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Cable Gateway

Overview

Wireless-G Cable Gateway

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Cable Gateway

Overview

To set up the Gateway, you will have to connect the Gateway to your Cable line, computers, and other network

devices, as well as configure the Gateway with setting(s) provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The installation technician from your ISP should have left the setup information for the Gateway with you after

installing your broadband connection. If not, you can call your ISP to request that data.

After you have the setup information you need for your specific type of Internet connection, you can begin

installation and setup of the Gateway.

If you want to use a computer with an Ethernet adapter to configure the Gateway, continue to “Wired Ethernet

Connection to a Computer.” If you want to use a computer with a wireless adapter to configure the Gateway,

continue to “Wireless Connection to a Computer.” If you want to use a USB connection to configure the Gateway,

continue to “Wired USB Connection to a Computer.”

Wired Ethernet Connection to a Computer

1.

Before you begin, make sure that all of your network’s hardware is powered off, including the Gateway and all

computers.

2.

Connect the coaxial cable from your ISP or cable company to the Cable port on the back panel of the Gateway.

(The other end of the coaxial cable should be connected according to the cable company’s instructions.)

Figure 4-1: Cable Connection

9

Chapter 4: Connecting the Wireless-G Cable Gateway

Wired Ethernet Connection to a Computer

Wireless-G Cable Gateway

3.

Connect one end of an Ethernet network cable to one of the Ethernet ports (labeled 1-4) on the back of the

Gateway, and the other end to an Ethernet port on a computer. Repeat this step to connect more computers, a

switch, or other network devices to the Gateway.

4.

Connect the power adapter to the Gateway’s Power port, and then plug the power adapter into a power outlet.

5.

Turn the On/Off switch to

On

.

6.

Contact your Cable ISP to activate your account.

Your Cable ISP will need what is called a MAC Address for

the cable modem capability of the Gateway in order to set up your account. The 12-digit modem MAC address

is printed on a bar code label on the bottom of the Gateway.

Once you have given them this number, your

Cable ISP should be able to activate your account.

The Online LED flashes when the Gateway is establishing a connection to your cable ISP. When the Cable is

synchronized with your cable ISP, the LED will be solidly lit.

7.

Then, turn on the PC that you want to use to configure the Gateway.

The Gateway’s hardware installation is now complete. Go to “Chapter 5: Configuring the Gateway.”

Figure 4-2: Ethernet Connection

Figure 4-3: Power Connection

IMPORTANT:

Make sure to contact your Cable ISP with the Gateway’s MAC address after the

Gateway is powered on, so they can activate your account or you will not have Internet access.

NOTE:

If your PC’s Ethernet adapter is not set up, please refer to your Ethernet adapter’s

documentation for more information.

NOTE:

You should always plug the Gateway’s power

adapter into a power strip with surge protection.