Linksys BEFW11S4 - Manual (Page 5)

Chapter 1: Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a Wireless-B Broadband Router. The
Wireless-B Broadband Router provides the ideal solution for connecting your
wireless network to a high-speed broadband Internet connection and a 10/100
Fast Ethernet backbone. Configurable as a DHCP server for your existing net-
work, the Wireless-B Broadband Router acts as the only externally recognized
Internet gateway on your local area network (LAN) and serves as an Internet
NAT firewall against unwanted outside intruders. The Wireless-B Broadband
Router can also be configured to filter internal users’ access to the Internet.
A typical router relies on a hub or a switch to share its Internet connection, but
the Wireless-B Broadband Router channels this connection through the blaz-
ing, full duplex speed of its built-in EtherFast
® 10/100 4-Port Switch. This cut-
ting-edge combination of wireless router and switch technology eliminates the
need to buy an additional hub or switch and extends the range of your wireless
network. Now your entire wireless network can enjoy blazing broadband
Internet connections supported by its robust switched backbone. With the dual-
function speed and power of the Wireless-B Broadband Router, your network
will take off at speeds faster than you ever imagined possible.
• Supports Universal Plug-and-Play for easy configuration
• Capable of up to 128-bit WEP Encryption
• Supports enhanced security using NAT firewall
• Supports IPSec and PPTP Pass-Through
• Administer and upgrade the Router remotely over the Internet
• Configurable as a DHCP Server on your network
• Advanced security management functions for Port Filtering, MAC Address
Filtering, and DMZ Hosting
• Includes one Ethernet Cable to Connect to a Cable or DSL modem
Features
1
The Linksys Wireless-B Broadband Router
2
• One Windows 98 SE, Millennium, 2000, or XP PC equipped with:
• TCP/IP Protocol,
• Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape Navigator 6 for web-based
configuration,
• a CD-ROM Drive, and
• an Ethernet Adapter with a UTP CAT 5 Network Cable
• Cable or DSL Modem with Ethernet Connection and Internet Access
Simply put, a router is a network device that connects two networks together.
In this instance, the Router connects your Local Area Network (LAN), or the
group of PCs in your home or office, to the Internet. The Router processes and
regulates the data that travels between these two networks.
Think of the Router as a network device with two sides. The first side is made
up of your private Local Area Network (LAN) of PCs. The other, public side
is the Internet.
The Router’s firewall (NAT) protects your network of PCs so users on the pub-
lic, Internet side cannot “see” your PCs. This is how your LAN, or network,
remains private. The Router protects your network by inspecting the first pack-
et coming in from the Internet port before delivery to the final destination on
the LAN port. The Router inspects Internet port services like the web server,
ftp server, or other Internet applications, and, if allowed, it will forward the
packet to the appropriate PC on the LAN side.
Minimum Requirements
An Introduction to Routers and Networks