eMachines 500 User Guide

11

When you are ready to set up your home network, you must first consider which 

computers or other devices you want to include. Because most home networks 

look like the example shown on the previous page (with a notebook computer, 
a desktop computer, a broadband Internet connection, and a printer), the 

instructions in the rest of this booklet will be based on this common setup.

To set up your wireless home network, you need to obtain the following items:

❂

one access point

❂

one Ethernet cable

If you need to purchase an access point, eMachines recommends buying one 
designed for the 802.11g standard. This lets you communicate at the fastest 

speeds possible and prepares you for the future.

When buying your access point, be sure the model includes everything your 
network needs, including:

❂

802.11g support - for next-generation, high-speed wireless communications

❂

Internet security features - such as a firewall to protect your network from 
unwanted intruders

❂

wireless security features - such as 128-bit WEP encryption

❂

4-port switch - to eliminate the need for additional network hardware

❂

DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically configure 

network and IP addresses 

If you use an 802.11b access point, you will not communicate 

at 802.11g speeds.

setting up your home network

720_wireless_booklet.book  Page 11  Wednesday, September 3, 2003  4:45 PM