Netgear RT338 RT338 Reference Manual - Page 28

Reference Guide for the Model RT338 ISDN Router Management Support The router is designed to be installed and made operational within minutes after connection to the network. If you use a PC computer, you can use the FirstGear software to easily configure the unit from the Windows environment. For more information about the FirstGear software, see Chapter 5, "Using FirstGear to Configure Internet Access." If you use a Macintosh, UNIX, or PC computer, you can connect to the built-in Manager interface, which can be accessed through a terminal connected to the MANAGER port or through a Telnet session across the network. The internal Manager interface manages and configures the unit through an easily understood screen process. For more information about using the Manager interface, see Chapter 6, "Using the Manager Interface to Configure Internet Access." Basic Router Concepts In general, the cost of providing network bandwidth is proportional to the data speed and the distance over which the network extends. Large amounts of bandwidth are provided easily and relatively inexpensively in a local area network, such as an office, department, or home. However, providing high data speeds between two local networks that are physically distant may be costly. To avoid this expense, high-speed local area networks (LANs) are usually interconnected by slower-speed links to form a wide area network (WAN). In order to make the best use of the slower WAN links, a mechanism must be in place for selecting and transmitting only the data meant for another location. The router performs the function of selecting and forwarding this data. What is a Router? A router is a device that forwards traffic between networks. A router uses network layer information in the data and on routing tables it maintains. In these routing tables, a router builds up a logical picture of the overall network by gathering and exchanging information with other routers in the network. Using this information, the router chooses the best path for forwarding network traffic. Routers vary in performance and scale, number of routing protocols supported, and types of physical WAN connections supported. The Model RT338 router is a small office router that routes the IP protocol over a dial-up ISDN connection. 1-6 Introduction