A wireless network can be configured in two modes: Ad Hoc and Infrastructure. The difference is the way the nodes communicate.

In Ad Hoc mode, computers talk directly with each other through a process called peer-to-peer communication. This eliminates the need for a base station. But because there's no central device directing the flow of information, Ad Hoc mode supports only basic file sharing between computers.

An Ad Hoc wireless network is very simple to setup. All you have to do is install a wireless adapter in each computer you want to link, set the adapters to Ad Hoc mode, and configure the software on each computer to allow file sharing.

In Infrastructure mode, wireless devices communicate via a central access point, similar to the hub in a wired network. If you want to be able to share Internet access or a printer on your wireless network, Infrastructure mode is the way to go.

For example, say you have two computers that you want to network, one of which has a printer attached. Plus you have a broadband Internet connection you want to be able to use at both computers simultaneously. Here's how you might set things up:

A home network can be an excellent tool for a busy household with multiple computers, or just someone who wants the convenience of accessing the Internet from any computer in their home.

A home network is a type of local area network (LAN), a group of computers and other devices in close proximity to each other that are connected, so they can share information and resources. Home networks often link desktop computers, laptops, printers, DSL or cable modems, video game systems, and digital video recorders. A home network is all about sharing. It can allow you to exchange files without floppy disks, print from any computer to a single printer, play multi-user video games, and share one broadband Internet connection.

A typical LAN is made up of three parts: nodes, a connecting medium, and specialized networking equipment. Any device connected to the network, like a computer or printer, is called a node. A LAN can have as few as two nodes or as many as thousands of nodes. Nodes can be connected either with cables or wirelessly. Specialized networking equipment, like routers and network interface cards, helps link the nodes together and facilitate the exchange of information between them.

Instructions for rebooting your Phone Adapter:

1. Unplug only the power cable from the back of your Cable/DSL modem.

2. If you have a router, unplug its power cable.

3. Unplug the black power cable from the back of the VoiZIP Phone Adapter.

4. Wait at least 2 minutes or follow the Cable/DSL modems manufacturer's instructions.

5. Plug your Cable/DSL modems power cable back into your device and wait for it to start up completely before continuing.

6. If you have a router, plug the power cable back in and wait for it to start up completely before continuing.

7. Plug in the power cable for the VoiZIP Phone Adapter.

8. Wait at least 3 minutes.

9. Reboot your computer and check to make sure that you have an Internet connection.

10. Pick up the telephone receiver and listen for a dial tone

These are the ports that VoiZIP requires to be OPEN for successful use of the VoiZIP device (the ability to make and receive calls, download device profiles, firmware, etc). Under most circumstances these ports are already opened or allowed. You must be careful to not inadvertently close them.

The following ports are needed for OUTGOING Internet communications from the VoiZIP device to the VoiZIP servers.

DNS: Port 53 UDP (Domain Name Server - for resolving server IP addresses)

TFTP: Port 69 UDP (for profile upgrades/downgrades)

HTTP: Port 80 UDP (for firmware upgrades/downgrades)

NTP: Port 123 UDP (Network Time Protocol - so the device can sync to the proper time for Caller ID)

SIP: Port 5060 & 5061 UDP is used for older VoiZIP devices (devices provisioned before 2005).

The following ports are needed for INCOMING and OUTGOING Internet communications from and to VoiZIP devices and servers.

RTP (Voice) Traffic: Ports 16000 to 33000 UDP. When a call is made, a random port between 16000 to 33000 is used for RTP (Voice) traffic. If any of these ports are blocked, you may experience one way or no audio

Ethernet Home Networking

Ethernet is the most common type of network, mainly because it's fast and relatively inexpensive. A wired network, it relies on cables to connect all of the nodes.

Ethernet commonly operates at two speeds, measured in megabits per second (Mbps):

Gigabit Ethernet is a new, faster Ethernet technology, but not as widely used as Standard and Fast Ethernet. At 1000 Mbps, it's lightning fast, but also more expensive.

Ethernet Equipment

Each computer in an Ethernet network needs a network interface card (NIC) so it can talk to the other devices on the network. Network interface cards are also sometimes called Ethernet cards, network cards, or network adapters. The good news is that most newer computers already have an Ethernet card installed. If not, you need to purchase an Ethernet card for every computer you want to add to the network.

Ethernet cables are used to connect all of the nodes on an Ethernet network. The most common type of cable is called Cat 5 (short for category 5), an unshielded twisted-pair cable. Cat 5 looks like ordinary telephone wire, but with 8 wires inside instead of 4 and a larger wall plug-in called an RJ-45 connector.

All of the devices on an Ethernet network need a common place where they connect. There are three kinds of equipment that do the job:

Hub
A hub is like the hub of a wheel, a central box that all of the devices on the network plug into. A hub allows any two devices on the network to communicate with each other.

Switch
A switch is like a hub, except it not only connects devices, but directs the flow of information between them as well. A switch allows for faster communication when many people are using the network at the same time.

Router
A router is a type of switch that also connects to your DSL/cable modem, allowing many people to access the Internet on different computers at the same time. It acts as a sort of gateway between the Internet and all of the computers on your home network.

There are two main things to consider when you're deciding whether to go with a hub, switch, or router: (1) how many devices you want to network, and (2) if you want to share a single Internet connection. If you want multiple computers to share one broadband Internet connection, then a router is the best choice. Otherwise a hub or switch will work just fine. As a rough rule of thumb, use a switch if you are connecting more than four computers. Less than four, and a hub is okay.

No matter what you choose, pay attention to the number of ports it has, because the number of ports tells you how many devices you can connect to it. For example, a four-port hub can connect four devices.

Ethernet Pros & Cons

Because all of the nodes are connected via cables, Ethernet is the fastest and most stable of the home networking options. But cables can also be a limitation. If your home is not pre-wired for Ethernet and your computers are far apart, running cables between rooms can be unsightly and installing wiring and jacks can get expensive

• Disconnect the power from all devices on your network. This includes your Cable/DSL modem, router, and computers.
• Connect an Ethernet cable from the Cable/DSL modem's Ethernet port to the WAN port on the router.
• Connect an Ethernet cable from any LAN port on the router to each of the WAN ports on the Phone Adapters.
• Connect a telephone to the LINE 1 port of each Phone Adapter using a standard phone line. If you have activated LINE 2 for phone or fax service, you may also connect a telephone or fax machine at this time.
• Connect the appropriate Power cable to the Cable/DSL modem.
• Wait about two minutes for the Cable/DSL modem to boot up before continuing.
• Connect the appropriate Power cable to the router.
• Wait about two minutes for the router to boot up before continuing.
• Connect a Power cable provided with the Phone Adapter to the POWER port of a Phone Adapter.
• Wait at least five minutes for the Phone Adapter to boot up. The Phone Adapter's Blue power light will blink in sequence until it has fully connected to the VoiZIP network. There may be updates that need to be downloaded such as new firmware or changes to your features. Do not interrupt the configuration process by unplugging the power or lifting the receiver on your phone during the startup process. Interruption of the startup may result in interruption of service.
• Once the Phone Adapter's blue power light is solid blue, the Phone Adapter is ready to use.
• Pick up your telephone receiver and listen for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone, you have finished the installation and can begin making calls.
• Repeat steps 9 through 12 for each phone adapter you will be connecting.
• Connect an Ethernet cable from the LAN ports on the router to each of your computers. If you do not have any available LAN ports on the router, you can connect your PC's to the PC Port on each Phone Adapter. Power up each computer. Your Internet connection should work as it did before you installed the Phone Adapter.
  
  NOTE: Local file sharing is not supported with this set up. To enable this option, you will need an additional switch/hub to connect to the router for your computers.

• Disconnect the power from all devices on your network. This includes your Cable/DSL modem, router, and computers.
• Disconnect any USB cables from the Cable/DSL modem if present.
• Connect an Ethernet cable from the Cable/DSL modem's Ethernet port to the WAN port on the router.
• Connect an Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the router to the Ethernet port on the ATA Phone Adapter.
• Connect a telephone to the PHONE 1 port of the ATA Phone Adapter using a standard phone line.
• Connect the appropriate Power cable to the Cable/DSL modem.
• Wait about two minutes for the Cable/DSL modem to boot up before continuing.
• Connect the appropriate Power cable to the router.
• Wait about two minutes for the router to boot up before continuing.
• Connect the Power cable provided with the ATA Phone Adapter to the POWER port on the ATA Phone Adapter.
• Wait at least five minutes for the Phone Adaptor to boot up. The ATA Phone Adapter's blue status light will blink in sequence until it has fully connected to the VoiZIP network. There may be updates that need to be downloaded such as new firmware or changes to your features. Do not interrupt the configuration process by unplugging the power or lifting the receiver on your phone during the startup process. Interruption of the startup may result in interruption of service.
• Once the ATA Phone Adapter's blue status light is solid, the ATA Phone Adapter is ready to use.
• Pick up your telephone receiver and listen for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone, you have finished the installation and can begin making calls. If you do not get a dial tone, please refer to the Advanced Installation and Troubleshooting section of the Installation Guide.
• Connect an Ethernet cable from the LAN ports on the router to each of your computers. Power up each computer. Your Internet connection should work as it did before you installed the Phone Adaptor