3Com OFFICE CONNECT CABLE/DSL SECURE GATEWAY 3CR856-95 User Manual

Contents

9INTRODUCING THE OFFICE CONNECT CABLE /DSL SECURE G ATEWAYWelcome to the world of networking with 3Com® . In themodern business environment, communication and sharinginformation is crucial. Computer networks have proved to be oneof the fastest modes of communication but, until recently, onlylarge businesses could afford the networking advantage. TheOfficeConnect® product range from 3Com has changed all this,bringing networks to the small office.The products that compose the OfficeConnect line give you, thesmall office user, the same power, flexibility, and protection thathas been available only to large corporations. Now, you cannetwork the computers in your office, connect them all to asingle Internet outlet, and harness the combined power of all ofyour computers.OfficeConnect Cable/DSL Secure GatewayThe OfficeConnect Cable/DSL Secure Gateway is designed toprovide a cost-effective means of sharing a single broadbandInternet connection amongst several computers.The Gateway also increases your network security by acting as afirewall — preventing unauthorised external access to yournetwork — and by creating Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) —encrypted links to other private networks.The example in Figure 1 shows a network connected to theInternet without a Gateway. One computer is connected to theInternet using a Cable or DSL modem. This computer mustalways be powered on for the other computers on the networkto access the Internet.Figure 1 Example Network Without a Cable/DSL Secure GatewayWhen you use the Cable/DSL Secure Gateway in your network(Figure 2), it becomes your connection to the Internet.Connections can be made directly to the Gateway, or through anOfficeConnect Hub or Switch, expanding the number ofcomputers you can have in your network.InternetCable/DSLModemOfficeConnectSwitchdua08 569-5aaa02.bo o k Pag e 9 Thursday , No vem ber 7 , 2002 3:09 PM