computers access the internet using a protocol called tcp/ip (transmission control protocol/internet protocol). each computer on your network must have tcp/ip installed and selected as its networking protocol. if a network interface card (nic) is already installed in your pc, then tcp/ip is probably already installed as well.

    most operating systems include the software components you need for networking with tcp/ip:

    1 windows?95 or later includes the software components for establishing a tcp/ip network.

    2 windows 3.1 does not include a tcp/ip component. you need to purchase a third-party tcp/ip application package such as netmanage chameleon.

    3 macintosh operating system 7 or later includes the software components for establishing a tcp/ip network.

    4 ll versions of unix or linux include tcp/ip components. follow the instructions provided with your operating system or networking software to install tcp/ip on your computer.

    in your ip network, each pc and the firewall must be assigned a unique ip addresses. each pc must also have certain other ip configuration information such as a subnet mask (netmask), a domain name server (dns) address, and a default gateway address. in most cases, you should install tcp/ip so that the pc obtains its specific network configuration information automatically from a dhcp server during bootup. for a detailed explanation of the meaning and purpose of these configuration items, refer to appendix b, “network, routing, firewall, and wireless basics.”

    the fvm318 firewall is shipped configured as a dhcp server by default. the firewall assigns the following tcp/ip configuration information automatically when the pcs are rebooted:

    1 pc or workstation ip addresses—192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.254

    2 subnet mask—255.255.255.0

    3 gateway address (the firewall)—192.168.0.1

    these addresses are part of the ietf-designated private address range for use in private networks.