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552.

Automatic connections with DHCP

553.

This window displays your \acronym{IP} address and other connection information.

554.

If your network supports \acronym{DHCP}, then you may already be set up for online access. To check this, click on the NetworkManager icon. There should be an ``Ethernet Network'' heading in the menu. If either ``Wired connection~1'' or ``Auto Ethernet'' appears directly underneath, then your machine is currently connected and probably setup for \acronym{DHCP}. If ``Disconnected'' appears in gray underneath the wired network section, look below to see if an option labeled ``Wired connection 1'' appears in the list. If so, click on it to attempt to establish a wired connection.

555.

\marginnote{An \acronym{IP} (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number assigned to your machine so that your router can identify you on the network. Think of it like a phone number for your computer. Having this unique address allows the router to speak to your computer, and therefore send/receive data.}

556.

If you are still not online after following these steps, you may need to try setting up your network connection manually using a static \acronym{IP} address. To check if you are online, look for the NetworkManager icon in the top panel. If the icon shows \includegraphics[width=2em]{graphics/network-disconnected}, then your computer was not successfully assigned connection information through \acronym{DHCP}. If the icon shows either \includegraphics[width=2em]{graphics/network-wired} or \includegraphics[width=2em]{graphics/network-wireless}, then it is likely that your \acronym{DHCP} connection to the router was successful. To test your Internet connection, you may want to open the Firefox web browser to try loading a web page. More information on using Firefox can be found later in this chapter.

557.

Manual configuration with static address

558.

If your network does not support \acronym{DHCP}, then you need to know a few items of information before you can get online. If you do not know any of this information, then you call your \acronym{ISP}.

559.

An \define{\acronym{IP} address} \dash This is a unique address used for identifying your computer on the network. An \acronym{IP} address is always given in four numbered groups, separated by dots, for example, 192.168.100.10. When connecting using \acronym{DHCP}, this address will periodically change (hence, the name ``dynamic''). However, if you have configured a static \acronym{IP} address, your \acronym{IP} address will never change.

560.

A \define{network mask} \dash This tells your computer the size of the network to which it is being connected. It is formatted the same way as the \acronym{IP} address, but usually looks something like 255.255.255.0.

561.

A \define{gateway} \dash This is the \acronym{IP} address of the device that your machine looks to for access to the Internet. Usually, this will be the router's \acronym{IP} address.