Necessity of Internet Gateway

[Nick]

I use a Linksys Wireless Access Point Router. In setting
up my network at home, I went through the 'Connect to
home or office network wizard', and an "Internet Gateway"
connection was added to my Network Connections, in
addition to the normal Wireless Device. It's my
understanding that it was not necessary to use the wizard
because once my wireless card connected to the Linksys,
and was assigned an IP address, that was all that was
needed. Yes, the Linksys is set up with DHCP Enabled.
Is it true that I do not need that Internet Gateway
connection? When I take my laptop to my work location
and connect on the wireless (or direct cable) connection
there, the Internet Gateway does not come up, and is not
needed. The wireless card connects, and I get an IP and
everything works. Is there a way to remove the Internet
Gateway connection since it does not appear to be
needed? It could be argued that since it works now with
the 'Internet Gateway', to just leave it alone. But
isn't the Gateway used when other computers need to
connect thru that computer - possibly slowing down the
connection? Thanks, in advance, for any assistance.

[Steve Winograd]

In article >, "Nick"
> wrote:
>I use a Linksys Wireless Access Point Router. In setting
>up my network at home, I went through the 'Connect to
>home or office network wizard', and an "Internet Gateway"
>connection was added to my Network Connections, in
>addition to the normal Wireless Device. It's my
>understanding that it was not necessary to use the wizard
>because once my wireless card connected to the Linksys,
>and was assigned an IP address, that was all that was
>needed. Yes, the Linksys is set up with DHCP Enabled.
>Is it true that I do not need that Internet Gateway
>connection? When I take my laptop to my work location
>and connect on the wireless (or direct cable) connection
>there, the Internet Gateway does not come up, and is not
>needed. The wireless card connects, and I get an IP and
>everything works. Is there a way to remove the Internet
>Gateway connection since it does not appear to be
>needed? It could be argued that since it works now with
>the 'Internet Gateway', to just leave it alone. But
>isn't the Gateway used when other computers need to
>connect thru that computer - possibly slowing down the
>connection? Thanks, in advance, for any assistance.

The Internet Gateway is your Linksys router. Clicking the icon lets
you monitor and control the router's operation. It isn't needed, and
it doesn't hurt anything. If you don't want it, connect to the
router's built-in web interface and disable it. It might be called
"Internet Gateway", "Universal Plug and Play", "UPnP", or some other
name.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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