Obviously, networking is a complicated topic. In this answer, I have
listed the steps you will need to complete. In case you need
additional information, I have included a link to a very detailed
guide written by the users of the DSL Reports Forum that explains how
to create a DirecWay home network. The guide has a very nice diagram
that you may want to refer to before beginning your project.
Before you proeceed with creating your home network, the following
must be completed:
1. DirecWay currently connected and working on one of your computers.
We call this the "host" computer.
2. DirecWay satellite modem is connected to host computer with a USB
cable.
3. Host computer has a network card installed with an available
ethernet port.
It is likely that the above items are already complete. It is
possible that your host computer came with a network card already
installed. If not, you will need to complete the tasks above before
proceeding.
You are now ready to create your network.
CONNECTING THE HARDWARE
The next step will depend upon your goals. You need to decide if you
want to use the 4-port switch.
If your goal is to connect only your laptop wirelessly to your host
computer, you may be able to get by without the switch. Simply use an
ethernet crossover cable to connect your Belkin Wireless Access Point
to your host computer. For this type of connection, it must be a
crossover cable.
If you want to make wired connections to additional computers or
devices other than your wireless laptop, or if you simply prefer using
a switch, then do the following:
1. Using an ethernet cable, connect your host computer's network card
to your Belkin 4-port switch.
2. Using an ethernet cable, connect the Belkin Wireless Access Point
to your Belkin 4-port switch.
3. If you have other computers or devices you want to connect to your
4-port switch, you can connect them now.
PROXY SOFTWARE TO SHARE YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION
Now that the hardware is connected, you can configure the proxy
software to allow your host computer to share its Internet connection.
You can choose from a number of proxy software packages with various
features, including a free option from Microsoft called Internet
Connection Sharing (ICS).
If all of the computers you are networking run the Windows operating
system (Windows 98 or newer), you can use Microsoft's Internet
Connection Sharing at no additional charge. If you have a network of
devices using a mix of operating systems, you may prefer to use
OrbitNet for DirecWay or PPPShar. The networking guide below has
configuration instructions for Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing
(ICS). I have provided links to OrbitNet and PPPShar, as well, though
Microsoft's ICS may be all you need.
Those are the basic steps. If you are familiar with networking, this
summary is probably detailed enough. However, if this is a new topic
for you, I believe you will find the details in the Satellite
Networking Guide helpful.
DSL Reports Satellite Forum: Satellite Networking Guide
by Watchman57, Amersat, and seagreen
(This page has a very useful diagram that may help you picture your
project.)
http://www.apet.net/satnetwork/intro.htm
Note that this guide is available as a PDF document for easier
printing:
http://www.apet.net/satnetwork/pdf/networking.pdf
Additional links you may find interesting or useful:
DSL Reports Satellite Networking Forum: "Advice needed for Direcway
Home Network"
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,5178522;reverse=0;root=remark,5178522;mode=flat
DirecWay Internet Connection Sharing Setup Guide
http://www.getdway.com/faq_ics_2.html
OrbitNet
http://www.orbitsat.com/OrbitNet/Index.asp
PPPShar and PPPShar settings for use with DirecWay
http://pppindia.com/intl/pppshar/weblog/internetsharing.php?page=full&id=21
Search Strategy: Find tutorials about sharing a DirecWay Internet
connection.
Search Terms: direcway home network
://www.google.com/search?q=direcway+home+network
I hope you have found this information useful and easy to understand.
If you have questions about the information provided, please do not
hesitate to post a clarification request prior to rating the answer. |
Clarification of Answer by
snapanswer-ga
on
27 Jul 2003 21:01 PDT
I draw your attention to this link that I provided above, which
includes working with Windows XP ICS.
DirecWay Internet Connection Sharing Setup Guide
http://www.getdway.com/faq_ics_2.html
Is there another part of the configuration that seems like it applies
to Windows 98 only, and not Windows XP? I reviewed the material, and
I have not found it.
Based on what you are writing, I assume that you have one computer
that has a working connection to the Internet over DirecWay. You have
connected that computer's network card to your Belkin 4-port switch
using an ethernet cable. You have tried plugging it into one of the
four ports, as well as the uplink port (if it has one) but, neither
works.
Is that correct? Does this describe your current status? It is
possible, though rare, that your switch might not be working.
Possible, but, I would rule out other possibilities first.
1. Try a different ethernet cable.
2. Try different ports on the switch.
3. Try restarting the switch, then restarting Windows XP.
If you still have trouble, please post the exact wording of the error
message.
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