User's Manual  for
PLANET ISDN Router Product

IRT-401


Chapter 6. IRT-401 Configuration ¡V Internet Access

This chapter covers Internet Access set-up for the IRT-401 using NMS and Console methods for both Single User Accounts and Multiple User Accounts.

Topics covered:


  1. Requirements

Please make sure that you have completed the requirements listed here:

  1. Setting up the IRT-401 for Internet Access with NMS

Opening the NMS Program

  1. If not already open, locate the NMS program icon where you installed it. The default location is Start/Programs/IRT-401Nms. Click the IRT-401Nms icon to open the program. You will see the Login panel.
  2. If you have not yet configured the router with an IP address please refer to Chapter 5. If you have, the routers IP address will be displayed in the "Routers IP Address" field. Simply click 'Continue' to enter NMS.

To configure the router for basic Internet Access, information must be entered into the Quick Config menu and depending your user account the Internet/IP tab.

Note: The following information applies for both Single and Multiple User Accounts, variations will be indicated for each account.

The Quick Configure Panel

Figure 6-1. The Quick Configure Panel

Router/User Name: Enter the name assigned to your IRT-401. Any text characters are acceptable up to 32 characters. The router/user name is required by your ISP whenever you dial into your ISP as part of the authentication procedure. It is assigned to you by your ISP. Upper case or lower case characters are significant for this field.

Local IP Address: The IP address that you entered in the Login panel will appear here.

Local Mask: The local IP mask is used to describe the local IP sub-netting of your IRT-401. The IP mask is entered by clicking the IP address bit map. When you have entered all of this information press the UPDATE button. You will be asked if you wish to update the router. Click Yes.

Note: For more detailed information on subnet masks, please refer to Appendix A. IP address and netmask.

Dial-out Auth: The dial-out authentication field specifies which protocol you want to run as the PPP/MLPPP authentication protocol when you initiate an ISDN call to your ISP. Most ISPs support PAP and CHAP protocols.

Switch Type: The ISDN switch type specifies the switch type of the ISDN switch to which your ISDN line is connected. Please pull down the switch-type box, and select the right one for your ISDN line. The ISDN switch type has to be correctly selected in order for your ISDN router to synchronize with the telephone company¡¦s ISDN switch. Please check your local phone company for the exact switch type.

Encap Protocol: The encapsulation protocol specifies the protocol you want to run over the data channel. Select PPP if you want to run single channel PPP. Select MP if you want to run MultiLink PPP.

Stac Compression: The compression field specifies if the Stac compression protocol will be turned on for the Internet connection.

NAT Enable: This field enables or disables the NAT function. This configuration becomes effective immediately after setting. If you have no registered IP from the NIC (Network Information Center) or your local ISDN service provider, Please enable the NAT function.

Dial-out Password: The dial-out password specifies the password to use during the dial-out authentication process. This field is case sensitive, and is given to you by your ISP.

Dial Number: The remote ISDN number is the ISP's ISDN number you want to dial to gain access to the Internet. Your ISP will provide you a list of ISDN numbers for you to choose from. There should be only digits in this field, no space or other terminators are acceptable.

Update: When you have entered the information outlined above, click "Updateat the bottom right of the Quick Configure panel. You will be asked if you wish to restart the router. Click "Yes" , the IRT-401 will reset.

The Internet Panel

After the IRT-401 restarting is done resetting, click on the Internet tab. In the Internet panel, click the IP tab.

Figure 6-2. The Internet / IP Panel

IP Enable: On the very top of the Internet panel, check the IP Enable box, this must be enabled (checked) for Internet connection to work, disabling it disables Internet connection. Upon changing this option a reboot may incur.

The next 2 entries are User Account specific:

IP Addr of Remote Ethernet:

  1. If you have a SUA and a Static IP address:
  2. Enter the Single Static IP address assigned to "you" here. This is used in conjunction with NAT.

  3. If you have a SUA and Dynamic IP address assignment:
  4. Leave this area set to 0.0.0.0 for dynamic IP assignment. This is used in conjunction with NAT.

  5. If you have a MUA and a remote ISP router address is supplied:
  6. Enter the remote ISP router IP address here.

  7. If you have a MUA and a remote ISP router address has not been supplied or Dynamic IP assignment is supported:

Leave this area set to 0.0.0.0 for dynamic IP assignment.

IP Mask of Remote Ethernet:

  1. If you have a SUA and a Static IP address:
  2. A Subnet Mask will have been supplied with the static IP address, enter this here. This is used in conjunction with NAT.

  3. If you have a SUA and Dynamic IP address assignment:
  4. Leave this subnet area blank for dynamic assignment. This is used in conjunction with NAT.

  5. If you have a MUA and a remote ISP router address is supplied:

Enter the remote ISP router subnet mask here.

  1. If you have a MUA and a remote ISP router address has not been supplied or Dynamic IP assignment is supported:

Leave this subnet area blank for dynamic IP assignment.

Update: When you have entered the information outlined above, click Update at the bottom right of the Internet / IP panel. You will be asked if you wish to update the router. Click "Yes".

You have now successfully completed configuring the basic Internet Access settings for the IRT-401. You can now skip to the section entitled "Setting up your workstations for Internet Access", once this has been completed you can then test your connection to the Internet.

  1. Setting up the IRT-401 for Internet Access with Console

From the main menu in console, press F1. You will be brought into another menu titled "Quick Configuration" from this single page you may enter all that is required for Internet Access. Note: You must press 'Enter' twice after entering each setting.

Figure 6-3 Quick Config Menu in Console

Local Router Name: Enter the user name assigned to your IRT-401. The router/user name is required by your ISP whenever you dial into your ISP as part of the authentication procedure. It is assigned to you by your ISP. Upper case or lower case characters are significant for this field.

Remote Router Name: If supplied enter your ISP's router name (optional)

Local IP Address: If incorrect enter the correct IP address for your router, refer to Chapter 5.

Local Mask: If incorrect enter the correct Subnet Mask for your router and network, refer to Chapter 5.

Remote IP Address: For SUA, enter the Static IP address assigned for you router. For MUA, enter your ISP's router IP address. Leave as blank for automatic IP assignment.

Remote IP Mask: For SUA, enter the Static subnet mask assigned for your router. For MUA, enter your ISP's router subnet mask. Leave blank for automatic IP assignment.

DHCP Server: This will enable the DHCP server "if" it has been set-up in NMS.

NAT Enable: If you have a Multiple User Account select NO, if you have a Single User Account you must enable this option select YES.

B-Channel Speed: Set the line speed you require, 56K or 64K (64K recommended).

Remote ISDN Number: Enter your ISP's telephone number that allows you to connect to your Internet account.

Link Protocol: The encapsulation protocol specifies the protocol you want to run over the data channel. Select PPP, if you want to run single channel PPP. Select MP, if you want to run MultiLink PPP.

Switch Type: Select the ISDN switch type used by your country. If you are in Europe, set this to "EuroISDN", unless otherwise informed by your ISDN line provider.

Send Auth: This selects the dial-out authentication used by your ISP. Select the relevant option for your connection. Most ISP¡¦s support PAP and CHAP protocols.

Receive Auth: Same as Send Auth: except for incoming authentication.

Stac Compression: Checking this box will enable the Stac Compression Protocol used for the Internet connection.

Send Password: Enter the password for your ISP account.

To finish the set-up you must reboot the IRT-401. In the Quick Config menu press "F3". To confirm the reset press "Enter" and wait until you are returned to the password screen.

You have now successfully completed configuring the basic Internet Access settings for the IRT-401. To check that the router's IP address has been saved it is recommended that you try to "PINGthe router on your network for a reply. From a DOS prompt type: Ping your-router-address and press [Enter].

You can now go to the section entitled "Setting up your workstations for Internet Access", once this has been completed you can then test your connection to the Internet.

  1. Setting up your workstations for Internet Access

To enable your workstations to connect to the Internet, you must set-up the network properties of the Ethernet adapter in each machine. A default gateway needs to be supplied which basically is the router's IP address, causing all IP requests to be sent via the router. DNS addresses must also be supplied, these are lookup servers for all site and networks on the Internet, and without these you will not be able to access anywhere. This can all be automated by using DHCP. If you wish to utilise DHCP, please see Chapter 7.

  1. In Windows, Click START->Settings->Control Panel->Network. The network configuration window will appear.
  2. Click on the TCP/IP option for your Network Card (Win95/98) or Protocols¡KTCP/IP (WinNT) and then click "Propertiesto open the TCP/IP setting's window.
  3. Click on the "DNStab at the top of the window,
  4. Figure 6-4: DNS Search Servers

  5. You may need to enable DNS depending on the operating system. Enter a hostname, this could be the name of our workstation for example.
  6. Now, "Add" the Primary and Secondary DNS addresses supplied by your ISP to the "DNS Search Server Orderwindow. Click "Add" and enter each address in turn starting with the primary, click "OKand repeat the step for the secondary. Both addresses should appear in the list.
  7. If you are running Windows NT click on the "IP Address" tab, or in Windows 95/98 click the "Gateway" tab.
  8. Figure 6-5: Gateway / Default Gateway

    Windows NT

  9. In the "Default Gateway" field, enter the IP address of your router.
  10. Windows 95/98

  11. Under the Gateway Tab, enter the IP address of your router in the "New Gatewayfield and click "Add".
  12. Click "OK" until you return to your desktop, you may be prompted to restart your machine.

Everything has now been set-up for Internet Access, you can now open a web browser and test the Internet connection (please ensure the browser is set to access the Internet over the LAN). When you enter a website address (e.g. www.planet.com.tw and press "enter", you should see a B-Channel light appear on the router, and if everything is working the website should eventually pop-up in the browser. If you cannot connect please refer to the chapters on SNMP Trace and Trouble-shooting.

  1. Bandwidth-On-Demand for 128K connections (MP) & Idle Timeout

This section provides you with information on how to change the disconnect time and to configure your IRT-401 to automatically give you a full 128Kbps connection to the Internet when you need more bandwidth.

Notes:

Using the Multilink PPP and Dial on Demand functions of the IRT-401, you can configure your connection to the Internet to reach up to a full 128Kbps-transfer rate:

  1. Open the IRT-401 NMS program.
  2. In the Login panel, click Continue to enter the NMS Manager program. Do not check the Assign New IP Address box.
  3. Figure 6-6. The Quick Configure Page/Encap Protocol entry

  4. Encap Protocol: On the Quick Config page, select MP from the Encap Protocol drop down list box.
  5. Update: Click the "Update" button.
  6. Click on the Internet tab. In the Internet page, click the ISDN tab.
  7. Figure 6-7. The Internet / ISDN Page

  8. Data Services: The data service field is to select 56Kbps or 64Kbps for the ISDN call bandwidth. 64Kbps is the most common one. In rare situations, such as international calls, 56Kbps may be the only choice.
  9. Update: Click the "Updatebutton. NMS will take a few seconds to restart.
  10. Click on the PPP tab in the Internet page.
  11. Figure 6-8. The Internet / PPP Page

  12. Encap Protocol: This should now display MP as you have changed it in Quick Config.

When PPP is selected for a single 64K channel, the following 3 options are disabled, changing to MP (128K) makes them available.

  1. Ave Interval: In the Ave Interval field, enter how much time in seconds you want the transfer rate to be over the threshold point before the other B line is added by the MP (multilink PPP) function. This is also how much time in seconds the transfer rate will stay below the "disconnect second B line threshold"   before the second B line is disconnected.
  2. For example, if you want to wait until your B1 line has transferred at over 80% of it's capacity for over 10 seconds before adding the B2 line, enter the value 10 in the Ave Interval field.

  3. 1->2: Util> %: This is the threshold at which the second B line will be added. In this field, enter the percentage of line capacity at which you want your first B line to operate over, for the given amount of time you entered in the Ave Interval field, before the second B line is added.
  4. For example, if you want your first B line to transfer at over 80% of it's capacity for the amount of time you have allotted before the second B line is added, enter 80 in this field.

  5. 2->1: Util< %: This is the threshold at which the second B line will be removed. In this field, enter the percentage of line capacity at which you want your combined total of your first and second B lines to operate under, for the given amount of time you entered in the Ave Interval field, before the second B line is removed.

For example, when the second B line is added, you will have a total bandwidth of 128Kbps. Assume that you entered 80 (%) in the 1->2: Util> % field. If you want your second B line removed at the same transfer rate that it was added, enter 40 in the 2->1: Util< % field. This is because 128 x 40% = 51.2 and 64 x 80% = 51.2. So, if you use these percentages, the second B line will be added when the transfer rate exceeds 51.2Kbps for the given amount of time. It will also be removed when the transfer rate drops below 51.2Kbps for the given amount of time.

Idle Timeout

  1. 1->0 Idle (sec): This setting can be used with both PPP and MP, and is used to close your Internet connection after a period of inactivity. In this field, enter the period of inactivity, in seconds, after which you want your Internet connection closed. Leaving this field blank will keep the router connected and there will be no timeouts (not recommended).
  2. Note: If the Internet connection is closed by this function, the connection will be automatically re-established when the IRT-401 receives any traffic destined to the Internet. It takes 2 to 3 seconds to establish the connection. A choice must be made in the disconnect time.

    You can have a quick disconnect time (at the risk of frequent dial charges) or longer disconnect time (at the risk of longer on-line charges). A value between 60 and 120 seconds is recommended.

  3. Update: Click the Update button.

Your IRT-401 is now configured to monitor and maintain the optimum bandwidth for your Internet connection.

  1. Advanced NAT settings

This "optional" section covers further configuration of NAT, although the default settings will work effectively. If you have a server on your network for example, an HTTP server, you can configure NAT to send incoming HTTP service requests to a specific IP address on your network, which in essence can be your HTTP server.

  1. Open the IRT-401 NMS program.
  2. In the Login panel, click "Continueto enter the NMS Manager program. Do not check the Assign New IP Address box.
  3. Internet / NAT page

  4. Click on the Internet tab and then the NAT tab.
  5. Figure 6-9. NAT page

  6. IP Address Translation Enabled: If you are using NAT this should already be checked.
  7. Starting Port: This field specifies the starting port number NAT would use to support the NAT function. 1024 is the default and is the advised lowest starting number.
  8. Internal Server's IP Addresses: As explained above in the introduction to this section, IP addresses can be entered for different types of servers handling specific requests. If you have any of the following, FTP, Telnet, Gopher, HTTP and/or Email servers you can enter its IP address(s) here for direct routing.

E.g. FTP Server: Enter the internal IP address of the FTP server that provides FTP service to the outside world. All incoming FTP service requests are routed to the specified FTP server.



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Copyright (C) 1999 PLANET Technlogy Corporation