Computer Geeks

[Hank]

Hughes has announced a new product that should really help the satellite/home network situation. Actually finding one is apparently a challenge at this time, but the forums I read suggest it would be available to home consumers later this year.

It eliminates the need for a Windows PC running the DirecWay software, and provides an ethernet hub as well.

Here is the blurb about it I found:

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Winner of a 2002 CES Innovations Award, the DIRECWAY Gateway 4020 provides easy, low-cost broadband access via satellite. The product is self- hosted, supports four Ethernet ports (10BaseT or 100BaseT) and can support up to 255 networked devices.
The product’s highly secure DIRECWAY encryption system, network address translation and support for private IP also make it ideal for SOHOs and teleworkers who need the protection of a VPN. Configurable as an SNMP agent, the Gateway can respond to network management queries from a remote location—a key feature for VPN services. When combined with the DIRECWAY modem, the Gateway 4020 also enables HNS to provide broadband service to non-Windows devices

 

[Mrwurm]

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Hmm, I ordered my DirecWay4000 system yesterday and I just got back from buying an eithernet hub. I think I'll call DirecWay and see if I should wait for the new product. Thanks for the tip.

 

[MikePA]

Jerry,

I can guess what they'll say.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Since I wasn't sure if I could ever get broadband I had been watching the satellite discussion groups. From the time they first announced 2 way satellite, it was a long time before it was actually available, well over a year. I know it's dangerous to navigate by your wake, but Direcway/DirecTV doesn't have a good track record in the quick delivery of new services.

Plus it looks like the primary benefits of this new box is VPN and remote management via SNMP. Will you need VPN support? The second new feature would only apply to organizations that would have to support a herd of these devices from a central location.

 

[Mrwurm]

Ok, I talked to DirecWay. The sales rep was astonshied that I heard about their new 4020 system. He said it is supposed to be top-secret and is only in the testing phase. He told me that some of their large business accounts are beta testing this product and it will be tested at smaller businesses in the next phase. The system will be available to private consumers at the last step of the process. He told me that it would be available this fall at the earliest but more likely sometime next year. An upgrade will be available.

I'm going to move forward and just do it. I could go crazy waiting for the 'next' great thing.

 

[Hank]

Mike, I agree wholeheartedly about DirecWay's deliverability record, and I am not holding my breath either.

When we move to AZ in three months, [in addition to acquiring a CUT], I will be using DirecWay and setting up a system similar to what you all have been discussing.

But, I see the bigger benefit of this new 4020 gateway as being not having to rely on a Windows based PC, with an "acceptable" USB port, running DirecWay software and Internet Connection Sharing. I've never been impressed or pleased with Windows ability to handle IP routing over the long term.

Our company's VPN solution works right now over DirecWay service as it is. Not super fast, but it works.