Direc Way decision.those that us it, help me here.

GareyD · Mar 7, 2004

( How about the bandwidth you get with DirecWay? I understand the downlink speed is pretty good, but the uplink speed is not that fast. I have DirecTV with Tivo and considering adding the internet connectivity. )

I average about 750 down and 250 up...not a noticeable difference from the DSL I have at the office.

I do computer graphics/prepress for a living and it is fast enough to enable me to move the business home and pay for the new 30x50 building (started the pad yesterday) within 6 months /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Get to be self employed and work from home...more tractor time between jobs for this boy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GareyD

fishman · Mar 7, 2004

Pburns,

Yes I would like to know how well it works. I assume they are doing that to transfer programs from their tivo to the computer for burning to a DVD? Is there other benefits to that arrangement I'm missing? If that would eliminate the need for a phone line, a tivo/direcway could be in my future. Still a lot of money though for recreational use.

bebster · Mar 7, 2004

Thanks, Garey. That's pretty good speed. I think I'll upgrade my DirecTV to DirecWay when I get the time.

Do you know if it will support my wireless home network? 802.11b Linksys equipment.

GareyD · Mar 8, 2004

( Do you know if it will support my wireless home network? 802.11b Linksys equipment. )

The new 6000 modem comes network ready...just plugged mine into the hub and away it goes...they have some great network tech help on the direcway site after you log in to the system....the only reason I went hardwired network is I have a "need for speed"....you lose a little speed on a wireless network...doesn't throw multi-gig files fast enough for me /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PBMAX · Mar 8, 2004

EastTexFrank, I think I'd call and #$%#$% . I guess though it could be your receivers but I doubt it. Both of mine came as a 2 recivers setup so I don't see how they could know which one was the main unless it was put into their computer during setup when you or a tech called during install. I'd be willing to bet the could make a change in their computer that would take care of it or make send you a new card, that might fix it. If you care that is. I dont really care they can see what I watch all they want. Maybe then the networks might produce some new programming...

I did not have a phone line until a few month ago and mine have been running for almost 3 yrs and they are still not on the phone line only the TIVO is for PPV for now.
If I go Direc Way I'll connect it to that via USB to ethernet.

PBMAX · Mar 8, 2004

Ok Fishman, I found out only one of them has done it thus far on his TIVO and he is on CABLE YUK!!!. He must have a phone line or live (DSL phone line,which he does) connection to get programming and this works fine for him as far as receiving programming. He said the Tivo took a few minutes but it poped up a message saying new network connection found and went right on did a test and came back OK...He has not tried to get PPV that way though. Should work in theory right??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The one with DTV has not done it yet but plans to MAYBE.... But I will try it as we plan to loose the phone line.(which we only had installed to get internet /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif )
 Since WE decide to go ahead and get DWAY after the lousy weekend surfing speeds....
NoW I think I''ll Look for a LOCAL DEALER AS DTV has 2-4 week waiting list....
IF all GOES well we will be up and running by this weekend or 1st of next week...

Thanks for all the input folks....from both of us....

guess now I have to finish installing the home network...O well at least I had the for thought ot run the Cat5e during constrution .... now to terminate them....HMMM where did I put those RG45s and crimpers......? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

fishman · Mar 8, 2004

Thanks Pburns. Let us know how it works when you're done. Oh, and I hope you have more patience than me, because I know my limitations, and what you just described exceeded them a bit. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

PBMAX · Mar 8, 2004

Funny thing patience, I can be patient as a stone when dealing with people. When I know they are trying their best. But I have absolutly none when it comes to having my cake and eating it to or can U SAY INSTANT GRATIFICATION!!!???. I can window shop for a month but once I decide I want something I WANT IT NOW,,,NOW,,,NOW.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I love the net, but why 2-4 weeks, can't handle that. SO I called and ordered it just a while ago instead. I should hear from a tech by the end of the week. The Dway fellow said it's usually 48 hrs or less till I get an email from them with the Install company info and I can call the installer from the info listed there... SO you know I will........ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now to order that USB to ether-not adapter.....

Did I mention you FOLKS are GREAT.......
I let ya'll know how it goes and hopfully I'll be intown to see it installed,shooting for a Saturday. I'm curious as to what is worth $200 that I could not do myself for free....Can't be that difficult... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mrwurm · Mar 8, 2004

Did you order the Direcway 6000 or the Direway 4000. The Direcway 6000 uses ethernet connectivity and is self hosting. All computers on your network will get access via your Hub, router, or switch. Any computer on your network can access the internet independent of the others.

The Direcway 4000 uses USB connectivity and requires a host computer for hookup. The host computer actually runs the software that makes the modem work. All other computers on your network will access the net via Microsoft ICS protocal running on the host and your Hub, router, or switch. With Direcway 4000, no computer can access the net unless the host is up and running.

PBMAX · Mar 8, 2004

Mrwurm, I asked the fellow at Dway about the different models and was told they now only offer the 6000 if you order directly from DWAY.So thats what had better show up... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

By self hosting do you mean it provides an IP address to each PC? like a Router?
If so I can save some cash and just buy a switch.
Or is it some other gimic they came up with?

GareyD · Mar 9, 2004

The 6000 modem is DHCP enabled....you have to hook it up to one PC to do the installation.

 Run your virus software to make sure it is a clean machine 

The installer will leave a quick start guide with you that has all the IP #, serial #'s, etc. you will need to complete the following. Keep it handy, you will need these numbers several times in the first couple of days...

Then go to Direcway.com and set up your "My DirecWay" account.

There is a download in the network section of the help folder to stabilize/setup your network...copy to floppy.

Then hook the modem to your hub/switch...run the floppy on every machine on the network.

As the Beach Boys said:
"Let's go surfing now...everybody's surfing now..."

I found that my router really slowed the network down...just a hub/switch worked better. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

GareyD

Mrwurm · Mar 9, 2004

Yep, a switch is all you need and is what I use.

PBMAX · Mar 9, 2004

GareyD,Mrwurm, thanks... I was hoping DHCP was what it was doing.
and yeah I can see a router slowing things down it would be trying to give out adrresses at the same time the modem would....

What exactly does the floppy file do to stable lize the pc's on the network?
I was hoping to use my company laptop and will need to be able to explain to the IT man, what I need to do this for or do they tell you on the web site?

Maybe I should wait to buy that wi-fi card..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif till i know how IT feels about this...

PBMAX · Mar 9, 2004

AHHH scheduled the install at 2pm mon the 15th... O' well thats better than 2-4 weeks..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Now as long as it doesn't rain to bad....... I'll be in SURF HEAVEN Monday after noon.....

GareyD · Mar 9, 2004

As far as the floppy file...I didn't use/need it...I'd imagine it is for network challenged individuals...i.e. would turn on network control panel, various settings, etc....just mentioned it in case it applied!!

The installer mentioned it...the quick start guide suggest's it...if my wife had been the one doing the hookup, would have probably needed it /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ...if I said DHCP to her, she would have thought it was one of the kid's rap music bands!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GareyD

PBMAX · Mar 9, 2004

Sweet, GaryD good to know. Though with they way XP sets up net works is so easy I think my wife might even be abe to do it... Funny I was setting ups some xp machines for a job were we provided the isolated network and with a Linksys router and 4 switches.
My IT man did not like the way XP automatically detected and setup the network on each pc and excepted the DHCP from the router with out question. He colmplained it was an easy whole for the rooky to leave open... True enough, but nice feature when it works....I think he just didn't want to believe me when I told him xp would do basic work for you...

Hey do you know if Dway uses Static IP's or does they use DHCP for the modem to sat side as well? My mom has a cable modem and I would love to use Xp's controll feature (pcanwhere like) to help her rather than a site visti every time she dumps program... and if I have a static Ip I could work from home if need be...over our company VPN.

Mrwurm · Mar 9, 2004

The floppy file that is being discussed is probably the 'Lan Client Configuration Utility' program. Direcway recommends that all Direcway 6000 users run this setup program on all their machines. It's a simple program that sets all network and internet settings for your network adapter and netscape/explorer. I found that when I used the 'LCCU', it screwed up my settings so I could'nt get acess at all. The 'LCCU' has a good 'uninstall' program which puts all your settings back where they were. My default explorer and network adapter settings work fine.

OkeeDon · Mar 9, 2004

I don't have Dway yet, but I've been checking on it for what seems like forever, planning for it when we move away from the cable hookup. The best thing they have done so far is to bring out that model 6000.

To answer your question, I think the basic Dway setup is a dynamic IP, on a "lease" like the cable setups. But, I believe they will issue you a static IP for extra cost per month. Maybe your company will pay the extra. But, do you need a static IP to hook to their VPN? I thought that only had to be on their side.

One thing I keep seeing emphasized, however, is that Dway is not very good for VPN. I haven't seen the technical reasons presented, but they say it just doesn't work very well. Possibly the latency issue?

PBMAX · Mar 9, 2004

OkeeDon, (dynamic is what I was looking for /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Dway says it will run at verly low speed under VPN like dialup speeds.....
Our IT man hasn't told me specifically that they need a static IP but it is often required for getting thru the firewall settings. They allow a spicific IP to have acces if it meets all the other security requirments....I was just curious as I use PCAnywhere often to help some of our customers and they require the main IP address or MAC i think of our LAN.(sorry My IT glossory is rusty) THE Address the world sees to some extent...I forget all the details...before they will let me thru their firewall...and I know our lan is tight as they can get it....

As for the need for VPN if I happen to be out sick I would still be able to get to the databases at work to do paper work /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif and such.....even if slow...besides dial up speed is all I have ever had on the VPN connection anyway...

That said, does any one know of a lil program I can put on my mom's PC to easily get the current IP... as her cable modem is dynamic as well... some thing where she can just click on it and read me the info... I know xp will let you remotely control a pc using email or messenger to get started but I would prefer to use pcanywhere...

PBMAX · Mar 9, 2004

thanks Mrwurm, I haven't built many nets lately and my skills are there some were just rusty......XP has made me lazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzyyyy.

on that note I'll just set my own settings and tweak' as i go....thanks again

Any body tried a webcam on dway? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif it would be nice to see my son while out of town.... since many hotels now have high speed....