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

GareyD · Mar 9, 2004

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

<font color="red"> Run your virus software to make sure it is a clean machine </font>

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....