Topic: 2 Way Satellite on SME?

[Cyrus Bharda]

Just wondering if anyone has tryed using Tel$tra's 2 way satellite with SME, here in Australia? I am running a SME 5.5 with Update 2 server and dial-up net access is just too slow. Only problem is that we are out of range of everyones cable/ADSL area so satellite is our only hope as IDSN is far too expensive.  I'm looking at getting 2 way satellite from Tel$ra but do not want to lose the SME box that currently acts as our email server/firewall and gateway!! I dont know what type of satellite receiver card Tel$tra use either, but could probably find out after waiting on hold for several hours, if that would help any.....?

Thanks In Advance!
 
Cyrus Bharda

[S Burjak]

I think it is Windoze only. One way sat with IHUG works real good. Need a modem up link. www.ifost.org.au has it all, including software for SME

[Henry]

I went through the same investigation about a year ago. Just when I was ready to take the plunge, my local telco called and said the DSL was ready, did I still want it?

The upshot is this.
If you get a stand alone unit, you can usually find a rj-45 connector inside (take the back cover off the box, voiding the warrenty and making the service tech nervous) to plug it into the back of your SME box, after you configure it with a windows box.
Configure with the windows box and the provided software. Disconnect from the windows box. Open the unit and there should be a rj-45 connector with a short pigtail going to a connector on the back panel. Unplug the pigtail and plug in your cat5 to the unit and to the SME box. You should be good to go.

If you get a card (sometimes 2 cards). you'll have to dedicate a low budget windows box as the interface. Put a nic in it and connect it to your SME box like a modem.

All in all, it's the worst of all possible choices for broad band, with the exception of no broadband. Ping times in the 3-5 second range (or longer, so on-line gaming is painful), regular drop-outs and weather related problems.

Good luck.............

[Cyrus Bharda]

Well unfortunatly you know what Tel$tra is like, 500 mtrs away, acroos the railway lines, you can get ADSL, not happy jan. The only problem with putting in a low end windohs box is how would I then use my SME box for my email server?

Would I have to setup port forwarding on the windohs to forward all ports to the SME box, and even then I dont think it would work? I need to have my SME box serving email both internet and internal, I didnt think that was possible if it was behind another box?

Thanks

Cyrus Bharda

[Bob Morrison]

Cyrus,

If DSL is that close, why don't you find someone close by who has it, and set up a wireless link from their place to yours (and share the costs of the connection)?

or check out this link:

http://www.australianwireless.org/

Bob

[Cyrus Bharda]

Because its for a business and we are in the middle of an industrial estate, so we would have to ask another company............blah blah blah, but thanks, good idea, one that we have already been through

We looked at connecting with Xtreme Wireless ( http://www.xtreme.com.au/) to get 11Mbps internet for free but we are out of range

I am looking at buying a house on the gold coast somewhere JUST to get FREE wireless net access through them. Only catch is you have to buy the hardware through them, which isnt to highly priced! Anyway enough of the advertisement, thanks.

Cyrus Bharda

[Kelvin]

Hi Cyrus,

Some years back when I first had to configure internet sharing across a network for an IHUG Satnet account, I purchased, installed and used a product called NAT32 (because I neither trusted nor liked Windows Internet Connection Sharing). NAT32 fully supports port forwarding and I did install a mail server behind it that was accessible from the internet. NAT32 is also written by an Aussie and support e-mails to him were answered within reasonable time-frames, not that you'll need very much support, it just worked (this was one of my early attempts at sharing internet connections aside from Wingate).

If you have no other choice but to run a Win PC to hook up to the USB Sat. adaptor, have a look at NAT32.

Just a suggestion.

Kelvin