Satellite with GPRS/3G

U

UnDeR±tAkEr

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This question is really for v3g, but I suppose any one can answer or comment on it. :cool:

The satellite service provided by M-Web and Tiscali has been working well for us mere mortals living on the outskirts of nothingness (nada ADSL or WiFi). Problem is Telscum is milking us dry with the call costs, especially for the daytime calls. Need the odd 300Mb file here and there. Not much uploading... :D

The new data rates by Vodacom has made me wonder if the cell network could be used for the uplink instead of ... you know who. So I basically need a cheap channel for the odd data request... and not use the muther of all MILKERS.

So after all that the questios is: Can it be done?

If not :eek: ... why not :mad: ... blocked ports...????

Humble greetings & 1000 ty's
 
Should work fine. You'll get 64K uplink but that should be more than adequate for your intention.

You data rates will be very low, as it's only in one direction, so go for the messenger + small data bundle type of contract.
 
v3g

No luck so far. :mad: Can't seem to establish a connection with the VPN. I keep on getting a 668 error.

Called M-Web, they say that there's nothing they can do on their side. Connectivity and/or port settings should be set correctly on Vodacom side...Spoke to them. All they can say it is not supported.

Maybe you know some people that know some people and hopefully these people will know how to sort this out. :D

Please let me know, por favor.

Peace...
 
Hi, I suspect you need to be on the InternetVPN APN. Call 082 155 and ask them to move your APN over to the internetVPN APN.

If you don't get you PM me yuor 3G card number and contact details but it should not be needed. Just explain to them you need to connect to a VPN.
 
The internetVPN APN is specifically used when you run VPN client software that cannot work through a NATed IP.

Neither of the APN's do anything to your data, no port blocking, shaping, etc. You get a direct, IP-level connection to the internet.
 
The problem is that Vodacom assigned IPs that are in what is known as the "Private Address Space" and they are not actualy routable on the internet. This is normally done due to the scarcity of IP addresses. So when your APN is "Internet" your IP gets translated to another shared IP to go out on the internet. This is called Network Address Translation (NAT).
The way VPNs work its very difficult for them to handle being NATed (although I suspect it could be done with a bit of tweaking on all 3 ends), so you have to ask Vodacom to enable the "InternetVPN" APN for you in order to get assigned a proper IP when you connect, then change your dash to use that APN instead.

This little fact is going to cause a few other issues other than with VPNs, such as those who use Dynamic DNS and want others to connect to their machines.
But so long as Vodacom does not charge for the VPN APN I guess its not a big hassle, but could cause a few extra support calls I guess.
 
Quite right.

The long and short of it is that, if you're a 'normal' internet user (sending mail, browsing, etc.), you don't need to worry about this whole VPN issue.

If you're a 'power' user doing 'out of the ordinary' stuff (probably the bulk of this forum :) ) you might need to talk to Vodacom. As always, if possible, you will be helped.
 
Ok - Another question - Is any ports blocked by Vodacom. I am having continues problems with IRC DCC and MSN File Sends and I now revert to e-mail or direct downloads to achieve these functions. Am I being an ignorant user ?
 
That is such a frequently asked question that it makes me think the Vodacom 3G forum could do with a Frequently Asked Questions thread (similar to iBurst Readme.1st ;) )...
 
No problemo, just send me a p.m. to let me know when you've created the thread & I will apply the glue for you :).
 
Anyone else having problems with DCC or MSN Send on 3G. I have checked all my firewall settings etc and it can't seem to track down the problem. Any advice would be appreciated ?
 
Hi v3g

Finally, finally got this thing hooked up. Nearly went for double-barrel at one stage... :mad:

Could not really sort out everything between Vodacom and M-Web over the weekend, but was finally able to do so this morning. :D

As you suggested I had to be moved to the internetVPN APN. This seemed to open up port 1723 for communicating with the VPN. I'm not quite sure if this port was block, or just whether NAT (naugthy, naughty NAT..) had anything to do with this. Anyway the internetVPN seems to give me the type of IP I require to be able to work with my VPN, or something like that...

10,000 ty's and may the FoRcE be with you, always... ;)

Ciao
 
Vodacon3g

Does Vodacom give access to the internetVPN APN to anyone who requests or do they try to restrict it like Twincall (at least in the past they did). Is it available to prepaid subscribers too? One of my reasons for not going with 3G contract was the fact that it did not have a routeable IP. I am currently just using 3G for internet access when I am mobile with a prepaid simm but could find more uses if I had a routable IP.

Are the tariffs the same for both APN's?
 
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