ADSL & wireless ADSL modem

[Claymore]

I have virtually no experience of ADSL and wireless networking, so I'd appreciate a bit of help here.

One of my customers ordered ADSL (just the line). Telkom came in, he says, and installed it, but I don't see any evidence of that - he has three phone extensions, and with normal phones on them. No filters or whatever they are (are they needed?)

He then trotted out and bought a Belkin Wireless-G ADSL modem (R2000, *wince*) and a Belkin PCMCIA Wireless-G network card for his laptop. He hasn't yet signed up for an ADSL Internet account - and TelkomInternet are open office hours only, so I couldn't test anything with his actual connection (he's an existing TelkomInternet dial-up user). However, I managed to get the router portion of the ADSL access point working by connecting by wired ethernet initially and then wireless. His laptop runs XP.

However, some issues:
- I know security is an issue with the wireless stuff. When I connect the laptop using the wireless card with no security, I can connect no problem. When I enable WEP, 64 or 128 bit, generate a hexadecimal key on the router, and enter that on the laptop, the laptop will not connect. No idea why. It simply sits there forever trying to get an IP address.

- The wireless connection seems to have a range of about 10-15 metres - about 1 metre shorter than the distance it needs to be in his house. Is this normal? Why bother with wireless networking with such a short range? Is there some way I can improve that? He has about two walls in between.

- The filter thingy. One of those came with the ADSL modem. How exactly do I connect it (i.e. what order does everything go in?) What about other extensions in the house - do they need one too?

- Anything special he needs to get when ordering the internet connection? He's just going to get the Advanced option - 3GB cap. Can he dial up simultaneously from elsewhere with the same account if he's away from home?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Louisvdw]

The ADSL connection look just like the normal Telphone line. No diffs there except you would like to use a filter. Telkom does NOT supply these filters. You get htem with your modem, and/or buy them. Telkom shop sometimes have stock.

The filters go on all the connections you use except the ADSL modem. (i.e. the telephone line, fax machine, cordless phone, etc.) You do not HAVE to use the filters, but it is recommended (iow it will work without filters), but you wil have line noise and this is bad for your fax connection (and your ear...) so get them.

One the wireless security, you have to use the same security on the AP and the notebook device. This does depend on the sotware in use with the notebook device and the protocols use. Both devices have to support the protocol used of cause. Try connecting while the notebook is very close to the AP, and then only move away when you saved the connection once.

10 -15m is bad. It should be much better. Wireless devices have been known to only connect on the same level (Upper floor, ground floor does have some problems) Mostly I think this is because of the omni directional arials used. You can try moving the AP to other locations in the room, or getting a beter arial (costly).

The IPS is nothing special

 

[Claymore]

Thanks, Louis

The ADSL connection look just like the normal Telphone line. No diffs there except you would like to use a filter. Telkom does NOT supply these filters. You get htem with your modem, and/or buy them. Telkom shop sometimes have stock.

The filters go on all the connections you use except the ADSL modem. (i.e. the telephone line, fax machine, cordless phone, etc.) You do not HAVE to use the filters, but it is recommended (iow it will work without filters), but you wil have line noise and this is bad for your fax connection (and your ear...) so get them.

OK, so they can actually use the normal extensions fine (apart from noise) without the filters? There was one filter that came with the Belkin.

 

[Louisvdw]

Yes they can. It is recomended they get filters (Small little box thing), but they can work so long while they are looking for the filters. Put the filter that you do have with the fax if there is a fax.

 

[arf9999]

I suggest that you get filters for all phone lines and fax lines. If you don't use the filters, you may find that your voice calls/fax calls may cause your modem to lose sync.

For your Wireless router: If it has a flexible antenna, try changing the orientation. i.e. vertical or horizontal. If you can't move the antenna, then try lying the router itself flat or standing it up. This sometimes improves reception with PC cards.

The range will be degraded by walls, more so if there is a lot of metal (i.e. reinforced concrete etc. )

Also, if you can't get the range required, you can just use a longer cable from the wall plug to the router and move it to a better position.

 

[Darth Garth]

the laptop will not connect. No idea why. It simply sits there forever trying to get an IP address.

Did you configure an SSID ???.

 

[arf9999]

However, some issues:
- I know security is an issue with the wireless stuff. When I connect the laptop using the wireless card with no security, I can connect no problem. When I enable WEP, 64 or 128 bit, generate a hexadecimal key on the router, and enter that on the laptop, the laptop will not connect. No idea why. It simply sits there forever trying to get an IP address.

After you change the Wep/wpa settings, you usually need to restart the AP. This may be as simple as unplugging power/replugging.

 

[Claymore]

After you change the Wep/wpa settings, you usually need to restart the AP. This may be as simple as unplugging power/replugging.

Ah, that may explain it. Thanks!

 

[Claymore]

I suggest that you get filters for all phone lines and fax lines. If you don't use the filters, you may find that your voice calls/fax calls may cause your modem to lose sync.

For your Wireless router: If it has a flexible antenna, try changing the orientation. i.e. vertical or horizontal. If you can't move the antenna, then try lying the router itself flat or standing it up. This sometimes improves reception with PC cards.

The range will be degraded by walls, more so if there is a lot of metal (i.e. reinforced concrete etc. )

Also, if you can't get the range required, you can just use a longer cable from the wall plug to the router and move it to a better position.

I'll give that a try, thanks!

 

[Claymore]

Did you configure an SSID ???.

Yep - could connect to that fine, except when using WEP.