ELSA Cable User Manual

ELSA MicroLink

Cable

Manual

assurance of product characteristics. ELSA shall be liable only to the degree specified in the terms of sale and delivery.

The reproduction and distribution of the documentation and software supplied with this product and the use of its contents is subject to written authorization from ELSA. We reserve the right to make any alterations that arise as the result of technical development.

ELSA is DIN EN ISO 9001 certified. The accredited TÜV CERT certification authority has confirmed ELSA conformity to the worldwide ISO 9001 standard in certificate number 09 100 5069, issued on June 15,

1998.

Trademarks Windows

, Windows NT® and Microsoft® are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Corp.

All other names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The ELSA logo is a registered trademark of ELSA AG.

Subject to change without notice. No liability for technical errors or omissions.

ELSA AG Sonnenweg 11 52070 Aachen Germany

ELSA, Inc. 2231 Calle De Luna Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

www.elsa.com

Aachen, October 1999

No. 20840/1099

Preface

Thank you for placing your trust in this ELSA product. With the

Internet for you with unparalleled speeds and remain online permanently. The highest quality standards in manufacturing and stringent quality control are the basis

for high product standards and consistent product quality.

This documentation contains the following chapters:

K Introducing the K Installation and configuration K Configuration modes K Operating modes and functions K Technical basics K Technical reference K Appendix

ELSA MicroLink Cable

, you have chosen a modem that will open the door to the

Our online services (Internet server www.elsa.com) are available to you around the clock should you have any queries regarding the topics discussed in this manual or require any further support. In the Support file section under 'Know-How', you can find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). The KnowledgeBase also contains a large pool of information. Current drivers, firmware, tools and manuals can be downloaded at any time.

The KnowledgeBase can also be found on the CD. Just open the file \Misc\Support\MISC\ELSASIDE\index.htm.

Content

Introducing the

The

ELSA MicroLink Cable

What does the unit look like?............................................................................ 1

Node or hub?...................................................................................................... 3

The highlights of the

Fast Internet....................................................................................................... 4

Internet at all times—always online ................................................................ 5

More than just Internet...................................................................................... 5

CE conformity and FCC radiation standard............................................................. 7

Installation and Configuration ....................................................................................9

First Steps............................................................................................................. 10

Quick Start: Quick configurations......................................................................... 11

Preparations..................................................................................................... 11

Configuration as a bridge ................................................................................ 11

Configuration as a router................................................................................. 13

Set up the workstation computers (Windows 95 or 98)....................................... 15

ELSA MicroLink Cable

takes the stage............................................................ 1

ELSA MicroLink Cable

..................................................................... 1

.......................................................... 4

English

Configuration modes ..................................................................................................17

The user-friendly method: inband......................................................................... 17

Requirements for inband configuration........................................................... 17

Alternatively: addresses can be managed by the DHCP server...................... 17

Starting inband configuration using

Start up inband configuration using telnet...................................................... 18

Configuration commands ..................................................................................... 19

What's happening on the line?............................................................................. 21

Trace Outputs................................................................................................... 21

New firmware with FirmSafe............................................................................... 22

This is how FirmSafe works............................................................................. 22

How to load new software.............................................................................. 23

Configuration using SNMP.............................................................................. 24

General............................................................................................................. 24

Accessing tables and parameters using SNMP.............................................. 25

The Management Information Base (MIB)...................................................... 27

Operating modes and functions ...............................................................................29

Security for your configuration............................................................................. 29

Password protection........................................................................................ 29

Access control via TCP/IP................................................................................ 30

ELSA LANconfig

..................................... 18

ELSA Cable Modem

English

Content

Security for your LAN............................................................................................ 30

Encryption ........................................................................................................ 31

TCP/IP packet filters ........................................................................................ 31

The hiding place—IP masquerading (NAT, PAT) ............................................ 31

IP routing............................................................................................................... 32

The IP routing table.......................................................................................... 32

Dynamic routing with IP RIP ............................................................................ 34

Local routing .................................................................................................... 35

IP masquerading (NAT, PAT)............................................................................ 36

DNS forwarding............................................................................................... 38

Bridging............................................................................................................ 39

Automatic address administration with DHCP..................................................... 40

The DHCP client............................................................................................... 41

The DHCP server.............................................................................................. 41

DHCP – 'on', 'off' or 'auto'?.............................................................................. 42

How are the addresses assigned?................................................................... 42

Technical basics .........................................................................................................47

Cable modem technology..................................................................................... 47

Standards......................................................................................................... 47

Access.............................................................................................................. 47

Registration in the cable network ................................................................... 48

Network technology.............................................................................................. 50

The network and its components .................................................................... 50

Connection modes ........................................................................................... 50

Kinds of networks............................................................................................ 52

IP addressing......................................................................................................... 52

IP routing and hierarchical IP addressing........................................................ 55

Expansion through local networks................................................................... 57

Appendix .......................................................................................................................63

Technical data ...................................................................................................... 63

Warranty conditions............................................................................................. 65

Declaration of conformity..................................................................................... 67

Description of the menu options ..............................................................................73

Status.................................................................................................................... 75

Status/Operating-time..................................................................................... 76

Status/Current-time......................................................................................... 76

Status/cable-statistics..................................................................................... 76

Status/LAN-statistics ...................................................................................... 77

Status/bridge statistics ................................................................................... 78

Status/TCP-IP-statistics................................................................................... 79

ELSA Cable Modem

Content

Status/IP-router-statistics ............................................................................... 83

Status/config statistics.................................................................................... 85

Status/Queue-statistics................................................................................... 85

Status/MCNS-statistics................................................................................... 87

Status/Init-status............................................................................................. 87

Status/DHCP-client-statistics.......................................................................... 88

Setup..................................................................................................................... 88

Setup/cable-module ........................................................................................ 89

Setup/LAN-module.......................................................................................... 89

Setup/bridge-module....................................................................................... 90

Setup/TCP-IP-module....................................................................................... 91

Setup/IP-router-module................................................................................... 94

Setup/SNMP-module..................................................................................... 101

Setup/DHCP-server-module........................................................................... 101

Setup/Config-module..................................................................................... 103

Firmware............................................................................................................. 104

Other................................................................................................................... 106

VII

English

ELSA Cable Modem

English

VIII

Content

ELSA Cable Modem

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

Introducing the

Internet access is the main application for the cable network to which you have connected your modem may offer additional services or regional information.

This chapter describes the display elements and connections of the modem, accessing the Internet, and the characteristics and techniques that ensure fast, secure data exchange.

The precise use of the sections and with the aid of the examples in the 'Workshop'.

The term 'router', as used in the remainder of the manual, refers to the router functions of our ELSA MicroLink Cable

The

This section introduces the unit's hardware. It covers the unit's display elements and connection options.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

's features will be explained in the following

takes the stage

. The operator of the

What does the unit look like?

We would first like to familiarize you with the device. You will find a number of LEDs as display elements on the front panel.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

Standby

Cable-Tx, -Rx,

-Sync, Reg’d

This LED flashes once when the power supply is switched on. After the self-test, either an error is output by a flashing light code or the device starts and the LED remains lit.

Off Unit switched off, power supply plugged in red 1 x short Boot procedure (test and load) started red flashing Display of a boot error (flashing light code) red Device ready for use

This LED shows that the unit is in stand-by mode. The

ELSA MicroLink Cable

is registered with the cable network provider in this state, but there is no active connection to the local network. In other words, no data can be exchanged between the Internet and the LAN in this state.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

The

can be switched to this mode by configuring the function of

the power switch correspondingly and then actuating this switch on the rear of the unit. These LEDs display the status of the interface to the cable network:

Blink codes

Cable-Tx yellow Data packet sent from the device to the Internet Cable-Rx green Data packet received from the Internet Cable-Sync green The device has found a channel on which it can communicate with the

cable network operator's headend.

Cable-Reg’d green The registration and all required negotiations between the unit and the

headend have been completed and the registration confirmed by the headend. The unit is ready to exchange data with the Internet in this state.

The Sync and Reg’d LEDs can display the various phases of the cable modem registration through combined blink codes, thus offering configuration troubleshooting information. The meanings of the specific blink codes:

SYNC REG'd What has been achieved so

far?

off off channel search with 64/256QAM chan-

1 pulse off QAM lock FEC lock 2 pulse off FEC lock TRC lock on off TRC lock initial ranging

What is the modem trying to do?

nel

on 1 pulse initial ranging DHCP on 2 pulse DHCP ToD on 3 pulse ToD Configuration file on 4 pulse Configuration file Registration on on Registration

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

LAN-Tx, -Rx, LAN-Coll, -Link

These LEDs show the corresponding network controller status:

LAN -tx yellow Data packet sent from the device to the LAN LAN-Rx green Data packet received from the LAN LAN coll red Sending collision LAN-Link green Connection to LAN is established and ready

Now turn the whole thing around and take a look at the rear. Beginning again on the lefthand side, you have:

ABC EFGD

1 Connector for the cable TV network (CATV) 2 Reset switch—performs a hardware reset 3 Factory Default button—the unit's factory defaults are restored after holding this

button for approx. 15 seconds

4 10Base-T network connection 5 Node/hub selector switch 6 Connection for power supply unit 7 On/standby switch

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

Node or hub?

Please check the position of the Node/Hub switch when connecting the unit to the LAN:

K As the factory default, the switch is set to 'Node'. In this setting, the device acts as

a node on a network. It can, in this case, only be connected to a hub, not directly to the network card of a computer.

K Set the switch to 'Hub' if you do not wish to connect the device to a hub but directly

to a workstation. In this setting the lines for sending and receiving the data are crossed.

Look at the link status LED (Link) to check if the node/hub switch is set correctly.

Shared media: Multiple users share a single “cable”

The highlights of the

The cable modem is a new Internet-access technology that is now competing with conventional modems, Internet modems and small ISDN routers. To take maximum advantage of your in which cable modems have the technological edge.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

, you should know the areas and characteristics

Fast Internet

Cable modems use a split transfer rate depending on the direction of the signals. Downstream refers to the transfer of data from the network operator to the participant, upstream is the opposite direction. This asymmetrical split is quite acceptable, since users generally receive far more information from the Internet than they send to it.

Cable network

Up to 43 Mbps can be transferred downstream; upstream transfer speeds reach up to 10 Mbps.

This colossal performance is shared by up to 2000 users connected to the same cable section, however. This is referred to as the use of a shared media.

Bandwidth: Throughput, transfer capacity

The data flow in the cable network does not take place at a constantly high volume, but in irregular intervals. Also, it's unlikely that all 2000 participants will be using the network simultaneously, so the available bandwidth is certainly adequate to ensure the fast transfer of data.

The cable network operators have the option of limiting the available bandwidth for individual participants, or offering several channels with 43 Mbps each. Please contact your network operator for further information on transfer rates and pricing models.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Backbone

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

Backbone

direct connection to the Internet

The simple transfer rate between the network operator and participant does not by itself determine the speed at which the Internet can be accessed. The network operator must also forward data destined for the Internet to a backbone. The dimensioning of this connection ultimately determines the speed at which you can surf. The backbone can become a bottleneck if a large number of participants want to access Internet data simultaneously and the network operator does not have an adequately dimensioned connection to the Internet.

Internet at all times—always online

One of the biggest advantages of cable modem technology is the continuous availability of the Internet. While “normal” Internet connections need to be established as required, all cable modem users on a cable section can be permanently registered with the headend. The multiport capabilities of the remote stations ensure that other participants are not blocked due to a lack of connections. The advantages of this permanent Internet connection:

K Immediate availability of all information

Your e-mail comes to you directly—not just when you pick it up. To view a Web page, just open your browser and don't worry about connecting to your provider.

K Your own Internet server

Until now, running your own Internet server generally meant having an extremely expensive leased line to the provider. Now you have one! If you would like to set up your own Web server for your company, you can now do so and have it accessible at all times via the cable modem at no additional cost.

More than just Internet

Together with the appropriate remote stations, cable modems form the connection between network participants (private or business) and the network operator. Very high throughputs—and thus very fast data transfers—can be realized using such a connection. In addition to providing fast Internet access, this creates a number of other interesting options for the evolution of network operators into information service providers.

Regional content

Cable network operators generally have a local or regional orientation due to the structure of the cable network. The headends that have to be additionally integrated into the network with their restriction to around 2000 participants results in further area limitations.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Proxy

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

Network operators can take advantage of this structure to provide regional content in addition to the Internet. This can be accomplished by setting up Web servers that do not need to be accessible from the Internet. These can then be used for special information services for network participants, such as the programs of local cinemas, regional news, information for clubs and special-interest groups, and so on—essentially, everything that is of interest to the regional cable network participants, but that might be superfluous on the Web.

Proxy servers

The network operator can also use local servers to speed up access to the Internet. These proxy servers are used for the intermediate storage of information from the Internet.

: Stand-in

Every page requested from the Internet by participants in the local cable network section is stored in this proxy server for a specific period of time. As a rule, the storage period on the proxy server is determined by the cable network operator. If another participant requests the same page, the proxy server can serve the page directly without having to find it on the Internet first.

This is generally beneficial, for example by speeding up downloads considerably. However, when calling up information subject to frequent changes such as stock prices, accessing the current Web page is usually a must. In such a case the version of the page stored on the proxy server can already be out of date or incorrect. If this could be relevant to you, please check with your network operators whether they deploy proxy servers. Clicking the Refresh button will download the current information directly from the Internet, however.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

CE conformity and FCC radiation standard

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of the European Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to electromagnetic compatibility (89/336/EEC) according to EN 55022 class B and EN55024.

FCC

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1 This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2 This device must accept any inteference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

The FCC ID of this device is KJGMLCABLE.

CE and FCC

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against radio frequency interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. It may interfere with radio communications if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception (this can be determined by turning this equipment off and on), the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

K Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. K Increase the distance between this equipment and the receiver. K Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit other than that to which the receiver

is connected.

K Consult your dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician. K Caution: To comply with the limits for an FCC Class B computing device, always use

a shielded signal cable.

The Federal Communications Commission warns the user that changes or modifications to the unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Introducing the ELSA MicroLink Cable

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Installation and configuration

The aim of this chapter is to get you online as quickly as possible. First please check that the contents of the package are complete:

ELSA MicroLink Cable

K Power supply K Twisted-pair LAN connector cable K WAN connector cable (coaxial) or corresponding adapter K Documentation K CD containing

Computers to be connected to the Internet using this device must fulfill the following requirements:

K Any operating system that supports the TCP/IP network protocol, such as Windows

95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, OS/2, Linux, BeOS

K Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0 and a CD-ROM drive on the computer

on which you would like to install the

K Ethernet network adapter K TCP/IP network protocol installed and bound to the network adapter

ELSA LANconfig

and electronic documentation

ELSA LANconfig

configuration software.

English

First, we will show you how to connect your new

ELSA LANconfig

the unit will then be ready to connect your computer or network to the Internet.

If this is all going too fast for you or you're not familiar with the technical terms, you can also find further information in this documentation, such as detailed descriptions of the unit and its functions, sample configurations, descriptions of the software, glossaries, etc.

This unit is designed to be connected to the broadband cable TV network. The connection is made using the supplied coaxial cable or the appropriate adapter.

configuration software and perform the initial configuration. The

ELSA MicroLink Cable

, how to install

ELSA MicroLink Cable

English

Installation and configuration

First Steps

Give it some power

First, give your device the power it needs through the power supply unit!

Onto the net

Connect the unit to your local network using the twisted pair cable. Please check the position of the node/hub switch: 'Node' is the correct position when connecting the unit to a network. Switch to 'Hub' when connecting the unit directly to a workstation.

The wire to the world

Connect the adapter and a normal antenna cable. Data is transmitted through the cable TV network in accordance with the MCNS (Multimedia Cable Network System)/DOCSIS standard.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

to the TV cable network using the coaxial cable or the

The connection to the cable TV network must provide a certain signal level. This value will be checked by your cable network operator and adjusted as required.

And we're off

Switch the device on at the back. The 'Power' LED on the front panel lights up after a short self-test. The 'LAN Link' LED indicates that the unit is correctly connected to the LAN and that the Node/Hub switch is correctly set.

If this LED is not lit, change the position of the Node/Hub switch. If the LED still does not light up, there may be a problem with the network adapter or the cabling.

Software installation

The

ELSA LANconfig

NT 4.0 may be used to configure the unit as required or to set it up for other applications. Alternatively, you can perform the configuration via telnet from any other TCP/IP capable computer (e.g. Linux, Solaris). Install the TCP/IP network protocol, followed by the

LANconfig

does not start up automatically after insertion of the CD, start Windows Explorer, click on 'autorun.exe' on the program.

on the computer that will be used to set up the device. If the setup program

configuration software for Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows

ELSA MicroLink Cable

and follow the instructions in the install

ELSA

Configuring the

The first time TCP/IP network and can immediately be configured.

When configuring the router with quickly and conveniently guide you through the required settings.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

ELSA LANconfig

is run, the new modem is automatically detected on the

ELSA LANconfig

, you can use the setup wizards to

Installation and configuration

Quick Start: Quick configurations

We're sure that after you've installed the hardware and software, you'll want to get going quickly without bothering with technical details. In the following sections, we'll show you how to set up your applications—without bothering with the whys and wherefores.

After the preparations that you should check in any case, we will introduce the configuration of the unit as a bridge and IP router. Further information on the bridge and router functions can be found in the 'Operating Modes' chapter.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Preparations

The Internet is based on the TCP/IP network protocol. The individual devices in the Internet (workstations, servers, routers, etc.) are identified using unique IP addresses. All computers exchanging data on the Internet therefore must have the TCP/IP network protocol installed and must be assigned a valid IP address.

quickly for the most common

English

IP addresses can either be manually entered, permanently for each computer, or assigned automatically by a different computer, a so-called DHCP server. Your cable network operator has such a DHCP server, and one is also contained in the itself. For this quick-start, we prefer using the automatic assignment of an IP address by a DHCP server. The cable network operator's DHCP server will be used when configuring the unit as a bridge; in router mode the integrated DHCP server of the

will be used.

Cable

The following settings are required regardless of the operating mode you intend to use with your

K Install the TCP/IP network protocol on all computers on the network. K Activate the automatic assignment of IP addresses via DHCP for the workstations

Just how you do that will be explained in section 'How to set up the workstation computers' towards the back of this chapter.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

(generally the default setting).

ELSA MicroLink Cable

ELSA MicroLink

Configuration as a bridge

Bridge mode is the simplest configuration for the the unit does not take IP addresses into consideration and transfers all data that is not destined for workstations in the local network directly to the Internet. In the opposite direction, all data coming from the Internet for a specific computer in the local network is transferred (insofar as that computer has already sent data to the Internet). It's thus not necessary to worry about the assignment of IP addresses. The computers in your local network receive their IP addresses directly from the DHCP server of the cable network operator.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

. In this mode,

English

Installation and configuration

Internet

Computer workstation in LAN

IP address assignment

MCNS/

DOCSIS

Server with DHCP

Headend Cable TV net-

work

ELSA MicroLink Cable

as bridge

In this example, only one computer is connected to the Internet via the ELSA MicroLink Cable. In principle however, several computers can be connected to the ELSA MicroLink Cable, using a hub for example, if the network operator permits.

a Start up

LANconfig

ELSA LANconfig

b Click the entry for the

by clicking Start E Programs E ELSAlan E

ELSA MicroLink Cable

in the device list to open the

ELSA

configuration dialog. If an entry doesn't exist yet, create a new one using Device

E New. For the IP address, enter '10.0.0.254' or 'x.x.x.254', in which 'x.x.x' stands

for the addresses previously in use in your network, if applicable. Go to the 'Bridge' section and activate the option 'Bridge' on the 'General' tab.

c Go to the 'TCP/IP' configuration section and on the 'Router' tab, disable the 'IP

Router' option. Also deactivate the DHCP server of your the 'DHCP Server' tab, as well as the 'IP Masquerading' function on the 'Masquerading' tab.

d Save the configuration with OK.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Installation and configuration

The

ELSA MicroLink Cable

is now ready for use in bridge mode. Open your Web browser,

and off you go into the Web with a whole new sensation of speed...

If you can only access the Internet with a single computer while using this configuration, your cable network operator may have placed a limit on the maximum number of connected computers. Either ask your network operator to increase the number, or configure your ELSA MicroLink Cable as a router (with DHCP server and IP masquerading).

If necessary, filters can be defined to restrict the exchange of data packets between the local network and the Internet.

Configuration as a router

In addition to bridge mode, the this mode, the

ELSA MicroLink Cable

computers exchanging data with the Internet. The exchange of data with the Internet can thus be set up with much greater precision in this mode. The DHCP server and IP masquerading functions will assist you with the administration of IP addresses in the LAN.

Internet

ELSA MicroLink Cable

can also serve as an IP router. In

pays careful attention to the IP addresses of the

Computer workstation in LAN

English

IP address assignment

MCNS/

DOCSIS

Server with DHCP

Headend Cable TV net-

work

ELSA MicroLink Cable

as router with DHCP server

Hub

In this example, several computers are connected to the ELSA MicroLink Cable, and thus to the Internet, using a hub. In principle however, a single computer can also be connected directly to the ELSA MicroLink Cable.

a Start up

LANconfig

ELSA LANconfig

by clicking Start E Programs E ELSAlan E

ELSA

ELSA MicroLink Cable

English

Installation and configuration

b In order for a device to be able to assign addresses to other devices on a TCP/IP

network, it first needs an IP address valid in the LAN itself (LAN-IP address). Click the entry in the device list to open the configuration dialog. If an entry doesn't exist yet, create a new one using Device E New. For the IP address, enter '10.0.0.254' or 'x.x.x.254', in which 'x.x.x' stands for the addresses previously in use in your network, if applicable. Switch to the 'TCP/IP' configuration section and on the 'General' tab, enter the LAN IP address and the associated netmask.

– If you have not used any IP addresses on your network so far, you can assign any

address you like from the address space reserved for private use, e.g. '10.0.0.1' with the subnet mask '255.255.255.0'. You are thereby also defining the address space that the DHCP server will use for the other devices on the network.

– If you have already configured IP addresses on the computers on the LAN,

allocate a free address to the device from the address space you used previously.

c On the 'Router' tab, enable the 'IP Router' option.

d On the 'Masquerading' tab, enable the 'IP Masquerading' function. This will conceal

the IP addresses in use in your local network from the Internet. This protects your network from intruders and avoids conflicts with other networks that may be using the same addresses internally (also see IP addressing and IP masquerading).

e Go to the 'DHCP' tab and set the DHCP server to Auto mode. This lets the unit handle

the local IP address administration by itself. The the valid address pool by itself unless you specify otherwise.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

determines

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Installation and configuration

f Go then to the 'Bridge' section and deactivate the option 'Bridge' on the 'General'

tab.

g Save the configuration with OK.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

The and off you go into the Web with a whole new sensation of speed...

is now ready for use in router mode. Open your Web browser,

If necessary, filters can be defined to restrict the exchange of data packets between the local network and the Internet. This lets you define restrictions on the workstations that can access the Internet, or on specific pages of the Internet that cannot be viewed.

Set up the workstation computers (Windows 95 or 98)

We will now briefly show you how the workstation computers must be set up (e.g. under Windows 95 and Windows 98) to ensure problem-free communication between the computers on the TCP/IP network and the router, if this has not already been done.

K TCP/IP installation

Install TCP/IP by clicking Start E Settings E Control Panel E Network E Add

E Protocol. Select 'Microsoft' under Manufacturers and 'TCP/IP' under Network

Protocols.

English

K Obtain IP addresses automatically (use DHCP)

Here's how to set individual workstations to automatically obtain an IP address:

Start E Settings E Control Panel E Network E TCP/IP E Properties E IP Address E Obtain an IP address automatically . Delete any existing entries for

DNS servers and gateways on the 'Gateway' and 'DNS Configuration' tabs and disable the 'DNS' option. When rebooting, the workstation will look for a DHCP server in the network and will allow the server to assign it an IP address and a netmask.

K Configuring fixed IP addresses (not using DHCP)

If you do not wish to use a DHCP server on your network you should configure fixed IP addresses on your workstation computers: Start E Settings E Control Panel

E Network E TCP/IP E Properties E IP Address E Specify an IP address.

Allocate unique IP addresses, e.g. from a reserved address space. The workstations can be assigned the addresses '10.1.1.2' to '10.1.1.253', for example, the

MicroLink Cable

Ensure that the address intended for the available by opening a DOS box and entering the command you do not receive a reply to this request the address is probably still unused.

the address '10.1.1.1', all with the netmask '255.255.255.0'.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

, i.e. '10.1.1.1', is

ping 10.1.1.1

ELSA

. If

ELSA MicroLink Cable

English

Installation and configuration

Assign fixed IP addresses in router mode with activated IP masquerading only. Otherwise, address conflicts with other users in your cable network may result when using router mode without IP masquerading, or bridge mode.

K Specifying the gateway and the DNS server (not necessary if using DHCP)

Enter the LAN IP address of the the gateway and domain name server (DNS server) in the individual workstations:

Start E Settings E Control Panel E Network E TCP/IP E Properties E Gateway and DNS Configuration. You must also specify a host name for the DNS

configuration. Use the name of the PC for reasons of consistency, which, for example, could be the same as the user name.

K Checking the IP configuration

Check the current IP configuration of the computer under Windows 95 or Windows 98 by selecting Start E Run E winipcfg. Among other information, you can see the IP address assigned to the computer by the DHCP server and the addresses conveyed for the DNS server and gateway.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

in your own local network as

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Configuration modes

ELSA cable modems are always delivered with up-to-date software in which a number of the settings have already been prepared for you.

It will nevertheless be necessary for you to add some information and configure them to your specific needs. These settings are made as part of the configuration process.

This section will show you the programs and routes you can use to access the device and set it up.

And, if the team at ELSA has produced firmware with new features, we will show you how to load the new software.

The user-friendly method: inband

Using inband configuration allows any computer on the cable network or LAN to access the router. However, this is only possible if the router permits it, as access from the WAN or LAN can be restricted or completely blocked by the IP access list. Inband configuration requires the use of either telnet (supplied with most operating systems) or

ELSA LANconfig

the with your device. You can always obtain up-to-date releases from our online media.

configuration program for Windows.

ELSA LANconfig

is supplied

English

Requirements for inband configuration

TCP/IP or TFTP are used to make configurations using telnet or TCP/IP protocol must therefore be installed on the computer being used and your cable modem must be given an IP address which you will then use when addressing it.

A device that has not been configured yet will respond to the IP address XXX.XXX.XXX.254, in which the Xs are placeholders for the network address in your LAN. If the computers on your network have addresses such as 192.110.130.1, then you will be able to address the router using 192.110.130.254.

If a computer with the address XXX.XXX.XXX.254 is already active on your network, shut down the computer with this IP address before continuing. Give the device a new LAN IP address as soon as you have established a connection to it, using ELSA LANconfig or telnet.

ELSA LANconfig

. The

Alternatively: addresses can be managed by the DHCP server

If it is not absolutely essential that you configure the correct IP addresses manually, the DHCP server can perform this task for you automatically. When using the DHCP server you can have the IP addresses for all computers on the network assigned automatically (see also chapter 'Automatic Address Administration with DHCP').

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Configuration modes

English

Starting inband configuration using

After the installation (double-click on 'autorun.exe') is complete, call up the

LANconfig

ELSA LANconfig

network for Just click on the Find button or call up the command with Device E Find to initiate a

search for a new device manually. to search. You will only need to specify the local area network if using the inband solution, and then you're off.

Once found, together with their names and a description if available, the IP address and its status.

configuration tool, for example by clicking on Start E Programs E ELSAlan

in the Windows task bar.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

devices.

ELSA LANconfig

has finished its search, it displays a list of all the devices it has

ELSA LANconfig

will then prompt you for a location

searches the local area

ELSA

Double-clicking the entry for the highlighted device and then clicking the Configure button or the Edit E Edit Configuration File option reads the device's current settings and displays the general device information.

The remainder of the program's operation is essentially self-explanatory or covered in the online help. You can click on the question mark top right in any window or right-click on an unclear term at any time to call up context-sensitive help.

Start up inband configuration using telnet

Start inband configuration using telnet with the command from a DOS box:

telnet 10.1.80.125

Telnet will then establish a connection with the device using the IP address. After the entry of the password (if you specified one to protect the settings) all

commands from the 'Configuration Commands' section are available.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Configuration modes

Configuration commands

Enter commands and path specifications using the normal DOS or UNIX conventions if you are using telnet or a terminal program to configure the device.

Enter a forward slash or backslash to separate the path specifications. You do not need to write out commands and table entries in full; an unambiguous abbreviation will do.

The entries for the categories MENU, VALUE, TABLE, TABINFO, ACTION and INFO will be displayed while configurations are made and may be modified. You can use the following commands to do this:

This command ... ... means this ... ... for instance:

? or help Calls up help text -

English

dir, list, ll, ls <MENU>, <VALUE> or <TABLE>

cd <MENU> or <TABLE> Switches to the MENU or TABLE

set <VALUE> This resets the VALUE. set IP-address 192.110.120.140 sets a

set <VALUE> ? Shows you which values can be

del <VALUE> Deletes a table row. del /se/wan/nam/AACHEN

do <ACTION> (parameters)

passwd Allows a new password to be

Displays the contents of MENU, VALUE or TABLE

specified

Insert a space between all entries in table rows. An * leaves the entry unchanged.

specified here

Executes the ACTION according to any parameters specified,

specified. The old password, if there is one, must be entered first. The new password must then be entered twice and confirmed each time with y.

dir/status/wan-statistics displays the current WAN statistics

cd setup/tcp-ip-module (or cd se/tc for short) switches to the TCP/IP module

new IP address set /setup/name AACHEN assigns

the name 'AACHEN' to the device.

Deletes the entry for the remote station AACHEN.

do /firmware/firmware-upload starts the upload of new firmware.

repeat <sec> <ACTION> Repeats the ACTION at an inter-

val of the number of seconds specified. Any key can be used

to terminate the repetition. time Sets the system time and date. time 24.12.1998 18:00:00 language <language> Sets the language for the cur-

rent configuration session.

exit, quit, x Configuration is terminated.

repeat 3 dir/status/wan-statistics displays the current WAN statistics every 3 seconds

Languages currently supported: English (language english) German (language deutsch)

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Configuration modes

Text entries with spaces are only accepted if they are placed in quotation marks, e.g.

set/se/snmp/admin "The Administrator"

English

Text entries (individual and table values) can be deleted as follows:

set /se/snmp/admin ""

ELSA MicroLink Cable

What's happening on the line?

Configuration modes

Trace Outputs

Trace outputs may be used to monitor the internal processes in the cable modem during or after configuration.

The trace outputs are slightly delayed behind the actual event, but are always in the correct sequence. This will not usually hamper interpretation of the displays but should be taken into consideration if making precise analyses.

How to start a trace

The command to call up a trace follows this syntax:

trace [code] [parameters]

The trace command, the code, the parameters and the combination commands are all separated from each other by spaces. And what is lurking behind the code and parameters?

This code ... ... in combination with the trace causes the following:

? Displays a help text + Switches on a trace output

English

- Switches off a trace output # Switches between different trace outputs (toggle) no code Displays the current status of the trace

This parameter ... ... brings up the following display for the trace:

Status Status messages for the connection Error Error messages for the connection IP router IP routing IP-RIP IP Routing Information Protocol ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol ARP Address Resolution Protocol Masquerade Processes in the masquerading module DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

This combination command

... brings up the following display for the trace:

All All trace outputs Display Status and error outputs

ELSA MicroLink Cable

Configuration modes

English

This combination command

TCP-IP IP-Rt., IP-RIP, ICMP and ARP outputs Time Displays the system time in front of the actual trace output Source Includes a display of the protocol that has initiated the output in front of

... brings up the following display for the trace:

the trace.

Any appended parameters are processed from left to right. This means that it is possible to call a parameter and then restrict it.

Examples

This code ... ... in combination with the trace causes the following:

trace Displays all protocols that can generate outputs during the configuration,

and the status of each output (ON or OFF) trace + all Switches on all trace outputs trace + all - icmp Switches on all trace outputs with the exception of the ICMP protocol trace - time Switches off the system time output before the actual trace output.

You will find notes on the interpretation of trace outputs in the reference section of this guide.

New firmware with FirmSafe

The software for the devices of ELSA is constantly being updated. We have fitted the units with a flash ROM which makes child's play of updating the operating software so that you can enjoy the benefits of new features and functions. No need to change the EPROM, no need to open up the case: simply load the new release and you're away.

This is how FirmSafe works

FirmSafe makes the installation of the new software safe: The current firmware is not simply overwritten but saved additionally in the device as a second firmware.

Only one of the firmware versions stored in the device can be active at any one time. When new firmware is loaded the inactive firmware is overwritten. You can decide which firmware version you want to activate after the upload:

K 'Immediate': The first option is to load the new firmware and activate it

immediately. The following situations can result: – The new firmware is successfully loaded and then operates as desired.

Everything is then in order.

ELSA MicroLink Cable

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