Novatel Minstrel m500 User Manual
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Preface
Safety and Regulatory Notices
This product is not to be used in any environment where radio frequency
equipment is prohibited or restricted in its use. This includes aircraft/airports,
hospitals, and other sensitive electronic areas. To ensure that your modem is
deactivated you should remove it from your computer under the above conditions.
REGULATORY NOTICES
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference
Statement
This equipment has been certified to comply within the limits of a class B digital
device pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential situations. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not
properly installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment on and off. You are encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna of the television, radio or cordless
telephone.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional
suggestions.
FCC ID: NBZNRM-6835
Canada: 3229182356A
Preface — Technical Support
Revision 1.02 90023164
Technical Support
If you have any questions or comments about your Minstrel m500, please contact the Novatel
Wireless Technical Support Team.
WWW: www.novatelwireless.com/support/index.html
E-mail: support@novatelwireless.com
Phone: 1-888-888-9231
Requirements
The following items are required to set up and use your Minstrel m500:
• A Palm m500/505TM handheld computer;
• Desktop software that allows you to communicate between your desktop PC and the Palm
m500/505™;
• Modem application software for the Palm m500/505™ (included with your Minstrel);
• An account with a Wireless IP network service provider in your area;
• Application software for your Palm m500/505™ such as an e-mail client and web browser.
Wireless IP service is available from your local cellular carrier in most North American cities.
Check your product packaging or www.novatelwireless.com for network provider contact
information.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and should not
be construed as a commitment by Novatel Wireless, Inc. unless such commitment is expressly
given in a covering document.
The information herein is the exclusive property of Novatel Wireless Inc. No part of this
publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic
storage, reproduction, execution, or transmission without the prior written consent of Novatel
Wireless, Inc.
© 2001 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved.
Microsoft®, Windows®, Microsoft® Pocket Internet Explorer, Microsoft® Pocket Outlook, and
Microsoft
®
ActiveSync® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names and product names used in
this document are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
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Contents
Minstrel m500 Familiarization
Status Indicator LEDs................................................................................ 2
Service Connection LED............................................................................................. 2
Data/Message Waiting LED ........................................................................................3
Battery LED ................................................................................................................ 3
Pass-Through Charging ............................................................................ 4
Configurable/Power Button ....................................................................... 4
The Antenna.............................................................................................. 4
The Release Button................................................................................... 4
Setting Up the Minstrel m500
Charging the Battery ................................................................................. 5
Installing the Minstrel m500 Software ....................................................... 6
Connecting the Minstrel m500 to Your Palm............................................. 9
Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 from Your Palm .................................. 10
Configuring the Minstrel m500
Starting the Configuration Process.......................................................... 11
Specifying Your Network Provider........................................................... 12
Using an Unlisted Network Provider .........................................................................13
Configuring the Palm m500/505™ Device .............................................. 13
Contact Your Network Provider............................................................... 14
IP Settings............................................................................................... 15
Confirm the IP Settings ........................................................................... 15
Configuration Acknowledgment............................................................... 16
Checking the Network ............................................................................. 17
Finishing the Modem Configuration......................................................... 18
Customizing the Modem’s Configurable/Power Button ........................... 19
ii Contents
Revision 1.02 90023164
Using the Modem Manager
Connecting to the Network ............................................................................................. 21
Starting the Modem Manager Software................................................................................................21
Disconnecting from the Network ..........................................................................................................22
Closing the Active Network Session ..............................................................................................22
Shutting Down the Modem ............................................................................................................23
Reconnecting to the Network ...............................................................................................................24
Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration ................................................................. 25
Opening the Config Window.................................................................................................................25
Setting the IP Address .........................................................................................................................26
Setting the Primary DNS ......................................................................................................................26
Setting the Secondary DNS .................................................................................................................27
Setting Auto Power Off.........................................................................................................................27
Setting Sleep Mode ..............................................................................................................................28
Defining Your Network Provider ...........................................................................................................29
Define SPI, SPNI, WASI.......................................................................................................................29
Setting the Service ID Pref ...................................................................................................................30
Defining the Channel Hot List...............................................................................................................30
Defining the Hot List Operation ............................................................................................................31
Using the Detailed Status Window ................................................................................. 31
Displaying the Detailed Status Window................................................................................................32
Enabling or Disabling Push Messaging.......................................................................... 32
Opening the Push Message Configuration Screen ..............................................................................33
Configuring Push Messaging ...............................................................................................................33
Using the Terminal......................................................................................................... 34
Opening the Terminal Window .............................................................................................................34
Bringing the Modem OnLine.................................................................................................................35
Using the Cmd List ...............................................................................................................................35
Entering Commands.............................................................................................................................36
Clearing the Terminal Window .............................................................................................................37
Setting the Baud Rate ..........................................................................................................................37
Taking the Modem Offline ....................................................................................................................38
Using Ping......................................................................................................................38
Opening the Ping Window....................................................................................................................39
Setting the Target IP Address ..............................................................................................................39
Defining the Packet Size ......................................................................................................................40
Sending the Packet ..............................................................................................................................40
Modem Manager Description
The Minstrel Main Window ............................................................................................. 41
The Three Modem Manager Menus.....................................................................................................43
The Minstrel Menu ......................................................................................................... 44
The Disconnect Menu Command.........................................................................................................44
The Shutdown Menu Command...........................................................................................................45
The Reconnect Menu Command .........................................................................................................45
The Network Prefs Menu Command....................................................................................................46
Contents iii
90023164 Revision 1.02
The Setup Wizard Menu Command..................................................................................................... 46
The Advanced Menu ......................................................................................................47
The Config Menu Command ................................................................................................................ 47
The Status Menu Command ................................................................................................................ 50
The Push Config Menu Command....................................................................................................... 53
The Terminal Menu Command ............................................................................................................ 53
The Ping Menu Command ................................................................................................................... 55
The Help Menu...............................................................................................................56
The Modem Info Menu Command .......................................................................................................56
The About Menu Command ................................................................................................................. 57
Glossary.................................................................................................... 59
Index .......................................................................................................... 63
iv Contents
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Minstrel m500
Familiarization
The Minstrel m500 modem has six general components.They are:
• The unit status LEDs,
• The configurable/power button,
• The AC adapter jack,
• The serial connector,
• And the antenna.
The location of the AC adapter jack, and the other general components of the
modem are shown in Figure 1. The actual AC adapter jack is shown in Figure 6
on page 5.
Figure 1 Front View of the Minstrel m500 Modem
Status Indicator
LEDs
Serial
Connector
Release
Button
Antenna
Configurable/Power Button
AC Adapter Jack
2 Minstrel m500 Familiarization — Status Indicator LEDs
Revision 1.02 90023164
Status Indicator LEDs
The Minstrel m500 has three LED indicators that allow you to easily determine the status of the
different modem operations. These LEDs are located in the lower right-corner on the front of the
modem, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 The Minstrel m500 Modem Status LEDs
Service Connection LED
The LED associated with the icon shown in Figure 3 indicates the status of the connection to the
wireless IP network.
Figure 3 The Service Connection LED Icon
The following table explains the different states of this LED.
Color State Meaning
Green Solid The Minstrel is registered or connected to the wireless IP network.
Green Flashes on every 5
seconds
The Minstrel is registered to the network but is in sleep mode.
Green Flashing quickly The Minstrel is attempting to register to the network.
Minstrel m500 Familiarization — Status I n d i cator L E D s 3
90023164 Revision 1.02
Data/Message Waiting LED
The LED associated with the icon shown in Figure 4 indicates the transfer of data and provides
notification of waiting messages.
Figure 4 The Data/Message Waiting LED Icon
The following table explains the different states of this LED.
Battery LED
The LED associated with the icon shown in Figure 5, indicates the state of the Minstrel’s internal
battery.
Figure 5 The Battery State LED Icon
The table below describes the various states of this LED.
Green Flashing slowly The Minstrel is attempting to locate a network provider.
Orange Solid When the power button has been depressed for 3 or more sec-
onds, the Minstrel is de-registering from the wireless IP network
and is about to power down.
Color State Meaning
Green Solid There are messages waiting for you to download.
Green Flashing The Minstrel m500 is sending and receiving data.
Color State Meaning
Green Flashing The Minstrel’s battery is being charged. The Minstrel is being
powered by the AC adapter.
Green Solid The Minstrel’s battery is fully charged and the AC adapter is still
plugged into the unit.
Red Flashing The Minstrel’s battery is low and requires charging.
None Off If the Minstrel is being used with the AC adapter, and the bat-
tery LED indicates nothing, a fault has occurred.
Color State Meaning
4 Minstrel m500 Familiarization — Pass-Through Charging
Revision 1.02 90023164
Pass-Through Charging
The Minstrel m500 employs a feature called pass-through charging, which allows you to charge
the modem and the Palm m500/505™ at the same time, provided the Palm device is connected
to the Minstrel m500.
Refer to Charging the Battery on page 5 of Setting Up the Minstrel m500 for more information
on charging the battery.
Configurable/Power Button
The Configurable/Power button, located on the front of the Minstrel m500, serves two purposes.
If the button is depressed for 3 or more seconds, the modem will power off or on. As well, the
button can be customized and will launch any program when pressed briefly. Refer to
Customizing the Modem’s Configurable/Power Button on page 19 of Configuring the
Minstrel m500 for more information.
The Antenna
The Minstrel m500 has a non-telescoping or “stubby” antenna. It cannot be raised or lowered.
The Release Button
The Minstrel m500 release button, located on the left side of the unit, allows you to detach the
Minstrel m500 modem from the Palm m500/505™ device. See Figure 6.
Note:
If the modem’s battery power level drops too low, the modem will automatically disconnect
from the network and power off.
Note:
When powering off the modem using the configurable/power button, it is important to first
close any running programs, such as your web browser or e-mail. Attempting to power off the
modem while an application(s) is still running, could result in the application freezing up.
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Setting Up the
Minstrel m500
In order to install your modem, you must perform three primary tasks: charge the
Minstrel m500 battery, install the Minstrel m500 software on the Palm device, and
connect the modem to the Palm device.
Charging the Battery
You must first charge the Lithium-ion battery to its full capacity.
To charge the battery, plug the AC adapter (supplied) into an outlet and insert the
adapter’s connector into the adapter jack found on the bottom of the Minstrel
m500. The location of the adapter jack is shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6 The AC Adapter Jack Location
It will take approximately three hours to fully charge the battery if it has been
completely discharged.
AC Adapter Jack
Release Button
6 Setting Up the Minstrel m500 — Installing the Minstrel m500 Software
Revision 1.02 90023164
To charge the Palm device’s battery and the Minstrel m500 at the same time (pass-through
charging), simply connect the Palm m500/m505™ to the Minstrel m500, plug the AC adapter into
an outlet, and insert the adapter’s connector into the adapter jack. The location of the adapter
jack is shown in Figure 6.
The Palm device’s battery will continue charging, whether the Palm and the Minstrel modem are
in active use or not, although the charge may be temporarily suspended when the modem is
actively transmitting data. The charging process resumes on its own when the modem exits
transmit mode. It will take up to four hours to fully charge the Palm device’s battery when the
modem is not in use, and up to five hours when the modem is in use. Refer to Connecting the
Minstrel m500 to Your Palm on page 9 of Setting Up the Minstrel m500 for more information.
Installing the Minstrel m500 Software
In order to configure and use the Minstrel m500 modem, you will need to install the Modem
Manager software on your Palm m500/505™ device. Follow the steps outlined below:
1. Set the Palm m500/505™ device in its cradle. Refer to your Palm m500/505™ User Manual
for more information on using the cradle.
2. Insert your Modem Manager software CD into the CD drive of your computer. This will
automatically start the modem installation program, and the window shown in Figure 7 will
appear on your screen.
Figure 7 Software Installation Main Window
Setting Up the Minstrel m500 — Installing the Minstrel m500 Software 7
90023164 Revision 1.02
3. Select Minstrel m500 CDPD Modem from the menu. The Minstrel m500 CDPD Modem
Installation window will appear, shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8 Modem Software Installation Main Window
4. Select Minstrel m500 Software from the above menu. The Install Tool dialog box will
appear, as shown in Figure 9. If the appropriate user name does not appear in the dialog
box, click the drop-down list box and select the correct user name, and then click OK.
.
Figure 9 Install Tool Dialog Box
5. The Install Tool window will appear with the appropriate Modem Manager software image
loaded in the program file pane, as shown in Figure 10.
8 Setting Up the Minstrel m500 — Installing the Minstrel m500 Software
Revision 1.02 90023164
Figure 10 Palm Install Tool Window
6. Click Done. This will remove the window from the screen and you will be informed that the
next time you perform a Hotsync, the program will be transferred to the Palm m500/505™
device.
7. Click Quit, located on the Software Installation Main window. This will remove the window
from your screen.
8. Perform a Hotsync.
Once the Hotsync is complete, you are ready to connect your Minstrel m500 modem to your Palm
m500/505™ device and configure it.
Setting Up the Minstrel m500 — Connecting the Minstrel m500 to Your Palm 9
90023164 Revision 1.02
Connecting the Minstrel m500 to Your Palm
In order to connect the Minstrel m500 modem to your Palm m500/505™, follow the steps below:
1. Make certain the Palm m500/505™ device is turned off.
2. Hold the Minstrel m500 facing you in one hand (the release button should be on the left side
of the unit). With the other hand, hold the Palm m500/505™ so that the screen is facing you.
The orientation of the two units is illustrated in Figure 11.
3. Set the Palm m500/505™ in the bottom lip of the modem so that the Palm device’s serial
connection sits over the Minstrel m500’s serial connector, as shown in Figure 11.
4. Slide the release button up, and position the Palm m500/505™ so that it is flush with the
modem. Once the Palm m500/505™ is laying flat against the modem, let go off the release
button.
Figure 11 Connecting the Minstrel m500 Modem to the Palm m500/505™ Device
Modem’s Serial Connector
10 Setting Up the Minstrel m500 — Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 from Your Palm
Revision 1.02 90023164
Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 from Your
Palm
In order to disconnect the Minstrel m500 modem from your Palm m500/505™:
1. Make certain the Palm m500/505™ device is turned off.
2. Hold the two units so the Palm’s screen is facing you in one hand.
3. Slide the release button up.
4. Tilt the top of the Palm m500/505™ away from the top of the modem and slide the Palm
device up and away from the modem, as shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12 Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 Modem from the Palm m500/505™ Device
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Configuring the
Minstrel m500
The following steps will guide you through the configuration of your new Minstrel
m500 modem.
Starting the Configuration Process
Turn on the Palm m500/505™ device and locate the Minstrel icon in your
applications window, as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 Minstrel Application Selected in the Applications Window
Tap the Minstrel icon to start the Minstrel application. The Setup Wizard window
will appear, as shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14 The Minstrel Setup Wizard Initial Window
Note:
If you have purchased a preconfigured Minstrel m500 you will already
have an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to you. In this
instance, the Setup Wizard will not be run.
12 Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Specifying Your Network Provider
Revision 1.02 90023164
Once you have read the information displayed on the screen, tap Next to continue with the
configuration.
Specifying Your Network Provider
Your next task will be to define the wireless network provider you will use. This is accomplished
in the Network Provider window, shown in Figure 15.
Figure 15 Network Provider Window
This window contains a single drop-down list from which you will select your network provider.
Tap the list to display the predefined network providers, shown in Figure 16.
Figure 16 Network Providers List Open
Select the name of your network provider by tapping the provider’s name. To see more names in
the list, tap the down arrow in the lower-right corner of the list, or press the bottom scroll button.
When you have selected your network provider, tap Next.
Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Configuring the Palm m500/505™ Device 13
90023164 Revision 1.02
Using an Unlisted Network Provider
If the network provider you plan to use is not listed in the Network Provider drop-down list, scroll
to the bottom of the list and select Other. You will then be required to define the network
provider’s SPI (Service Provider Interface) number, shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17 The SPI Dialog Box
If you do not know your network provider’s SPI, contact your network provider and ask for the
number, or enter 0 (zero). If you type in a specific SPI in this dialog box, the modem will only
connect with the network using that specific SPI. If you enter 0, the modem will connect with any
network it can find.
After you have entered the SPI, tap Done. This will remove the dialog box from the screen.
Once the correct network provider appears in the Network Provider window, tap Next.
Configuring the Palm m500/505™ Device
After defining the network provider you will use with your Minstrel m500, you are given the option
of setting the Palm m500/505™ device’s network preferences to the same values as those being
defined in the Minstrel m500 modem setup. This will make the network values you are currently
defining the Palm m500/505™ device’s default values. This is accomplished by using the
Configure Palm Device window, shown in Figure 18.
Figure 18 Configure Palm Device Window
14 Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Contact Your Network Provider
Revision 1.02 90023164
Tap Configure Preferences in order to make the current network settings the default settings for
the Palm m500/505™.
Once Network Preferences have been set, tap Next to continue with the configuration process.
The modem will power on. The Setup Wizard will retrieve the current hardware configuration
settings from the modem and display them in the Contact a Provider window, shown in Figure
19.
Contact Your Network Provider
The next step in setting up your Minstrel m500 is to contact your chosen network provider and
request they set up a wireless IP service account for you.
In order to do this, the network provider will need your Minstrel m500’s EID (Equipment Identifier)
number.
This information is provided in the Contact a Provider window. See Figure 19.
Figure 19 The Contact a Provider Window
This window displays your modem’s EID number and the name and telephone number of your
selected network provider. It is important that you write this information down and contact your
selected network provider immediately.
Once your network provider has supplied you with an IP (Internet Protocol) address and the
appropriate DNS (Domain Name System) addresses, tap Next to configure your IP and DNS
addresses.
Configuring the Minstrel m500 — IP Settings 15
90023164 Revision 1.02
IP Settings
Your next task will be to configure your IP addresses. Use the Settings window, shown in Figure
20, to access the addresses.
Figure 20 The Settings Window
Enter the IP address and the two DNS addresses in the appropriate fields; your network provider
will identify which DNS address is the primary and which is secondary.
Once the network addresses have been entered correctly, tap Next to continue to configure your
modem.
Confirm the IP Settings
The Confirm Settings window, shown in Figure 21, lists the IP addresses entered in the previous
window. This will confirm that you entered the addresses correctly.
Figure 21 The Confirm Settings Window
If you have entered the addresses incorrectly, tap Back to return to the Settings window and
change the appropriate address or addresses. If the addresses have been entered correctly, tap
Next.
16 Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Configuration Acknowledgment
Revision 1.02 90023164
The Setup Wizard will then save the IP address settings and power off the modem, shown in
Figure 22, before displaying the Auto Config window.
Figure 22 The Disconnecting Dialog Box
Configuration Acknowledgment
Once you have finished configuring your IP addresses, the Auto Config window, shown in Figure
23, will appear. This window confirms that your Minstrel m500 has been configured.
Figure 23 The Auto Config Window
It may take some time for your network provider to activate your wireless IP account, and you will
be required to wait the amount of time your network provider indicates before you can proceed.
Once that time has elapsed, tap Next to begin checking your network registration. If, however,
you know your account has already been activated, tap Don’t Wait and begin checking the
network registration immediately.
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