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InstantIP™ technology is a unique feature of the Internet Station. It provides simplified setup and administration of complicated Internet addressing. InstantIP technology is designed for both beginner and experienced users wishing to make their network Internet-ready in minutes. By using InstantIP™ technology, users may save thousands of dollars in additional software and purchased Internet addresses, as well as time in managing Internet accounts and protocols. InstantIP technology also provides advanced security features that protect computers, servers, and files on the local network from unwanted intrusions such as hackers on the Internet.
InstantIP technology combines four key functions: Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP), Network Address Translation (NAT), Domain Name Services (DNS), and dynamic addressing to give small network users the easiest and most cost-effective way to set up their network for Internet access. This is a review of the technologies used by InstantIP technology:
DHCP
Dynamic Host Control Protocol is a standard that dynamically allocates or "leases" Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to individual computers on the local network. In the case of the Internet Station, the pool of IP addresses can be the range pre-installed on the Internet Station or a range that you have chosen. DHCP also configures the computers to automatically use the Internet Station as their gateway to the Internet. The alternative to using DHCP is to configure the TCP/IP settings of every computer on the network manually.
NAT
Network Address Translation translates IP addresses on the private network (the Local Area Network) through a single IP address used by the Internet Station. In other words, while multiple users are accessing the Internet through the Internet Station, the public side (the Internet) only sees the Internet Station's address. When used in combination with DHCP, NAT alleviates the cost and complexity of paying for IP addresses for every computer on the network.
DNS
Domain Name Services simplifies Internet usage and reference to resources on the Internet by mapping names to IP addresses. It allows users to set up a distinct domain name for a group of computers or other resources. DNS, for example, allows users to enter the more familiar "istation.myoffice.com" instead of 192.168.42.254 to communicate with the Internet Station.
Dynamic Addressing
Dynamic addressing on the Internet Station allows you to automatically accept an IP address from your ISP every time the Internet Station dials in. This eliminates the complexity of configuring the Internet Station like you might other products. The Internet Station can also be configured for a static IP address so that it uses the same IP address each time it connects to the ISP.
Benefits of InstantIP technology
Using these three technologies, InstantIP technology gives Internet Station users substantial benefits over most other Internet access devices. They include:
Cost Savings
By using a single, dynamically-assigned IP address, the Internet Station can save hundreds of dollars in charges from Internet Service Providers. Accounts that include multiple IP addresses can reach $300 per month or more. The DNS function also saves additional yearly costs from InterNIC, the organization that administers Internet domain names, for the privilege of owning a distinct domain name. By combining DHCP, DNS, and dynamically-assigned IP addresses from the ISP, InstantIP technology provides everything users need to access the Internet through one Internet account.
Increased Network Security
The use of NAT as part of the InstantIP configuration substantially increases network security by hiding all devices on the local side of the network. Network Address Translation essentially "firewalls" your Local Area Network, preventing unwanted access to your local computers. The NAT function of InstantIP technology will not accept a connection attempt from the Internet that was not requested by a computer on the local network.
Simple IP Address Administration
Using DHCP as the allocation technology, the Internet Station "leases" IP addresses to users on an as-needed basis. This eliminates the time, cost, and confusion of administering multiple IP addresses on the local network. In addition, the Internet Station saves costly administration of IP addresses by the Internet Service Provider by dynamically accepting an IP address each time it connects. There is no need for the ISP to worry about IP management among its customers.
Ease of Installation and Use
InstantIP technology provides ease of installation and use for the network user. Using InstantIP technology eliminates complex configuration of individual computers on the network out of the process. The Internet Station's installation CD automatically configures the network settings on each computer. In addition, dynamic addressing from the ISP makes complex router configuration a thing of the past.
Flexibility
Using InstantIP technology, network users have the flexibility to add, change, or move computers on the network, and even change Internet Service Providers quickly and easily. In such changes, InstantIP technology handles the administration of IP addresses and domain names.
How InstantIP Technology Works
InstantIP technology setup begins when an individual starts up their computer. At system startup, the computer obtains an IP address from the DHCP server on the Internet Station. DHCP services are available through Windows* 95 or Windows NT*. The Internet Station receives the request and "leases" an IP address to the user's computer for that session.
An individual on the private, Local Area Network initiates traffic bound for the Internet through a Web browser, FTP software, or E-mail. The Internet Station senses the IP traffic and automatically dials the local Internet Service Provider. The Internet Station identifies itself to the ISP using PAP and/or CHAP negotiation and password authentication. After authentication, the ISP dynamically assigns an IP address from its pool of Internet Protocol addresses to the Internet Station to use during that session.
The Internet Station then appears as a single device to the Internet Service Provider when, in reality, it may represent multiple users that are privately hidden on the LAN. Network Address Translation then takes over, mapping the information that is sent to and received from the Internet through its one, dynamic IP address. With multiple users, NAT shares the one IP address of the Internet Station among all users and allocates inbound traffic to the appropriate user.
Questions and Answers
Q1. Can I use dynamic IP addressing, DCHP, or NAT separately?
A1. Absolutely. Each of the four components of InstantIP technology may be used independent of the others. Each has its own separate enable or disable controls in the Internet Station's advanced settings. All three technologies have distinct advantages and uses. However, for optimum ease of use we recommend that all three components be used together.
Q2. Can multiple users simultaneously connect to the same Web site with InstantIP technology?
A2. Yes. Even if multiple users simultaneously connect to the same Web site, the Internet Station will accommodate the separate transactions. The resource (such as a Web site) will see the same IP address from each user. However, because Network Address Translation keeps track of users on the local network by IP address and port allocation, multiple users can access the same resource without confusing the Internet Station.
Q3. Is there a way for everyone on the network to use Internet E-mail with InstantIP technology?
A3. Many people mistakenly believe that having only one IP address and one Internet account on the Internet Station means that they can have only one E-mail account. However, E-mail is set up by mailbox accounts, and is used independently from the number of IP addresses and accounts used by the Internet Station. Even though you are using only one Internet access account with the Internet Station, most Internet Service Providers will provide you with additional E-mail accounts for a nominal fee. You may use either of these two methods for Internet E-mail access:
ISP-Based Mailboxes
This solution involves setting up an E-mail account at the Internet Service Provider for each individual that wants Internet E-mail. This solution is very simple, and provides everyone with the ability to dial into the ISP through the Internet Station and download their own E-mail. This process is initiated when the user opens their E-mail package and checks their mail. The Internet Station automatically dials up and connects for them. Likewise when a user sends E-mail, the Internet Station will automatically dial up and send the E-mail through the ISP. The disadvantage of this method is that each user needs to take the time to dial into the ISP individually.
LAN-Based E-mail Server
A second alternative involves installing a mail server on the Local Area Network. The server would be configured to dial into your Internet Service Provider periodically through the Internet Station and download mail for all the users on the network. This requires both a mail server on the LAN as well as mailboxes at the ISP. The advantage of this solution is that the E-mail server automatically sends and receives mail for each user. The individual then just connects to their mail server on the LAN.
Q4. Can I put servers or other devices on my network that can be seen by the Internet with InstantIP technology enabled?
A4. Services on the Local Area Network such as Web servers and FTP servers are not available at this time through the Internet Station. These services require dial-in and TCP port allocation capabilities that are not currently Internet Station features.
This applies to:
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