Satellite Broadband - wanting to go wireless

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JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#96753 3-Feb-2012 14:46

Hi there

My parents have satellite broadband with Rural Inzone. The satellite feed connects to the PC via a Linkstar S2A.

They now have a new laptop (the old PC is getting chucked) and want to connect using wireless g/n.

How can they achieve this? Swap the Linkstar S2A with something else with wireless capability or add something to the Linkstar S2A to get wireless capability?

Any help greatly appreciated, including links to products you believe may be suitable.

Cheers
James

edit: Linkstar S2A info

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8328 posts

Uber Geek

#576866 3-Feb-2012 15:17

According to this
http://satcomnow.com/satcom/pdf/ViaSat_LinkStar.pdf
The linkstar has a RS-232 and a 10/100 network port on it, ( I am assuming the 10/100 is what is connected to the PC?

If that is the case, then any wireless router will do the trick,

I will leave to others as what is the current flavour of the month for such magical witchcraft devices that replace good old fashioned cables :)

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576869 3-Feb-2012 15:19

Yes existing 10/100 is connected to PC.

So something like this would be ok?

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JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576880 3-Feb-2012 15:33

ok so which one would you recommend

only requirements are that it is stable and has g/n (my parents are never going to touch it once it is running)

Belkin N150 $70

TP-Link TL-WR743ND $75

Linksys E1000 $70

or any suggestions

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JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576907 3-Feb-2012 16:48

Belkin N150

link above is wrong

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nickb800

2719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#576909 3-Feb-2012 16:52

Everyone on here has their own preferences, but most have had good experiences with TP-Link, which is what I would recommend

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#576928 3-Feb-2012 17:32

If it were me I would be more inclined to get a small switch and then just get an access point instead of another router. Could get some issues with two routers.

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576965 3-Feb-2012 18:40

chevrolux: If it were me I would be more inclined to get a small switch and then just get an access point instead of another router. Could get some issues with two routers.

excuse my ignorance but why the switch? can the wireless access point just connect to the Linkstar Satellite modem/router?

is the switch just to gain so ports for wired access?

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Sharesies

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gwh

73 posts

Master Geek

#576976 3-Feb-2012 19:19

The Linkstar boxes use static IP addresses on the LAN connection. You will need to load the same static IP info into the wireless router as is loaded into the PC at the moment. The static IP information is usually printed on a sticker on top of the Linkstar box or you can go into the network interface settings on the computer and transfer the info over. Because its static you'll also need to load Rural Inzone's DNS server addresses in to the router.

The Linkstar box will be replace with a Farmside device within a few months as Farmside have purchased Ruralinzone and are migrating the customer base to their IPstar platform. When this happens the new satellite box will be DHCP only so at this stage you or the installer will need to make the router an AP, not a router/AP.

The good news from the take over is that your parents should get better quality broadband than through the viasat platform for much the same cost.

PM me if you have any other questions

Glenn Hutton
Rivernet Ltd (ruralinzone reseller agents)

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#576981 3-Feb-2012 19:31

gwh: ...
The good news from the take over is that your parents should get better quality broadband than through the viasat platform for much the same cost.

Glenn Hutton
Rivernet Ltd (ruralinzone reseller agents)

I know somebody who cannot see the IPstar satellite due to hills on their western horizon. But they thought it would be possible to connect through Viasat using Rural Inzone. I guess this is now out of the question?

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576984 3-Feb-2012 19:35

Yes they had a Farmside tech guy there this pm. He was apparently checking to see if they can receive adsl but, as we already knew, it wasn't possible.

He did mention they would be changing over some stuff but mum, being tech illerate, didn't understand what he was talking about.

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Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#577008 3-Feb-2012 20:32

chevrolux: If it were me I would be more inclined to get a small switch and then just get an access point instead of another router. Could get some issues with two routers.

And you'd find your solution didn't work.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#577015 3-Feb-2012 20:52

Spyware: And you'd find your solution didn't work.

so what is the solution? I am mega confused.

- wireless router?
- wireless access point + switch (do I need the switch if I dont need wired connection?)

help

.....c'mon sucker lick my battery........
binary solo...0000110000110000111...

timmmay

20582 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#577024 3-Feb-2012 21:09

Given WAP + switch costs about the same as a WAP i'd get the combined one. The only difference to me, and i'm not a network guy, is it gives you plugs just in case you need them in the future. TP-Link have a good reputation, but i've also found Linksys good. They're all much the same for regular stuff.

Just make sure you set it up with WEP2 security.

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#577035 3-Feb-2012 21:56

JimmyLizar:
Spyware: And you'd find your solution didn't work.

so what is the solution? I am mega confused.

- wireless router?
- wireless access point + switch (do I need the switch if I dont need wired connection?)

help

You need to use a router as a router as gwh suggested. Public IP address on computer needs to be configured on router's WAN interface and computer switched to receive private IP from router.

OR wait until the linkstar device is replaced with Farmside equipment.

gwh

73 posts

Master Geek

#577144 4-Feb-2012 10:07

grant_k:
gwh: ...
The good news from the take over is that your parents should get better quality broadband than through the viasat platform for much the same cost.

Glenn Hutton
Rivernet Ltd (ruralinzone reseller agents)

I know somebody who cannot see the IPstar satellite due to hills on their western horizon. But they thought it would be possible to connect through Viasat using Rural Inzone. I guess this is now out of the question?

At this stage we're not sure of Farmside's plans for use of the GE23 satellite which is in the north. Many of the ruralinzone customers Farmside are taking over will definitely not be able to see the Thaicom satellite that Farmside use.
Viasat is dead in the water in NZ also, before the sale Ruralinzone were actively migrating their customer base to a new platform on the same satellite as well as Thaicom 4 ( the farmside sat.)
We signed Rivernet up to use the RBI platform through Vodafone and are relieved we did because that gives us a possible option for our satellite customers that wont see the Thaicom satellite that farmside use.

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