You can use a 3G router suitable for your dongle. This takes the dongle in its own USB socket and the firmware operates the dialling process. Several PCs of any OS (Windows, Mac, Linux...) can share the internet access and connect to the router by Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
You must however check that your dongle is supported by the router's firmware, and the manufacturer's website will list supported dongles and will usually frequently add more.
There are a number of 3G routers available at time of writing, but the Edimax 3G-6200n was one of two which definitely support the Orange dongle (Huawei E160e).
The USB stand does not come with the router, it is from a Belkin wireless dongle.
Another suitable router is the Aztech from Solwise. I decided upon the Edimax for no particular reason except I had heard of it. Both companies seem to provide good web based support including firmware update downloads.
I ordered the device from one of Amazon's dealers and it arrived within a few days. Having downloaded the user manual as a pdf beforehand from the Edimax site, I knew how to set up the router as follows.
First I wanted to make the router safe from wifi access by others in the neighbourhood. I enabled WPA encryption and added a passphrase of 63 random characters. Then I changed the default admin password and enabled the firewall module. NAT was already enabled.
Now that the router was secure from potential hackers I entered the PIN of the Orange E160e dongle which I had already activated using the Orange Mobile Partner using direct PC connection prior to getting the Edimax. This was entered into the 3G section of the router admin system. If you don't normally use a PIN there is no need to enter it in here of course.
I then typed in the APN for Orange (consumerbroadband) and I also noticed that the Orange dial number was already entered as *99#
Above shows the setup for my "Orange" dongle. If yo use another ISP then you need to Google for the APN and dial details. Try filesaveas.co.uk
Everything was saved with "Apply" and then I powered down the router, plugged the dongle in the back and powered back up again.
After just over 60 seconds the steady blue light was on the dongle, the blue 3G LED was lit on the Edimax panel, (Steady whilst dialling but once connected to Orange it flashed continually) and
I connected the PC wirelessly using the WPA passphrase in the normal way using my Windows 7 wireless manager.
Simples - no CDs, no wizards, though the option is there if you want them.
Pros:
Reconnection is simple. None of this having to shut down nicely, avoid sleep or hibernate, pull out dongle and plug back in and other tricks in a desperate attempt to get the dongle to connect. The routine now is simply switch on the router with the dongle in, switch on the laptop, then by the time they are both up and running you are online.
Will also run on any version of any operating system that supports Ethernet or WiFi.
Cons:
With this router no way to soft-disconnect the dongle, but I just switch it off when done surfing. It boots back up and reconnects in about 60 seconds.
Also I recommend you download Netmeter in order to keep track of usage if you are on a restricted limit like 3GB or even 1GB. Each PC sharing the connection needs Netmeter installing on it. (Google NetMeter114beta_4.exe)
Edimax compatibility Many of the UK's popular Huawei dongles are supported in Firmware V2.08* including Huawei E160E, E160G, E169G, E170, E176, E180, E219, E220, E270, E272/ E618, E620, E630, E800. Vodafone (Huawei) K3520, K3565, K3715 and the ubiquitous ICON 225. See the Edimax website for many more compatible modems.
Performance:
Wireless-n requires 3 antenna for full 300mbps. The "n-lite" with one antenna gives PC to PC network speeds of 65mbps at best and more usually 54mbps - still enough for me though (my internet speed being around 2mbps). [source]
0 comments:
Post a Comment