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Our "Wireless Data Project" originally started out to evaluate and recommend the best components we could find for a portable Jeep-compatible packet radio station - to send data via Amateur Radio. The involved a radio, Terminal Node Controller (a TNC or radio modem), and a laptop. We settled on recommending the Kantronics KAM-XL (it's still the best we can find) and the Toshiba Tecra A9-S9013 or A9-S9015x laptop.
The project took on an even greater scope when someone asked me about the possibility of using a Wireless router and sharing Wireless internet access via a Sprint or Verizon data card in the field. I'm quite familiar with the offerings from most of the big players, and aware of their limitations.
Both Sprint and Verizon run a service called EVDO or EVolution Data Only. It's a high-speed wireless way to access the internet. You are not tethered to a landline telephone line (as you are with dialup or DLS) or an ethernet ports or cable connections. You have the choice of either a PCMCIA (Express cards are becoming very common now too) or a USB modem which is dedicated to service from the particular carrier.
We started by evaluating carriers, and one was a clear winner based on a couple of items. Sprint charges you $59.99 a month for unlimited data. Verizon charges you $59.99 a month for "unlimited" data, but with a caveat. If you use over 5 gigabytes in a 1 month period, they assume that you simply must be doing something bad (sharing pirated music or movies?) and will cut off your service without further notice.
I checked with representatives at company stores and Sprint never had an issue with how much data you use "no limits" At Verizon I was told that "there is no problem with normal internet use". When I asked what defined "normal internet use", I was reluctantly told it was anything under 5 gigabytes in a month. I asked why and was flat out told "if you use more, then you must be doing something illegal".
Now, when sending photos to some of our services, some of the really high-res stuff comes in at 5 megabytes/photo. We also do a lot of very large .PDF files, and system updates. My laptop will see more than 5 gigabytes of data traffic in a month, and that's certainly NOT with anything illegal going on.
I feel the same way about Verizon that I do about the TSA - Why treat everyone like criminals, go after (profile) the real criminals. Apparently some of the children that have grown up under "zero-tolerance" policies in public schools - you know, the ones that expel kids for bringing GI Joes figures with little GI Joe guns to school - are now in policy-making positions at Verizon.
Verizon can keep their service. We changed our staff over to Sprint from Verizon. Get some backbone folks, don't willingly submit to such treatment.
Anyway, back to the purpose of the article.
Normally, a Sprint EVDO device will serve one computer - the one you plug it into. You can always use Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), but that's slow and clumsy and really not ideal. We were referred to a couple of companies that make routers designed to take a Sprint card and provide both wired (Ethernet 10/100) and wireless interfaces (802.11A/B/G) to it. The routers we looked at are the Top Global MB6800 and the Kyocera KR-1. They offer similar features, but in our opinion the MB6800 is a superior unit and the best choice.
The Kyocera KR-1 is not a bad router, but they are no longer upgrading it. They will be shipping a new unit next year with additional features. The current KR-1 won't support many of the latest USB devices from Sprint and Verizon. There are also some technical issues relating to support for VPN applications - very common for business users getting into their work networks from home.
Top Global is constantly updating their support for new USB devices, and they support VPN applications. We tested one over a 90-day period and are recommending it to our readers. If you are planning to use it in the field, please pay special attention.
The Top Global MB6800 supports either a PCMCIA or USB Sprint device, provides 802.11b/802.11g, and has 4 10/100 ethernet ports on the unit. There is also a wired WAN port (supporting PPPoE, DHCP, or static IP) and a serial port for a backup modem dial-up connection. Not bad!
Upon opening the package, you find the router, an antenna, an AC power supply (which provides 5VDC at 3A to the MB6800), a quick start manual, and a CD-ROM containing the full system documentation and a few support applications for upgrading the firmware on the unit. It is fully upgradeable, and that turned out to work well for us. The all-silver unit is slim and trim, just right for installing in a vehicle.
The unit comes basically ready to run if you have a Sprint or Verizon card. You can also use it with AT&T Edge service, but that requires modifying some of the system settings.
We took our Sierra AC595 for Sprint EVDO and inserted it into the PCMCIA slot on the unit, connected the antenna and power supply, and powered it up. After a few seconds, we had a functional wired and wireless network with Internet access via the AC595 - nothing else required. Not bad! Right out of the box you are good to go. Keep in mind that out of the box there is no security enabled, but if you are setting up a wireless network in an emergency then this will get you going without much hassle.
If you want to take the time - which we STRONGLY recommend - the MB6800 router is fully configurable, and supports a number of security protocols. You can activate WEP or WPA (TKIP and AES), MAC address filtering, and a complete firewall. It has a fully configurable DHCP server, and and the 801.11 subsystem can be configured to run as b only, b and g, or g only. It does not support "n".
The default address range for the unit is in the "172." private network range. You can re-configure this however you want. The DHCP lease space can also be configured to match and provides both wired and wireless DHCP. Getting into the setup is a matter of using a web browser to the address for the unit, and entering the default username and password. The complete system manual is available on an included CD-ROM.
Some of you might be wondering how to find what channels are available when setting up your wireless network. If you are running VISTA, go to a Command prompt (START, RUN, COMMAND). Type NETSH and hit enter. Then type WLAN SHOW NETWORKS MODE=BSSID and hit enter. You will get a complete list of all "visible" networks and the channels they are on. Find the least congested to use for your network.
We setup both WPA (it supports AES and TKIP) and MAC Address access control. WPA creates a high-security shared key which is entered on both the router and the laptop. If this does not match, the laptop can't get in. MAC Address filtering looks for the "serial" number unique to the network card. You can leave it open, deny access by specific MAC addresses, or allow only specific addresses - the most common way to create a closed network.
Two other features I like about the MB6800 are that you can prevent associated stations from communicating with each other (they can get to the Internet but not too each other), and you can limit the total number of stations connected. This little router supports some pretty advanced features. It even has a 9-pin RS-232 port and provides for failover to a backup dial-up internet connection. That's a pretty advanced feature in what they consider a SOHO (Small Office Home Office) product. Looking at the setup options in this unit feels more like looking at a Cisco product than a SOHO unit, but it is easier to setup.
The firmware can be easily upgraded by downloading new releases from the Top Global website. All you have to have is the serial number for your MB6800. They are always adding new features, and they even have added support for EVDO devices with internal GPS systems. The router itself can be configured to establish a connection with a server at Top Global which in turns sends your position data to Google Earth - if the connected EVDO device has GPS functions. It's very similar to the APRS system in Amateur Radio, but done via the Internet. If you travel in an RV and run it while travelling - and you are in-range of EVDO data service - you can let your friends and family easily keep track of you. We plan to write this feature up shortly.
Firmware updates also allow for support of new devices, and Top Global is pretty quick about it. That impressed me.
It weighs next to nothing so it's easy to carry the MB6800 around. We took it to hotels that normally charge for wireless Internet service and were able to use it to share EVDO among several machines at once for no extra charge.
For use in the field, you can do the same thing. The only disadvantage to the MB6800 is that it does not natively operate on 12VDC. It requires 5VDC at 3A. You can use an appropriate 12VDC adapter, or even run the included AC adapter via an Inverter. We tried both and it worked well. The light weight of the MB6800 is ideal for holding it in place using heavy-duty velcro - perfect for mounting in a cabinet in an RV or for vehicle installation. It measures in at 18cm x 13.5cm. It is just a bit larger than your hand.
Aside from the need for special power considerations, the only other special need for field work is that you can get an EVDO signal so that you can get that Internet access. In January we will be releasing the results of testing with some exhanced antennas and signal amplifiers to use with various EVDO devices. As long as you can get an EVDO signal, you have Internet access, and the MB6800 will allow you to share that among a number of computers. This is great for use in an Emergency Operations Center or field Command Post. The only question is getting an EVDO signal at the location.
The only things I wish were included with the MB6800 were a DC adapter (which is sold separately), and support the upcoming wireless "n" protocol. Aside from those two issues, we found no faults with the MB6800.
We will be covering antennas and amplifiers for EVDO in January. In the meantime, if you want to get started really using EVDO, go with the Top Global MB6800. It is a reliable unit that packs a ton of features into a very light package.
You can find the MB6800 at http://www.topglobalusa.com/product2_02.asp?newsid=20060413143304175&classid=102103102