Getting Online

[Dean]

Hello-
I just received my Axim about 2 weeks ago. I love it. I just do not have a clue about how to get connected to the internet. I've read some of the other post's and still do not understand everything. I need everything in Laymans terms. I contacted Dell to ask them and although I did not have a long wait, I could not understand what they were saying. They did not speak Englis very well if at all. Some one please help me.
Thanks
Dean

[jda5id]

Dean,

I would be happy to give you a response in "layman's terms" but it would be helpful if you are more clear about when/where you see yourself wanting to access the internet. There are a number of different ways of getting online depending on the situation and to keep my reply as simple and straightforward as possible it would be best to target it as closely as possible to what you really want to be able to do.

J

[Dean]

Mainly at home in rooms other than where my computer is. Possibly wherever I am at depending on the cost. Thanks for taking the time to help me. :)

[jda5id]

If that is the case, how do you currently connect to the Internet? Do you some sort of broadband connection or do you have a dial-up account that you use. Also, do you have any other computers are connected (or you would want to connect)? If so, where are they located...same room as primary computer or other rooms?

[Iceman]

Hi Dean,

Like jda5id asks, do you have a computer network setup at home yet? If not, you'll need to setup a network to share your internet connection first. How do you connect to the internet from your PC right now?
If you use DSL or a cable modem, then one of the easier ways to share your internet connection is to use a wireless router and a wireless CF card for the Axim.
If you use a dial-up service, like AOL, then you could run an internet connection sharing program on your computer and install a wireless network card on the PC and a wireless CF card on the Axim. Then you can setup something called an ad-hoc network between the PC and the Axim.

If you can give us more specifics, I'm sure we (all the aximsite forum users) will be able to help you! :)

[TSB8C]

Check out this tutorial:

http://www.aximsite.com/modules.php?op=mod...&artid=3&page=1

[Dean]

I am hooked up to a cable modem. We do have 2 computers networked together. They are in different rooms. ;)

[Iceman]

How are those two computers connected to each other? If they're connected wirelessly already, then getting your Axim onto the network will be as simple as getting a wireless CF card. If they're using cables, then you're going to need a wireless access point and a wireless CF card for the Axim OR get a wireless card for one of the computers and a wireless CF card for the Axim.

[Dean]

Thanks-
we are networked with wires. Where would I get the wiresless cards for the computer and the Axim. You are a big help.
Dean

[Iceman]

Since you are already networked with wires, there are at least two ways to connect your Axim. You can connect your Axim to your network with either a cable or using wireless.
1) If you want to connect the Axim with a network cable, you can get an ethernet CF (CompactFlash) card, something like this..
2) If you prefer not having to be chained to the wall with a cable, then you will need a wireless (WIFI/802.11b) CF card for your Axim. A good number of the forum participants here seem to use the Netgear, Linksys, and DLink cards. I would suggest getting one of those cards since there's a very good chance someone here will be able to help you should you have any questions about the CF card. Personally, I got a DLink DCF-660W card because it was cheap. :)

Now for the wireless connection between the Axim and your network, there are two ways that you do this (yes, more choices):
1) You can get a wireless access point and connect that to your network. The Axim will then connect wirelessly to the access point. This is called infrastructure mode.
2) You can get a wireless adapter for one of your computers and install it on one computer. You will also need to use an internet connection sharing program on that computer. If you use Windows XP, then you can use the built-in Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing program. This computer will have to be left turned on when you want to connect to the internet on the Axim. This is called ad hoc mode.

You should also look at other threads and check out the other ideas that have been presented. These are just my personal suggestions. Hope this helps you and wasn't too techie.

[jda5id]

Dean - there is one thought I would add to Iceman's excellent overview. Does your network have any security right now? If you have a cable modem and are staying connected to the network 24/7 many people will say that it is *very* important that you have some sort of firewall to prevent any sort of hacking into your systems. Some people are relying on features of Windows XP that act as a software firewall, but I don't know if I would trust Microsoft for my security. They couldn't even manage to protect their own servers from a security threat posted last year (that virus that hit two weeks ago)!

If you do not have any security currently, an easy way to add some while also providing the wireless connection you want is to buy a Wireless gateway (also referred to as a router) instead of buying a plain, vanilla wireless access point. The router will connect to your cable modem and act as a firewall preventing access to your network. It will also act as a wireless access point allowing you to share your network resources (and the Internet of course) via wireless cards. You can kill two birds with one stone. Since you already have at least one other computer near your cable modem, you should buy a router that has both wireless ability and standard, ethernet network ports. This type of thing may not protect you from a determined attack on your system, but it will be the same as putting a decent lock on your front door. Most hackers (and bored kids) will just bypass your network and move on to the next one "down the block" that has left the door wide open. Keep in mind that hackers don't set out to break into "Dean's computer" but rather they use automated tools that look for vulnerable networks. I see that my computer is constantly being probed by these tools from all over the world (right down the street all the way to Russia and Brazil).

The router that I use (and have been happy with) is the DI-713P from DLink. You can get it online at Amazon or at stores like Best Buy and Circuit City. There are lots of different brands that do the same thing, all at various prices ranging from $100 on up. Here is a link to a site that reviews the different wireless networking components and has some decent information:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com

Here is a link to a site that does a great job of talking about security and putting it into terms that even my mother understood.

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Good luck,
J

[Iceman]

I completely agree with jda5id! I wouldn't bet the farm on Microsoft's built-in firewall, I trust ZoneAlarm or Symantec Internet Security a lot more than XP's built-in firewall.
Should you decide to go for a wireless access point, if can spend the extra money, I'd recommend a wireless router with built-in switch ports as well. Again, the three commonly used brands (Netgear, Linksys, DLink) are pretty solid and you'll have a good amount of people here ready to help.

[Dean]

You guys are great!! I do have a Fire wall and I do use Norton Anti Virus. I have a d-link model # Dl-704P. I am pretty sure this one is not a wireless router. I am going to look in to these ideas and see just what it is gonna cost me. Once again-thanks for helping me out. I will let you know what I decided and how it is working out.

Dean

[Dean]

Ok-let me see if I have this right. If I get the D-link DI-713P, then I need a wireless card for my Axim. And I still have a firewall as well. I don't meant to bug ya's, but you have been a great help!!!!

[Dean]

OK- I've been surfin' and is this all I need - a D-link DI-713P (what is the 714P+) and a D-link DCF-660w card.

Dean