Thread: MT841 - Help required on setting up a LAN!

HI All,

I am subscribed to 500 Home plan and will be soon upgrading to 1000 Home plan. I have one desktop running WinXP Pro and a laptop Running Vista Home Premium.

Now what I need is to connect both the systems through LAN use the DataOne connection in both the systems simultaneously and independent of each other i.e. I should be able to connect to internet without keeping on a particular system.

Please provide a step by step guide as I am not very much comfortable with networking and stuff. And I have searched through this forum but with no luck!

Also I need to know how to backup my current firmware which happens to be of 19 July, 2005 (factory one). I tried this and encountered following error:

tftp -i 192.168.1.1 GET *.* c:\MT841teimage.bin
Error on server : You are not unlocked for reading

And please provide the link for latest stable firmware which I suppose is Dec, 2005.

Thanks in advance!

What I require is this:



And as I mentioned before, under this configuration is it possible to use the connection even if the other system is switched off?

Originally Posted by kde

What I require is this:



And as I mentioned before, under this configuration is it possible to use the connection even if the other system is switched off?

What do you mean by "other system is swicthed off"? Do you mean desktop or laptop?

To come back to your requirement - you must set up the network in "always-on" mode. Imagine a corporate office? There are many people who work there having their own desktops/laptops. At the end of the day they leave and switch offf their machines or disconnect their laptops. But the network is still on. This is the scenario that you have to replicate.

To do this you must do the following:

1. Configure your router in the PPPoE mode (always-on) mode.
a) in the PPPoE mode, the BSNL username and password is stored in the modem.
b) the dialer application is also inside the modem and it dials automatically to establish internet connection.
c) if the internet connection goes down for some reason, the modem auto-dials again to reestablish connection.

2. Get rid of any manual dialers on your laptop/desktop
a) Since dialing is done automatically by the modem, there is no need to dial any more.
b) If you try to dial using the laptop/desktop dialers, you will get a 'phone busy' signal.

3. Your modem/router must be powered on.
a) You must power on the modem/router before you can surf.
b) As long as modem/router is powered you can connect as many machines as permitted and work simultaneously.
c) Not only PCs, you can connect other networked devices such as printers, VOIP phones, etc.
d) All devices will work independently and one device will not stop working just because you have switched off some another.

4. Switch off your modem/router when not required.
a) In a corporate office the modem/router is never switched off. But that is a corporate.
b) In your case it is home or small office. You do not need to keep modem/router on when no one is working.
c) The modem/router continuously exchanges information with internet even when no one is surfing. This amount of data exchange is not a lot but still causes usage to shoot up. If you are on limited plan, this will be an issue.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by just4kix

What do you mean by "other system is swicthed off"? Do you mean desktop or laptop?

Yes, right. It should be able to connect to internet without any dependency to any particular system.

Thanks for such a detailed reply.

But what I am still missing is the step by step process.

Please refer to my guide (sticky post) on "Solutions to Multiple Connections" in the BSNL forum ...

Originally Posted by just4kix

Please refer to my guide (sticky post) on "Solutions to Multiple Connections" in the BSNL forum ...

I already did that and the problem is I am trying to set up a LAN and I'm having a Type III modem and not willing to setup a wireless LAN!

In fact I have that guide downloaded in my desktop. Its very detailed and comprehensive but doesn't suit my bill!

Can you please help!

No matter. The concepts are the same. You can follow the first part of the guide that deals with UT-300R2U (Type I modem/router). The screens may be different but the method is similar.

Also you have not mentioned what modem you are using.

Originally Posted by just4kix

No matter. The concepts are the same. You can follow the first part of the guide that deals with UT-300R2U (Type I modem/router). The screens may be different but the method is similar.

Also you have not mentioned what modem you are using.

Please refer to my first post below.

Originally Posted by kde

HI All,

I am subscribed to 500 Home plan and will be soon upgrading to 1000 Home plan. I have one desktop running WinXP Pro and a laptop Running Vista Home Premium.

Now what I need is to connect both the systems through LAN use the DataOne connection in both the systems simultaneously and independent of each other i.e. I should be able to connect to internet without keeping on a particular system.

Please provide a step by step guide as I am not very much comfortable with networking and stuff. And I have searched through this forum but with no luck!

Also I need to know how to backup my current firmware which happens to be of 19 July, 2005 (factory one). I tried this and encountered following error:



And please provide the link for latest stable firmware which I suppose is Dec, 2005.

Thanks in advance!

And as the topic says I am using a Huawei SmartAX MT841 Type III modem which has one USB and four LAN port and an optional WLAN.

My apologies. Did not notice the heading. I have no idea about this modem. I have reference of MT880 from Huawei. Maybe there is not much difference in the setup pages between the two.

So try the following:

From your modem setup page (http://192.168.1.1)

- Select Basic > WAN Settings from the navigation tree.
- Click the edit icon (pencil) in fromt of PVC-0
- Enter the following settings:
... Operation Mode = Enable
... VPI = 0, VCI = 35
... Mode = PPPoE
... Encapsulation = LLC
... Default Route = Enable
... IGMP = Disable
... Trafic Index = 0
... Service Name = <leave blank>
... Username = <your bnsl username>
... Password = <your bsnl pwd>
... IP Unnumber = Disable
... Configured MTU = 1500

Then click Submit.

Very Important:
- Select Tools > Save & Reboot from the navigation tree
- Select Save and click Submit to save your configuration
- Select Reboot and click Submit to restart the modem.

Originally Posted by just4kix

My apologies. Did not notice the heading. I have no idea about this modem. I have reference of MT880 from Huawei. Maybe there is not much difference in the setup pages between the two.

So try the following:

From your modem setup page (http://192.168.1.1)

- Select Basic > WAN Settings from the navigation tree.
- Click the edit icon (pencil) in fromt of PVC-0
- Enter the following settings:
... Operation Mode = Enable
... VPI = 0, VCI = 35
... Mode = PPPoE
... Encapsulation = LLC
... Default Route = Enable
... IGMP = Disable
... Trafic Index = 0
... Service Name = <leave blank>
... Username = <your bnsl username>
... Password = <your bsnl pwd>
... IP Unnumber = Disable
... Configured MTU = 1500

Then click Submit.

Very Important:
- Select Tools > Save & Reboot from the navigation tree
- Select Save and click Submit to save your configuration
- Select Reboot and click Submit to restart the modem.

Thanks just4kix!

you told me about modem configuration.

But what about the networking part?
Like how to connect the desktop and laptop?
Their connection properties?

Hope I am not a trouble for you!

Any idea guys?

Originally Posted by kde

Thanks just4kix!

you told me about modem configuration.

But what about the networking part?
Like how to connect the desktop and laptop?
Their connection properties?

Hope I am not a trouble for you!

The above is modem/router setup (combined). No other networking is required. Once you setup connection as above, the router is in always on mode and then you just connect the machines to the router and you are all set.

Repeat: nothing else is required.

TCP/IP settings for Windows/XP

a) Click Start --> Click on Control Panel
b) Click on 'Network and Internet Connections'
c) Click on 'Network Connections'
d) Right click on 'Local Area Connection' or 'Local Area Network' and select 'Properties'
e) There is a box titled as 'This connection uses the following items:'
g) From this box double click on 'TCP/IP'.
h) A dialog box called 'Internet Connection (TCP/IP) Properties' will appear.
i) Click and select the following
... - Obtain an IP address automatically
... - Obtain DNS Server Address automatically

Thanks!
I'll give it all a try and then let you know.

Originally Posted by kde

Thanks!
I'll give it all a try and then let you know.

Yes I tried it today and it worked!
Thanks just4kix.

But one small query... I read it somewhere that if the LAN Cable length is more than 50 Feet there might be some issue with network performance.

So is there any practical limit on the cable length?
My manual says it can be anything up to 100 Meters which is quite long.

I am using DLink Cat5e cable...

any idea?

Originally Posted by kde

Yes I tried it today and it worked!
Thanks just4kix.

But one small query... I read it somewhere that if the LAN Cable length is more than 50 Feet there might be some issue with network performance.

So is there any practical limit on the cable length?
My manual says it can be anything up to 100 Meters which is quite long.

I am using DLink Cat5e cable...

any idea?

Hush! I am glad that it worked out.

LAN cable can be up to 100m. Beyond 100m the impedence (resistance) of the copper wires will render the current to become extremely weak and hence there will be signal loss. In corporate offices, they do have long wires without problems. At your home or office this will not be a issue up to 100 m.

Thanks a ton!

I am facing a queer problem here...
As I earlier mentioned I have one system running windows XP and another running vista. Now when I set up the network and access internet everything works fine.

When I share any file from XP system, from Vista, its accessible. But when I am sharing anything from Vista then its visible in Network Places folder in XP system but not accessible!

Both the system are in same work group with File & Printer sharing turned on!

Any help guys?

Originally Posted by kde

Thanks just4kix!

you told me about modem configuration.

But what about the networking part?
Like how to connect the desktop and laptop?
Their connection properties?

Hope I am not a trouble for you!

No trouble at all. I know how the guides say that it is so simple - in reality there is a lot of trouble - even for experts.

So coming back to your query - once you configure the modem/router in PPPoE mode, you are all set. The networking is ready. Just connect your machines to USB or LAN ports.

If the IP address of the modem/router is 192.168.1.1 then you machines will get the IP addresses as follows:

1. USB connected PC: 192.168.1.2
2. PC connected to LAN Port 1: 192.168.1.3
3. PC connected to LAN Port 2: 192.168.1.4
4. PC connected to LAN Port 3: 192.168.1.5
5. PC connected to LAN Port 4: 192.168.1.6

However, make sure that your PC/laptops are set to get IP and DNS server address automatically.

If you have an ethernet enabled printer, you can also connect it to one of the LAN ports.

You must run the Network Setup Wizard to add your machines to a workgroup (or domain). This will enable file and printer sharing.

Originally Posted by just4kix

If the IP address of the modem/router is 192.168.1.1 then you machines will get the IP addresses as follows:

1. USB connected PC: 192.168.1.2
2. PC connected to LAN Port 1: 192.168.1.3
3. PC connected to LAN Port 2: 192.168.1.4
4. PC connected to LAN Port 3: 192.168.1.5
5. PC connected to LAN Port 4: 192.168.1.6

However, make sure that your PC/laptops are set to get IP and DNS server address automatically.

Thanks just4kix as always!
but I didn't get this part.
you are saying that its going to be allocated with some IP but I should let them acquire their IP automatically and also the DNS server IP?
So it means for both the cases IP will be obtained automatically?

Originally Posted by kde

I am facing a queer problem here...
As I earlier mentioned I have one system running windows XP and another running vista. Now when I set up the network and access internet everything works fine.

When I share any file from XP system, from Vista, its accessible. But when I am sharing anything from Vista then its visible in Network Places folder in XP system but not accessible!

Both the system are in same work group with File & Printer sharing turned on!

Any help guys?

And as I mentioned both of them are in same work group and file and printer sharing is turned on!

I have assigned them IP as 192.168.1.21 and 192.168.1.22. Also defined their DNS server IP.

Any idea?

Originally Posted by kde

Thanks just4kix as always!
but I didn't get this part.
you are saying that its going to be allocated with some IP but I should let them acquire their IP automatically and also the DNS server IP?
So it means for both the cases IP will be obtained automatically?

I see from your other posts that you have given static IP addresses to your PC and laptop. This is also fine but I prefer automatic IP addresses that are given by the DHCP server inside the router.

Regarding your other problem about file access allowed from Vista to XP and not vice versa, I am not sure why. But I did face this problem even with XP to XP; but that was because domains of the two computers were different. Try google search for the problem.

Originally Posted by just4kix

I see from your other posts that you have given static IP addresses to your PC and laptop. This is also fine but I prefer automatic IP addresses that are given by the DHCP server inside the router.

Alright I'll give DHCP a try.

Originally Posted by just4kix

Regarding your other problem about file access allowed from Vista to XP and not vice versa, I am not sure why. But I did face this problem even with XP to XP; but that was because domains of the two computers were different. Try google search for the problem.

Ok. If I find a solution will post here.

In vista check the permissions (for users) for the folder u wish to share. It must be set to Everyone or to the specific user of the computer u wish to share with.

Also in vista check the network and sharing centre for password sharing.
In my point of view for two computers no need to enable it.

Originally Posted by kde

Alright I'll give DHCP a try.



Ok. If I find a solution will post here.

My bad.

I found the solution already just forgot to post.
Considering you are sharing files between two system one having XP another Vista and you are trying to copy some file from your vista system which is little tricky, here are the steps:

1. Ensure that both the system are in same work-group.
2. Both the system should have unique name.
3. Network location type for Vista should be private.
4. Network discovery should be ON for Vista system.
5. File sharing should be ON for both the system.
6. Add an exception in windows firewall for file sharing in Vista.
7. Turn password protection off in Vista for all practical purposes.
8. Activate guest account in Vista system.
9. Share the folder in Vista system and give the required (can be reader or owner or etc depending on your requirement!) permission to Guest user.
10. And voila!

You'll be able to see the folder in your Network places in XP system.

In case of any difficulties or further help check this tutorial.

Hope it helps.