User Guide Acer SOHO Router AIR-104 / AIR-204
Acer SOHO Router AIR-104/204 User Guide February 2000 Limitation of Liability Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Acer Netxus, Inc. The material contained herein is supplied without representation or warranty of any kind. Acer Netxus, Inc. therefore assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability of any kind arising from the supply or use of this document or the material contained herein.
Contents Chapter 1 Introduction Overview of the AIR-104/204 ..............................................................................1-1 Accessing the Internet ...............................................................................1-1 Security overview .........................................................................................1-2 What’s in the box? ..............................................................................................1-2 The connectors on the back .......
Chapter 5 Advanced Router Configuration What is "advanced configuration" ?......................................................................5-1 Viewing the connection log ..................................................................................5-1 To view the connection Log ..........................................................................5-1 Setting the time ............................................................................................
Appendix D Warranty, Copyrights, EMI Warranty ............................................................................................................D-1 Copyrights and Trademarks ..............................................................................D-2 EMI Notice ........................................................................................................
1AIR-104/204 About This User Guide Acer welcomes you to the world of shared Internet access! Thank you for investing in an Acer SOHO Router AIR-104/204. We are dedicated to providing you with the most efficient, easy-to-configure, and trouble-free equipment in the networking industry. This manual will help you become familiar with the AIR-104/204 . You will find helpful information covering everything from basic installation and set-up to advanced configuration and firmware upgrades.
About This User Guide How to Reach Us If you require technical support, please email: netxus@acer.com.tw Our website’s URL is: http://www.acernetxus.com.tw Safety Warnings • • ii Before applying power to the AIR-104/204, make sure you are using a properly grounded electrical outlet. The AIR-104/204 is not intended to be serviced by the user. Please do not open the case.
1AIR-104/204 Chapter 1 Introduction Overview of the AIR-104/204 The AIR-104 and the AIR-204 are small desktop devices that mediate between your local area network (LAN) and the Internet. Each AIR-104/204 provides dual modem connections to access the Internet (the AIR-104 has two external modem ports, while the AIR-204 has one built-in modem and one external modem port). Your LAN connects to the AIR-104/204 via a four-port dualspeed Fast Ethernet repeater hub.
Chapter 1 Introduction Security overview More and more people are concerned about security of their data in this Internet era. The AIR-104/204 provides many ways to help make your network and data secure: • • • The AIR-104/204 uses a private IP addressing scheme that protects devices on your LAN from access by users from the Internet outside. All access to the AIR-104/204 (Console, Talent and the browser-based Internet Configuration Console) is protected by password verification.
Chapter 1 Introduction The connectors on the back UPLINK 1 ON 2 3 4 CONSOLE COM2 COM1 DC 12V OFF Figure 1-2 AIR-104 Back Panel UPLINK 1 ON 2 3 4 CONSOLE COM2 PHONE LINE DC 12V OFF Figure 1-3 AIR-204 Back Panel RJ-type connectors are used for all cable connection into your AIR-104/204 (except for the power adapter cord).
Chapter 1 Introduction The LEDs on the front There are 20 LEDs on the front of the AIR-104/204 that show the status of the modem ports, the LAN ports, and the power. You can tell at a glance if your AIR-104/204 is functioning properly, and if there is any traffic passing through it.
2 Chapter 2 Installation Power The AIR-104/204 comes with an external power supply. Plug the round end of the power cable into the DC 12V socket on the AIR-104/204, and plug the body of the power supply into an electrical outlet. Modem connections The AIR-104/204 can access the Internet utilizing either one or two modem connections, depending on the user’s bandwidth requirements. You will need at least one modem connection to access the Internet.
Chapter 2 Installation Network connections Figure 2-1 AIR-104/204 allows your LAN to expand The AIR-104/204 includes a built-in 4-port Ethernet repeater hub. Each of these four LAN ports can directly connect to a PC to create an “instant network” of up to four PC’s. LAN port 1 can be switched to UPLINK mode in order to connect to a network hub/switch, which in turn connects many PC’s to create a larger network.
Chapter 2 Installation of operation for LAN port 1 is located along the right edge of the router case (see Figure 2-2). Locate the switch and set it to NORMAL mode. Then use an RJ-45 to RJ-45 cable (not supplied) to connect LAN port 1 to your PC’s Ethernet interface.
2AIR-104/204 Chapter 3 Configuring PC's in the Network Why do I need to configure PC's? Any PC that is connected to the network (either plugged directly into the AIR-104/204 or uplinked from an external hub/switch) requires configuration before it can communicate with the AIR-104/204. Each PC must have TCP/IP installed. Additionally, each PC must either be configured to obtain an IP address through a DHCP server, or must have its IP address set manually.
Chapter 3 Configuring PC's How to configure network PC's Step 1 Click on the Win95/98 Start Button, select Settings, and click on Control Panel. The Win95/98 Control Panel will appear. Step 2 Double-click on the Network icon. The Network window will appear. Installed components Look for TCP/IP Add button Client for Microsoft Networks 3-2 Step 3 In the Network window, click on the Configuration tab. Check the list of Network Components.
Chapter 3 Configuring PC's Select Microsoft Select TCP/IP Step 5 In the Select Network Protocol window, select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers by clicking it with the mouse. Select TCP/IP from the list of network manufacturers by clicking it with the mouse. Click on the OK button with the mouse to accept. The installation procedure for TCP/IP will begin. You may need to insert the Win95/98 system software CD to complete the installation.
Chapter 3 Configuring PC's Step 8 Check each of the following settings under its indicated tab: -Bindings Tab: both Client for Microsoft Networks and File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks should be selected.
3AIR-104/204AIR-104/204AIR- Chapter 4 Basic Router Configuration What is "basic configuration"? Basic configuration of the AIR-104/204 encompasses the minimum procedure necessary for Internet access. If you are configuring the AIR-104/204 for the first time, following the procedures outlined in this chapter will allow you to begin accessing the Internet right away. Advanced configuration is covered in chapter 5.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration Using two Internet service accounts If you have connected two modems or ISDN terminal adapters to your AIR-104/204 for increased bandwidth, then you must also arrange a second ISP account that meets the same requirements listed above. Each modem or ISDN terminal adapter utilizes a separate ISP account when accessing the Internet, and you pay for each account separately.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration Internet Configuration Console Please enter your password: Log On! ******** (Forget your password? See the User’s Guide for instructions) By default, the password set in the AIR-104/204 is: password This password will always appear in the box, whether you have changed it or not. If you are logging on for the first time, or if you haven’t changed the default password, then simply click the Log On button to accept the default.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration Message ICC Menu Main Window Window ICC Menu This area of the ICC browser screen contains a list of utilities you can use to configure and manage the AIR-104/204. The list of utilities is organized under four category headings: Configuration, Monitoring, System Tools, and Help. To make use of the menu, click on one of these utilities with the mouse (e.g., Internet Connection Setup under the Configuration heading).
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration AIR-104/204 has not been configured with the correct password for your ISP account, the Message Window will display a message to inform you of this situation. A full explanation of these messages can be found in Appendix A. The System Status monitoring window The System Status monitoring window is not integrated into the ICC browser screen.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration last cleared (see The Clear button below). Rcv Pkts: indicates the total number of packets that the interface has received since it was last cleared (see The Clear button below). Err Pkts: indicates the number of flawed packets that the interface has received since it was last cleared (see The Clear button below).
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration use this configuration procedure to enable or disable the built-in V.90 modem of the AIR104/204 (by clicking on Modem1 under the Configuration heading of the ICC Menu). Follow the same procedure to enable or disable any external modem connected to the AIR-104/204 .
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration Step 6 Click the Apply button with the mouse. How to configure your Internet connection After you have configured the modem connection(s) of your AIR-104/204 , the last step required for Internet access is configure your Internet connection. Unlike more complicated routers, the AIR-104/204 is specifically optimized for userfriendly Internet access.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration After you have made your selection, click on the Next button. Depending on your selection, proceed to consult either the Single-Modem Configuration section or the DualModem Configuration section below. Single-modem configuration From the Configuration heading on the ICC Menu, you should have clicked Internet Connection Setup and then selected “I use one modem to access the Internet”.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration dual-modem configuration to maximize bandwidth, you will also need previously to have arranged two ISP accounts (see Internet Access under What do I need to configure the AIR-104/204? at the beginning of this chapter). Dual-modem configuration allows you to take advantage of the “Bandwidth on Demand” feature of the AIR-104/204. For more information about this feature, consult the section entitled Advanced System Configuration in Chapter 5.
Chapter 4 Basic Configuration Configure Internet Access Second Internet Account Phone Number for 2nd Internet Account 2nd Internet Account Name 2nd Internet Account Password Test connection using port APPLY and TEST Step 4 1 CANCEL Enter the following information for the second Internet account: Phone Number for 2nd Internet Account: the telephone number used to access this ISP account. 2nd Internet Account Name: the username of this ISP account.
4AIR-104/204 Chapter 5 Advanced Router Configuration What is "advanced configuration"? Advanced configuration of the AIR-104/204 covers a range of options that allow you to fine-tune your Internet access and your network configuration. These options are listed as the section titles in this chapter. None of the advanced configuration options is mandatory for basic Internet access.
Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration Trigger events In addition to the date and time of the event, the Detail column records the IP address of the network device triggering the connection, the IP address that the network device is attempting to contact, the TCP port of the application that is triggering the connection, and the protocol of the attempted transmission. Connect events In addition to the date and time of the event, the Detail column records the destination phone number and the connection rate.
Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration For your convenience, and to ensure consistency, the AIR-104/204 is designed to automatically capture the date and time kept by your management PC whenever it logs onto the ICC. If you wish to reset the AIR-104/204’s clock, you should first ensure that your management PC is set to the correct date and time, and then apply your management PC’s time to the router. The procedure is outlined below.
Chapter 5 Configuration Setting Internet access time restrictions To enhance security, efficiency, and cost control, you can configure the AIR-104/204 to disallow Internet access except on certain days, at certain times. In order for this feature to be effective, the AIR-104/204’s internal clock must already have been set to the correct date and time. See Setting the Time (above) for full details. When the AIR-104/204 has undergone a system reset or a power-down, at first the date and time will be unset.
Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration the clock is set. If you select "No", then Internet access will not be allowed until the clock is set. Step 4 Click on the Apply button with the mouse when you are finished. Advanced System Configuration The Advanced System Configuration utility allows you to fine-tune the AIR-104/204’s handling of shared Internet access. The most basic function provided by this utility is to set the Idle Timeout, i.e.
Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration Advanced System Configuration Private IP Address 192 . 168 . 168 . 230 Private IP Netmask: 255 . 255 . 255 . 0 Primary DNS IP Address . Secondary DNS IP Address . . Enable DHCP Multiple Account Usage Step 2 . . Disable Connect 2nd Account if Needed Idle timeout (0-3600 seconds) APPLY . 300 STATIC DHCP Enter the following information: Private IP Address: the private IP address for the AIR-104/204’s LAN interface. The default private IP address is: 192.
Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration Multiple Account Usage: If you have configured two Internet accounts, here you may control the “bandwidth on demand” feature. If you select “Connect 2nd Account Only if Needed” (the default), then the “bandwidth on demand“ feature will be enabled, and the AIR-104/204 will only establish a second connection if Internet traffic increases above an upper threshold. Once the traffic decreases below a lower threshold, the second connection will be taken down.
Chapter 5 Advanced Configuration Step 3 To add an entry to the DHCP Static Assignment Table, click on the Add button at the bottom of the table. The Add a Static Entry screen appears in the main window of the ICC browser screen. Step 4 Enter the following information to create a static DHCP entry: Name: Enter a name for your reference. IP Address: The IP address to be consistently assigned to this device. MAC Address: The hardware address associated with the Ethernet adapter of the network device.
5AIR-104/204AIR-104/204 Chapter 6 Management What is "management"? The management functions of the AIR-104/204 provide you with convenient tools necessary to update the AIR-104/204 over the long term.
Chapter 6 Management How to restart the AIR-104/204 Besides toggling the power switch on the back panel of the AIR-104/204, you can also restart the system from the ICC Menu. Step 1 Log onto the ICC. Find the System Tools heading on the ICC Menu, and click on Reset System. The Reset System screen appears in the main window of the ICC browser screen. Reset System Do you really want to reset the system? Yes Step 2 No Click Yes to reset the system, or click No to cancel.
Chapter 6 Management Step3 When you are finished, click Submit. What if I forget the ICC password? For your security, a password is REQUIRED to log onto the AIR-104/204. If you forget the ICC password, the only way to recover is to clear the entire configuration manually and return the unit to its original state as shipped from the factory. Unfortunately, this will also result in the loss of your entire configuration database; all settings will need to be reentered.
Chapter 6 Management Step 3 6-4 Enter the path or filename where you installed the software in Step 1 above (e.g., a200v101.sig), or click Browse to select a path to the software. When ready, click the Upgrade button, and follow the onscreen instructions. The new firmware will begin loading across the network. After the operation is complete, be sure to reset the AIR-104/204, and the new firmware will take effect.
CAIR-104/204 Chapter 7 The Command Line Interface What is the Command Line Interface? Although the AIR-104/204 is most conveniently configured and managed via the Internet Configuration Console (described in Chapter 4), it is also possible to interface with the router using the Command Line Interface (CLI). In fact, certain feature of the AIR-104/ 204 are ONLY accessible by means of the CLI.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Bits per second (baud): 19200 Data bits: 8 Parity: None Stop Bits: 1 Flow Control: Hardware If your terminal emulation software does not allow you to set flow control options, then you should set the flow control manually. Click the Win95/98 Start button, select Settings, and click on the Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears; click on the System icon. Select Device Manager, and then COM Ports.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface the next command in the sequence. At startup, typing ^p or ^n will not cause anything to happen, since no sequence of commands exists yet. In normal operation, typing ^p will cause the previous command to show, and the cursor will sit at the end of the command.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Command List DHCP Commands The Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) is a client/server protocol1 that defines an efficient and convenient means of dynamically assigning IP addresses and other networking parameters for a period of time upon request.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show dhcp Description: This command displays the current status of the Dynamic Host Control Protocol server. Example: Command> show dhcp Admin Status: Network address: Default gateway: Primary DNS: Enable Default Lease: 192.168.168.0 Netmask: 192.168.168.207 199.191.129.139Secondary DNS: 10 hours 255.255.255.0 199.191.144.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface ping ipaddr [ < n_size>] Description: This command allows the user to ping an IP device (send a diagnostic message to be echoed by the receiving device). If n_times and n_size are optionally specified, the ping will be performed n_times times, and each time with size equal to n_size. Otherwise, ping will only be executed once with the packet size equal to 56 bytes. The maximum value of n_times is 100: any value larger than this will be set to 100.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show arp table Example: Command> show arp table 110.0.0.1 at 00:60:20:00:00:15 permanent 110.0.0.2 at 00:40:33:3D:D5:DB Description: This command displays the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache table, which contains up to 16 most recent MAC-to-IP-address mappings that have not been aged out. show icmp statistics Description: This command displays statistical information associated with the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show ip lan Description: This command displays the IP configuration over the specified interface. Example: Command> show ip lan Interface: lan -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IP Address: 192.168.168.92 Netmask: 255.255.255.0 Dest. IPAddress: 255.255.255.0 Opr./Admin. State: Up RIP State: Active Ver.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show tcp statistics Example: AIR 101> show tcp statistics Received Sent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total Packets 508 577 Show udp statistics Example: AIR 101> show udp statistics Received Delivered ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total datagrams Datagrams with checksum error Datagrams with incorrect length Datagrams dropped
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show port Description: This command displays the configuration information for all ports. Example: AcerRouter> show port Port Name : 1 Admin Status: No call Port speed: auto-115200 Port Name : 2 Admin Status: No modem Port speed: auto-115200 Port Type : Init String: unspecified Port Type : Init String: MODEM MODEM unspecified show port 1 show port 2 Description: This command displays the configuration of a modem port.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface clear profile statistics isp2 Description: The statistics fields in the specified Internet profile are reset to their initial values with this command. If no profile name is specified, the statistics of both profiles are cleared. connect profile isp1 connect profile isp2 Description: This command activates the profile as if a trigger occurred.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Show profile statistics Example: Command> show profile statistics Prof Oper.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface clear profile statistics isp2 Description: Refer to this command under Profile Commands. show icmp statistics Description: Refer to this command under IP Commands. show ip statistics Description: Refer to this command under IP Commands. show mip statistics Description: Refer to this command under IP Commands. show port statistics 1 show port statistics 2 Description: Refer to this command under Port Commands.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show lan statistics Description: This command displays statistical information associated with the specified profile or the LAN.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Example: Command> change password Please enter the old password: ******** Please enter the new password: ******** Please re-enter the new password: ******** Password has been successfully changed clear config Description: This command is used to clear the configuration data in the flash memory. After clearing, the system will reboot. All user-configured data are lost. The configuration will return to the factory default settings.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Please enter a selection number [1...7] for more detail information: 1 connect profile disable trace disconnect profile enable trace ping ping =1> =56> test modem Please enter a selection number [1..7] for more detail information: logout Description: This command logs the user out of the system.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Set log level <1-10> Description: This command changes the system log level, causing different events to be logged into the system log table. It is often used for debugging purposes. The default log level is 2, which means all events belonging to log level 2 or below will be logged into the system log. set prompt Description: This command defines a new command prompt. A prompt of up to 15 characters may be entered. The default prompt is Command>.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface show interface list Description: This command displays the status of all interfaces in the system. AcerRouter> show interface list Oper. IP Comp.
Chapter 7 Command Line Interface Show system log Description: The system log contains logs of various events of interest, depending on the log level set at the time. Common events include login, an Internet connection goes up or down (log level 2), … as well as certain protocol progress messages for debugging purposes. This command shows the next 22 entries of the system log.
6 Appendix A Messages This appendix lists the messages that may appear in the Internet Configuration Console Message Window or in the Command Line Interface. System messages "Account name and/or password not accepted" User name or password failed authentication by the ISP. "Browser passing command failed. Please try again." A transient error occurred during the communication between the browser running on the management PC and the router. Re-try the operation. "Call operation in progress.
Appendix A Messages "Embedded HTTP server has been disabled. Only console can configure the system" The message is displayed when remote management has been disabled in the command line interface. You will not be able to configure or view configuration from the HTTP interface until remote management is once again enabled. You can only use a directly connected console (PC running Hyperterminal) to run the Command Line Interface.
Appendix A Messages "Sorry, the router is already being managed by "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx". Concurrent management is not allowed!" Another session is active on the PC with the specified address. The system only allows one HTTP management session at any given time. "Parameters Accepted" / "Applied Parameter Accepted" All parameters on the page were acceptable for use by the router.
Appendix A Messages "The system time has been configured successfully" The time has been configured successfully. "Value for idle time is invalid - choose between [0, 3600]" The value for the idle time parameter was entered incorrectly. The correct values are 0 if no idle timeout is desired, or one to 3600 indicating the number of seconds since the link has not carried any data traffic before it is automatically disconnected.
B Appendix B Glossary This section provides some common networking terms you may find in this user guide. DHCP DHCP is a protocol for automatic IP configuration. Client side computer can get one IP address from a DHCP server automatically. Using DHCP can save the effort of setting IP addresses for every LAN computer. domain name A name that identifies one or more IP addresses. For example, the domain name microsoft.com represents about a dozen IP addresses.
Appendix B Glossary local area network (LAN) A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building or group of buildings. However, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves. A system of LANs connected in this way is called a wide-area network (WAN) MAC address Short for Media Access Control address, a hardware address that uniquely identifies each node of a network.
A Appendix C Specifications Hardware configuration • • • • • Four-port 10/100Base-T Ethernet repeater hub One RJ-45 RS-232 connector for management console Two RJ-45 asynchronous RS-232 ports (AIR-104) or One RJ-45 asynchronous RS-232 port, two RJ-11 ports for Phone / Line (AIR-204) 12VDC/1.
Appendix C Specifications General PPP, IP, TCP, UDP, ICMP, telnet IP level load sharing (Multilink IP) - Proprietary Relevant IETF standards Dimension 215 x 149 x 33.
DAIR-104/204 Appendix D Warranty, Copyrights, EMI Warranty Acer Netxus Incorported’s networking products are provided with a limited 2 year Warranty. Details of the warranty and return process are explained in the Warranty Policy below. Warranty service is subject to the terms and conditions of the Acer Netxus Warranty Policy. 1.
Appendix D Legal 4. SHIPPING AND HANDLING: For equipment covered by warranty, Customers are responsible for shipping of products requiring repair or replacement to and from the ANI Service Center, and for all shipping and handling charges incurred. Copyrights and trademarks A number of trademarks and registered trademarks appear in this manual. Acer Netxus Incorporated acknowledges all trademarks and the rights of the trademarks owned by the companies referred to herein.
