SOMAport Setup Guide TM Release 2.
Copyright 2001, 2002 SOMA Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SOMA Networks, Inc. 185 Berry Street Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94107 U.S.A. Phone +1.415.882.6500 Fax +1.415.882.6501 SOMA, SOMA Networks and the star-and-circle logo are trademarks of SOMA Networks, Inc. All of SOMA Networks’ product names are trademarks of SOMA Networks, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Products and services of SOMA Networks, Inc.
SOMA NETWORKS INC. ENDUSER PRODUCT LICENSE AGREEMENT THE SOMAPORT™ SUBSCRIBER STATION AND PROVIDED SOFTWARE CONTAIN CERTAIN COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY MATERIAL OF SOMA NETWORKS INC. OR LICENSED TO SOMA NETWORKS, INC., THE USE OF WHICH IS SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT. BY: (A) SIGNING AN AGREEMENT FOR SERVICE WITH YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER; (B) OPENING THE SEALED ENVELOPE CONTAINING THE SOMAPORT; OR (C) USING THE SOMAPORT, YOU ASSENT TO AND ACCEPT THIS ENDUSER PRODUCT LICENSE AGREEMENT.
WRITTEN MATERIALS IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER MAY PROVIDE FURTHER WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR YOU. 5.
Important safety instructions Installation Read instructions — Read and follow all of the safety and operating instructions before operating the SOMAport. Retain instructions — Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed warnings — Adhere to all warnings on the SOMAport and in the operating instructions. Ventilation — Slots and openings in the SOMAport housing provide ventilation, ensure its reliable operation, and protect it from overheating.
SOMAport Setup Guide Maintenance and servicing Cleaning — Unplug the SOMAport from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleanser. Use a dry cloth for cleaning. Servicing — Do not attempt to service the SOMAport yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards and may void the warranty. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Regulatory Notices The SOMAport has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
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Contents Important safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Regulatory Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOMAport Setup Guide Troubleshooting and Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Finding problem causes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The signal is weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . There is a fault condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I NTR ODUCTION Chapter 0 This chapter gives an overview of the SOMAport and shows the layout of the front and back panels. Contents Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The back panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOMAport Setup Guide Overview The SOMAport is a compact terminal to which you can connect a computer or a local area network (LAN) as well as telephones. One company, the wireless service provider, delivers both high-speed, always-on Internet service and telephone service to the devices that are connected to the SOMAport. Because the SOMAport uses wireless technology, there is no wiring or cabling connecting it to your wireless service provider’s facilities.
Introduction Radio spectrum The SOMAport supports various bands of radio spectrum from 1.8–2.7 GHz. Routine maintenance The SOMAport does not require maintenance or servicing other than occasionally cleaning the outside of the unit. Follow these guidelines: Wipe the unit down with a dry cloth periodically. Do not use cleaners, solvents, or water. If you spill liquid inside the SOMAport, unplug it, and call your wireless service provider.
SOMAport Setup Guide The front panel There are five lights on the front panel of the SOMAport. These lights indicate the state of the SOMAport. Their locations are shown below. Status Light Signal Strength Indicator Lights 00076 Lights The lights have the following functions. Light Description Status The top light is the Status light. It indicates whether or not the SOMAport is receiving power and functioning normally.
Introduction The back panel The jacks and ports that are used to connect other devices to the SOMAport are located on the back panel. The telephone jacks connect telephones to the SOMAport, whereas the Ethernet port is used to connect to computer equipment. The locations of the connectors are shown below. Booster Antenna Connector Booster Antenna Light USB Port Ethernet Port Telephone Jacks Power Jack 00077 The connectors and switches on the back panel have the following functions.
SOMAport Setup Guide Part Description USB port This port provides an alternative method for connecting a USB-compatible computer or hub to the SOMAport. Ethernet port This port connects a computer or a hub to the SOMAport using a straightthrough Ethernet cable (for a computer) or a crossover cable (for a hub). The Ethernet lights are located on this port. They indicate the status of the Ethernet connection. See “Ethernet status lights” on page 49.
Introduction Antennas The SOMAport is essentially a two-way radio. Inside is an antenna that receives radio signals from and transmits radio signals to a basestation operated by your wireless service provider. The basestation consists of a tower and an equipment box that houses the radio transmitters and receivers that allow the tower to communicate with the SOMAport. The internal antenna The SOMAport internal antenna provides good reception in most situations. You don’t have to aim this antenna yourself.
SOMAport Setup Guide Connection options for telephones If you subscribe to or intend to subscribe to telephone service via the SOMAport, you can connect telephones to the SOMAport in two ways. You can: Connect the telephone directly to the SOMAport by plugging it into one of the telephone jacks on the back of the SOMAport. Use your in-building telephone wiring to connect telephones to the SOMAport.
Introduction Connections to in-building telephone wiring If you have a number of telephones located in different rooms that you want to connect to the SOMAport, you can connect them through the existing telephone wiring in your building. This allows you to avoid running long cables throughout your home or office to connect your telephones to the SOMAport.
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I NS TALLI NG Chapter 0 THE SOMA PO R T This chapter describes how to connect computer and telephone equipment to the SOMAport. Contents An overview of the installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unpacking the SOMAport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choosing the best location for the SOMAport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting a computer via Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOMAport Setup Guide An overview of the installation The following is an overview of the sequence of installation tasks required to connect equipment to and power on the SOMAport. Task See 1 Unpack the SOMAport and make sure you have all the necessary parts. “Unpacking the SOMAport” on page 23 2 Locate the serial number on the base of the SOMAport. Write it down in a convenient place. You will need this number if you call customer support. 3 Choose a location for the SOMAport.
Installing the SOMAport Unpacking the SOMAport Unpack the SOMAport from its box and make sure you have all the pieces shown below.
SOMAport Setup Guide Choosing the best location for the SOMAport Although the SOMAport internal antenna is self-aiming, you can take steps to optimize the signal reception and performance of the SOMAport by following these recommendations when choosing a location: 24 Allow at least 46 centimeters (18 inches) of space around the SOMAport. If your home or office has multiple floors, place the SOMAport on one of the upper floors, if possible. Avoid putting it in the basement.
Installing the SOMAport Connecting a computer via Ethernet If your computer has an Ethernet card, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the SOMAport. If your computer does not have an Ethernet card and it is running Windows 98SE or later, use the USB cable instead. See “Connecting a computer via USB” on page 27 for more information. N O T E : If your operating system is Windows 95, Mac OS, or Linux 2.4, you must use Ethernet. You cannot use USB.
SOMAport Setup Guide What’s next If telephone service is available in your area and you are connecting a telephone to the SOMAport, go to “Connecting telephones to the SOMAport” on page 32. If telephone service is not available in your area or you are not connecting a telephone to the SOMAport, go to “Connecting the power supply and powering on the SOMAport” on page 36.
Installing the SOMAport Connecting a computer via USB Universal serial bus (USB) can be used to connect a computer to the SOMAport. A USB cable is shipped with the SOMAport. For USB to work, your PC must be equipped with: a USB port Windows 98SE or higher Even if you have a version of Windows that supports USB, you need to make sure your computer’s USB port is enabled and properly set up. To determine if the USB port is set up properly 1 Open the Control Panel.
SOMAport Setup Guide To connect a computer to the USB port on the SOMAport 1 Insert the SOMAport Documentation and USB Drivers CD into the CD-ROM drive on the computer. The SOMAport Documentation window opens. 2 Plug the square connector on the USB cable into the USB port on the back of the SOMAport. 00268 3 Plug the flat connector into the USB port on your computer. A hardware wizard window opens.
Installing the SOMAport Installing the USB software The new hardware wizard is different in each version of Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions, making sure you select the values indicated in the following table for your version of Windows. Windows Version Selections Windows 98 When prompted for the type of search, select Search for the best driver for your device. When prompted for a location, select CD-ROM drive. Insert the Windows 98 Second Edition CD if prompted.
SOMAport Setup Guide Connecting multiple computers to the SOMAport You can provide Internet service to a number of computers by using a networking technology such as 100BaseT (Ethernet networking), 802.11b (wireless Ethernet networking), HomeRF (wireless networking), or HomePNA (phoneline networking). Be sure to enable all devices to have Internet access through the Ethernet port on the SOMAport. The following procedure describes how to connect multiple computers via an Ethernet hub or switch.
Installing the SOMAport What’s next If telephone service is available in your area and you are connecting a telephone to the SOMAport, go to “Connecting telephones to the SOMAport” on page 32. If telephone service is not available in your area or you are not connecting a telephone to the SOMAport, go to “Connecting the power supply and powering on the SOMAport” on page 36.
SOMAport Setup Guide Connecting telephones to the SOMAport If telephone service is not available in your area or if you do not subscribe to telephone service, skip to “Connecting the power supply and powering on the SOMAport” on page 36. Telephone jacks on the SOMAport There are two telephone jacks on the back of the SOMAport. The telephone jack on the right corresponds to line 1 and the telephone jack on the left corresponds to line 2.
Installing the SOMAport N O T E : To connect a two-line telephone to the SOMAport, your telephone service must include two telephone lines. To connect a single telephone to the SOMAport Insert the free end of the telephone cable into the right (line 1) jack.
SOMAport Setup Guide To connect two telephones to the SOMAport (when you have two telephone lines) 1 Connect the cable of the telephone you want serviced by line 1 to the right (line 1) jack. 2 Connect the cable of the telephone you want serviced by line 2 to the left (line 2) jack.
Installing the SOMAport To connect two telephones to the SOMAport (when you have one telephone line) 1 Insert a duplex adapter into the right (line 1) jack. 2 Insert the cable of one of the telephones into one of the jacks on the adapter. 3 Insert the cable of the second telephone into the other jack on the adapter. Line 2 Line 1 00347 What’s next You are now ready to plug in the SOMAport. See “Connecting the power supply and powering on the SOMAport” on page 36.
SOMAport Setup Guide Connecting the power supply and powering on the SOMAport The SOMAport does not have a power switch. You turn on the SOMAport by plugging it into a power outlet, and turn it off by unplugging it. When you plug in the SOMAport, it boots, connects to your service provider’s network, and tunes itself (acquires a radio channel). W A R N I N G : Use only the power supply and power cord that came with the SOMAport.
Installing the SOMAport 3 Position and orient the SOMAport in the location in which you plan on keeping it. N O T E : The SOMAport acquires a radio signal that is optimized for its location when you plug it in. If you move the SOMAport when it is on, the signal may no longer be optimized. If, once the SOMAport has been installed, you decide to move it, unplug it first, move it to the new location, and then plug it in to ensure the signal is optimized for the new location.
SOMAport Setup Guide Testing your equipment This section describes how to test Internet and telephone connections. Testing your Internet connection 1 Restart your computer while the SOMAport is on. 2 Check your Internet connection by launching a Web browser on the computer connected to the SOMAport. Your browser should automatically open to your service provider’s Web site. If it does not, enter your service provider’s Internet address.
Installing the SOMAport Configuring network settings for Ethernet connections Change your computer’s network settings if you could not get an Internet connection after connecting your computer to the SOMAport. Several procedures follow. Choose the one that is appropriate for your operating system. If you are using Windows, you can use the Internet Connection Wizard. To change network settings in Windows 1 Start the Internet Connection Wizard. IF you have ... THEN choose ...
SOMAport Setup Guide 4 Check your Internet connection by launching a Web browser on the computer connected to the SOMAport. Your browser should automatically open to your service provider’s Web site. If it does not, enter your service provider’s Internet address. To If you get an Internet connection, you may have to activate full service if your service provider hasn’t done so already. See “Activating full service” on page 43 for more information.
Installing the SOMAport To change network settings in Mac OS X 1 Click the Apple icon and choose System Preferences. 2 Choose View→Network. 3 Choose Built-in Ethernet from the Show pop-up menu. 4 Click the TCP/IP tab, if necessary. 5 Choose Using DHCP from the Configure pop-up menu. 6 Click Apply Now. 7 Restart your computer. 8 Check your Internet connection by launching a Web browser on the computer connected to the SOMAport.
SOMAport Setup Guide 6 Check your Internet connection by launching a Web browser on the computer connected to the SOMAport. Your browser should automatically open to your service provider’s Web site. If it does not, enter your service provider’s Internet address. 42 If you get an Internet connection, you may have to activate full service if your service provider hasn’t done so already. See “Activating full service” on page 43 for more information.
Installing the SOMAport Activating full service You may have to activate full service yourself, depending on your service provider. If, when you launch a Web browser on a computer connected to the SOMAport, you can go to any Web site, you already have full service and you have completed the installation. If you can go to your service provider’s Web site only, then your service will be restricted until you activate full service.
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SOMA POR T L I GHTS Chapter 0 This chapter describes how to read the SOMAport lights so that you can recognize the operating status of the SOMAport, the strength of the radio signal, the Ethernet status, and if the SOMAport is using the booster antenna (if attached). Contents Status light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Signal strength indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOMAport Setup Guide Status light The Status light is a bicolor light that indicates whether or not the SOMAport is powered on and operating normally. It can be either green or amber. It is the top light on the front panel of the SOMAport as shown below. Status Light 00093 Status light states The Status light can be in one of the following states. State Description Off The SOMAport is not plugged in. See “The SOMAport is not getting power” on page 57.
SOMAport Lights Signal strength indicator lights The signal strength indicator is made up of four lights. They are on the front of the SOMAport, below the Status light. Signal Strength Indicator Lights 00094 Signal strength indicator light states During SOMAport startup, the four lights that make up the signal strength indicator remain off until a radio channel has been acquired. When one or more of the lights is solidly lit, the SOMAport has locked in a radio signal and is ready to use.
SOMAport Setup Guide What to do if performance is affected by a weak signal Radio signal strength can have an effect on the quality of your telephone calls and your ability to access the Internet. If the signal is too weak you may experience some of the following problems: During telephone calls, you hear noise or calls cut out. It takes a long time to open a Web page. You cannot get onto the Internet at all.
SOMAport Lights Ethernet status lights There are two Ethernet status lights that report on the connection between the SOMAport and an Ethernet device (a computer or a hub). These lights are located on the Ethernet port on the back of the SOMAport. They do not report on the status of USB connections.
SOMAport Setup Guide Booster antenna light This light is located on the back panel, to the right of the booster antenna connector. When the SOMAport starts, it checks whether or not a SOMA Networks booster antenna is attached to the booster antenna connector. If the SOMAport detects a booster antenna, it uses it, otherwise, the SOMAport uses the internal antenna. Booster Antenna Light 00438 Booster antenna light states This light indicates which antenna is being used.
T R OUBLESH OOT ING H ELP Chapter 0 AND G ETT ING This chapter describes the problems the SOMAport may exhibit, the possible causes of those problems, and the actions you should take to fix them. Contents Finding problem causes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The signal is weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . There is a fault condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOMAport Setup Guide Finding problem causes Look up the problem you are experiencing and follow the suggested actions. If the recommenced actions do not fix the problem, call your wireless service provider for technical support. Problem Possible causes Action The signal is weak. See “The signal is weak” on page 54. The cable connecting the computer to the SOMAport is damaged. Replace the cable. There is Internet congestion. Try again.
Troubleshooting and Getting Help Problem Possible causes Action The telephone is broken. Try a telephone that is known to work. If the telephone is cordless, try using a corded telephone. The signal is weak. See “The signal is weak” on page 54. If the telephone is connected to the SOMAport via the in-building telephone wiring, there may be a problem with the wiring. Connect the telephone directly to the SOMAport or call the telephone company to check the wiring in your building.
SOMAport Setup Guide The signal is weak If you are having any of the following problems, the signal to your SOMAport may be weak. To Telephone voice quality is poor or calls are dropped. It takes a long time to open a Web page. You cannot browse the Internet at all. improve reception quality If the signal strength lights indicate a weak signal or if you are experiencing an ongoing performance problem, try the following steps.
Troubleshooting and Getting Help There are obstructions—tall buildings, trees, or mountains—between your SOMAport and the nearest transmitting tower. Your SOMAport is located at the extreme outer limit of an area covered by the transmitting tower. If you have a persistent signal reception problem, contact your wireless service provider to order a booster antenna.
SOMAport Setup Guide There is a fault condition If the Status light is amber, the SOMAport has detected a fault during the diagnostic test. This test is run whenever the SOMAport is powered on after being fully shut down. In this situation, you must reboot the SOMAport. To reboot the SOMAport 1 Unplug the SOMAport and leave it off for at least 10 seconds. 2 Plug the SOMAport back in.
Troubleshooting and Getting Help The SOMAport is not getting power If the Status light is off, the SOMAport is not getting power. Try each of the actions in the following procedure until you locate the source of the problem. To check the power 1 Make sure the SOMAport is plugged in. 2 Make sure the power cord that connects the power supply to the wall outlet is securely connected to the power supply and the wall outlet.
SOMAport Setup Guide There is no connection between the SOMAport and your computer or hub If there is a problem with the physical connection between the SOMAport and your computer or hub, you will not be able to browse the Internet. The problem may be with the power, cabling, or your network settings. Ethernet connection The Link light on the Ethernet port indicates the status of the connection between the SOMAport and an Ethernet device (a computer or a hub).
Troubleshooting and Getting Help To check Ethernet cabling 1 Make sure the cable connectors are firmly inserted in the proper Ethernet ports on the SOMAport and computer or hub. 2 Make sure you are using the correct type of cable. Configuration Cable type Ethernet port of a computer Straight-through cable This cable is shipped with the SOMAport. Ethernet port of a hub Ethernet crossover cable This cable is not shipped with the SOMAport.
SOMAport Setup Guide To verify your network settings (Windows 95 only) 1 Choose Start→Run. 2 Enter winipcfg in the Open field and click OK. The IP Configuration window opens. 3 To Select the network interface that has a default gateway of 192.168.1.1 from the pulldown list. If this interface has been configured, an IP address was assigned to your computer and your computer configuration is not the problem. Your wireless service provider may not have set up your account for Internet access.
Troubleshooting and Getting Help 3 Look for the output section related to the network interface for the SOMAport. Example: 1 Ethernet adapter: IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 65.94.64.155 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . .: 192.168.1.1 4 If an IP address was assigned to your computer, then your computer configuration is not the problem. Your wireless service provider may not have set up your account for Internet access.
SOMAport Setup Guide Internet Explorer LAN settings are incorrect If you are using Internet Explorer as your Web browser, make sure the LAN settings are properly configured. By default, Internet Explorer is configured to automatically detect settings. However, if this option has been disabled, you will not be able to connect to the Internet. To check Internet Explorer settings 1 Open Internet Explorer. 2 Choose Tools→Internet Options. The Internet Options window opens. 3 Click the Connections tab.
Index A antenna booster.
SOMAport Setup Guide obtaining in Mac OS X, 41 obtaining in Windows, 39 was not assigned to computer, 61 dropped telephone calls, 53 E Ethernet connections, 39 Ethernet cable checking, 59 Ethernet hub connecting to a SOMAport, 30 See also LANs Ethernet lights, 16 states, 49 Ethernet port, 12, 16 troubleshooting connection problems, 58 external antenna. See booster antenna J jacks.
Index performance affected by weak signal, 48 optimizing, 24 problem causes, 54 solving onging problem, 54 poor sound during telephone calls, 53 ports, 12, 15–16 See also Ethernet port and USB port power not getting to SOMAport, 57 power jack, 16 power supply checking, 57 connecting, 36–37 disconnecting, 37 powering on the SOMAport, 36–37 R radio signals causes of weak signal, 54 problems from weak signal, 48 reception quality, 17 improving, 24, 54 strength levels, 47 rebooting SOMAport, 56 S safety inst
SOMAport Setup Guide troubleshooting connection problems, 58 when to use, 25 V verifying. See checking voice quality poor, 53 W warnings attaching other devices to the SOMAport, 15, 17 during SOMAport operation, 17 66 power supply, 36 weak signal improving, 48 Web pages.
