Appendix
A
Computer settings
For proper operation of the satellite modem, you may have to change certain settings on the
computer that is connected to the modem.
Instructions are provided for:
• Configuring a computer to support DHCP
• Configuring a computer to use a static IP address
• Disabling a web browser's proxy connection
These procedures are explained in the sections that follow.
Understanding the modem address and computer address
The satellite modem and any computer or computers that connect to it must each have their own
identifying network address. This network address is known as an
IP address
. An IP address
may be
dynamic
, meaning that it can change, or
static,
meaning that it is fixed—it does not
change. An IP address may also be public (or
routable
), meaning that it can be used on the
Internet. A
private
IP address works on an internal network but not over the Internet. However,
to gain access to the Internet, private addresses may be converted by a network address translation
(NAT) service to a public IP address that can be used on the Internet. Both private and public
addresses can be dynamic or static.
Both the modem and a connected computer can have either type of address—dynamic or static.
The type used depends on requirements a customer might have and their service plan. A static
IP address or addresses are available only if they are specified in the service plan. Typically
home users use a dynamic IP address, but some home users use a static IP address.
To find specific address information, go to the System Control Center System Information page
Figure 18: Terminal Status page (top part)
on page 28. Scroll down until you see Addressing
in the left column. Look at the first three parameters in the Addressing field, as shown in the
following two examples.
Private IP addresses
Figure 30: Example of Addressing parameters showing available private IP addresses
on page
50 is an example of System Information page address parameters for a satellite modem with a
service plan that provides private IP addresses.
49
HN9000 Satellite Modem User Guide
1037577-0001 Revision F
