DialNAT Archive Installation

Installing the DialNAT

Whether you are evaluating the DialNAT for your use or retrieving it for a production installation, these instructions are for you. If the DialNAT is started without a valid serial number and authentication key, it will run in a "shareware" mode that supports a maximum of 2 internal users on your private network. This allows you to try out the DialNAT without committing to the product.

Preliminary Information

The PC that you need for your DialNAT platform should have at least the following characteristics.

A 386DX40 or faster. A 486DX33 is a prefered minimum, especially if you are going to use ISDN or an X2 modem.
MS-DOS version 6.20 or newer.
At least 2 megabytes of RAM.
At least 5 megabytes of available Hard Disk.
An available COM port for the modem with a 16550a, 16650 or 16750 UART or an internal modem with the equivalent port built-in.
An ethernet NIC (Network Interface Controller) with a packet driver.

The Archive

The DialNAT installation archive will create two directories on your NAT PC's c-drive. Those are c:/dialnat and c:/safe. The c:/dialnat directory contains all the executables, configuration files and online manual pages for the DialNAT software. The c:/safe directory contains a preliminary password file that has a "root" password for you to use for Web Browser administration of the DialNAT, and for ftp to or from your DialNAT from within your private network.

The archive does not create or modify any other files or directories on your NAT target PC.

Retrieval and Installation

To retrieve and install the DialNAT archive, perform the following steps:

Retrieve the README file from our ftp server to see if there are any updates to this information.
Retrieve the latest archive from our ftp server.
Retrieve any updated executables that may be available as mentioned in the README file.
Unzip that files onto a floppy disk.
Gather your configuration information so that you may enter it during the install process.
Run install.exe from the floppy on the PC you will use as your NAT.
Answer the questions with your configuration information. Use F1 to get help during the configuration script process.
Examine the config.tst and autoexec.tst files that are created in the new c:/dialnat directory. These files are proposed config.sys and autoexec.bat files for the NAT.
Edit the config.tst and autoexec.tst files to fit your actual PC configuration, including the loading of the packet driver for your ethernet card. The packet driver needs to be told to be visible to the NAT on software interrupt 96 (which is usually called hex 60 or 0x60).
Install the config.tst and autoexec.tst into the root of the c-drive as config.sys and autoexec.bat when you are satisfied with them.
Examine the startup.tst file that the configuration script created in the c:/dialnat directory. This is a proposed startup.htm file, which is the runtime configuration file for the NAT.
Rename the startup.tst file to startup.htm, leaving it in the c:/dialnat directory.
Examine the dialer.tst file, which contains your ISP telephone number, the modem initialization string, and your PPP account ID and password.
If any of the dialer information is incorrect, correct it now.
Reboot to apply the changes that come about through the new config.sys and autoexec.bat files. The NAT should start automatically.
At the keyboard of the NAT, type "if" and press enter. This will display the known interfaces. Look for an interface called "en0" which is your ethernet. If this is not displayed, then your packet driver isn't installed correctly. Consult the NIC documentation to determine the proper options to install it.
Configure a workstation on your private network to use the DialNAT's IP Address as the default gateway, and try to access the Internet. The DialNAT should dial and connect. The dialing and login progress will be displayed on the NAT screen, and logged in c:/dialnat/spool/net.log.