Article ID: 3

Added: January 10, 2008

Categories: General, Connectivity

See also: What is Internet, Connectivity Devices

Question

I heard that a user of Braillenote can connect to the Internet. Can you explain how can it be done and what are the configuration settings required to connect to the Internet using Braillenote?

Answer

There are many ways one can use to connect to the Internet using Braillenote:

• 56K modem: if you have a Braillenote mPower or a Classic, you can use the built-in modem (located at the back, farthest plug on the resessed panel). By default, Braillenote assumes that the user is trying to use the modem. Connect the one end of the phone line (also known as RJ-11 cable) to the phone jack, then connect the other end to the modem jack on the Braillenote.
• Ethernet: If you have Keysoft 4.0 or higher, you can use a Compactflash wired Ethernet card (Socket Communications model EA2902-139). This card has a CF card and an attached cable with a LAN port on the other end. Connect the one end of the Ethernet cord (also known as RJ-45 cable) to the LAN port on the card, then insert the CF card itself. Depending on the Keysoft version, Braillenote should say "Card Inserted" or "Network Card Ready."
• Wireless Ethernet: If you have Keysoft 6.0 (PK), 6.1 (Classic), 6.2 (mPower) or higher, you can use a type of network connection called Wireless LAN, or WLAN for short (also known as WiFi/Wireless Fidelity, IEEE 802.11, etc.). This is a wireless version of LAN. A Compactflash card is available (Ambicom WL1100C) that looks like a standard CF card, except that it is somewhat larger thanks to an internal WiFi antenna inside the card itself. You can insert the card into the Compactflash slot or you can use a PC card adapter with this card. For WiFi connection, a separate menu exists (for more information, see the next article, linked at the end of this article).
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth is another wireless connection equivalent to using 56K modem. Bluetooth is present in brailleNote mPower and PK inside the unit itself (underneath the keyboard). Unlike 56K modem where you can just connect the modem cord, you need an additional device with Bluetooth capability such as modern cell phones from Nokia, Samsung, etc. An extra procedure, known as "pairing" is required in order to use this connection (see "Bluetooth pairing" article, which is also link at the end of this article for more information).
• ActiveSync: ActiveSync is a program that allows a mobile device like Braillenote to connect and exchange data with a computer. In fact, ActiveSync, in addition to exchanging data, can also be used to connect to the Internet. All you need is ActiveSync connection using serial or USB, create a new connection that uses Ethernet conection, and you are good to go. Works properly with Keysoft 7.0 or higher with a USB connection.

This is an overview of availible connectivity options. To learn more about how to set it up, read next section.

Setting up for Internet Connection

Since we have reviewed the availible options, let's learn how to setup for Internet connection. This can be done in two ways (technically three ways), depending on Keysoft version (the third way is using Address List, selecting Directory of Services/Connection configurations database and adding records to it; be warned that this method is somewhat complicated):

• If you have Keysoft 5.1 or earlier, see "Procedure A."
• If you have Keysoft 6.0 or higher, read "Procedure B."

A: Using Keysoft 5.1 or earlier

Under Keysoft 5.1 or earlier, Keysoft assumed that you are going to use email in conjunction with Internet connectivity.

 

1. From Main Menu, go to Email (E)/WSetup Options (S)/Directory of Services (D)/Add a service (A).

    

2. At the "Entry list," press SPACE to move to the first item, which is "Service Name." Type the name that you want to use to refer to this service e.g. Internet connection then press ENTER.

    

3. Next, "modem to use" pprompt is displayed. at this point, choose the device you want to use to connect to the Internet. If you want to use internal modem, just press ENTER, as the default value would be the internal modem. To cycle through the list of devices, press SPACE with dots 3-4 (CTRL+SPACE on QT). After choosing the device, press ENTER. Note that there is a problem where you cannot choose Network connection when you are adding a service. This can be fixed by changing the service entries by using Lookup function (explained later).

    

4. Next, "phone number" is displayed." type the phone number that is used to access the Internet. Usually, ISP's (Internet Service Provider) has a list of phone numbers so that computers can access the Internet using a modem. Usually, it is in the form: 12135555512. After you are done, press ENTER. This is not required for Network connection.

    

5. Next. "Service User Name" is displayed. Type the username that you are using to connect to the Internet. Remember you must type it using Computer Braille (a period is dots 4-6, underscore is dots 4-5-6, etc.). Press ENTER to continue.

    

6. Next, Service Password is displayed. Just like username prompt, you must type this in computer braille. After you are done, press ENTER to continue.

   For modem users: you are done. Press SPACE with dots 1-5 (ESC on QT) to exit the list, then say "yes" to the prompt "Add this record?". If you are using network connection, press SPACE until you see "Primary DNS address" field.

    

7. At the "Primary DNS address" field, type the DNS (Domain Name Server) address that your network administrator and/or your router reports. Press ENTER to continue.

   If you are done, press SPACE with E (ESC on QT) then say "yes" to the prompt that appears.

    

For configuring email, see "Configuring email" article.

If you cannot choose Network connection while adding a new service, go to Main Menu/Email/Setup/Directory of Services/Lookup. Press ENTER to choose the item you wish to change. Press SPACE to move to "Device to Use" prompt, then press BCKSPACE with dots 1-4 (CTRL+I on QT) then press SPACE with dots 3-4 (CTRL+SPACE on QT) to change it to Network connection then press ENTER. Then press SPACE with E (ESC on QT) then answer "yes" to "confirms changes" prompt.

B: using Keysoft 6.0 or higher

There were changes introduced with Keysoft 6.0 (for PK), 6.1 (for Classic) and 6.2 (for mPower) in regards to setting up Internet connection. A new menu, Connectivity, was introduced that deals with setting up and checking connections.

 

1. From Main Menu, go to Options Menu (SPACE with O/FN+O on QT)/Connectivity (C). AT the Connectivity Menu, select "Create a new dialup or LAN connection" item.

    

2. At the "Entry list," press SPACE to move to the first item, which is "Connection Configuration Name." Type the name that you want to use to refer to this connection e.g. Internet connection then press ENTER.

    

3. Next, "device to use" pprompt is displayed. at this point, choose the device you want to use to connect to the Internet. If you want to use internal modem, just press ENTER, as the default value would be the internal modem. To cycle through the list of devices, press SPACE with dots 3-4 (CTRL+SPACE on QT) to select a device you wish to use then press ENTER.

   Note: if using connections other than internal modem, skip instructions marked for "modem users."

   For modem users:

    

4. Next, "phone number" is displayed." type the phone number that is used to access the Internet. Usually, ISP's (Internet Service Provider) has a list of phone numbers so that computers can access the Internet using a modem. Usually, it is in the form: 12135555512. After you are done, press ENTER.

    

5. Next. "Service User Name" is displayed. Type the username that you are using to connect to the Internet. Remember you must type it using Computer Braille (a period is dots 4-6, underscore is dots 4-5-6, etc.). Press ENTER to continue.

    

6. Next, Service Password is displayed. Just like username prompt, you must type this in computer braille. After you are done, press ENTER to continue.

   For modem users: you are done. Press SPACE with dots 1-5 (ESC on QT) to exit the list, then say "yes" to the prompt "Add this record?".

   For wired LAN connection users: be sure to select Ethernet Network Connection before proceeding:

    

7. The next prompt is "obtain an IP address automatically." This determines whether your network will automatically assign an address to your Braillenote (DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). If yes, press Y; if you want to manually assign an address yourself, press N then press ENTER.

   If you said "yes" to "obtain address" prompt: unless if you are using Proxy server connection: you are done. If you are using Proxy server, press Y at "use proxy server" prompt, then type the name of the server and port number. Press SPACE with E (ESC on QT) then say "yes" to the prompt that appears. If you said "no" to "obtain address" prompt, read this:

    

8. The next prompt, "IP address" allows you to enter an IP address so that a network can recognize your Braillenote. IP (Internet Protocol) address is like an ID card that tells the network that a network device called Braillenote is connected to the network. Usually, IP addresses are in the form number.number.number.number e.g. 192.168.1.25. If you are using a network router, a likely IP address would start with 192.168.0.number (where number can be between 1 and 255). If you are done, press ENTER.

    

9. Next, "Subnet Mask" is displayed. A subnet mask is an ID that identifies a network underneath the host network e.g. a branch network from the whole tree-style home network. For example, there might be a home network connecting multiple computers located at different rooms . Each room might have two or three computers, and this collection makes a subnet, a small network underneath the whole network. This collection of "subnets" or computer networks on a set of rooms makes up the whole home network. A mask that identifies a subnet, or in this case, a room, is called subnet mask. Usually, subnet masks are in the form 255.255.255.0 or 255.255.0.0 for some networks. Type the value then press ENTER.

    

10. Next, "Default Gateway" is displayed. As the name implies, default gateway is the router or a computer's address that functions as a gateway between a home network or a device (in this case, Braillenote) and the Internet. It provides IP addresses for computers connected to the network. Usually, it is in the form 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 for some networks. Type the value then press ENTER.

     

11. The next two prompts deals with DNS (Domain Name Server). A Domain Name Server is a server that translates network address e.g. braillenote.pbwiki.com to IP addresses e.g. 74.183.176.99. Type the Primary and secondary DNS addresses (usually, networks only have one DNS, so just entering the first DNS address at the Primary address should be sufficient enough). After typing the address, press ENTER.

     

12. The next two prompts deal with WINS (Windows Internet Naming Service). If your network uses this, type the address of the WINS server then press ENTER. You are done.

    Press SPACE with E (ESC on QT) then press Y to save the configuration.

    If you selected Wireless Ethernet, follow these instructions:

     

13. The prompt that will appear will be "SSID." SSID (Service Set Identifier) is just a name given to the wireless network. If your network has a name, type it, then press ENTER.

     

14. Next, "use infrastructure mode" is displayed. Usually, a wireless network is centered around a device called wireless router - a type of network router which has antennas instead of ports. If your network has one, press Y to connect via the router (also known as access point). If it is an ad-hoc network where computers themselves connect to each other without routers, press N to use this type of network then press ENTER.

     

15. Next, "use shared authentication" is displayed. For most of the networks, leave it at its default - no. If your network requires shared authentication, press Y for yes then press ENTER to continue.

     

16. The next prompt deals with security key called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), a way of securing one's network from unauthorized use. If your network requires this, press Y on "Use WEP" prompt then press ENTER. A new field, "WEP key" is displayed. Type the five character key then press ENTER. If your network does not use WEP, say No to "use WEP" prompt then press ENTER.

     

17. Next, "802.1x authentication level" is displayed. For most of the time, there is no authentication - level 0. Press ENTER to continue.

    The next few set of prompts are same as LAN connection. IF you are done, press SPACE with E (ESC on QT) then press Y to save the record.

     

If you are using Bluetooth device, see "Using Bluetooth" article.

For definitions of connectivity terms used in this guide, refer to "Connectivity Dictionary."

Updated: January 10, 2008

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