Black Box Internet Sharer FX850A User manual

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
APRIL 1998
FX850A
FX850AE
Internet Sharer

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FCC STATEMENT
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
and INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
Class B Digital Device. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular 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. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or telephone reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Caution:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
To meet FCC requirements, shielded cables and power cords are required to connect
this device to a personal computer or other Class B certified device.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emission from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe B prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage
radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

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INTERNET SHARER
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de
que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El parato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.

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NOM STATEMENT
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del
aparato.
14. El equio eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su
desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

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INTERNET SHARER
TRADEMARKS
The trademarks mentioned in this manual are the sole property of their owners.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1 What the Package Includes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3 Installing Internet Dialer Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.4 Installing the Internet Sharer in a PC Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.5 Installing the Internet Sharer in a Macintosh Environment . . . . . . . . 17
Appendix A: Serial Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
A.1 Cable and Connector Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
A.1.1 Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
A.1.2 Connector Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
A.2 Serial Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
A.2.1 Computer (DB25) to the Internet Sharer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
A.2.2 Computer (DB9) to the Internet Sharer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
A.2.3 MacIntosh computer (MINI 8 DIN) to the Internet Sharer . . . 27
A.2.4 Internet Sharer to the Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
A.3 Using Wall Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Appendix B: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
B.1 Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
B.2 Contacting Black Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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INTERNET SHARER
1. Specifications
System Requirements — Internet dialer software: Microsoft Internet Explorer,
Netscape Personal Edition, Trumpet Winsock version 2.x, or Windows 95; ISP must
support a PPP connection; An external modem (the modem becomes a dedicated
Internet modem); Operating system: Windows 3.x or Windows 95
Approvals — CSA, UL, TUV, FCC, CE
Size — 2”H x 12”W x 6.5”D (5.1 x 30.4 x 16.5 cm)

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INTERNET SHARER
2. Introduction
With the Internet Sharer, up to 3 users can access the Internet using only one
Internet account. The Internet Sharer provides businesses, schools, homes, and
home offices with cost-effective Internet access.
It’s compatible with services offered by the majority of Internet Service
Providers (ISPs).
You can create, send, and receive personal email. WebShare works with
NetScape Mail, Eudora, and other popular Winsock compliant programs.
To use the Internet Sharer, you need Windows 3.x or 95, and your Internet
Service Provider (ISP) must support a PPP connection. You’ll also need an
external modem.
If the Internet dialer software is already installed, you don’t have to reinstall it.
If it’s not installed, you must install it, one PC at a time.
Once the Internet dialer software is installed, attaching the Internet Sharer is
plug-and-play. Simply connect the 3 PCs to the Internet Sharer unit using the serial
cables provided. Then connect an external modem to the Internet Sharer.

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INTERNET SHARER
3. Installation
3.1 What the Package Includes
The following is a list of the items included in your package:
• (1) Internet Sharer
• (3) 15-ft. (4.6-m) serial cables
• (1) 15-ft. (4.6-m) telephone cable
• (4) DB25 to RJ-45 adapters
• (3) DB9 to RJ-45 adapters
• (1) power adapter
• This user’s manual
If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Black Box immediately.

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INTERNET SHARER
Figure 3-1. What’s included in your package.
Internet Sharer Unit
(4) 15-ft. (4.6-m) serial cables
Power adapter
Male-to-male
DB25 adapter
(3) DB9 to
RJ-45
adapters
(4) DB25 to
RJ-45
adapters

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INTERNET SHARER
3.2 System Requirements
To use the Internet Sharer, you’ll need:
• Windows 3.x or Windows 95 for PC or Mac OS 8 or greater
• Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) must support a PPP connection (check
with your ISP).
• An external modem (the modem becomes a dedicated Internet modem)
• Modem compatible Mac cables for Mac environment.
3.3 Installing Internet Dialer Software
In order to connect to the Internet, you must first install an Internet dialer
software on each PC or Mac. If the Internet dialer software is already installed, you
do not have to reinstall it.
Your ISP will give you the information you need to set up your dialer software.
This section explains how to make it work with the Internet Sharer.
When installing the Internet dialer software to connect to your Internet service
Provider, you must:
• Connect one computer to the external modem using your serial modem cable
(do not use the supplied Internet Sharer cables).
• Install the Internet dialer software on one PC at a time by following the
instructions provided with the Internet software package you will use.
• While you install the software on the first computer, write down the following
parameters as they appear on the screen during the installation. This
information will be useful for the second and third PC installation. Some of
these parameters might not appear.
- Username
- Password
- E-mail address if you have only one for the 3 PCs
- IP address

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- DNS (Name-server address for Mac environment)
- Provider’s phone number
• Let your system detect your modem, or select it from the list.
• Verify that the maximum speed is set to 115200 baud. If not, set it to this value.
If this speed is not supported select the next highest speed supported by the
Internet Sharer unit. The supported speeds are 115200, 57600, 38400, 19200,
and 9600 baud.
• Once the Internet dialer software installation has been completed, test the
connection to the Internet with that computer directly connected to the
modem (without the Internet Sharer).
NOTE
When you set up the second and third computers, it is possible that
your Internet Service Provider will ask you if this is a reinstallation or a
new account. Select “reinstallation.”
Repeat the installation steps for the other two computers.

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Figure 3-2. Attaching the modem to the PC.
Your Modem Serial Cable
(Do NOT use supplied
Internet Sharer cable.)

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INTERNET SHARER
3.4 Installing the Internet Sharer in a PC Environment
Having previously confirmed that a direct connection from each PC to the Internet
works, connect each PC to the Internet Sharer using supplied serial cables and
adapters. Connect the Internet Sharer’s MODEM port to the external modem
using the supplied Internet Sharer cable.
In order to be able to use the Internet Sharer, you must first connect it to your
computer’s serial port. Follow these steps:
• Turn OFF your PCs.
• Find the serial port on your PC’s back panel. Match the serial-port adapter
included in your Internet Sharer package to the serial port on your PC (DB25
or DB9). Plug the serial port adapter onto the PC’s serial port.
• Plug one end of the RJ-45-to-RJ-45 cable into the serial-port adapter, and the
other into the Internet Sharer’s PORT #1.
• To connect a second and third PC to the Internet Sharer’s PORT #2 and PORT
#3, respectively, follow steps above for each additional PC.
• Plug one end of the flat cable to the Internet Sharer MODEM port the other
end to the modem using the supplied DB25-to-RJ-45 connector and the
gender changer.
• Plug the included power supply into the power socket and the other end into
the Internet Sharer’s +9V power socket.
• Turn on the PCs, the Internet Sharer and the modem.
You are now ready to surf the Net using the Internet Sharer. Access the Internet
exactly as you normally would with your Internet dialer software.
If you have any problems, it is possible that some parameters have not been set
correctly. Make sure you’ve followed your Internet Service Provider’s directions for
setting up your dialer software. If you’re still having problems, see the
troubleshooting suggestions in Appendix B.

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For additional cabling information, refer to Appendix A.
Figure 3-3. Installing the Internet Sharer in a PC environment.

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3.5 Installing the Internet Sharer in a Mac Environment
Having previously confirmed that a direct connection from each Mac to the
Internet works, connect each Mac to the Internet Sharer using the supplied serial
cables and adapters with a modem cable (not supplied). Connect the Internet
Sharer’s MODEM port to the external modem using the supplied Internet Sharer
cable.
In order to be able to use the Internet Sharer, you must first connect it to your
Mac’s serial port. Follow these steps:
• Turn OFF your Mac computers.
• Find the serial port on your Mac. Connect a modem cable (not supplied) on
your Mac and plug the supplied serial DB25 to RJ-45 adapter to the end of that
cable.
• Plug one end of the supplied RJ-45-to-RJ-45 cable into the serial DB25-to-RJ-45
adapter, and the other end into the Internet Sharer’s PORT #1.
• To connect a second and third Mac to the Internet Sharer’s PORT #2 and
PORT #3, respectively, follow steps above for each additional Mac.
• Plug one end of the RJ-45-to-RJ-45 cable to the Internet Sharer MODEM port
the other end to the modem using the supplied DB25-to-RJ-45 connector and
the gender changer.
• Plug the included power supply into the power socket and the other end into
the Internet Sharer’s +9V power socket.
• Turn on the computers, the Internet Sharer, and the modem.
You are now ready to surf the Net using the Internet Sharer. Access the Internet
exactly as you normally would with your Internet dialer software.
If you have any problems, it is possible that some parameters have not been set
correctly. Refer to Appendix B for more information.
For additional cabling information, refer to Appendix A.

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Figure 3-4. Installing the Internet Sharer in a Mac environment:
1. Connect the computers to the Internet Sharer.
2. Connect the Internet Sharer to the modem.
3. Plug in the power adapter.
See the previous page for detailed instructions.
Mac modem cable male DB25
to Mini 8 DIN (not supplied—
see Appendix A for pinout)
Female
DB25 Female
DB25
Female
DB25
Female
DB25

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Figure 3-5. Macintosh computer (MINI 8 DIN) to the Internet Sharer cable.
M AC D IALER C ONFIGURATION P ARAMETERS
If you have problems surfing the Net, check the following parameters on each Mac:
Modem port and driver
• Click on the Apple menu.
• Select Control Panel.
• Click on Modem.
• Connect via: Select the Mac modem port to which the Internet Sharer is
connected.
• Modem: Select the name of the modem that corresponds to the modem
connected to the Internet Sharer.
Your modem serial
cable (do not use
supplied Internet Sharer
cables at this stage).

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• Close the window and save your settings.
Figure 3-6. Modem screen.

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TCP/IP Settings
• Click on the Apple menu.
• Select Control Panel.
• Click on TCP/IP.
• Select PPP in the Connect via field.
• Select Using PPP Server in the Configure field.
• Make sure a Name server addr. has been defined. These addresses are normally
provided by your ISP.
• Close the window and save your settings.
Figure 3-7. TCP/IP screen.