Sierra Wireless Airlink Raven XE HSPA, User Manual, Page: 15 / 53

Introduction to the AirLink Raven XE
Rev 3.0 Feb.12 15
Connecting to Your Cellular Provider
The AirLink Raven XE uses your cellular provider as an ISP (Internet Service
Provider) to connect you to the Internet.
Connection Steps:
1. Your AirLink Raven XE establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or “dial up”
connection) link to the cellular provider’s network, also called registering on
the network, and receives an IP address.
2. When your AirLink Raven XE has received its IP address from your cellular
provider, a connection to the Internet or the cellular network is also available
for computers or other devices connected directly to the AirLink Raven XE.
The AirLink Raven XE will perform routing for all internet traffic to and from the
computers or other host devices.
With the AirLink Raven XE in Ethernet Public mode, only one device connected to
the Ethernet port will receive the public IP address which is the one provided by
the cellular network. In Ethernet Private mode, with a hub or switch connected to
the Ethernet port, the AirLink Raven XE will provide NAT for a range of computers
or other devices connected to the switch or hub and Internet access to all of them.
Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses
There are two types of addresses on networks: dynamic and static.
• Dynamic addresses are assigned on a “need to have” basis. Your AirLink
Raven XE might not always receive the same address each time it connects
with your cellular provider.
• Static addresses are permanently assigned to a particular account and will
always be used whenever your AirLink Raven XE connects to the Internet.
The IP address will not be given to anyone else.
Most ISPs (cellular included) use dynamic IP addresses rather than static IP
addresses since it allows them to reuse a smaller number of IP addresses for a
large number of customers. A dynamic IP address is suitable for many common
Internet uses, such as web browsing, looking up data on another computer
system, or other client functions (such as data only being sent out or only being
received after an initial request).
cellular
provider