Toughsat
Users Manual
Ground Control
- 32 -
Basis Networking Issues
Even before you connect any external computers to your Toughsat system, the system itself makes up a small, basic
network. The components of this network are the modem (iDirect), the Toughsat controller which houses an internal
router, and the Toughsat dish itself.
It’s important that all 3 of these components are always present and connected
properly, as the system will not function if they are not properly connected, and properly configured. This is partly
because the modem needs to rece
ive periodic GPS updates from the dish to maintain it’s connection to the network.
Physical Configuration
The Toughsat
controller (and it’s internal router) are the central communications hub for the entire system, everything else
in the network talks to each other through this unit. On the back of the controller you will find 6 Ethernet cable ports, as
well as connectors for the systems coax lines, control cables, and power. The Ethernet cable ports are labeled:
Mount Control
Modem
1
2
3
4
There shoul
d already be a short jumper cable connected from “Mount Control” to port 1. This is the dish’s
communications cable.
There should then be a cable connected from the modem (in the port marked “LAN A”) to the port
marked “Modem”. Finally, if any of your own computers are connected via cable instead of wirelessly, they should be
connected to any of the 3 remaining open ports, marked 2, 3, and 4. Check all of these connections to make sure they
are present, and connected tightly. Any cables with broken connectors or tears in the cable shielding should be replaced.
When powered on and all proper cable connections are present, the status lights on the front of the Toughsat control unit
should be lit in conjunction with any ports that have cables connected to them. This means that at the very least
INTERNET and port 1 should be lit, as well as any of the remaining 3 that have a computer connected to them. WLAN
will also be lit if the wireless connection is enabled (which it is by default). If any of these are not lit, first double check that
all devices are actually powered on. If still not lit, it indicates the router is not recognizing any connection on that port, and
is likely a faulty port on one of the devices. If one of the numbered (1,2,3,4) ports fails, any of the remaining numbered
ports may be used as an alternate for a short term fix. The failure of any other ports will necessitate the replacement of
the corresponding device.
Software Configuration
Along with the proper physical connections, all of the devices in the network will also require the proper IP configuration in
order to communicate. In the case of iDirect modems, their IP configuration is hard coded as part of their internal option
file, and will not need to be adjusted. This leaves the router (the Toughsat control unit) and the Toughsat dish itself.
A list of the required IP settings can be found on the customer information sheet, which should be left at the site at the
time of installation. It is also on record at Ground Control, should your customer information sheet be unavailable, you
can get the information from our Technical Support department.
You’ll want to verify the settings in the router first. Using a pc that’s connected to it vi either an Ethernet cable or
wirelessly, open your preferred web browser and input 192.168.1.1 into the address field. You should be immediately
prompted for a username and password. if the page fails to load, either your computer is unable to communicate with the
router, or the router’s address was changed. Verify your pc is connected properly, and that it’s own IP address is properly
configured. By default it should be set to obtain an address from the router automatically. If you are sure that everything
is connected and configured corr
ectly and you still can’t access the router at this address, it’s likely the router’s address
has been changed, and the router will need to be hard reset.
