What is Instant Internet?
Instant Internet connects PC networks to the Internet affording all PC users complete and secure Internet access.

Damar Group, Ltd. provides the Instant Internet to connect PC networks to the Internet with a simple plug-and-play product. A complete hardware and software solution is included, and an entire LAN (local area network ) Internet connection can be established in about 15 minutes.

The hardware unit connects to the LAN cabling and includes either an internal 28.8 Kb/s modem, 128 Kb/s ISDN, or router (Frame Relay, T1, T3, etc.) connection to your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Included software applications include email, web browser, news reader and file transfer programs.

Additionally, Instant Internet works with all 16- or 32-bit winsock-compliant application such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. One Instant Internet box will support 50 concurrent sessions and serve LANs of any size.

What is the technical description?
Instant Internet is a winsock socket server for Microsoft Windows PCs on LANs using IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) or POWERLan NetBIOS protocols. The hardware unit contains a high-speed multi-tasking TCP/IP kernel. Each PC communicates with the TCP/IP kernel using a winsock.dll (winsock 1.1 compliant) that is provided with the product.

An internal 28.8 Kb/s modem or 128 Kb/s ISDN is included with a dial-on-demand functionality. The dial-up connection is established automatically, and disconnected when not in use. In addition, Instant Internet can be configured to communicate directly through an external router for higher bandwidth applications.

Who is an appropriate customer for this product?
The target customers for Instant Internet are businesses (including home businesses) with LANs that want to connect to the Internet.

There are over 3,000,000 LANs connecting an estimated 50,000,000 PCs. With the tremendous amount of press the Internet has received, businesses are rapidly seeking Internet connectivity.

Instant Internet is the only solution for quickly and easily connecting LANs to the Internet with absolute security. Instant Internet is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, branch offices, and workgroups seeking a secure Internet connectivity solution.

What are the benefits of Instant Internet?
Security, quick installation, and a turn-key solution at an affordable price make Instant Internet the only choice for business connectivity.

1. Security
Instant Internet is a hardware firewall that protects the corporate LAN from external TCP/IP hackers.

TCP/IP is the transport protocol used to communicate on the Internet. Hackers ride this signal to crack into LAN-based computers. With Instant Internet, TCP/IP is not installed on any of the LAN servers or workstations.

All incoming Internet packets (TCP/IP) stop at the Instant Internet box. As a result, outsiders cannot even see LAN resources. Also, no LAN workstation or server is permitted to become an Internet "server" on the LAN without special access through the firewall.

2. All LAN workstations can be connected to the Internet in less than one hour while the network is up.
Instant Internet uses the protocol that already exists on the LAN (IPX or POWERLan NetBIOS).

By not requiring additional protocols, such as TCP/IP, on the LAN cabling, system configuration changes to machines on the LAN are not needed. Therefore, LAN servers do not need to be shut down, and the workstations don't even need to exit Windows to install Instant Internet.

Typically, the Instant Internet unit is installed in about 15 minutes, and each workstation winsock.dll in about 1 minute.

3. All the hardware and software needed to connect to the Internet is included.
Instant Internet is a complete hardware/software solution that connects the entire LAN to the Internet.

By including a complete suite of Internet application software along with the hardware necessary for the actual Internet connection, Instant Internet offers a total Internet access solution. Included software allows users to:

• Browse the Internet (WinWeb)
• Retrieve files (CuteFTP)
• Search for information (Gopher from within WinWeb)
• Read (and post) news messages to USENET (WinVN)
• Send and receive email (Eudora)

4. Low Cost
One fee includes all the hardware and software needed to supply up to 50 concurrent sessions supporting LANs of any size. If more than 50 concurrent sessions are required, additional Instant Internet systems may be installed on the same LAN.

Multiple units also allow load-balancing between units.

Additional factors that contribute to Instant Internet's overall affordability for any size LAN are:

• The Instant Internet software and bundled applications such as the browser are licensed for the LAN, saving user-based fees and administrative burdens.
• All LAN users share a single diasdl-up SLIP or PPP account saving the cost of multiple or network accounts.
• No need to install and administer TCP/IP and dual-protocol stacks in individual workstations saves installation and management fees.
• No other hardware is required to ensure full functionality.

5. No Maintenance
The Instant Internet box is the only device on the LAN that requires a TCP/IP address to the ISP. This address is shared among all the PC clients, thus eliminating the need to register and maintain a separate IP address for each PC workstation.

6. Portable
Instant Internet does not have to be modified if the LAN is upgraded from one version of a network operating system to another.

Instant Internet is designed to add Internet functionality without changes to the LAN server or the workstations. If the LAN is upgraded, no changes to Instant Internet are required.

7. Ease of Administration
Instant Internet fully integrates with the LAN environment (Bindery or NDS), allowing administration of users and/or groups of users. With access control specified down to a half-hour segment on any day of the week, Instant Internet has the flexibility to meet the security demands of every business environment.

What do I need for installation?
Instant Internet comes equipped with either an internal 28.8 Kb/s modem or ISDN connection which allows a network to be linked via an inexpensive dial-up connection.

The system administrator simply needs to contact an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to acquire a single-user dial-up account. All other necessary hardware and software is included with the Instant Internet package.

Optionally, for larger networks and high-bandwidth Internet needs, Instant Internet can use an external router that supports leased line, ISDN, frame relay, T1, T3, and higher connections speeds.

How do I order an Internet connection?
Ordering the Internet connection is easy. Simply contact Damar Group, Ltd. and a service provider in your area.

Here are a few ideas to consider when selecting a potential service provider:

• ISPs with a local telephone numbers for dial-in will save telephone charges.
• If you will be using a modem connection, find a provider with 28.8 Kb/s service.
• Both PPP and SLIP protocols are supported by Instant Internet.
• If using an ISDN connection, request synchronous ISDN service.
• Instant Internet supports external routers if a dedicated line is needed.
• Instant Internet can use an assigned IP address (static IP addressing) and dynamic IP addressing.
• Multiple POP email accounts may be used to provide private email for each user.
• A single POP email account may be shared by all network users.

What are the different configurations?
Instant Internet supports a variety of network topologies. The standard configurations are Ethernet 10Base-T (UTP), Ethernet 10Base-2 (thin net), Token Ring, and ARCNET.

Dial-up Connection (MODEM or ISDN)
Many small LANs are connected using 10Base-2 (coax) cable. In this environment, Instant Internet may be connected anywhere on the network between the two terminators. 10Base-T (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable networks allow the Instant Internet to connect directly to a hub on the LAN's cable system.

External Router
If additional bandwidth is required, a router can be installed along with the appropriate telecom connection (leased line, external ISDN, Frame Relay, T1, T3, etc.). Instant Internet is then connected within the LAN cabling scheme; it will automatically communicate with the external router. A router configuration can be used with any type of network cable.

How is email access provided?
The easiest method to access email is through the included Eudora email client.

The Eudora client sends and receives mail from a POP mail server hosted on the Internet by an ISP. All Internet mail is sent directly to the POP server since it is on a dedicated connection at your service provider, and it can be accessed at any time.

Personal email can then be retrieved on a periodic basis through the Eudora client software. One POP mail account is needed for email access; multiple POP mail accounts will allow each user to have private messaging capability.

SMTP Gateway
LAN-based email systems can communicate with the Internet using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) gateways.

To operate with Instant Internet, the SMTP gateway must be provided on a winsock platform. Several vendors provide winsock-compliant SMTP gateways. In addition, a dedicated connection is required to deliver SMTP Internet email messages.

Without an SMTP Gateway
For LANs without an SMTP gateway, the freeware email client, Pegasus, which is publicly available in the Internet, allows Novell NetWare LAN users to send and receive both internal LAN email and Internet email.

One workstation on the LAN can be designated as the Internet email gateway using Pegasus. This PC, which can be also a user's workstation, is responsible for receiving incoming Internet email and forwarding it to the appropriate LAN user's PC via the NetWare LAN.

How would a webserver be used?
There are several ways to publish your homepage on a webserver without compromising the security of your LAN.

The preferred solution is to allow your ISP to host your website.

However, if you wish to manage your own webserver, we recommend establishing a separate LAN segment that connects the webserver directly to the external router. This maintains the internal LAN's security.

It is possible to connect an internal webserver or ftpserver to the Internet through the Instant Internet device. If you are considering this option, please discuss this with your Damar Group, Ltd. associate. Our technical engineers will gladly help you find the right solution to meet your needs.

Who is Damar Group, Ltd.?
Damar Group, Ltd., founded in 1989, is a recognized leader in business technology.

DGL presents computer training classes, publishes the Training Express^tm brand computer learning guides, and helps organizations do business on the Internet.

We distribute the Instant Internet product because we know that it is the only solution for organizations who want to connect their local area networks to the Internet, share information with all users, and increase profitability.

You may contact sales@dgl.com directly or if you would like more information, complete the information request form.

Return to main Instant Internet information page.

Damar Group, Ltd.
PMB 616
6030-M Marshalee Dr
Elkridge, MD 21075-5987 USA
voice 1.888.290.6200
voice 410.567.5366
fax 801.650.0423
WebPhone: info@dgl.com

http://dgl.com/docs/iiprod.html
updated November 26, 1996

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Copyright © 1996, Damar Group, Ltd., All Rights Reserved