This document contains late breaking news of the latest features added to the Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus which do not appear in the Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus manual. At the end of the document, the version history of the product is also listed.
For the latest news about updaters, shows that Vicomsoft are attending, new versions of our software, new products, press news and lots more, take a regular look at our news page at:
http://www.vicomsoft.com/newsflash.html
Contents:
1. The Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus
2. System Requirements
3. The Vicomsoft WebCache Server Module
4. Remote Administration
5. DNS Serving
6. WebHeaders
7. Local Server Locator
8. Getting Started
9. Registering your Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus
10. Previous Users of the SoftRouter Plus
11. Open Transports TCP/IP Address
12. Internet Filters
13. MacOS 8.5 Web Sharing
14. Setting the MRU Value on the PPP Port
15. Vicomsoft's Technical Support Area on the Web
16. Version History
1. The Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus
The Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus is a comprehensive extended network connectivity package with simultaneous shared Internet access using network address translation. It has over 15 extended features including full TCP/IP software router, Web caching server, DHCP server, DNS caching, local DNS server, remote access server, firewall & multi-hosting to run multiple virtual web sites.
2. System Requirements
The Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus runs under Mac OS 7.5.3 and above on a PowerPC (including G3 and iMac) or 68040. Open Transport 1.1.1 or later must be installed
3. The Vicomsoft WebCache Server Module
The WebCache Server is a module that optimizes use of the Internet connection by storing (caching) copies of web content on the user's LAN. The WebCache improves web browsing response times through rapid delivery of frequently accessed web content from a local caching server. All SoftRouter clients benefit from the WebCache transparently without the need to configure each client individually.
4. Remote Administration
The Remote Administration function provides full access to monitoring and administration functions by authenticated users from a locally networked or remote computer, using the Vicomsoft Administrator Console. (This feature is optional and may not be included in your software license.)
5. DNS Serving
The Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus now includes integral DNS Caching and Name Server facilities. These facilities reduce name resolution delays and cooperate with the DHCP Server to provide comprehensive local name resolution.
6. WebHeaders
WebHeaders allow the administrator to choose a text or graphic message to be placed automatically in a separate frame above each web page displayed in users' browsers.
7. Local Server Locator
The Local Server Locator allows users to see a list of all web, FTP or other TCP/IP servers on the LAN without having to manually probe individual IP addresses, or ask their colleagues what URL to use.
8. Getting Started
Whenever the application is launched with no previous configuration information available the Set-up Assistant will be launched. The assistant will lead you through the process of setting up your SoftRouter Plus as quickly as possible while at the same time familiarizing you with the interface.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU USE THE SET-UP ASSISTANT THE FIRST TIME YOU CONFIGURE THE SOFTROUTER
9. Registering your Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus
To receive news of updates, offers and for free technical support, please register the product on-line at the following web page:
http://www.vicomsoft.com/register.html
10. Previous Users of the SoftRouter Plus
Version 6.5 of the SoftRouter Plus will make a Backup of your VICOM TCP/IP Preferences file. This file will be saved in the VICOM Settings folder with ".old" added to the end of the filename. You will be warned about the backup when you first start the SoftRouter Plus.
11. Open Transports TCP/IP Address
For previous users of the SoftRouter Plus, you may notice there is no longer an OTI Mirror or Open Transport Mirror Port displayed in the SoftRouter Plus Status window. The "Mirror" port has been changed, the Port being "Mirrored" or the TCP/IP Address of the SoftRouter Plus Mac is now denoted by the MacOS Icon being displayed in the far left of the Ports list.
To change the TCP/IP address of the SoftRouter Plus you need to be in Advanced Mode. Select the Port with the IP address you wish the SoftRouter Plus machine to have, then select "Change This Mac's TCP/IP Address..." from the Ports menu. You will be presented with a warning, once you select OK, the MacOS Icon will then be displayed next to the port you have selected.
12. Internet Filters
The SoftRouter Plus contains Internet Filtering features which allow you to limit Internet access using protocol blocks and user definable filters.
13. MacOS 8.5 Web Sharing
Apple does not recommend having Web Sharing running when using Dynamic PPP. Therefore we recommend that you make sure that Web Sharing is turned Off when launching and Quitting the SoftRouter Plus.
14. Setting the MRU Value on the PPP Port
The MTU (Maximum Transmit Unit) value for a PPP port is fixed at 576 bytes. The SoftRouter Plus will only send out packets of 576 bytes in size.
The MRU (Maximum Receive Unit) value is now 1500 bytes by default, this means that the SoftRouter Plus will receive packets up to 1500 bytes in size.
With some rare combinations of hardware and software you may experience problems connecting or receiving data from your Internet Service Provider. To fix this problem we suggest that you set your MRU value to 1000 or 576.
To change the MRU value;
1. Edit your Dial out port (PPP NAT port), and select the Connect Options tab.
2. Check the "Specify MRU" box and enter the suggested value.
15. Vicomsoft's Technical Support Area on the Web
Vicomsoft's Technical Support team have an area on the Vicomsoft web site which contains:
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Tutorials
• Vicomsoft Software Updaters
• Application Notes and Version Histories
• Contacting Technical Support
This area is constantly updated to address common questions and problems our users experience.
The main page for the Support area can be found at: http://www.vicomsoft.com/support/
Alternatively you can access Online Help within the SoftRouter Plus product by selecting "Vicomsoft Online Help" in the "Help" menu of the product.
When contacting Vicomsoft Technical Support for help with the Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus, you can now help us to help you by sending a text document containing the set-up of your Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus.
If you need help from Vicomsoft Technical Support, we recommend the following:
1) Select "Save Config As..." from the "File" pull-down menu of the Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus and save the file (this file is automatically saved as a text file).
2) Fill out the "Contacting Technical Support" form along with the contents of the configuration text file on the following web page: http://www.vicomsoft.com/support/support.form.html
Sending this file to Vicomsoft's Technical Support Team helps us provide a speedier and more accurate response.
16. Version History
Version 6.5
SoftRouter Plus
6.5.2
1. Reduced broadcast traffic to enhance performance on large bridged networks, eg. xDSL.
2. Various minor bug fixes.
6.5.0
1. Added remote administration capability to the product.
2. WebHeader function added to allow administrators to display messages in Web browsers.
3. Time Controls added to limit both the time of day and the number of hours per day that an Internet connection is allowed per user.
4. Local Server Locator added to enable users to see a list of TCP/IP servers running on the local network.
5. Added the ability to send Boot Server information to clients during DHCP/BootP negotiation.
6. Added HTML help.
WebCache Server Module
1.1.1
1. Addressed a number of issues resulting in the improvement of WebCache behavior under high load conditions.
Previous Versions
For the history of previous versions of the Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus, please see the complete Vicomsoft SoftRouter Plus Version History document on our web site at:
