Steps Of A Connection; Dynamic Vs. Static Ip Addresses - Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XT User Manual

Raven XT
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Steps of a connection:

1. When your Raven XT is powered on, it automatically searches for cellular
service using GSM/GPRS.
2. Your Raven XT establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or "dial" up
connection) link to your cellular provider network, also called registering on
the network, and receives an IP address.
3. When your Raven XT 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 Raven XT.
The Raven XT will perform routing for all internet traffic to and from the
computers or other end devicse.
With the Raven XT 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 Raven XT 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 Raven XT
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 Raven XT 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).
Tip: If your account with your cellular provider includes a dynamic IP address and you
need a static IP, please consult your your cellular provider Representative for more infor-
mation about changing your account for static IP support.
If you need to contact your Raven XT, a device connected to the Raven XT, or a
host system using the Raven XT from the Internet, you need to have a known IP
(such as one which is static) or domain name (an IP address which is converted
by a DNS server into a word based name). If you have a dynamic IP address for
your modem, you can use a Dynamic DNS service (such as IP Manager) to
translate your IP address into to a domain name.
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