Our recent review of StarBlaizer's satellite Internet access seemed somehow incomplete because it didn't include the magic word "router." And I really want to organize a simple and comfortable connection for many devices at home or in a small office! And here StarBlazer offers us a series of firmware developed for popular routers. You will, of course, need a StarBlazer SB340-USB receiver and something else. So, first things first.

Competition participants

This development, as you might guess, was based on a wonderful scheme: you update the router with new firmware, connect all the components to it, it configures connections and tunnels itself - and as a result, you get the Internet throughout the entire network with automatic distribution of IP addresses. This is exactly how we would like to see the operation of our complex system, which involved a router, a USB modem from, a USB hub with external power from KS-is, satellite receiver StarBlazer SB340-USB, as well as a roof-mounted 90 cm antenna with LBA and 20 meters of cable with F-connectors.

We have had most of the devices since the last review. Only the D-Link DIR-320 was invited to visit - before that it had quietly and peacefully distributed the Internet at the dacha. By the way, Asus WL-500G Premium V2, TP-Link TL-WR1043ND, D-Link DIR-320- these router models can be turned into the so-called SB-Router.

SB-Router | Firmware procedure

Transformation procedure D-Link DIR-320 V SB-Router described in detail. If you choose another model out of three possible for firmware, there is no problem - all steps are explained in detail and step by step. It is also taken into account that the D-Link DIR-320 may “not recognize” the proposed firmware SB-Router for the “native” one and you will have to use the firmware method with manually disconnecting/connecting the router power supply. A convenient utility is offered to start the firmware process flash_dlink.bat. It would be great to add a file to the software package tftp.exe- What if someone doesn’t? If you don't have it, download it.

SB-Router configurations

Satellite router SB-Router can operate in one of four configurations:

1. Ethernet router for home network with WiFi support. Performs virtually the same functions as the “basic” models of home routers.
2. 3G router for home network with WiFi support. Allows you to connect to the Internet via a 3G modem not only a single computer, but also an entire home network, both via Ethernet and WiFi. To connect to a cellular network, use a standard 3G modem or even cellular telephone with USB port.
3. Satellite router for a home network with WiFi support, using an Ethernet request channel. Allows you to connect to satellite Internet StarBlazer home network both via Ethernet and WiFi, without using a dedicated computer.
4. Satellite router for a home network with WiFi support, using a 3G interrogation channel. Allows you to connect to satellite Internet StarBlazer home network, both via Ethernet and WiFi, without using a dedicated computer. To connect to the cellular network, use a standard 3G modem or a cell phone with a USB port.

Our choice is a satellite router for a home network with WiFi support, using a 3G interrogation channel. As a matter of fact, the satellite part and the 3G interrogation channel have already functioned successfully based on the results. All that remains is to add a router with the appropriate firmware to them.

SB-Router | Assembling the circuit

Router D-Link DIR-320 has only one USB port, which we expanded with a USB hub with external power from KS-is. In principle, the circuit starts without additional USB power, but the modem clearly does not have enough power and an additional power source is only beneficial. The USB port in our case carries a double load: the satellite receiver communicates with the router through it StarBlazer and 3G modem.

We connect one of the LAN ports of the router with a cable to the RJ-45 port of the computer, having previously set the automatic selection of the IP address in the network settings. All these nuances are described in detail in company manual by firmware SB-Router. If the antenna is tuned to the satellite (like ours), then everything is ready and after turning on the power, all that remains is to configure the software.

Setting up SB-Router

The setup consists of entering your registration data in the appropriate fields of the interface without changing other parameters. If everything is done exactly like this, then the system works. It is not by chance that we draw attention to this fact. The fact is that after loading the configuration file, IP addresses that seem strange at first glance will appear in some fields. There is no need to touch them: we will only add the password, name and MAC address for the satellite receiver.

The firmware is a complete software for the router, built on the basis OpenWrt, with a large number of sections that expand the functionality of the router. Experienced users will be able to obtain a variety of statistical information about system operation, etc.

Those who see nothing more than letters and numbers in the settings lines can rejoice in the fact that in the firmware description StarBlazer provides all the main screenshots and indicates the lines that need to be modified.

It’s good that the 3G modem does not have to be configured - the system takes care of us. In fact, we didn't have to enter a single number or letter in this section. But it’s worth taking care of a place where GSM reception is best. Our experience shows that the signal from the satellite is good and powerful, which cannot be said about mobile communications, subject to significant signal weakening and even complete loss (and this is in Moscow!). And if there is no thin 3G thread along which data runs away from us, then the wide channel towards us from StarBlazer, alas.

SB-Router | Performance Comparison

Important point: by launching SB-Router, we gained in the convenience of organizing access to satellite Internet, but lost the ability to use an accelerator Slonax 3G. The technology for creating the connection itself does not provide for its use. However, new firmware options are already being prepared, for example 04rc6, which shows the intentions of the developers to provide users with technology SB-Router possibility of using one of the accelerators. At least, a template for its configuration file has already appeared.

Achieve without using an accelerator maximum speeds It won't be easy. Our tests without an accelerator show very average performance, which is enough for web surfing, but not enough for receiving large amounts of data.

Hello!

I have this problem. I live in the Kamchatka region in a small village; we don’t have computer specialists. I can more or less set up something. I work at a school, this year we only have electronic magazines. My task is to make sure that wi-fi distributes an IP address to laptops from our Internet, and not from the router. We have satellite Internet, a dish. Asus router. It seems that in the settings where I made the local network, I filled in our IP address. In the Network and Sharing Center, our IP address is displayed. But there is no Internet. But the IP address from the router works without problems.
Could you help me set up a router with our IP address via remote assistance.
Payment will be for work done.

Sincerely,
Svetlana Borgoyakova

Answer

Hello Svetlana. I cannot help you through remote assistance. I don't need payment either. Let's try to figure it out.

Did I understand correctly, you need to make sure that all devices that connect to your Wi-Fi network have access to the Internet through the ASUS router?

You wrote:

My task is to make sure that wi-fi distributes an IP address to laptops from our Internet, and not from the router.

Like this? I can not understand. And what does the IP address have to do with it anyway?

I don’t know what specific Internet you have and what equipment (I just know that it’s satellite). Does he work on a computer? Are you setting any settings on your computer? It's most likely just a network cable from satellite Internet equipment.

Try it on an ASUS router (just in case). Then, connect the cable from the satellite Internet to the WAN port of the ASUS router. To a port that is signed by the Internet. If you don’t need to set any parameters for the Internet to work, the router will automatically distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi and a network cable.

I cannot tell you anything specific, since I did not understand the problem and task itself. I don't know what equipment you have and what settings you have. I don’t understand about the IP address, which you wrote about so often. Maybe you had to introduce something else.

Symbiosis of wireless technologies: Wi-Fi and VSAT (wireless internal network, operating through the use of broadband radio channels + two-way satellite Internet), has significantly expanded the horizons of data processing and transmission over long distances. The main advantage of this fusion of technologies is determined by the complete refusal to use wired communication lines, which allows access to the most remote residential or industrial facilities. At the same time, the quality of communication and the speed of exchange of data packets is not inferior to wired technology, and in some cases exceeds it. If in the second case the speed is hundreds or thousands of kilobits per second, then for Wi-Fi 50 megabits per second is not the limit.

Satellite Internet somewhat slower than wireless systems local network due to the large distances that the signal travels. Connecting to symmetrical satellite Internet gives you access to the following services:

Wireless Internet access: benefits

• First of all, access to the Internet directly, and the exchange of information between the satellite platform and the DVB card (a substitute for a modem for receiving a signal from an antenna) in your computer occurs at speeds of up to 2-4 Mbit/s
• The ability to use IP telephony, which ensures reliable communication even in areas where there are no landline communications from telephone companies
• Video conferencing - widely used recently for remote meetings and negotiations between big business and industrial centers. The satellite signal provides high-quality video images transmitted in real time
• Unlimited viewing of satellite TV programs, connection to public radio channels

When used together with Wi-Fi technology, the satellite signal reception area increases to hundreds of meters. This creates a kind of connection area to a hot spot system (wireless local network station with a broadband radio signal), from any point within the coverage area of ​​the Wi-Fi terminal.

A flexible tariff schedule will allow you to choose the most convenient traffic in terms of cost and access speed. With a fairly low price scale and high quality communications, few terrestrial dial-up Internet providers can compete confidently with satellite Internet.

Are you intrigued but would like more information? Our employees will be happy to answer all your questions. If you are convinced that all of the above suits you perfectly, our company will provide you with all the necessary equipment and qualified specialists for installing and configuring a satellite Internet and Wi-Fi system in the shortest possible time.

Your unlimited connection with the world is in your hands. It is in our power to provide you with it.

As a rule, at the dacha from computer equipment Most often, laptops or tablet computers are used that are equipped with a WiFi standard wireless communication module. This makes it possible not to entangle the house, and especially the area, with local wires. computer network. So, to organize a wireless Wi-Fi network in a country house or country house, you only need an access point (AP). If, in addition to organizing a local network, you also need Internet at your dacha, then you need to connect a WiFi access point to some Internet provider.

Currently, there are several technologies for providing access to the Internet in the country. Taking into account the seasonality of residence of potential subscribers and long term Because of the return on such investments, Internet providers using wired access technology are in no hurry to lay optical or copper communication lines in horticultural non-profit partnerships. In this case, it remains to consider options for connecting to the Internet only via wireless communication channels:

• access via channels cellular communications: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, Ev-Do
• access via LTE technology (Yota, Megafon)
• technology access
• access via two-way satellite communication technology: , from Raduga-Internet.

You can choose the best Internet for your dacha by analyzing several factors: which providers your dacha falls within the coverage area, what access speed the provider provides, and what the cost per unit of traffic will be. You also need to consider the cost necessary equipment and its installation (if required). If your home falls within an area of ​​reliable 3G signal reception, then purchasing a USB modem will cost you little, and maybe even free if you sign a contract with a cellular operator for several months. In second place in terms of the cost of subscriber equipment are Yota and Megafon LTE equipment, then equipment for connecting to WiMax and VSAT two-way satellite communication equipment closes this list. More recently, the use of VSAT terminals was affordable only for the corporate sector, but since March 2013, with the appearance on the market with a cost of 16,900 rubles, it has become possible to consider this type connections for dachas.

Unfortunately, using a USB modem at the dacha does not always give satisfactory results - the connection may be interrupted or the download speed may be low. Most often the reason for this is the distance from base station and the inability of the modem’s built-in antenna to receive a weak signal. Using specialized equipment with an external directional antenna under the same conditions can radically change the situation and increase the connection speed tens of times.

Currently, our company organizes a wireless WiFi network at dachas with a connection to high-speed Internet using 3G, 4G (LTE) technology and two-way satellite communication channels.

Technical solutions for organizing WiFi networks in a country house or dacha

If your existing WiFi network is experiencing constant problems with poor reception in your home due to the large area of ​​​​the rooms, and powerful routers do not support the required coverage area, then our ready-made solution consisting of a system of access points connected via a wired or wireless channel. Using the access points presented on professional equipment, you can realize seamless WiFi signal reception not only in the house, but also in the area around the house.