Question about KPC650's Connection Software

colebert · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 106

I searched around and didn't see anything that directly addressed my question so...

1. How is the Alltel software compared to Sprint's Connection Manager?
2. I know it doesn't have locking or anything fancy, but does it support NDIS at least?
3. Is there any way to force the software to effectively stay always-on?
4. Anyone got screenshots of the interface?

Jeff33UK · EVDO User Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 35

1. I've not used Sprint Connection manager much but I believe its pretty similar, but fewer options (can't lock EVDO with my KPC-650).
2. I don't think so.
3. Once you connect its always on. It goes dormant after about 10-15 seconds of inactivity. It 'reconnects' in 1-2 seconds when you request something. I've been on for hours, but I've read other people have been on for days.
4. Screenshot at http://users.nelsoncable.com/jeff31uk/pictures/AlltelQuickLinkMobile.jpg

Hope this helps you a bit. My pet peves are that it can't lock EVDO and is not Vista compatible. Now you don't *need* the connection manager to connect. You can run it as a dial-up modem connecting to #777 but you lose signal strength and connection type (1X/DO) info. Thats important to me as it likes to switch back and forth.

colebert · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 106

Thanks Jeff... that's good info.

So I suppose if you wanted a true "always on" connection for Alltel, the KR1 router is probably your best bet?

Jeff33UK · EVDO User Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 35

No problem. The KR1 router is pretty neat, but I read you still don't get realtime signal strength or connection status (1X/DO). Its perfectly possible to use a cheap $15 PCMCIA to PCI card and share your connection from any desktop PC using Windows internet connection sharing with on-demand dialing (the poor-mans KR1!). Thats what I do and it works Ok most of the time. Don't forget your firewall though - the first time I set it up on an unpatched Windows 2000 box I was infested with viruses as soon as I connected.

colebert · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 106

Yep, that works out pretty well.

Only problem is I'm trying to configure this to work at an unmanned site, so I need it to auto-dial if the computer is restarted. I suspect I could probably rig up a way to use the DUN connection to autoconnect/auto-reconnect.

Or I could go with a KR1. Very Happy