Network Setup on Your Computer


Network setup on your computer

Since RASTRAC and the RASTRAC IOP (I/O processor) are networked together, your computer needs to have networking enabled. This does not mean that you need a network card or adapter. It simply means that the programs need to "speak" a particular "language" to each other. To facilitate this, the Windows environment must be told to keep a "dictionary" available to the programs so they can properly communicate. This process only involves a few procedures in the Windows "Control Panel."

  1. On your Windows desktop, open the Control Panel by selecting "Start... Settings... Control Panel."

  2. Open the Network dialog by double-clicking on "Network" in the Control Panel window.

  3. In the "Configuration" sheet look for a TCP/IP protocol. You may have a "TCP/IP >(Network card) Adapter", a "TCP/IP>Dial-Up Adapter", or there may not be any TCP/IP drivers. Follow the appropriate directions for your computer.


If you have a network card adapter

If you have a network card installed in your computer using TCP/IP protocol, the RASTRAC viewer can be set up to use your current IP address or your Computer Name on the network:

  1. Double click on the TCP/IP adapter for your network card.

  2. When the IP Address sheet appears, write down the IP address listed. If your Network "obtains IP Address Automatically" you will need to use your computer’s name on the network.

  3. Set up RASTRAC to use the Computer Name or the IP address (see Viewer Network Options).


If you are using a Dial-Up adapter

If you are using a Dial-Up adapter for Internet access, you may have problems with the RASTRAC viewer disconnecting from the IOP. Whenever you connect to the Internet, your Internet service provider assigns a new IP address to your computer (that is why you should use the computer name instead of an IP address). When this happens, the RASTRAC viewer and the IOP will be disconnected. You can solve this problem in one of four ways:

  1. Don’t connect to the Internet while you are using RASTRAC.

  2. Obtain a "constant" IP address from your Internet service provider (usually at a nominal charge). This IP address will not change every time you connect to the Internet. Note: A constant IP will be required if you are tracking your vehicles over the Internet.

  3. Install an actual network card and use its TCP/IP adapter for the IP address instead of using a Dial-Up adapter.

  4. Use the current Dial-up adapter with the "Obtain an IP address automatically". You will need to use your computer’s name to set up RASTRAC (not the IP address). If you are going to connect to the Internet, you should make your connection before starting RASTRAC so the IOP won’t get disconnected when your service provider dynamically assigns your machine a new IP address (when it connects to the Internet).

If there is no TCP/IP adapter

  1. Under the "Configuration" property sheet, click "Add", and then double-click "Protocol."

  2. When the "Select Network Protocol" window opens, select "Microsoft" in the "Manufacturers" list. Then double-click "TCP/IP" in the "Network Protocols" list.

  3. When the "Select Device" window appears, select "Microsoft" in the "Manufacturers" list, and then double-click "Dial-Up Adapter" in the "Models" list.

  4. When new items appear in the "Network... Configuration... Installed components" list, select "TCP/IP" from the list, and click on the "Properties" button.

  5. In the "TCP/IP Properties" box, select the "IP Address" tab.

  6. In the "IP Address" property sheet, click on the "Obtain an IP address automatically" option (you should also select the "Identification" tab in the network dialog to name your computer). Or, you could click on the "Specify an IP Address" option, and enter "192.6.1.101"for the IP address. Under "Subnet Mask", enter 255.255.255.0. Then click on OK. The "Obtain an IP address automatically" option is highly recommended.

  7. Click on "OK" in the network box. Windows will now install the TCP/IP drivers. When Windows asks you if it can restart the computer, click on "Yes" and allow the computer to restart -- Note: You should shutdown RASTRAC and the RASTRAC IOP before you answer "Yes" to restarting windows.

  8. When Windows restarts, you may need to enter a user name. Your computer network name or any other name is fine, and you need not enter a password.