Whistle InterJet FAQ

Making an informed decision on networking systems is critical to the successful implementation on any internet strategy. Here we answer many of the more frequently asked questions about the Whistle InterJet. Our goal is to help you make the best decision for your business.

This FAQ has been organized for these categories.

• General Questions
• Setup
• Maintenance
• Connectivity
• Web Design and Hosting
• Options

General Questions

What types of companies might be interested in using the InterJet?

The InterJet was designed with small businesses in mind. Here are a few examples of the types of businesses that could benefit from deploying the InterJet.

• Law firms who need enterprise-wide e-mail capabilities
• Office suite management firms who wish to create "smart offices"
• Any organization that wants to provide full internet access to multiple field offices inexpensively
• A home-based business with more than one PC you would like to network and open to the Internet
• Government agencies who want to conduct web-based training anywhere in the United States
• Companies who want to provide a low-cost way of connecting to the internet at conferences, meetings and trade shows.

How does the InterJet work?

The InterJet is a computer that has loaded on it all of the programs needed to connect to the Internet, handle address routing, service e-mail and mailing lists, and serve up web pages. It is common for an ISP to have several pieces of equipment to handle all of these functions that cost thousands of dollars. All of these functions have all been combined into the InterJet.

What types of computers can I hook up to the InterJet?

The InterJet works great with Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1x, Windows for Workgroups, and MacOS (version 7.0 or later) computers.

How does the InterJet compare to other e-mail solutions like Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, or Novell Groupwise?

The InterJet compares to the others in the sense as an e-mail delivery system. If you look at it from that perspective, the InterJet wins hands down based on application cost alone.
Example: Lotus claims the per user cost for Notes is $469.08. Microsoft claims the per user cost for Exchange is $462.13. So, for the cost of providing five people with Notes or Exchange, you can purchase the InterJet, which can provide e-mail for all users.

Note: We must point out that those other products provide levels of functionality that the InterJet does not offer, such as staff directories, calendaring, and group tools. You could add them by adding other web-based programs, but they would not be as integrated as they would be in other solutions.

Setup

What if I just want to implement e-mail. Do I have to install the web browser on all of the computers on my network?

No. You can install as much of client software as you want. You can implemented the InterJet as an email-only solution with one or two web browsers on executive machines.

I know the InterJet includes a four-port hub. But I have many more computers, how do they connect?

You can connect and daisy-chain other hubs to the InterJet using one of the four ports on the back of the device. Included with your InterJet is a special cable designed for this purpose.

How does the InterJet assign IP addresses? Do I need my own Class C address?

No. You do not need your own Class C address, but the InterJet can use it if you do have one. The InterJet supports dynamically-assigned IP addresses using its built-in DHCP server and static IP addresses using a table found in the administration tools.

Maintenance

How many people does it take to administer an InterJet?

One person can easily handle all administrative aspects of the InterJet. Since the administration is browser based you can administer the InterJet from any computer in the office.

How do you upgrade the system or client software that comes with the InterJet?

InterJet software upgrades are installed using the point-and-click InterJet administration agents. Client software upgrades are done by the system administrator using upgrades obtained from the manufacturer.

Connectivity

How long does the InterJet stay connected to the 'Net?

This varies depending upon your requirements. The InterJet's connection times can range from "dial on demand," which hangs up when the transfers are completed, to indefinitely, which we called being "nailed up." These times can be adjusted by the local administrator.

You want to connect 100 PCs to the Internet with a single 33.6Kbs modem!? Won't that be really slow?

Yes, 100 people surfing the Internet over the InterJet and downloading files or sending and receiving e-mail will be painfully slow. We would recommend that you use 128Kbs ISDN or better for those types of connections. However, if you are implementing the InterJet as an e-mail solution, a 33.6Kbs modem connection should be sufficient.

How does my e-mail get delivered if the InterJet is not connected to the Internet 100% of the time?

Your mail is stored at your ISP until the InterJet reconnects to the network. At which time mail is forwarded to the InterJet and you are notified of incoming mail.

Can I plug the InterJet into my existing network?

Yes! The InterJet can be connected to just about any Ethernet LAN network that supports TCP/IP and has the ability to plug into a 10Base-T connector. For example, you can connect the InterJet into a Novell network by simply plugging the InterJet into an available port on the network hub. From that point on, all Windows, Windows 95 and Macintosh System 7.x and higher computers will be able to see the InterJet so long as a TCP/IP stack has been installed on those computers. Also included with the InterJet is file sharing space for Macintosh and Windows 95 clients.

Web Design and Hosting

How do I edit the intranet and internet web sites that come with the InterJet?

The InterJet comes with a single-user license of Claris Home Page 1.0 for Windows 95 and Macintosh. Just run the installation program from the appropriate directory on the InterJet and you're ready to start publishing. You are also eligible for a free upgrade to version 2.0. Features of Claris Home Page include:

• Easy Site Publishing
• Client-Side Image Maps
• Multimedia Support
• Spell-Check Feature
• Variable Table Columns and Rows
• Drag and Drop Text

Do I have to use the Intranet and Internet sites that are included with the InterJet?

No. You can use your exisiting site or you can create a new one. Just be sure to follow the instructions on copying HTML files into the InterJet as described on page 109 of the InterJet Administrator's Guide.

Options

My InterJet came with the 33.6Kbs modem, but I now need higher speeds. Do I have to buy a new InterJet?

No! ISDN is supported through the external serial port. Simply connect an ISDN TA to the InterJet and a quick configuration change from your ISP and away you go. Other options will be available soon for FTC(Full Time Connect) support. Contact your ISP for further details.