1. NetComm Wireless Transparent Bridge Mode Feature Spotlight

2. What is “Transparent Bridge mode”? The router acts as an Ethernet bridge instead of an IP router. Unlike transparent bridge mode in many other routers, NetComm Wireless routers require a PPPoE client on the host device. WAN IP and DNS information is forwarded to client device via PPPoE thereby providing a transparent network connection. A Client device connected to the router manages the status of the connection via a PPPoE session.

3. Example use of Transparent Bridge mode The diagram below illustrates how transparent bridging can be used in a very simple manner using the router. The computer in this diagram could be replaced with a private network consisting of many clients connected through a router which operates a PPPoE client to facilitate the external connection. Internet Computer running PPPoE client Initiates connection NetComm Wireless router in Transparent bridge mode WAN IP and DNS information Forwarded to client machine PPPoE username and password

4. What is “Transparent Bridge mode”? NetComm Wireless routers run a PPPoE server and activate a PDP context using the username and password from the PPPoE client and the APN and Service name configured on the Transparent bridge configuration page. Because the router is acting as a bridge, some of the features normally available in router mode such as Connect on demand, VPN, TR-069, firewall and remote access are disabled. The transparent bridge learns the location of workstations by analysing the source address of incoming frames from all attached networks. Transparent bridge mode is typically used to connect a private network through an existing firewall or router.

5. Why PPPoE? DHCP DHCP is stateless so whilst a server can assign an IP address, it has no control over what happens after that until the lease expires. Poor signal strength, loss of signal and IP address changes can result in changes that downstream devices do not know about. PPPoE PPPoE can be taken down with the mobile broadband connection or when IP addresses change, allowing the downstream devices to be aware that the connection is down and act accordingly. As authentication settings are on the downstream client device, PPPoE allows downstream devices to control the status of the mobile broadband connection. This is important in making the M2M router a truly transparent device. Most devices which would normally connect to an M2M router support PPPoE.

6. Configuring Transparent Bridge mode Transparent bridge mode disables all enabled profiles. Click OK to continue.

7. Configuring Transparent Bridge mode

8. Further information For more information, please visit www.netcommwireless.com and navigate to your product’s support page.www.netcommwireless.com