How to configure a D-Link DI804 Router for
BigPond Cable
Update (Aug '06): Telstra have announced
that the Heartbeat system will be gradually retired over the next
9-12 months. See Whirlpool
for more. While many people may still find the information on this
page relevant for the time being, those who are switched over to
the new system will find connecting now to be much the same as for
Optus Cable subscribers. (No username & password required but
Mac address can play a role. See tip
on the heartbeat page.)
Note: Some people have reported getting regular dropouts after being
changed over to the new system by still running a login client,
so if you previously had a router working happily that now has a
bad case of dropping out, this may be why.
Background
Instructions for using BPALogin instead
of the built-in Login client
Setting up Windows 95, 98 or ME
Setting up Windows 2000/XP
Configuring the Router
 Background
The DI804 is a popular Router due to it's low price, but I get
a lot of emails from people who have great problems and reliability
issues with the built-in BigPond Login client. Common problems
include an inability to stay connected for any length of time,
random dropouts and sometimes it just won't connect at all. Common
denominators appear to be living in Queensland and having a Nortel
(DOCSIS) Cable Modem.
Many other people have had no problems with these Routers at all.
 Update:
New firmware has just been released for the DI-804 which people
are reporting success with now.
The workaround is fairly simple, and in many ways a superior
method to connect a Router to BigPond Cable because you can see
whether you are connected or not at any time by the icon in the
System Tray.
The method outlined here necessitates that one PC has a Static
IP address and is always on and running BPALogin.
Instructions for using BPALogin instead of
the built-in Login client
This is an
alternate method for people who don't have success or experience
reliability issues with the built-in login client, and necessitates
that one PC has a static IP and is always on and running BPALogin,
with a port forwarding rule for the Heartbeat in the Router's
rules.
Any reliability issues are generally caused by inconsistencies
in Telstra's service and are not the fault of the Router manufacturer.
See also the Heartbeat Page
for more detailed, but general instructions for common problems
when you're sure you've done everything right but it still won't
go.
Download and install BPALogin from sourceforge
(Just install it as a standard program. Don't bother with the
service unless you particularly need it and would enjoy the
challenge of installing it as such.)
Run it and click on "configure"
Enter your username and password
Set the port to 5050
Note: BPALogin is an alternate login client to the Telstra
Launchpad. Don't bother trying this with Launchpad as it won't
work*.
For more about BPALogin, see the Cable
FAQ Section.
*Update: Telstra have released a
new login client for BigPond Cable users, and this one is
also suitable to use in this application. Unlike the old "Amicus
Launchpad", this new one (termed "BigPond Broadband
Cable Login") allows for specification of the port for the
Heartbeat, can run as a Windows NT Service, will auto connect
& reconnect with error logging, and integrates with the Usage
Meter Toolbar. 
Setting up Windows 95, 98 or ME
Go to your "Control Panel"
Choose "Network"
Choose the "Configuration" tab
Highlight the TCP/IP on the
network card which is connected to the Router.
Click "Properties"
Choose the "IP Address" tab
and give it a static IP of 192.168.0.2
Set the subnet mask to
255.255.255.0
Select the Gateway Tab, and specify a Gateway address of
192.168.0.1
Select the DNS Tab, and tick Enable DNS
Give it a host name (Can be anything. I usually use "host")
Enter DNS Server Search Order IP addresses appropriate to
your state. See the DNS Page.
Enter the DNS Suffix appropriate to your state.
You can either leave the other PCs with automatic settings (recommended)
or set them up exactly the same as above, except with incremental
IP addresses of 192.168.0.3, 192.168.0.4 etc. Don't give two of
them the same number or they'll conflict and won't function on
the Network.
The DNS Suffix
will still be necessary for all PCs whether they have Static or
Dynamic IP addresses if they need to send email through Telstra's
mail server or need access to BigPond Account Management and usage
statistics.
Setting up Windows 2000/XP
Go to your "Control Panel"
Choose Network & Dial-Up Connections
Right-click the network card which is connected to your LAN.
Click "Properties"
Give it a static IP of 192.168.0.2
Set the subnet mask to
255.255.255.0
Set the Default Gateway to 192.168.0.1
Set the DNS Server Addresses appropriate to your state. See
the DNS Page.
Click "Advanced, and go to the DNS tab.
Set the DNS Suffix appropriate to your state.
You can either leave the other PCs with automatic settings (recommended)
or set them up exactly the same as above, except with incremental
IP addresses of 192.168.0.3, 192.168.0.4 etc. Don't give two of
them the same number or they'll conflict and won't function on
the Network.
The DNS Suffix
will still be necessary for all PCs whether they have Static or
Dynamic IP addresses if they need to send email through Telstra's
mail server or need access to BigPond Account Management and usage
statistics.
Configuring the Router
Login to your Router on http://192.168.0.1
In the setup Wizard, choose "Ethernet"
On the next screen, choose "dynamic"
Go to the Advanced Features Section
Choose the Port Redirection menu
Set port range 5050 to 5050
Protocol UDP
Set IP as 192.168.0.2
That's it!
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