How to configure an SMC Router for BigPond Cable

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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.

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Background

Mike's Instructions using the built-in login client in Firmware release 1.42.007.

Instructions for using BPALogin instead of the built-in Login client

Setting up Windows 95, 98 or ME using the alternate BPALogin method

Setting up Windows 2000/XP using the alternate BPALogin method

Configuring the Router using the alternate BPALogin method

Background

SMC Routers, both 7004ABR & 7004 AWBR (Wireless) have been a popular choice amongst people looking for simple and cost effective home networking solutions. One of the first Routers to offer a built-in Print server and still one of very few with a built-in Com Port for a dial-up modem, these Routers still represent a great buy.
However many people have had no end of trouble with the built-in login client for Telstra Cable and report frequent lockups.
Mike (a Barricade owner) recently emailed me with news of the recent release of SMC7004ABR_v1_42_007 which he claims has cured his SMC problems. I include his instructions below, with the old BPALogin method below that for anyone still not having joy.

Mike's Instructions using the built-in login client in Firmware release (was 1.42.007 at the time of writing).

1. Make sure you have the latest firmware. (Go to Status page, then compare your firmware version number with the latest one available from SMC.
2. If you need a later version, download and install it using Tools->Upgrade firmware, otherwise skip this stage
3. Click on Tools->Restore to factory defaults, and follow the prompt to restore the unit to factory defaults
4. Remove Telstra Launchpad, or any other authentication software from any computer on your network that might have it
5. Power off the cable modem, connect your computer to one of the LAN ports on the router - Go to Setup->DHCP, replicate the MAC address, then Go to WAN and select "obtain IP address automatically" (Australia Bigpond ISP) then click on "More configuration"
This brings you to the DHCP(BP) Login screen, Enter your user name, password twice, use login-server (NOT an IP address) in the last field

e.g. Username: cat
Password: dog
Retype password: dog
Login server: login-server

6. Click OK, then go to Status, click on Log off, and power off the router ,then the computer
7. Power on the modem, wait until all 4 lights are permanently on, then power on the router, wait until the lights stop blinking, restart the computer
8. Log into router, go to Status page, and see if you are connected. The ultimate test would be the ability to ping a web address on the internet
9. Repeat step 7 Always for initial network connectivity This works with the current bigpond servers – Note, Every Step Must Be Carried Out Carefully

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 for the alternate BPALogin method

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 192.168.2.100

Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0

Select the Gateway Tab, and specify a Gateway address of 192.168.2.1

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 192.168.2.101, 192.168.2.102 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 for the alternate BPALogin method

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 192.168.2.100

Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0

Set the Default Gateway to 192.168.2.1

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 192.168.2.101, 192.168.2.102 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 for the alternate BPALogin method

Login to your Router on http://192.168.2.1

Follow the process it takes you through by clicking "Enter" to continue

The next screen should say Setup/Change Password. Ignore this and click "Enter"

Ignore the Time Zone screen and click "Enter" to move on

Ignore the LAN screen and "Enter"

The next Screen is titled Setup/WAN. Choose "Dynamic IP Address" (Not the BigPond one) and click "Enter"

Leave the Host name blank and leave the Mac address as is for the time being, but remember this section as it may come in handy later.

Click "Enter" and leave the DNS Settings blank and click "Enter" to move on

Next it asks "Do you want to enable Hacker Tracking and monitoring?" Tick "Yes" and move on to the Virtual Server section

Set Private IP to 192.168.2.100

Tick UDP

Set private and public ports to 5050

Click "Enter" then on the Tools menu and follow your nose to reboot and that's it!

See the Heartbeat Page for some more tips on trouble shooting this if it doesn't appear to be working. In particular pay attention to the Mac address spoofing section if the Status page of your Router is not showing a valid Telstra IP address.