Howdy!
ODIALPHA.ZIP contains a set of new drivers in development for connecting NewDeal software to the Internet over a LAN using a router, NAT, or proxy server.
This version of the ODI Ethernet driver and related files supports DHCP and uses the ipgate and ipmask entries in the GEOS.INI file.
This is incomplete and untested software. Use at your own risk. There is no documentation except for this page, and these files are provided without support and without warranty. If you don't understand these instructions, please find something else to do while you wait for the finished version of these files to be released.
To use the files, download ODIALPHA.ZIP and unZIP it with subdirectories into your installation of NewDeal Office or SchoolSuite Release 3.2A (for example: PKUNZIP -D ODIALPHA.ZIP C:\NDO) replacing any existing files with the same names.
Edit your GEOS.INI file.
In the [tcpip] section, make this change to enable the ODI Ethernet driver:
;link = PPP Driver
;linkDomain = PPP
link = ODI Ethernet Driver
linkDomain = ODI Ethernet
If your router or gateway includes a DHCP server, in the [accessPoint0001] section, enter only the ipgate (192.168.1.1 is the default for a LinkSys router) and the ipmask (the default is often 255.255.255.0).
ipaddr = 0.0.0.0
ipgate = 192.168.1.1
ipmask = 255.255.255.0
dns1 = 0.0.0.0
dns2 = 0.0.0.0
The DHCP server will assign the IP address and DNS server addresses automatically. If you use a static IP address, then you'll also need to enter at least one DNS server address.
A small program is included (in the World folder) that adds an item to your Express menu which displays statistics about your connection. To use the program, run it first before you start any Internet client programs. Then after you run one of the clients (browser, email, chat, and so forth) choose the item from the Express menu.
Have fun! If these files work for you, please
let me know at odiethernet@aol.com
If they don't work, feel free to let me know,
but do not expect any response and please do
not ask me for assistance.
There is a known bug in the lease renewal routine. It might crash if you leave the connection running long enough for the server to renew the lease (on many servers, that's six days).