Configuring a TOR Gateway

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Configuring Your Computer as a TOR Gateway

An Example
Gateway Configuration using Internet Connection Sharing
Alternative Configuration using a Proxy Server Program

A "gateway" TCP/IP over Radio (TOR) station is one that has access to the internet and is willing to relay internet data by radio to and from client stations who do not have access to the internet.

Using a Gateway: An Example

Let's assume SV2BBO (a client station) does not have access to the internet, but a nearby station, SV2DFK, does have dialup access to the internet and is willing to act as SV2BBO's internet gateway. The stations already know that they can exchange standard AX.25 packets by radio.

Both stations have also configured their computers to use the TCP/IP Over Radio (TOR) feature:

TOR adapter installed and configured with their respective amateur radio network IP address^{Note 1}
AGWPE configured for TOR
Windows network tables updated

Note: AGWPE's TOR feature should work in combination with other TCP/IP over radio systems, such as JNOS, Linux, and Flexnet, etc. You don't really need AGWPE on both ends of a AGWPE TCP/IP system. On this web site, however, only a pure AGWPE system (both stations using AGWPE) is discussed. Setting up other TCP/IP systems is beyond the scope of this site.

In addition, SV2DFK (the gateway) has configured his Windows XP computer using the Gateway Configuration instructions below.

Now let us say that SV2BBO (the client) uses his browser, Internet Explorer 6.0, to request the TAPR web site's home page at http://www.tapr.org. Windows automatically forwards this HTTP request to the SV2AGW TOR adapter on SV2BBO's computer, which encodes the request in an AX.25 packet which is sent to SV2DFK.

At SV2DFK's station, the packet from SV2BBO is first goes to the SV2AGW TOR adapter, where the HTTP data request is extracted. The data is then routed to SV2DFK's dialup adapter which establishes a connection with SV2DFK's internet service provider and forwards the HTTP request to www.tapr.org. The requested HTTP data from www.tapr.org is returned first to SV2DFK and then to SV2BBO using the process in reverse. This same process could also be used for any other internet TCP/IP service (FTP, SMTP, POP, etc.).

Note that this process is automatic and requires no intervention from the gateway, SV2DFK, after he has setup TOR correctly.

^{Note 1:} IP address for each station in your TOR network. If your network will be relatively simple and will not tie into other TCP/IP networks, you can pick your own IP addresses. Since Amateur Radio has been assigned the block of IP addresses beginning with "44.", you should begin your addresses that way (example: 44.1.1.1 and 44.1.1.2). If your network may be heard by or tie into other ham radio TCP/IP networks, you should instead obtain unique addresses from your local TCP/IP coordinator. This will prevent the routing problems that could develop when two or more stations use the same IP address.

Gateway Configuration Instructions

With TOR installed and configured, the gateway computer will have two network adapters:

1.) the SV2AGW TOR adapter for the radio network connection
2.) a network interface card (or dialup adapter) for the internet connection.

1. Configuring the SV2AGW TOR Adapter

The SV2AGW TOR adapter for a gateway computer should be configured as described in the TOR driver instructions, except the setting for your Default Gateway should be blank (no entry). To check or change it...

In Windows XP: use the Windows Control Panel to go to the Settings: Network Connections list. Click on the entry for the AGWPE TOR connection; it may be labeled Local Area Connection or Local Area Connection 2 (when you open it you should see "Connect using: SV2AGW TCPIP Over Radio NDIS Driver"). Click on the the Properties button and then click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Remove any IP Address entry next to Default Gateway.

In Windows 98: use the Windows Control Panel to go to Network. On the Configuration tab's component list, highlight the TCP/IP-> entry for your network adapter and press the Properties button. Open the Gateway tab and remove any Installed Gateways.

2. Configuring Your Internet Connection Adapter

Assuming that your connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has been working OK, don't make any changes in the settings for this adapter (network card or dialup) other than to enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

In Windows XP: Open the network connection you use for internet service (either Dialup Connection or your network card/ Local Area Connection) and then press its Properties button. Open the Advanced tab (at the top) and then check the box for Internet Connection Sharing. If it is not there, start the Network Setup Wizard: click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Setup Wizard.

(Note: If you are not using a hardware or software firewall on your internet connection, you may also want to check the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). ICF may do some good, but first try TOR without it. If TOR works OK, then try ICF.)

In Windows 98: Open Internet Explorer and from the menu select Tools: Internet Options. At the bottom of the window, below the LAN Settings button, press the Sharing button.

If you do not see a Sharing button, then ICS is not installed. To install it:

From the Windows' Control Panel open Add/Remove Programs. Select Windows Settings and then, from Components List, select Internet Tools. Press the Details button and make sure there is a checkmark next to Internet Connection Sharing. Press the OK button and then the Apply button. You will then be prompted to insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM. After ICS is installed, the ICS Setup Wizard runs automatically.

Fill in the choices as follows:

In the Internet Connection Sharing window, select Enable Internet Connection Sharing and Show Icon (if you want)

For Connect to the Internet using, select the network interface card that you use to connect to your ISP or Dial-Up Adapter if you connect by telephone.

For Connect to my home network using, select the gateway's SV2AGW TCP/IP adapter.

Alternative To ICS: Use a Proxy Server Program in Windows 98/ME

If you can not get Windows' Internet Connection Sharing feature to work correctly in Win98/ME, use a proxy server program on the gateway. The proxy server will handle the data exchange between the TOR adapter and the dialup/network adapter. You should be able to find a shareware or freeware proxy server on the internet. SV2AGW has suggested HHPROXY, which is freeware. The proxy server program must be configured and running on the gateway computer when the client station wants access to the internet from the gateway.

1. Proxy Setup on the Gateway Computer

At the gateway station, the proxy server must be configured with the gateway's radio network IP address, a "port" to listen for requests from clients (example: 8080), and information about the gateway's internet access (dialup info or network card).

As an example, here's the key points in configuring the HHPROXY program (more info and examples are in the HHPROXY zip package; do a web search to find a download site):

1. Set the line Local Name to the radio network IP address of the station acting as the gateway station.

2. If you are using a dialup connection, use the examples to help you configure the line below for your setup:

Dial "T-Online" "" "" 0007777777770888888888#0001 ASK "" 180 194.25.2.129 3 30

If you are not using a dialup internet connection, put the word REM in front of that line.

3. Configure all other protocols as in the sample configuration file.

2. Proxy Setup on the Client Computer

The client station must now be configured to use the gateway station's proxy server. In the client's Internet Explorer 6.0, select Tools, then Internet Options, then select the Connections tab.

Then check Use a proxy server for your LAN and then enter the IP radio network address for the gateway station and the port number on the gateway station where the proxy server program can be accessed. (Ask the gateway ham for these numbers.)

Sample Internet Explorer 6.0 screen shot on the client workstation:

Go To:
   TOR Overview
   TOR Virtual Adapter
   TOR Windows Settings
   TOR AGWPE Settings

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