Netmask & Gateway for the DS
This step comes in two options: you are either requested to input the gateway and netmask information that the DS needs to connect to this PC (right screenshot) or you are shown a screen informing you that the entry of this data is not necessary (left screenshot).
The gateway and netmask need only be set when two conditions are observed:
| • | The DS may need to (or must) establish data connections to the PC (this is determined by the Wizard). |
| • | The DS and the PC are located on different network segments (there is at least one router between the PC and the DS). |
Setting gateway and netmask information for the DS that only accepts incoming connections is not necessary*. If the DS is local there are no routers between this DS and the PC, so the gateway and netmask are not necessary even if the DS has to connect to the PC.
How to set the gateway and netmask
There is no straight way of finding out what data to enter. You need to obtain this information from somebody with a knowledge of your network's topology. Here is one hint, though.
If the IP-address of the target DS is configured through DHCP (DHCP (DH) setting is 1 (enabled)), then the DHCP server might have configured this Device Server's gateway and netmask as well. When you reach this step of the Connection Wizard the Gateway IP-address and the Netmask fields are filled with the data from the Gateway IP-address (GI) and Netmask (NM) settings of the target DS**. This data may already be correct!
What if the PC is not visible from the DS
When the PC and the DS are located on different network segments it may well be that the PC is not "visible" from this DS. This is normal as many networks are not symmetrical. For example, if the DS has a public (real) IP-address and the PC is located on a firewalled network segment then the PC (application) can connect to the DS, but the DS cannot connect to the PC (application).
To provide for this situation the option box at the top of this step's screen allows you to specify that this PC is not accessible from the DS . Choose the option if this is so and if the option is available.
The option to specify that the PC is not accessible from the DS is disabled (not allowed to be chosen) when you have previously specified (at the target DS step) that the DS is not accessible from the PC. The reason is obvious: at least one side of the connection must be able to "see" the other side!
After you have completed this step the Wizard has enough information to decide which side of the application-to-DS link will be responsible for establishing the data connections.
* We found that some people hold a passionate belief that these parameters are necessary in any case. This is not true! If your network device doesn't have to establish outgoing connections you never have to bother about the gateway and netmask!
** Unless you have specified that "the DS is inaccessible through the network" at the target DS step of the Wizard, in which case the Wizard cannot obtain this information.