What is SatTool?
SatTool is a small utility designed to assist users of mobile, DirecWay DW6000/7000‑based ground stations. It provides easy access to three of the modemÕs system functions which can be used to resolve issues that may arise when users change locations.
This program will run only on Apple Macintosh computers running system 10.2.8 and above; system 10.4.x is recommended. This version should also support users of the new Intel-based Macs. (A utility which provides the same functions for users of Microsoft Windows systems is available at http://www.datastormusers.com/articles.cfm.)
In order to run SatTool, your computer must be connected to a DirecWay DW6000 or DW7000 modem and VSAT antenna. The modem does not need to be able to send and receive data via the satellite, but your antenna should be properly aimed, and the DW6000/7000 should be connected to your LAN and powered on before you launch SatTool.
What does it do?
1. SatTool allows the user to issue a ÒGateway ResetÓ command. This process is similar to, but somewhat more ÒrestorativeÓ than, power-cycling the modem unit. It may cure some types of ÒhangsÓ, such as those in which a previously working satellite connection ceases to function, and the outage is not weather-related or the result of a network operations center failure.
2. Using SatTool, the user can enter the latitude and longitude of the antenna and force these parameters to be written to the modemÕs non-volatile RAM. If, after moving the VSAT to a new location, the coordinates of the new position are not properly written to the non-volatile RAM, various range or timing errors may prevent the unit from transmitting, even though the signal strength is good and the receiver is locked. This procedure can resolve some of these problems.
3. SatTool allows the user to easily access the modemÕs advanced configuration page, from which he may force a ranging test. This procedure can be of use in resolving persistent connection failures due to ranging or timing problems.
WhatÕs new in this version?
The current
released version of SatTool is version 1.45. The new user accessible features in
this release include the following:
- Support for the
DW7000 modem.
- A ZIP code-keyed
position database for obtaining approximate antenna locations.
- Hideable communication
log window (default: hidden) and user selectable debug mode and window.
- A preferences window
which allows the user to select modem type, log/debug window visibility,
and modem IP address and port number.
Downloading SatTool.
You may download
SatTool version 1.45 (2.7 megabytes) by clicking on the link below:
While you are waiting for your download to complete, please consider making a donation to assist with the further development and maintenance of SatTool. This program has been and will continue to be supplied free of charge to the Macintosh DirecWay user community. However, I have now included a PayPal ÒDonationsÓ button below because, unfortunately, it actually costs money to produce ÒfreeÓ software. You see, even though I donate my time without charge to this effort, I must pay over two hundred dollars per year in licensing fees for the commercial development environment and other libraries used to produce the program. So, any help which users may be able to provide toward offsetting these costs will be much appreciated.
Thank you.