Sustainable Softworks - IPNetShareX

Read Me

Introduction
Features and Limitations
System Requirements
Installation and Removal
How To Get Started
Versions History
Registration and Licensing
Support
Thank You! (contact information)

This Read Me file is also available under the Help menu of the IPNetShareX application, so there is no need to save a separate copy on your hard drive.

1. Introduction

IPNetShareX is a small program designed to give users graphical access to Mac OS X's Network Address Translation (NAT) services without having to use the command line. NAT is a protocol used to share a single internet connection among multiple computers without requiring a dedicated hardware router. IPNetShareX can be used as an alternative to the basic Internet sharing feature of IPNetRouter.

IPNetShareX uses unix "natd" and "ipfw". It does not provide full access to the TCP/IP configuration of the machine or other advanced features such as a built-in DHCP server. You can learn more about these tools on our website and in the documentation supplied with Mac OS X.

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2. Features and Limitations

IPNetShareX like other NAT based Internet sharing solutions imposes some limitations due to sharing a single public IP address. While basic email, web surfing, and file transfer work well with NAT, some games and streaming protocols do not.

Unix "natd" operates somewhat differently from the NAT implementation in IPNetRouter.
"natd" does not translate ICMP. This means you may not be able to ping or traceroute through your gateway. IPNetShareX (natd) may need to be restarted after disconnecting/reconnecting with PPP if you get a new IP address. IPNetShareX (natd) supports static Single Ethernet configurations.

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3. System Requirements

Mac OS X
A connection to the Internet. IPNetShareX can be used with Cable Modems, xDSL, dial-up modems, and most other data link providers.
At least one network interface card connected to a network. It is recommended that two cards be used since this is more secure in that you are not mixing internal and external data on the same card. Airport cards, as well as the internal ethernet cards now shipped on all Macs are acceptable.

4. Installation and Removal

To install or remove the software, simply drag a copy to your hard drive. If you have selected "Load on Startup" to begin Internet Sharing automatically each time your machine is restarted, you can manually remove the IPNetShareX folder from /library/startupitems, or uncheck "Load on Startup" from the IPNetShareX application.

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5. How to Get Started

Refer to IPNetShareX Setup under the Help menu.

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6. IPNetShareX Version History

See "Release Notes" under the IPNetShareX Help menu for version history including the latest features and additions.

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7. Registration and Licensing

As of July 1, 2002, we are offering two options with regard to IPNetShareX.

IPNetShareX is licensed for personal, educational, or non-profit use only and does not include technical support. For commercial use or technical support, please see IPNetShareX Pro below.

IPNetShareX registration keys can be obtained at no charge from the Sustainable Softworks website http://www.sustworks.com/site/ipnetsharex_reg.htm

IPNetShareX Pro is licensed for unrestricted use and includes Sustainable Softworks one-on-one technical support. IPNetShareX Pro registration is $25.00 and can be immediately ordered from our online registration site

IPNetShareX is a published work protected by copyright. We ask that you not redistribute the software via other media or websites without our written consent.

Notice the trial is designed to expire after 21 days. If the software reports it has expired the first time you launch it, this usually means someone ran a previous version of the program on your computer. Please contact us directly for information on how to reset the trial period.

The XML registration key that unlocks the demo startup screen and expiration will be sent to you by email once your registration information is received. You should simply paste the ENTIRE XML Key into the Registration Key field and click the "Accept" button. Your program is now registered. Thank You!

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8. Support

While we welcome your IPNetShareX feedback, as a free product we cannot provide detailed one-on-one technical support. You are welcome to join our NetTalk discussion list and post your support questions there. You may receive Priority Support for IPNetShareX by purchasing a Continued Care subscription on our web site or upgrading to IPNetShareX Pro.

IPNetShareX Pro customers are welcome to email us with their support questions or use our on-line support center at http://www.sustworks.com/site/sup.html

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