Echolink with multiple computers

[N0ORS]

I have a nice problem in that my entire family are hams:D (2 Extra, 2 Techs). Two of the machines (wireless connections) in use in the family have Echolink installed. However, when one of them is connected to Echolink, the 2nd machine can only connect to Echolink using a proxy.

Is there a way to configure a Linksys WRT54 wireless router to allow 2 (or more) wireless connections into Echolink at the same time?

[KA7O]

Doesn't look like it.

Reading: http://www.echolink.org/firewall_solutions.htm Echolink uses UDP ports 5198 and 5199 by default to feed data to your client. And it's not configurable - you can't ask the E-link upstream servers to use alternative UDP ports for your client. What they offer is what you get.

As such - the WRT54G can only forward any particular incoming port to one particular LAN address. Only one PC behind your WRT54G can be 'online' with Echolink.

Now, can you setup an Echolink server on your LAN? Have it connect to "the system" via your public IP to the upstreams and then have your PCs connect to your own server. That way the upstreams only have to connect to one public IP via UDP 5198/9 and your PCs, having their own LAN IPs can each connect without problem.

I've not played much with E-link so I don't know if that's even an option (hosting your own server - would that be a 'conference server'?) - that is the way I do things with the APRS-IS here so I can run multiple clients without duplicating the data stream on the public interface.

That's the way I see it - anyone else have a better idea?

[VK2AKG]

you can either get another connection to the net or use one of the proxy servers (tools, setup, proxy) which will allow you to each communicate independently or you can set up your own RF node and share a single connection by radio.

Have done all three here (simultaneously), no other options I am aware of.

73 Frank vk2akg

[NF9L]

The problem you're having is IP address's. Assuming you use cable or even DSL, your providor gives you one IP address. Your router then creates an LAN side DHCP scope for all connected PC's. But, the first PC going out running Echolink is then using your provided IP and no other PC running Echolink can use that IP (the way Echolink needs to use it) at the same time.

I have 5 static IP address's and I can run a seperate PC with each IP and all can be running at the same time. So, if you can get static IP's, that would correct the problem. I have a commercial grade of internet service from Comcast and I get the IP's, total cost a month is $65. So, it's a little higher than the normal residential type internet service, but worth it!

[KE7VLC]

I have a nice problem in that my entire family are hams:D (2 Extra, 2 Techs). Two of the machines (wireless connections) in use in the family have Echolink installed. However, when one of them is connected to Echolink, the 2nd machine can only connect to Echolink using a proxy.

Is there a way to configure a Linksys WRT54 wireless router to allow 2 (or more) wireless connections into Echolink at the same time?

Have you tried to do port triggering? It's like port forwarding but it only forwards the ports when a computer asks for it from the router. I have not tried running echolink on multiple computers before since I am the only one in my house with a ticket, but I have successfully used all three of my computers on Echolink. I have one in my bedroom, one in the livingroom and my laptop. Typically when the weather is nice I will go out on the patio and talk on echolink, when watching TV I operate from the livingroom and then when wanting privacy or late at night I will operate from my bedroom. I tried using port forwarding but couldn't get all three to work since it requires a static IP address and three machines can't run the same IP address at the same time. So to get past this I used port triggering. So this might help identify what you need to do.

Check this out for more info as to what port triggering does.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/5799


Also you have to understand that port forwarding only allows one program to use the ports at a time AND requires a static IP rather then dynamic IP.

Check these links out as well.

http://portforward.com/help/portforwarding.htm
http://portforward.com/help/porttriggering.htm

[KC0AAB]

I just installed EL last week and found the same issue basically

I have to configure the router to the PC I intend on using such as 192.168.1.1 and setup as 192.168.1.100 main PC or .101 shack PC

I'll have to read up on the port triggering but as of now I see no way that my son KDØDTX will be able to access EL from a PC on the Router such as his Laptop at the same time as I on say the shack PC

So in short I have no answer and will continue to follow this thread and learn too

Thanks to all with knowledge to share

73 de KCØAAB

[VK2AKG]

I see no way that my son KDØDTX will be able to access EL from a PC on the Router such as his Laptop at the same time as I on say the shack PC

One of you connects per normal, the other uses a proxy.

It won't be a problem.

73 Frank vk2akg

[VK2HSL]

Port triggering will only work if you have 1 echolink client working at a time.

If you want 2 or more echolink clients running at the same time but don't want to use echolink Proxy, there are 2 ways.

The first, and best in my view, is to use multiple static IP addresses (as another poster suggested). The problems with this approach are 1) getting multiple static IP addresses usually costs more and 2) you may need a special router which has the capability to forward packets to the different IP addresses. I have set up 2 PC's running echolink with multiple static IP's using a draytek Vigor VPN router. It works very nicely.

However, another way of doing it is to have a switch (hub) in between your ADSL / Cable modem and your router (obviously this will be difficult if you have an all in one modem / router). Here's how it works:

The Cable / ADSL modem is plugged into a switch (hub). Into the switch (hub), plug:

1. a PC - this PC will not be behind a router. Rather, it will connect through the switch straight to the Cable / ADSL Modem. It will be issued a dynamic IP address from your ISP (call this address 1)

2. a router (which will be issued a separate dynamic IP address from the ISP (call this address 2)

Then, plug a second PC running echolink into the router.

PC 1 is running echolink with address 1. PC 2 is running echolink with address 2. Both can run at the same time, and can be connected together (cross-band repeater anyone?)

Happy echolink

VK2HSL

[VA3CSS]

The problem you're having is IP address's. Assuming you use cable or even DSL, your providor gives you one IP address. Your router then creates an LAN side DHCP scope for all connected PC's. But, the first PC going out running Echolink is then using your provided IP and no other PC running Echolink can use that IP (the way Echolink needs to use it) at the same time.
^^ This is your answer, right here.

If you want multiple Echolink connections from the same household at the same time, you need multiple static IPs.

Or... tell the hams in the house to get off the net and get on their radios... ;) :p

[KB9HGI]

^^ This is your answer, right here.

If you want multiple Echolink connections from the same household at the same time, you need multiple static IPs.

Or... tell the hams in the house to get off the net and get on their radios... ;) :p

Yes setup a link radio and use HTs and go thru your link.

[W9PSK]

I just installed EL last week and found the same issue basically

I have to configure the router to the PC I intend on using such as 192.168.1.1 and setup as 192.168.1.100 main PC or .101 shack PC

I'll have to read up on the port triggering but as of now I see no way that my son KDØDTX will be able to access EL from a PC on the Router such as his Laptop at the same time as I on say the shack PC

So in short I have no answer and will continue to follow this thread and learn too

Thanks to all with knowledge to share

73 de KCØAAB

Even with the port triggering, only one computer per internet connection can be on Echolink.