Guide to configuring the Nokia D211 for use with GPRS

Applies To

• Handheld PC 2000

Overview

This article discusses the steps involved in configuring the Nokia D211 mobile connection card to connect to a GPRS service provider.
Please note that this guide does not cover the cards GSM or WiFi connectivity.

How-to Guide

Before proceeding, please be sure that your device meets the minimum system requirements, and that your cellular service provider has enabled your Subscriber Information Module (SIM) for GPRS data transfer and that the D211 is present in the device, and has been powered.

Drivers for the Nokia D211 can be found in the Hardware Compatibility List if required.

Easy Connection Feature

Before proceeding to attempt to manually configure the D211 to connect to your cellular provider's data service. You should use the easy connection facility of the driver software, which will attempt to automatically configure the Access Point Name (APN) of your connection.

1. Insert the D211 card, then tap on the card icon next to the clock. Tap Select Connection
   
2. Expand the easy connection section, then tap GPRS. Press OK
   
3. You should see a balloon which says Searching...
   
4. If the balloon changes to say Ready To Activate GPRS the APN has been discovered a conduit established
   
5. Tap the D211 tray icon and select Activate. The balloon will change to stating GPRS active, indicating that you are on-line
   
6. If the automatic configuration was unable to detect and configure your APN, follow the manual APN settings outlined in the next section

Manual APN Specification

In order to manually configure the Access Point Name (APN) used by your service provider you will require the GPRS configuration information applicable to your service provider and account. This information can usually be obtained in your welcome pack or from the support department of your cellular service provider.

1. Tap on the D211 tray icon and select Manager Window
   
2. The status window will be displayed . Tap on the Profiles button in the left hand menu and tap New... to begin creating a new GPRS/WLAN profile
   
3. Enter a friendly name for the connection using only the 26 western alphanumeric characters. Using numeric characters for the profile name my cause problems at a later time and should be avoided. Tap OK when ready
   
4. In the new windows select the GPRS option on the left hand side. Check both the Use GPRS connection and Specify access point name manually boxes and finally enter the APN given to you by your provider
   
5. Once complete you are ready to proceed to activating the connection.

In some circumstances it may be necessary for you to specify access credentials such as a username and password. Instructions on associating access credentials with the connection can be found below.

Activating a Connection

At this point you should close all active D211 configuration windows and return to the desktop.

Tap the D211 tray icon and choose the Select Connection option. You will be presented with the list of available profiles. Tap the newly configured profile name and then the GPRS option e.g. Orange, GPRS.

Tap OK to proceed

A notification balloon will appear by the system tray stating Searching

If the balloon message changes to read Ready To Activate GPRS the APN connection has succeeded

To initialise the connection tap the tray icon once again and select Activate

If the balloon popup changes to read GPRS Active then your GPRS connection is enabled and your Handheld PC will have Internet connectivity. At this point you will be subject to full data service GPRS tariff charges for any data you transmit or receive across the connection.

If the balloon popup changes to read GPRS Deactivated you should check your settings, specifically whether you are required to specify a username and password and whether you have sufficient credit on your SIM to access GPRS.

Extra Settings

These settings may not be required by all users. Unless you are experiencing problems, it is recommended that you ignore the information outlined below.

1. Open Remote Networking as shown below
   
2. The D211 will have created a connection called "GPRS" (if its not there, take the card out, soft reset your device, insert the card again).
   

Dial Strings, baud rates and IP configuration

1. Alt+Tap to bring up the context menu for this item, then tap Properties
   
2. You should see this. Tap Configure
   
3. Change Baud Rate to 115,200. On the Call Options tab uncheck every checkbox. If you have been given a dial string enter it in the bottom text box
4. Tap OK
5. If you need to set an IP address, a DNS address or similar tap TCP/IP Settings and enter them into the boxes there. If you entered TCP/IP settings tap OK to close it then continue
6. Tap Next. Uncheck the checkboxes, type the following into to number box:
   *99#
7. Tap Finish

Specifying a Username and Password

1. Return to the Remote Networking main screen. Double tap on the GPRS entry
   
2. Enter your username and password if applicable
   
3. Tap Dial Properties... Configure the connection settings as below
   
4. Tap Dialling Patterns... box and configure the settings as below:
   

You should now be able to connect to the Internet using the Nokia D211 and your Handheld PC.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to chazco for working with us on this article