Enabling Network Sharing or Bridging for Link-Local (direct) connected FLEX-6000/FLEX-8000

If you have your radio connected directly to your computer which has wifi Internet access and you need your radio to access the Internet to download a SmartSDR license, you will need to configure pass-through network access, known as network sharing or "bridging", from your Wifi to your PC's Ethernet port. This is actually a fairly simple process. Note that not all PC hardware supports this feature and if the options are not displayed on your PC, it does not support network bridging.

To install Network Sharing, follow the steps below:

Below are the steps to do so.

1. Step 1: Right-click on the Windows start button, and you will see a menu pop up.
2. Step 2: From there, you need to click on Network Connections.
3. Step 3: Once you do so, you will be redirected to the network windows. From there, click on Change Adapter Settings.
4. Step 4: Now, you will be redirected to the list of all the network connections available online.
5. Step 5: From there, right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and then go to properties.
6. Step 6. Now you need to toggle the option “Allow other network users to connect.”

Once done, then you need also to select the Ethernet port through which you want to allow the connection.

Once done, you will be able to share your internet connection(share internet) through the ethernet over WiFi.

Also, make sure that you choose the right ethernet to share the internet. If you do not make the right choice, then your connection sharing will fail. 

To install Network Bridging, just follow the steps below:

Step 1: Disconnect the Radio from the PC

If your radio is running, shut down SmartSDR and then power off the radio.  Then disconnect the Ethernet cable from the PC.

Step 2: Connect your PC to a wifi network

If your PC is not connected to the Internet via a WiFi connection, then connect your PC to a wifi network to the Internet.

Step 3: Create a Bridge Connection on the PC

Goto Adapter Settings (Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings)

Select Local Area Connection (Ethernet port the FLEX-6000 connects to) and Wireless Network Connection and then right-click and choose "Add to Bridge"

Step 4: Connect the Ethernet cable from Radio to the PC

Now connect the PC to the Radio via the Ethernet cable. 

Step 5: Reboot the radio.

After rebooting the radio, your FLEX-6000 should now have Internet access.