Mike Benner

This is a rerelease of something posted on my former blog that I have been asked to migrate, so I dug it out of the old database and here you go.

I have posted in the past how pleased I am with my AT&T Connect Card and, also, how happy I have been with Parallels.  The two have recently crossed paths and while the relationship started off a little rocky, the two are now on solid ground and continue to please.

I have been working out of my new office in Scottsdale and last week when the cable guy came out to install the modem we found out that there was no feed in the building and would be at least one month before it could be installed.  So, we have all been running off of our At&T or Verizon cards.  Everything was wonderful until I needed to get into MSSQL through Parallels and Windows was telling me that I had "limited to no connectivity".

So, I reinstall the "Parallels Tools" and rebooted Windows.  Still no love.  So I rebooted the Mac and Voila! it started working.  So I chalked it up to VM bugginess.  But the next day, when I got into the office, I turned on the Mac, turned off the Airport (just habit, when I am not using it) fired up AT&T Connect and launched Parallels.  Same problem, so I rebooted and Voila! again.

After 3 days of doing this, I discovered the problem.  If the Airport is on when you boot up your Mac and then you turn it off and start up Parallels, the bridging adapter is still trying to using the Airport and freaks out.  I have tried all of the networking options and no matter what have to start the Mac with the Airport turned off to use the Connect card in via Shared Networking with Parallels.

Now with the exception of this minor issue, let me tell you what.  These cell data cards have not only been a lifesaver, they are performing beyond all expectations and for many of the users in the office they are replacing their home cable modems and for me it just proves that it is worth the monthly expense and has become more important than my cell phone at this point.  Do yourself a big favor and if you travel get one of these cards.