In October 2003 Hughes released the "self-hosted" DirecWay DW6000 system.  While the DW6000
                                                used the same .74m satellite dish as the DW4000, that's about where the similarities end.
 
                                                The DW6000 was the first home user satellite modem to have it's software built into the modem. This
                                              makes it a true stand-alone device and allows it to be used on various O.S. platforms (Windows, Mac,
                                            Linux, etc.), as no driver software is required to be loaded on the users computer.
 
                                          Unlike prior model D'Way modems, the DW6000 does not connect to the USB port. Rather it connects 
                          like a cable-modem would, via a standard RJ45 connector to your computers networking card. This makes networking the DW6000 much easier than networking prior model D'Way modems, as standard routers & hubs can be used.
 
    The DW6000 also features an "Advanced Configuration & Statistics" control center, which is accessable through the users web browser. This control panel allows the user to monitor many features of the modem including signal strength, firmware updates, various logs & statistics, and much more.
 
    A complete DW6000 system (dish & modem) sells new for around $400. Used systems can be purchased for around $175. . The DW6000 model alone can be purchased new for around $125. or used for around $65. Service plans start around $60. per month.
 
    Professional installation is recommended, as pointing the transmitter can be tricky. It can be user installed though.
 
DirecWay DW6000 2-Way System
 Front & Rear of the DW6000 Modem
   The system complies with the industry's DVB-S standard and, therefore, it is very easy to customize the wide range of outroute data rates by choosing different symbol and FEC coding rates.
 
   The downstream is scalable up to 48 Mbps and up to 256 kbps for the return channel. The DW6000 provides an integrated broadband LAN solution to Windows, UNIX, MAC, and other platforms running IP over Ethernet.
 
    The DW6000 terminal passes IP data packets to and from any IP device on the LAN and has the functionality of a typical IP router. The DW6000 offers the HNS advanced Performance Enhancing Proxy (PEP) feature, which increases throughput performance.
Accessing the DW6000 User Interface : The various functions, features, & statistics of the DW6000 are accessable through the
"DW6000 System Control Center". To access the control center you need to open up your web browser (I.E.: Internet Explorer, FireFox, etc.) and type the following into the address bar : http://192.168.0.1 . Doing that should bring up the System Control Center screen. 
   The Control Center has a number of useful logs, information, and the like.  From there you can view your signal strength, check which firmware version you have, view various connection logs, configure ranging, and much more.  The Control Center interface is not available on older systems like the DW4000.
                                                                      A look inside the DW6000
                                                Curious about what it looks like inside the DW6000 satellite modem ?
                         Here's a quick look under the hood ! Click on a section name to magnify that section of the modem.
SECTION 1                    SECTION 2
SECTION 3                       SECTION 4
SECTION 5
DW6000 Data Sheet :
 
You can download the DW6000 Data-
Sheetby clicking on the image to the left.
 
File is in Adobe PDF format.  (Size 85k)
DW6000 Tips & Tricks ! :
 
Interested in some DW6000 tips & tricks ?
Don't forget to check out the Tips-N-Tricks page !
Curious about the differences between the DW6000 & DW7000 ? : You can view a side-by-side comparison of their technical specifications by clicking HERE !