Tidal Pool Software

Main

Tether's main view displays connection information, data statistics, and the quota (if applicable).

The first two fields display connection information including the IP Address and Port. This address points to the proxy server that is currently running on the iPhone. If "connecting" is displayed, the server is attempting to acquire an IP address and port. Once acquired, the IP address and port are displayed and the server is started.

The Connections count shows the number of current, active connections. This number will change as new connections are created and existing connections are closed.

The Session field displays the data transferred (incoming and outgoing) for the current session (from the time Tether was launched). The Month field shows the data transferred since the last billing cycle (see Bill Date below). The Total field shows the data transferred since the last statistics reset. Note that all data transfer statistics only include data transferred using Tether. Other data transferred using your iPhone (e.g. Mail, Safari, etc.) are not included in these statistics. The Quota field shows a progress bar and the percentage of the monthly quota that has been used since the last billing cycle. It is displayed if the quota is not set to unlimited.

Settings

The settings view allows you to configure Tether.

Username/Password

The Username and Password fields allow you to specify a username/password for the SOCKS proxy server. If these are set, they must be entered on your Mac/PC when connecting to Tether using the SOCKS proxy server.

Bill Date

The Bill Date specifies the date of the month your cell phone billing cycle starts. The Month data transferred statistic is reset on this date as well as the Quota field.

Quota

The Quota field allows you to set a monthly data quota for Tether. This quota is reset each month on the Bill Date. The main view shows the amount of the quota that has been used to date for the current billing month. If the quota is set to unlimited, the quota progress bar is hidden on the main view.

An alert is displayed when the monthly data transferred is within 10% of the quota. This serves as a warning that the quota has been nearly reached. Another alert is displayed when the quota has been exceeded. This alert offers the option to discontinue sharing your iPhone's internet connection and quit Tether or to continue. Note that is alert will only be displayed once when the quota has been exceeded and will not appear in subsequent launches of Tether.

Reset Statistics

The Reset Statistics button will reset all of Tether's statistics including the session, month, and total statistics and the quota.

Logging

The Logging switch enables/disables Tether's logging support. Tap the Email Log button to email the current log. This can be useful for debugging connection problems.

The Register field allows you to enter a serial number to register Tether. Tether includes a free, fully functional, 14 day trial. Once this trial period is complete, Tether requires a serial number to continue to function.

Instructions

Tap the Instructions button to see a brief page detailing how to connect using Tether.

Connect

To connect your Mac/PC to Tether, follow these instructions:

Create and configure an ad-hoc network on your Mac/PC:
- Mac:
  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Select the Network item.
  3. Create a new location by selecting Edit Locations... under the Location menu. Click the + button and name the location something like iPhone Tether. Once the location is saved, you can easily switch between your standard and tethering setups.
  4. Select Airport from the list on the left.
  5. Under Network Name, select Create Network....
  6. Enter a network name such as iPhone Tether (and password if desired).
- Windows XP:
  1. Open Control Panel from the Start menu.
  2. Open Network Connections.
  3. Right-click the wireless connection and click properties.
  4. Select the Wireless Networks tab.
  5. Add a new wireless connection. Enter a Network name (SSID) similar to iPhone Tether (and password if desired). Set Data encryption to Disabled and click the computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network checkbox at the bottom. Click the Connection tab and select the Connect when this network is in range checkbox.
  6. Right-click the wireless connection and select View Available Wireless Networks. Connect to the ad-hoc network created above.
- Windows Vista:
  1. Open Network from the Start menu and select Properties.
  2. Click Connect to a network.
  3. Select Network.
  4. Click Setup an ad-hoc network.
  5. Enter a name similar to iPhone Tether.
  6. Connect to the ad-hoc network created above.
Connect to the ad-hoc network on your iPhone:
1. Launch the Settings application.
2. Tap Wi-fi.
3. Select the ad-hoc network created above.
Launch Tether on the iPhone. Note that it may take up to a minute to acquire an IP address and port.
Launch and configure applications on your Mac/PC.
- Mac:
  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Select the Network item.
  3. Press the Advanced button.
  4. Select the Proxies tab.
  5. Enable the SOCKS Proxy protocol. Alternatively, enable the Web Proxy (HTTP) protocol. Tether supports both protocols.
  6. Enter the IP address and port displayed in Tether. Enter the username/password if this is set in Tether (this only applies when using the SOCKS Proxy protocol).
  7. Press Apply.
  Some applications (such as Safari, iChat) will use the System Preferences proxy settings above while others will require their own proxy setup. Some applications do not have any support for proxies and require the use of a system-wide proxy such as MacProxy.
- Windows XP/Vista: Each application will require either the SOCKS proxy or HTTP/web proxy settings to be configured. Use the IP address and port displayed in Tether (and username/password if set and using a SOCKS proxy).
  - Firefox
    1. Navigate to
      Tools->
      Options->
      Advanced->
      Network->
      Settings.
    2. Select Manual Proxy Configuration and enter the IP address/port displayed in Tether.
    3. Select Use this proxy server for all protocols.
    4. Type about:config in the open URL box.
    5. Filter for network.proxy.socks_remote_dns and set the value to true.
  - Internet Explorer
    1. Navigate to
      Tools->
      Internet Options->
      Connections->
      LAN Settings
    2. Make sure Automatic Configuration is NOT checked.
    3. Open Proxy Server.
    4. Set up the SOCKS proxy with the IP address/port displayed in Tether.
    5. Select Use the same proxy server for all protocols under the Advanced tab.

Troubleshooting

Tether does not display an IP Address/Port:

Wait for about a minute for the iPhone to be assigned an IP address and relaunch Tether.
Launch Safari on the iPhone and load a webpage before launching Tether.
Reboot the iPhone.

Application does not connect:

Verify your Mac/PC (or application) settings have the correct proxy server IP address and port from Tether.
If you entered a username/password in Tether, verify the SOCKS proxy settings on your Mac/PC (and applications) have the correct username/password entered. Note that this setting does not apply when using an HTTP/web proxy.