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dslandlinuxs.html
Basic Guide to Linux DSL Use for SuSe/KDE Users
By Mark Rais, author of Linux For the Rest of Us, and senior editor of reallylinux.com
This
brief chapter section should help beginning SuSe/KDE users get a DSL
connection up
and running. Notice that I use LOTS of graphics to help guide
beginning users. For my Linux book that was a good thing, but for
someone with a
dial-up internet connection it may be slow!
The
following tips will hopefully help give a well rounded view into the
necessary settings and configuration that apply to most newer
flavors.
For older flavors using KDE or older versions of SuSe, you will need to
install the PPPoE driver before
configuration is possible. These drivers should be on your
Linux
flavor’s website.
You'll find that connectivity to
your broadband service using almost all flavors of Linux is dependent
on two things:
- What type of service
you have purchased
- Correctly setting the
IP and DNS configurations
SuSe
DSL MODEM Configuration
(Fedora
or Gnome users: click here)
I’m
going to assume you know how to start the SuSe or other flavor’s
configuration tool. It is slightly different among flavors using
KDE.
For instance, Mandrake uses the drakconf tool and has modem
connections under the Network & Internet icon, then the New
Connection icon.
For this
example, I include details from SuSe’s configuration tool, YaST.
You will see the menu item Network Devices.
Selecting it will reveal the DSL Modem configuration module. For
cable
modem users, the configuration can also be done simply through the
network card configuration. As long as you set the following
network
card settings correctly the cable modem should respond properly.
Regardless
which you’re trying to install, please make sure that either your cable
or DSL modem is properly connected before clicking the DSL Modem
module or Network Card module since it checks for hardware.
Select the
DSL modem option and you will see this screen appear:
You’ll
notice that in most cases a DSL modem was not yet identified. Click on
the Change button to start the configuration.
The
next window that appears is a configuration overview listing.
Once you
complete configuration the upper box will include your modem specific
information and the lower box will include details regarding your
service provider.
Below is a
sample DSL configuration overview window:
Press the
top Add button to add a your DSL modem.
You’re
now faced with the configuration window. Although it looks rather
daunting, there is very little you actually need to do here.
Be
sure that the proper PPP mode is selected from the upper pull-down
menu. In all cases I’ve run into, your broadband modem requires
the use
of the PPP over Ethernet. Be sure that you have a properly
configured network card before starting this step. If your
network card
is properly installed already, it will show up in the Ethernet card
box.
Sometimes
the Ethernet card is NOT configured properly. In my example above,
you’ll notice, for instance, that although somewhat subdued there is
already an IP address noted! If you’re installing a new DSL
device for
the first time, this may mean that your card is not configured properly
for a broadband connection. To ensure that all preloaded IP addresses
are deleted, please click on the Configure Network Cards button.
You will
now see a window labeled Network cards configuration.
If you were configuring a Cable modem, you would have started out here.
From this window you will be able to edit your network card’s details.
Please
press the Change button. Then press the Edit button.
You will now see the Network address setup screen.
The
DHCP or Automatic address setup option should be
selected.
Notice
in my example that although I’ve selected Automatic address setup
(via DHCP) under
the IP Address and Subnet mask fields some data still exists. This was
from the time I setup my Linux box as a server and manually configured
the IP. In fact, to provide a learning opportunity, I had
recommended
doing so during the Installation chapter.
However,
to use a standard broadband connection you will need to ensure all data
is cleared from these fields.
First,
select the Static Address Setup button. Then delete the
IP and Subnet mask information in each of the boxes.
Now
select the Automatic address setup.
You
may also need to clear fields under the Hostname and DNS setup.
Click
on the Host name and name server button, and then choose Modify
if
the option appears. This will allow you to remove the host name,
domain
name, and all other data in the fields. Once you delete the
information
please be absolutely certain you have selected the two boxes: Change
host name via DHCP and Update name servers…
These
two are essential for getting the right data from your ISP regarding
your DSL connection (see the example screen below).
Once
you’ve successfully deleted all the information in the fields and
selected the two check buttons, you can comfortably click on the OK
button to return to the Network address setup window.
From
the Network address setup window, click the Next button.
You’re almost done with configuring your modem, so hang on! Finally, on
the Network cards configuration overview click the Finish button.
It
may seem like a lot of extra leg work, and in some cases it is not
necessary, but these extra steps have ensured that all data is properly
configured. My goal is to help you clean up and prepare your system for
Internet broadband use and from my experience this process is the most
thorough means of ensuring you succeed.
Now,
on the DSL configuration screen, press the Next button
to begin your ISP setup. (Note: if you still see an IP address, it
will not effect anything since you’ve done all that is needed for the
configuration)
Most
DSL providers are not listed. So you will simply need to configure your
DSL provider data manually. Click the New button.
Enter
the provider name, and then your DSL account name and password.
All
DSL providers, when you sign up, will give you an account id and
password, as well as some details on the outgoing and incoming mail
servers. If you did not receive this information or lost it, please
contact your specific ISP’s technical support.
Click Next to see the DSL Connection
Parameters window.
Key
parts of the DSL Connection parameters window are shown below:
Just
a tip that you should be sure
to select the three boxes indicated with circles. Now click Next
again to view the final summary of your changes.
Believe
it or not, you have now configured your mode and your provider
information! Pressing Finish will save all of your
information.
You
may notice an option appear to configure your mail. Simply press No
for the time being. You will be able to configure mail using the
Xiamian Evolution software in the Desktop Interfaces section.
Now, please
reboot your Linux system.
As
I mentioned earlier, rebooting can prevent many frustrating experiences
with hardware configuration. I strongly recommend a reboot after
any
new modem or network setup.
Once your
Linux system is back up and running, and you have logged in, open the
web browser and try some web surfing!!!
(Fedora
or Gnome users: click here)
(if
you found this article helpful, you may also benefit from our
other Linux guides.)
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