Synfire's Quick Guide to Linux

Connecting to the Internet

For most operating systems connecting to the internet is as simple as double-clicking your mouse and entering a username and password. But for Linux it can be somewhat of a task in itself. This is how I connect to the internet and it should work for you, depending on what distro you use ( I use Slackware )

Before I start the step by step instructions I want to explain a few things you will see in this text. First thing is the '0.0.0.0:' in Step 2. This is a null IP address, this means that your ISP will setup your IP for you. In most cases this will be what you want to put, this computer is connecting to a network that has a specified address. Now on to '/dev/cua1' in Step 2. This initializes your COM port. For those of you used to DOS/Windows COM ports I have included a chart for you to go by...

LINUX          DOS/WINDOWS
---------------------------
/dev/cua0      COM1
/dev/cua1      COM2
/dev/cua2      COM3
/dev/cua3      COM4

The next thing is the next to last line of Step 2 where you input your username. In actuality you don't put your regular username, you put the username as the ISP will recieve it, mine is 'synf1r3.c4ee' you should call your ISP to find out how they recieve usernames, some ISP's use a email address login, such as NetZero, that looks like this:

'synfire@ISP.123.45.67.8.c4ee.com'

This too should be confirmed with yourISP. (NetZero has recently changed that configuration and dissallowed Linux users to dial into their servers.)

Step by Step Instructions-

Step 1)  Open the '/etc/resolv.conf' file in vi and enter the following:

search YOURISPWEBPAGE.com
nameserver XXX.XXX.XXX.XX
nameserver XXX.XXX.XXX.XX

Step 2)  Open the '/etc/ppp/options' file in vi and enter the following:

0.0.0.0:
/dev/cua1
section
lock
crtscts
defaultroute
asyncmap 0
mtu 552
mtu 552
name username
YOURISPWEBPAGE.com one

Step 3)  Type 'linuxconf' then go to:
        >Config
            ..>Networking
                ..>ppp/slip/plip

and enter your ISP's connection number, enter your Username and Password, check the PAP box, and press customize, double check the phone number and change the modem speed where needed and click OK then exit Linuxconf.

Step 4)  Type 'linuxconf' again and go to:
        >Control
            ..>Control Panel
                ..>Control PPP/SLIP/PLIP Link

and click on ppp0 and press enter, you should now hear the modem start. Quickly exit linuxconf and when the modem stops type 'pppd' after about 10-15 seconds you will be connected.

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