broadband setup

[xzimppledink]

new to linux. I've ordered a dummies book but would like to start setting up broadband connection now if possible. suse 11.1, 2wire modem from at&t. Incidentally, couldn't locate a linux 11.1 book so ordered linux suse 10, hope it's applicable

[D-cat]

I assume this is a cable modem? Does the modem have an Ethernet jack? Connecting via ethernet network is usually a lot more reliable than USB in Linux.

Once plugged in, and assuming your card is set up to connect DHCP, it should just work. The rest depends on the ISP.

When you open a browser, there's a variety of messages you could get. If you get a DNS error, go into Yast -> Network Devices -> Network Cards and set up your card here for DHCP.

Idealy when you open the browser window, you'll get a home page or an account setup page. Sometimes you get "Your Operating System is not Supported blah blah Call 1-800-Blah Blah to set up your account" (I know Comcast does this). In that event, that's just what you have to do.

Good luck! Hopefully you'll soon be enjoying high speed Linux!

[xzimppledink]

ISP is ATT. Had it working with windows but worm demolished computer. Had loaded linux on backup machine waiting for an opp to use it. Now's the time. Incidentally love your quote, tried show biz as a young man. terrified i'd drop a pick or have to sneeze. there's no such thing as a flawless preformance.

[xzimppledink]

oops, ran into too many terms I dont' understand. is there a linux dictionary? things like netmask, bonding devices, DHCP version 4 and 6, default gateway, routing table, ivp6 protocal settings. guess i'll have to wait for the dummies book.

[gogalthorp]

Ok we still need to know what kind of connection is between the ATT box and the computer. Basically there are two possibilities. 1) Ethernet network connection and 2) USB There are slight differences on how each is setup. The setup is the same as in Windows it is done in Yast (administrator settings)

[gogalthorp]

oops, ran into too many terms I dont' understand. is there a linux dictionary? things like netmask, bonding devices, DHCP version 4 and 6, default gateway, routing table, ivp6 protocal settings. guess i'll have to wait for the dummies book.

All this information are provided by the ISP it is the same as in Windows. The problem is that in most cases the ISP simply gives you a Windows setup disk that setts these for you. CAll your ISP and ask for the values for these settings. When in doubt take the default.

[xzimppledink]

unit uses ethernet connection on the computer and uses phone line. I guess the next step is to contact att for a linux cd. I'll do that and get back to forum. thanks for your kind concern.

[D-cat]

Phone line? Sounds like you're using DSL? You'll also need to set up PPPoE in that event. You'll also need to know your account name and password.

I found a nice graphical help guide. Hope it helps:
Broadband PPPoE Configuration in openSUSE 11.0

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BTW Thanx for the comment on the sig quote. I currently change my quote every Saturday night. This one I've seen way back in the early 90's from my old BBS; this time it brought back the memory of the Win98 Demo crash. I keep past sigs on my Myspace blog page, but you'll have to seek it out if you care to, I don't link it.
-dcatoffm

[xzimppledink]

ATT says they do not support linux. the rep did make an effort to help but with his heavy accent and my poor hearing we were not successful. Here is an excellent opportunity for some linux programmer to help. we are not all techies,some of us could use a little help setting up the broadmand connection. a cd would sure be nice.

[D-cat]

ATT says they do not support linux.

This doesn't surprise me. a) Linux doesn't pay them kickbacks for soft support and b) every distro has a different config utility, that makes it a nightmare to support to begin with.

Please check my link above and see if it helps, then write back with results.