| Goals for this chapter: | rpm packages covered in this chapter:
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In Chapter 1, we define what is Internet: The worldwide network. Now, the question is: how we can connect to the Web?. How we can enter in this worldwide flow?
There are different modes. The most common mode is using the phone: Normal phone lines, ISDN phone lines, DSL, T1 ... T3. The connection speed changes from 56K per second until T3 (44.736 Mbps).
The DSL connections for example varies from a range of 768 Kbs (HDSL)
up to 2408 Mbps (HDSL-2).
Linux supports all these type of connections.
For example the most simple mode is using the Protocol PPP (Point-to-Point). Of course be sure that the PPP protocol is supported by your kernel.
You need to add PPP including PPP support for async serial ports as
well as SLIP.
To setup the connection Red Hat Linux includes the "rp3-config" offering a mode similar to MSWindows (Internet) or MacOS (Internet Assistant). You can run the program called "Dialup Configuration Tool" from the GNOME or KDE System menus or simply run the program "rp3-config."
When you run this program for the first time, the following screen will
appear.
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| This is the "classical" welcome screen for the program. | The program will try to find a modem connection. |
If you have a modem connected to your PC, the following screen will appear, trying to recognize your modem type, maximum speed, and port.
This is the screen showing the results from the modem search.
The program then asks you for a name to assign to your first Internet
account.
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| Now, you need to insert the account name and provider's phone number. | Afterwards, you need to type the account name and password. |
After detecting the connection, the program displays these final screens.
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| In this mask you can choose between the Normal ISP or the AT&T
GNS.
Choose the Normal ISP, if you are not sure. |
This is the final screen showing the newly created Internet account. |
We can view the account from the Linuxconf screen.
The Internet account can be edited from the LinuxConf PPP Setting screens.
The steps to set up an Internet connection with Red Hat Linux with the authentication PAP are as follows:
1. Write a script like TINcon
with your Internet phone (be sure that it is executable: chmod 777 TINcon).
2. Write your password in the file "/etc/ppp/pap-secrets" in the appropriate
column.
#user server secret addrs futuretg vol MyPassword www.vol.it3. Include the DNS numbers in the file/etc/resolv.conf:
search futuretg.com
nameserver 151.99.103.186
nameserver 194.243.155.186
nameserver 194.243.154.62
nameserver 194.31.190.31
nameserver 194.20.32.1
nameserver 151.99.186.3
nameserver 151.1.1.1
Verify that the file option "lock" is present in the file "/etc/ppp/options."
[root@red2 /root]# more /etc/ppp/options lockWhen you have finished making these changes you are ready to connect to the Internet. You only need to run the script TINcon to connect to the Internet. To close the connection just kill the appropriate process.
Another mode to configure the connection is with Linuxconf.
Red Hat Linuxconf lets you configure Internet access and create a PPP account. To set up this account, run linuxconf from the shell or the graphical environment. Then choose the entry "PPP/SLIP/PLIP." A dialog of the following will appear.
From this dialog you can create a PPP, SLIP, or PLIP configuration. Now, choose "Add."
Now, choose "PPP" and press the "Accept" button.
In this screen, complete the entries with your ISP's phone number, the device where your modem is connected, and your login ID and password.
After following these steps your Internet connection is up. However,
it is possible to customize it further.
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With KDE it is possible to connect to the Internet using the "kppp" program, which opens the connection, closes it, and tells you the amount of time you've been connected.
To set up a connection though kppp, you need to run the program "kppp" from the KDE and complete these entries.
[root@red70 /root]# kppp
Press enter and follow the steps below.
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| Click on "Setup." | Choose "New" to create a new modem Internet account. | Complete the name and phone number for the connection. |
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| Choose the DNS button,and complete the domain name to search IP numbers one at a time by pressing "Add." | After that your account has been created and you need to... | ...test your modem. Choose "Query Modem." |
The first step is to create the "kppp" account, including your ISP's phone number, and to assign a name to this connection.
The second step is to insert the DNS numbers listed in the previous section. You can save the regular "/etc/resolv.conf" file to a new file. Use your ISP's DNS number and insert the numbers they recommend for better performance.
The third step requires your modem. Please make a link between the device "cua1" to the COM2 port and the modem.
This can be made using the "ln" command.
After making the link, you can test your modem by clicking the "Query Modem" button. If you prefer, you can change the ppp time out to 2 minutes (120 seconds).
To start the connection, just click the "Connect button" on the dialog.
... and after some minutes you can be connected!
Sometimes is possible that you need to travel with your laptop to other city. In this case you can use the normal modem (external) connection or use a PCMCIA card. These cards act like a normal modem running the cardmgr.
The connection is completely equivalent.
