Re: ADSL

[Evan Van Dyke <vandyke@bme.ri.ccf.org>]

> Sera Hill wrote:
> 
> I'm a Linux newbie!  I'm also a subscriber to the debian-users list and I
> noticed that some of you have an ADSL link.  I've been trying to get it to
> work on Debian, but to no avail.
> 
> I've used winipcfg to find out the information I need, but Linux is still
> having problems resolving webSite addresses, especially when I run dselect.
> Some of the information that the network config file asks from me I also find
> confusing.  Like the gateway question and the Broadcast one, as well as the
> DNS Server.  I'm signed onto Sympatico and they're not helping with Linux
> config.  Is there any way you could give me some kind of step-by-step as to
> how you did it?  Or to help me out somehow?   If you need any more
> information,  let me know.
> 
> -Sera Hill
> sera.hill@sympatico.ca

THere should be an ADSL HOWTO in any of the multiple HOWTO locations
www.linux.org is probably the easiest to find... however basic answers
to your questions:

1) the Gateway:  the gateway is a computer that forwards all external
   internet traffic(external traffic is anything w/out the same first
    three IP numbers(a subnet).   if your IP number is 1.2.3.78, then 
    any trafic to an IP that is not 1.2.3.XXX goes through the gateway).
   You can find the propper gateway under the TCP/IP settings in the Network
   applet of WIndows's control panel(scroll down to the TCP/IP protocol,
   and open it).

2) broadcast address:  don't worry about what this is... it should be
   <first-three-digits of your IP>.255    eg, if you are 1.2.3.78, the
   broadcast address is 1.2.3.255

3) DNS:  DNS stands for Domain Name Server... is takes the text-based
   name of a computer(www.3com.com) and translates it into the IP
   address which the computer needs to make the connection.  you can
   find the appropriate DNS settings under TCP/IP properties, as you
   found the gateway.   these will be IP numbers, not server names, as
   without a DNS, you computer can not figure out any IPs.

a lot of this is described in the net-3-HOWTO(or the networking HOWTO).
Basically with how xDSL words, you have a local network from the
splitter to your computer, and most likely a normal ethernet card
installed in your comp.

Does that help?

--Evan