I'm confused about network setup
Posts: 180
I recently got DSL account and am not sure how to connect my Linux computer to it.
The modem I received is a '2 Wire' and it has 4 slots for ethernet connections. My XP machine is my 'primary' connection but I want to be using my Mepis machine.
I ran 'lshw' and it returned 'Ethernet interface product: RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ '
Basically, my question is, do I just need to run a cable from this ethernet connection to the 2 Wire modem and, if so, should that be a 'straight through', or 'crossover' cable?
Your help will be appreciated.
Lewis.
*****
Both may work
Posts: 959
Many modern modem/routers can take either type of cable and will auto-detect what type you have plugged in. It's often detailed in the manual.
Re: I'm confused about network setup
Posts: 180
Thanks for these suggestions here.
This Gateway 2Wire modem didn't come with a 'manual' but what I did was to reboot my XP machine, after having added a 'straight through' cable from my Linux machine to the modem. I did the same thing with a 'cross over' cable and both times there was no indication of any communication between the two machines.
One thing that is not intuative to me at this point is, do BOTH machines need to have a monitor, keyboard, etc. in order to communicate?
Kind regards.
Lewis.
******
Re: I'm confused about network setup
Posts: 2280
Yep me too ! What are you trying to do network the two boxen or get on the internet with them . You obviously have internet access so im not sure of what youre trying to do. But i would search the net and find a manual for that equipment cause this is one of those times when RTFM is just about a must . 
jim
Re: I'm confused about network setup
Posts: 180
jim
I understand that you can't read my mind, Jim.
The reason I got DSL is that it is faster than dial-up and I had found that it took forever to try and update my Linux stuff with dial-up.
Also, I was lead to believe that Yahoo DSL doesn't support Linux, so I thought that, if I signed up for DSL with my XP computer and I was able to connect my XP computer to my Linux computer (I think this is called networking) I would be able to get online with my Linux computer by going 'through' my XP.
What I _DON'T_ have any real clue about is how utilize my XP online connection to connect to the 'net with my Linux computer but, at this point, I 'believe' it can be done fairly easily.
BTW, none of my friends new what a 'boxen' was but I figured it out.
Lewis.
*****
Hello Lewis
Posts: 2280
Now i know what youre doing ! Good news all you have to do is plug your linux machine in to the modem and start Firefox . I use yahoo all the time without any problems , for mail no mail account to setup elsewhere . Allso if i want to go to Mepis.org just click on Mepis folder under the refresh arrows and away we go . Dont have to go through an ISP to get there . If i want to check mail i just type http://dsl.sbc.yahoo.com/ and that gives me the sign in screen . As you can see SBC is my basic provider , if you dont use them log in with winXP & watch the url .
If you have any problems hooking up just reboot so Mepis can see your connection . Im thinkin youll want to throw that dialup modem away anyhoo .
jim
2Wire modems
Posts: 365
The 2Wire line of ADSL modems should work with Linux just fine.
All you should have to is plug in the Ethernet cable (straight, not crossover), then go to the Mepis OS Center, select Network Interfaces and start eth0: An ip address should show up on the eth0: status line in a few seconds.
If that succeeds, you're connected. Just open Firefox or Konqueror and go.
Sharing files with the XP machine requires that you have the directories you want to share set up that way on the XP machine. Any shares you have set up should be found by smb4k (in the menus K -> Internet -> Connection -> Smb4k
Let us know if you have a problem and we'll try to walk you through it.
Re: I'm confused about network setup
Posts: 180
Many thanks, Gentlemen, I am now posting this from my Linux (Mepis) machine, which is connected by 'straight through' cable to the DSL modem.
I appreciate your patience and your help.
Kind regards.
Lewis.
******
now to provide for the XP
Posts: 4864
so the next task is to use the same connection for the XP machine and pass packets for it through the mepis box.
Straight or Crossover?
Posts: 690
Most modems require a straight networkcable. Should be mentioned in your modem docs. My ADSL-modem (Allied Data Copperjet 816-2p) requires a crossover connection.
Try the regular (straight) cable first - if you cannot find the info in your modem-docs.
Regards, Ko
Ko Bros