network problems on linux :(

jmoore2001 · July 27th, 2003, 03:06 AM

Ok so I just installed Red Hat 7.3. When I installed I didn't have an internet connection so it didn't set that up during the install, but now I just bought a hub, connected through our cable modem and I can't get a connection. I'm a total newb right now so I have no idea what to do in the configurations or anything, but another computer connected on the hub has XP and is running fine. So what do I need to do to get a connection with redhat? Also, when I'm booting up it goes through this long checklist and says "OK" next to everything except "eth0", it says FAILED, so I'm guessing that has something to do with it as well.

All the connections are plugged in and the network card works just fine.

CMonster · July 27th, 2003, 04:20 AM

My suggestion is that you get a router that can connect to your ISP instead of a hub, and connect both boxes to the router as a LAN - then use one of Redhat 7.3s networking configuration tools and configure your Linux system/network device:

* a static IP address -in the range of your router's internal address

*subnetmask -this will probably be 255.255.255.0

* default gateway -it will be your router's internal IP address

* nameserver IPs that your ISP uses

Maybe use netconf, or you might find a graphical tool in Redhat's control center (there may even be a link to it on the KDE root desktop).

Under your current setup, if the Windows box is off, it would be just like the Linux box was directly connected to your modem -if Linux supports the connection type used by your ISP you could probably use one of the graphical utilities to configure a pppoe connection or whatever your ISP uses, including your user name and password or whatever.

nukes · July 27th, 2003, 10:04 AM

Also, using a router would make things much more secure.
Even setting up the Windows box for internet connection sharing/internet connection firewall would be better, and then just have the 2 computers into the hub, and the windows box also plugged into the cable modem.
you would then just have to run netconf or whatever and set the IP/netmask (easy enough) and set the DNS and Default gateway to the IP of the windows box.
This maybe isn't the best or most convenient way, but it will get you up and running faster.

CMonster · July 27th, 2003, 02:37 PM

For setting up the router, home LAN, or just configuring the Linux box for direct connection you need to know what type of modem you have and what type of connection your ISP is using, for example:

modem -what is the physical type of connection ?ethernet?usb?

connection -is it a self authenticating modem that will assign TCP/IP information to your computer using DHCP? or does your ISP use PPPoE? some other protocol? or do you have a static IP address?

jmoore2001 · July 27th, 2003, 03:13 PM

it's a cable modem through ethernet (not usb) and i'm pretty sure it uses DHCP

jmoore2001 · July 27th, 2003, 03:15 PM

and another thing. even when i put the linux machine directly connected to the cable modem, it still doesn't have a connection. i dont know anything about network configurations in linux so if anyone could tell me some easy steps to follow that would be awesome

lynchmob · July 27th, 2003, 04:36 PM

If it said eth0 failed during boot,you may need to configure the ethernet card.What card or chipset is on the computer?
Try typing ifup eth0 to see what message you get back.Probably wont help but it could give a clue.
I agree with Cmonster and nukes:get a router.
lynch

jmoore2001 · July 27th, 2003, 05:25 PM

it's a 3com network card. Remember, I'm a newb so I don't know HOW to configure the ethernet card...can anyone tell me how I need to go about doing that?

Lynch: Where do i type 'ifup eth0' into? the console under root or what?

jmoore2001 · July 27th, 2003, 05:28 PM

ok, i just typed in
ifup eth0
into the console and this is what i got:

Determining IP for eth0....failed

Hope this helps! I really want to figure all this out and get my internet connection working :/

Peter M · July 27th, 2003, 05:33 PM

Yep, hub no work to share a cable/DSL modem. You need a router.

And if you want to run the modem directly on the Linux box's ethernet line, you need to plant PPP services onto the eth0 port. Most distributions have easy setup software that lets you do this.