Red Hat ENTERPRISE LINUX 4 - STEP BY STEP GUIDE Manual

Also see for ENTERPRISE LINUX 4 - DEVELOPER TOOLS GUIDE: Installation guide Installation guide Tuning guide Installation guide Manual

Contents

Chapter 5.Connecting to the InternetPerhaps the most important change in communication since the telephone, the Internet is a large partof our world today. Red Hat Enterprise Linux has the tools necessary to allow you to connect to thatworld.There are many types of Internet connections, including:ISDN ConnectionAn ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connection uses high-speed, high-quality digitaltelecommunication lines as opposed to an analog modem connection. This special phone linemust be installed by a phone company.Modem ConnectionA modem connection uses a normal phone line to establish a connection to the Internet. Digitaldata is modulated into analog signals and sent over phone lines.Wireless ConnectionA wireless connection uses a wireless access point (WAP) or peer-to-peer network with a wirelessnetwork card.xDSL ConnectionAn xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection uses high-speed transmissions through telephonelines. There are different types of DSL such as ADSL, IDSL, and SDSL. Internet ConfigurationWizard uses the term xDSL to mean all types of DSL connections.Ethernet ConnectionsSome xDSL and cable modem connections require users to set up their connections via Ethernet.The ethernet card in your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system communicates with the xDSL orcable modem, which communicates in turn with your ISP.This chapter discusses setting up a modem (or dial-up) connection in detail. The procedures for cre-ating connections of the remaining types is similar, but may require additional steps or informationfrom your Internet Service Provider (ISP).Your own ISP may have specific connection requirements for their service which differ from theinstructions in this chapter. Before connecting, check with your ISP for any specific instructions thatthey provide, including the following information:• The phone number that your modem must dial to connect to your ISP if you are using a modem.• Your login name and password for your account if you are using an xDSL or modem connection.• A gateway address. Some ISPs may require you to configure a master address (called the gateway)that authenticates your computer and allows it to connect to the Internet.• DNS entries: DNS means Domain Name System. DNS servers act as a road map for the Internet.When you use the Internet, the DNS tells your machine where to send its traffic. DNS tracks IP(Internet Protocol) addresses; each computer connected to the Internet must have an IP address,which is a unique set of numbers like 2xx.2xx.2x.2. You may receive one or more DNS entriesfrom your Internet provider when you sign up.