[ILUG] Naive ADSL/WiFi questions (long (sorry!))?

[Michael Watterson]

Brian Foster wrote:
>  The following questions are almost certainly naïve,
>  but I'm rather clewless about the details.  (My own
>  expertise and experience are in very difference areas;
>  about all I've ever done with “networking” is plug in
>  the cable and check that the lights are blinking (well,
>  not quite, but it might as well be all I've ever done
>  except in some very specialist/unusual areas).)  Hence,
>  any pointers/introductions would be appreciated, in
>  addition to answers/suggestions.
>
>  For various reasons I'm still using dial-up.  This is
>  very silly since ADSL/broadband is readily available
>  here in Montpellier.  So I've finally started seriously
>  looking into getting a sensible service; one motivation
>  is a new(?) ISP here in Montpellier,  www.teleconnect.fr
>  who also happens to be geared towards (English-speaking)
>  ex-pats like me.  (I've only _just_ started, hence the
>  naïveté of some(/all?) of these questions!)
>
>  I currently have no interest in running a server; ATM,
>  my desire is just to replace the dial-up access (albeit
>  I want to keep the dial-up functional as a backup).
>
>  1. What is an “eligible line” (mine apparently is)?
>    The implication seems to be that all I have to do
>    is hook up the (supplied) modem to the existing
>    POTS line, and it “just works”.
>
>  2. The supplied modem is a (currently unknown) WiFi
>    unit.  I will be asking for details of this unit
>    (and its Linux compatibility); what should I be
>    looking for, and/or asking?
>   
The Modem, if it does WiFi, probably also has NAT/Router/Firewall and 
Ethernet. So works with anything with no extra drivers, other than those 
normal for networking.

Only USB modems need software installed. No kind of modem for any system 
that uses WiFi or Ethernet ever needs SW installed.

You may need to go to a local web page (if so, documented) to enter your 
user name & password for the PPoE.

Since the Modem will almost certainly be also a NAT/Router also, only 
ordinary ethernet is needed on the Linux box, no PPPoE or PPPoA unless 
the Modem is in Bridge mode. Also the configuration web page will let 
you be a DHCP client, or disable DHCP server on it and let you use 
static 192.168.0.xxx addresses.
The Web configuration page is usually also your default gateway & DNS. 
If you leave DHCP enabled all that is automatic.

Any modem  I've seen in  last 5 years  the  user guide, manual etc are 
PDF so readible without any MS jiggerypokery.

Definately avoid USB connection. Get Ethernet cable working before 
entering the mysterious world of WiFi.
About €14 for an Ethernet card, and often even very old PCs have it already.


-- 
Mike