Installation guide

Chapter 5.

Getting Online

There are many types of Internet connections including:

• ISDN Connection

• Modem Connection

• xDSL Connection

• Cable Modem Connection

The Internet Druid application can be used to conﬁgure an Internet connection in Red Hat Linux.

If you would like to conﬁgure an Internet connection in Red Hat Linux, you need to use the Internet

Druid application.

To use Internet Druid, you must be running the X Window System and have root privileges. To start

the application, use one of the following methods:

• On the GNOME desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => Programs => System

=> Internet Conﬁguration Wizard.

• On the KDE desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => System => Internet Con-

ﬁguration Wizard.

• Type the command internet-druid at a shell prompt (for example, in an XTerm or a GNOME

terminal).

Your own ISP may have speciﬁc connection requirements for their service which differ from the

instructions in this chapter. Before connecting, check with your ISP for any speciﬁc instructions that

they 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 the ISP account.

• A gateway address. Some ISPs may require you to conﬁgure a gateway address.

• 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 message 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 entries from your ISP when you sign up.

ISDN Connection

An ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connection uses high-speed, high-quality digital

telecommunication lines as opposed to an analog modem connection. This special phone line

must be installed by a phone company. To conﬁgure this type of connection, start Internet Druid,

select ISDN Connection, and follow the steps in the wizard.

Modem Connection

A modem connection uses a modem to establish a connection to the Internet. Digital data is

modulated into analog signals and sent over phone lines. To conﬁgure this type of connection,

start Internet Druid, select Modem Connection, and follow the steps in the wizard.