connecting to NTL broadband
 

Hi there,

I am fairly new to Linux and have installed Red HAt version 9 on a computer which I intend to use as a router for my NTL cable connection.

I have managed to get the DHCP server up and running, and I've managed to get Samba up and running too, but I am having difficulty getting the Linux box to connect to the internet.

I set up my NTL account with the modem connected to my Windows machine. When I got the account set up and knew that the connection worked, I put the modem onto my Linux machine.

I have configured the LAN interface successfully, and I have configured the modem's NIC to use DHCP. When I bring the interface up, and run ifconfig, the interface seems to be configured. It is assigned an IP address etc, and if I check the /etc/resolv.conf file, two name server addresses appear. However, I can't seem to find a route outside of my LAN. If I run the PING command to either of these DNS servers, from anywhere on my LAN, including the Linux machine, I see a Destination Host Unreachable error.

Does anybody have any tips on getting my Linux machine connected to NTL broadband? Your help will be welcome and greatly appreciated.

Chris

It probably has something to do with your MAC address, which is unique to the NIC inside your computer. Many broadband ISPs are set up so that they will only respond to the first MAC address that connects via the broadband modem. With some companies you can get around this by completely powering down your modem for a couple of hours. When you turn it back on, the network may accept a new MAC address.

You can also work around this by placing a gateway/router between your PCs and the modem. Many routers have the facility to enter a MAC address of your choice.

i have a mandrake box running my NTL connection, basically on NTL what you need to do to get it working properly is the following:

1:
plug everything in, make sure everything is connected etc

2: switch off your set-top-box, wait ten seconds and plug it back in

3: when the box has stoped flashing, the internet part is ready, however, NTL insist that your NIC's MAC address is registered with the ntl system. so during this initial power on period you have 10 mins to accuire an ip address on NTLS broadband setup system thing, if you dont you have to go back to step 2 and start over.

you can get an ip address by using your favorite dhcp client, when you are configured your ip address will be either a 10.x.x.x or 172.x.x.x range.

4, Follow on screen instructions and add your computer to the list, your account password and account number can be found on your initial welcome letter, if you have lost it you can phone the customer services number and ask the nice people for it. :)

5, when you have reached the end of the setup, where it says 'now follow the instructions on the back of some leaflet to the letter' ( in RED ). you need to unplug your Set-to-box again, wait 10 secs and plug it back in

6, once again, once it has stoped flashing, request an ipaddress using your dhcp client, and presto you should be up and running. once you have requested your ip address the dhcp server will not accept any new request until the set-top-box is power cycled again. when you have your final ip address it will normall be in the range of 213.x.x.x depending where you are in the country etc. NTL say these ipaddress are dynamic, however i have found its bound to the card whos MAC address is registered, i found out because i took my laptop to a friends house pluged it in and got my ipaddress :)



then on my linux box i have my iptables setup to forward the traffic properly, and i run named ( a dns server ) basically it acts like a DNS proxy to anything that sits behind your linux box. then on your client pcs set your dns server to your linux boxes ip address and the default gateway to your linux boxes ipaddress.


if you get stuck, post back here and i'll help you :)

oh BTW, at the time of this writing: yesterday a bug was found in ssh that could lead to a root level compromize to your system, redhat have released a patch already, however on systems you yet cannot patch it is recomended that you only allow known traffic to your ssh server or stop it altogether by shutting down the service or adding in an iptables rule to block it from outside.

the above is just a warning, dont panic like i have seen some people do :)

_________
antken

i never had a problem get ntl going, had to register under windows, but i enver configured anythign to connected under linux, just a dhcp command.

ntl doens't only use 213 addresses, i've never had one in that area.

what does your IP address actually come up at? maybe well be you're being given a subnetted address that they provide for registrtaion.

sorry, i think the 213.x.x.x address is for the 600k service in manchester ( thats where i am ) i think my friend ( on 256k ) has an address off something like 62.x.x.x ( also in manchester )

Hi there guys, thanks for the replies. I managed to get it working after leaving my modem disconnected for a bit. The next time I brought the modem interface up, it connected to the net first time and I was able to get the routing and the firewall set up today, and it all seems to be working fine!

Excellent!

:)

I'm completely in the dark. I've just registed ntl under windows. Now how would I get it going under Linux. I know a little about Linux, but I know nothing at all about networking. I don't even know what dhcp is or does. Any easy step-by-step guides would be most appreciated
Guy

With both Red Hat 7.3 and 9.0, I just installed the operating system and it worked. As far as I can remember, you just have to have dhcp installed/enabled.

I have managed to install dhcp, and it works, but I can't get it to load on boot. My settings, etc are here:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=106293
Any help would be most appreciated
Guy