Want to connect DSL modem

umesh90 · 05-27-2005, 04:03 AM

Hai

I have just installed Redhat 9 ver. I have a DSL connection via USB modem. I checked up with the supplier and he says that Linux does not support USB modem. Is that correct?. If not can any one of you help me to configue it please

Umesh

fancypiper · 05-27-2005, 04:27 AM

They actually meant that they don't support linux, so I would guess that that company may be in bed with Microsoft (not a good thing IMHO).

My advice is to never, ever, buy anything before checking the hardware howto to find out: Will your hardware work? Selecting real hardware will improve Windows performance as well.

Perhaps these linux google hits will help.

umesh90 · 05-27-2005, 05:31 AM

Thanks for fancypiper. I think it is my mistake that I have not explained the case fully. I will try it once again.

1 The DSL company is saying that USB modem will not work with Linux. Ihave been using this modem in windows XP for about 2 years now
2 The Modem make is R B Comtec.
3 I want to migrate to Linux Redhat 9.0 now and want to install the modem through USB port of my system.
4 What I should do to the same.

Thanks in advance
Umashankar

fancypiper · 05-27-2005, 06:04 AM

It seems you are out of luck with that company since they won't support and supply the Linux drivers for it but they will for Windows (don't you just love their buisiness practices?).

The Linux Google hits don't look promising as it shows zero hits.

I suggest selling that modem to someone that uses Windows only and buying one that uses ethernet connections (cat5a cables) and has it's own "wall wart" or electric plug instead. Check the hardware compatability howto before purchasing to make sure you are getting something with real hardware inside.

umesh90 · 05-27-2005, 10:39 AM

Thanks fancypiper

Bingo I could find that this modem is Xentrix USB modem and there is a driver (eciadsl) just do a google hit it lands up in that company site. But still after doing all they said, the driver says that the modem is not connected to the system. The unjust part as you rightly said, the company is not even aware that they have an USB driver circulating in the net . Please try to help if possible. Thanks for your time

fancypiper · 05-27-2005, 01:45 PM

Now, here are the hoops you need to jump through:

# Compiling/installing kernel modules
You will need to have installed:
1. The developmental packages (compiler)
2. The kernel-source code that matches your running kernel
3. The module source or install code

Check out your system and look under the hood and see if you installed the stuff you need to do the job. Open an x terminal and type in this sequence of commands to see what kernel we are running and see if you have the kernel source installed:

Code:

[fancy@tinwhistle fancy]$ su -
Password:
[root@tinwhistle root]# uname -r
2.4.20-28.7

I am running kernel version 2.4.20-28.7. Do I have the proper source code?

Code:

[root@tinwhistle root]# cd /usr/src
[root@tinwhistle src]# ls -alc
total 3
drwxr-xr-x    4 root     root          136 Jun 12 14:53 .
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          424 Jun  4 12:04 ..
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           14 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4 -> linux-2.4.20-28.7
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          584 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4.20-28.7
drwxr-xr-x    7 root     root          168 Jun  4 12:08 redhat
[root@tinwhistle src]#

I do have the same kernel version source code installed in the directory /usr/src/linux-2.4.20-28.7 and there is a symbolic link named linux-2.4 pointing to it.

If you don't see something similiar to this (but in color), you will need to install the kernel source.

NOTE: I noticed that Red Hat didn't make the symbolic link /usr/src/linux that all of the INSTALL files that I have read mentioned that I need. I may as well make one now to save editing the files in the source code every time I need to compile anything concerning the kernel. So, I'll make that link just now:

Code:

[root@tinwhistle src]# ln -s linux-2.4.20-28.7 linux         
[root@tinwhistle src]# ls -alc
total 3
drwxr-xr-x    4 root     root          160 Jun 12 15:46 .
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          424 Jun  4 12:04 ..
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           14 Jun 12 15:46 linux -> linux-2.4.20-28.7
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           14 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4 -> linux-2.4.20-28.7
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          584 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4.20-28.7
drwxr-xr-x    7 root     root          168 Jun  4 12:08 redhat
[root@tinwhistle src]#

Ah, there it is, so that's done.

Next, did I install the compiler?

Code:

[root@tinwhistle src]# gcc -v          
Reading specs from /usr/lib/gcc-lib/i386-redhat-linux/2.96/specs
gcc version 2.96 20000731 (Red Hat Linux 7.3 2.96-113)
[root@tinwhistle src]#

Yes, I have a compiler installed.

If you don't have those two things installed, you have to install them first off your install CD.

If they are installed, download the source and happy compiling.

Make sure you carefully read the README and INSTALL files after extracting and before compiling/installing.

umesh90 · 05-28-2005, 07:32 AM

Fancypiper

Tks for all the effort you have been taking. I have lost hope on this modem. Can we do this?

Connect the modem on to a windows PC where it will wotk fine put some proxy there and browse from a linux machine?. Is that a possibility? can you please guide me on this as Iam new to linux and dont want to be spooked out from linux by a silly peice of hardware supplied by Bharati telnet here in India. BOO to Bharati telnet.

Tks in advance
umesh