I have recently installed an inexpensive Cnet soho router CNIG914 to enable my XP and Debian boxes to share a cable modem internet connection. One day, I may tackle file sharing, but not today.

XP works great no matter what it seems.

I struggled for hours trying to get the debian box to connect through the router to the internet. It would "see" the router and allow me to configure it, but would not connect to the internet even though all of the dhcp settings seemed to be in good working order. It has always connected perfectly to my D-Link cable modem requiring only a modem reboot if I plug it into a different computer.

I have finally narrowed it down to the following sequence. If I boot the linux box, unplug the router and then reconnect it, run dpkg-reconfigure etherconf(selecting dhcp) and then try to access the internet it usually works like a charm although occasionally it says the network is down. I have had no success with any other work-around including manually setting up the connection.

Can someone please explain to me what is going on and help me set it up normally so my non-geek wife-with-a-life can use it?