Hi! I am new to using Ubuntu 20.10, which is the only Linux version I've tried yet. I like things about Linux and Ubuntu, etc. But I haven't been able to figure out how to get online with it. I have it connected to our wi-fi internet router, through an ethernet cable. How would you suggest that I enable internet connectivity on that laptop computer I have Ubuntu 20.10 on? Thanks!

Welcome to LinuxQuestions.

Normally if the network adapter is recognized it will be automatically configured. We need to know what adapter is installed in your computer. Post the output of the command

lspci | grep Ethernet

As michaelk says regarding the connection. ^^^ WiFi connections are the ones which cause more hassle.

What do you get when you start the browser (Probably Firefox)? Can you get to Google or some other search engine or does it complain that you don't have a connection?

Oh! Welcome to Linuxquestions!

Play Bonny!

The networking should function out of the box.

However, Ubuntu 20.10 went end of life back in July. So the short answer is that you can't or at least that you oughn't, at least not with 20.10. What you can do is get Ubuntu 22.04 (LTS) if you don't want to re-install every year. The 22.04 LTS version has support until June 2027 and paid support until April 2032. Or if you are willing to chase the latest versions, and do a little testing and bug reporting, you can try 23.10 and plan to upgrade that every 6 months or so.

There have been a lot of improvements to Ubuntu between October 2020 and April 2022 and certainly October 2023.

The hard way. https://ubuntu.com/server/docs/network-configuration

This is the server disto you are using correct?

Or they could use the built-in network configuration under settings->network, and configure wifi there. But I'd agree with Turbocapitalist in that starting out with an old, EOL version of Ubuntu isn't good. OP, you'd be far better off with the latest version of Ubuntu. And if you're brand new to things (given the state of Ubuntu at times), I'd suggest Mint if you're going to reload things. May be a tad bit easier to use, and you can try your hardware with a live version running from a USB stick if you want. Follow the "Live Boot" instructions:
https://linuxmint-installation-guide....io/en/latest/

Does OP need to look at any physical external switches that disable Wi-Fi on the laptop?
Is wifi enabled in bios?

I don't know about your questions, but in general a wired connection "just works" on almost all systems.
Wifi, OTOH, requires that the user configure at least the SSID and probably a password before the AP will provide a connection. That means the user must log in before making the first connection.

Configuring wifi is much more involved than a wired connection for all of us.

No response from the OP yet and may not be but I'm curious as to where s/he got 20.10 as it hasn't been supported for over 2 years. If this is a newer computer than that, it may have newer hardware and that may be the problem or at least part of it but, as said, an ethernet connection should work. More details would be needed and I'm also wondering if that was a typo, the 20.10 part. We'll see if the OP returns.

My guess is 23.10 as it is the newest version. Will see.