Just installed mandrake 10 and what seems to be something normal, my internet didn't work. I am on a college LAN and was wondering what would be some simple steps to take to getting connected. I know some of you will say I didn't use the search function and this is a common question, but I did and couldn't find any solid answers to my problem. I have two DNS numbers, but no host name, not sure if i need that. I also enabled the firewall and let it pass all of the options on the install. (checked all of the check boxes except the first one) Any suggestions of where to start.... thanks.

Do you have a static IP or use DHCP? Mandrake tries DHCP by default, but you have DNS numbers so it may mean you have a static IP. In such case run Mandrake Control Center. Inside there's a network configuration program.

I have a static IP, how would i go about reconfiguring it from the default DHCP.

There's undoubtedly some pretty GUI way of doing it, but the command line way is:

ifconfig eth0 <IP address> netmask <netmask>

and then, if necessary

route add default gw <your default gateway>

Add these commands to your rc.local file or modify your network config scripts (probably in /etc/sysconfig/network, but it varies by distro and I'm not familiar with Mandrake).

Add your DNS servers to /etc/resolv.conf (the format is one nameserver IP per line prefixed by "nameserver" e.g. "nameserver 1.2.3.4"). You should then be set.

ok not only am I a newb too linux, but also to networking so you will have to help me out here man.

where do i find my netmask number
what is my default gateway, where do i find that

how do you learn about all of these command lines...
anyway, thanks for trying to help me.

your netmask is most likely 255.255.255.0

go to /etc/resolv.conf and use wotever editor mandrake has and add your dns servers
eg cd /etc
gedit resolv.conf
nameserver xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (dns 1)
nameserver xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (dns 2)

(leave in the instance about search local domain)

your gateway is the ip address of the server u r connecting ur machine to

Netmask is not required. It'll probably work without it. It's harder with the default gateway...You should have it in the settings, with your IP address, DNS servers and so on. If you can't find it, ask admin or someone who may know.

In my version of Mandrake (9.2) you set up networking graphicaly using the tool 'drakconnect' (MDK Control Center->Internet and networking->DrakConnect). It may be changed a bit in ver 10, through.

Ok, i fixed it...I had the connection thing in the firewall set to +ppp rather than eth0 which was my network card for the lan. Everything else was already preconfigured like you guys said, thanks for the help.