Blueyonder and Linux - help sought

[tamaranth]

OK, so I have not one but two shiny Linux-running laptops. And I am in a house with Blueyonder broadband. (Also four cats, but that's not important right now.)

Blueyonder say: "It is possible to configure Linux to work with Telewest broadband, however our installers will not connect to a PC running Linux, and unfortunately we are unable to offer any technical support to users choosing to run this operating syste, so there"

Appreciating that my only previous experience of setting up broadband consists of plugging in a router, and plugging in a blue BT modem thing, how should I proceed? 'you should put your laptops away, stay offline and spare us your infernal ignorance' is a reasonable answer, but I'm kind of hoping for something more ... progressive.

Comments

[neilf.livejournal.com]

I am assuming you are wanting to connect both laptops at the same time and that you have one of the lovely Blueyonder cable modems that connects via ethernet (and possibly USB).

The easiest way to do this is by plugging a router (wired or wireless) into the cable modem and connecting the laptops into that. Suitable routers include the Linksys WRT54GL, Netgear RP614 or Netgear WGR614.

The reason for suggesting this, is that Blueyonder base the connection on the MAC address of the connecting equipment, and if you switch devices, you have to reboot the cable modem each time.

If you need a hand getting this working, just shout.

- Neil.

[sbisson.livejournal.com]

If only I hadn't been typing my reply when you posted yours, because then all I would have needed to type would have been "WHS"!

[neilf.livejournal.com]

:)

- Neil.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

It's an existing installation where there is a router and two Windows laptops, plugged in simultaneously via ethernet, which are working fine. If I try connecting one of those ethernet cables to the Linux laptop, there is send/receive activity but laptop can't find the interweb (even when I point and say "it's over there!")

It does sound as though I will need to reboot the cable modem (how?) but will have to wait til this evening. Is there anything else I will need to look out for?

Thanks ever so much for this advice!

[neilf.livejournal.com]

Okay, that sounds like the linux laptop isn't getting an IP address from the router. The fact there is a router however means that we should be able to ignore the modem and not have to worry about rebooting it.

It would be worth checking the network settings of one of the Windows laptops just to make sure whether they are using DHCP or not.

The other question is, what linux distribution are your laptops running?

- Neil.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

One linux laptop (the one I'm actually most bothered about, i.e. personal machine!) is running Ubuntu (Dapper), the other is Ubuntu (Breezy).

I'll find out whether or not the windows laptops are using DHCP (where do I check?)

You are a Star!

[neilf.livejournal.com]

Ubuntu good, I have that on a laptop, so at least I can lookup what needs to be changed :)

On Windows you need, Control Panel, Network Connections and then right-click on the ethernet connection and select properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list and select Properties. YOu should get a dialog box that hopefully says Get IP address sutomatically. (this is from memory, no Windows machine to hand, so hopefully I've remembered correctly). If instead it shows a static IP address and DNS servers, then we know the router isn't doing DHCP.

BTW - happy to provide evening support via IM, Skype/Gizmo, phone etc. if it helps. On site support is a little harder, but not impossible.

- Neil.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

thanks for this! IM might well be an option -- could you email me your details? (the ones on my user info shouldn't be trusted, btw). You're ever so kind!

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

no go, I'm afraid!! Windows laptops are connecting via DHCP, all right, but Linux lapotop claims it is too -- and even restarting the Black Box of Doom doesn't make the connection work.

Technology is a right pain sometimes ...

Next attempt probably Sunday morning!

[neilf.livejournal.com]

Umm, very strange.

One trick would be to set the linux machine with a static IP from the DHCP range (plus appropriate settings for gateway and dns) to see if it's the DHCP client under linux that's barfing.

I'm at home for some of Sunday if you want to talk things through. IM details in my profile are correct. Feel free to text/call me on 07973 206846 to tell me to get my arse online :)

- Neil.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

didn't get around to it yesterday, I fear!

Assuming complete ignorance when it comes to static IP ranges and appropriate DNS, what should I do?

[sbisson.livejournal.com]

perlmonger will be your best bet for help, as he's running most of his and ramtops stuff over Blueyonder...

Generally if you're not connecting directly to the cable modem, all you'll need is to set it up as a DHCP client of whatever cable router/wireless connection that ladymoonray has in place.

If you're connecting directly, I believe you need to inform Telewest of the network card's MAC address, and then just use DHCP as normal to get all the IP addresses you need.

The main thing is, don't worry - it should pretty much just work.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

I shall definitely try not to worry! Obviously, can live without internet (I think): but it would be great to be able to restore ladymoonray's Palm-synching, which has broken as a result of my Palm-synching. (Yes, I did install my stuff in a different location under a different XP user-id and Palm user. Gah!)

Can you tell me in simple steps what I will need to do to set up the DHCP connection? Assume I will be sleepy and doped on painkillers ...

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

technology stinks. See above for details. Bah humbug.

*resorts to Print*

[miramon.livejournal.com]

Googling on "linux blueyonder" suggests that it's quite possible but is dependent on the connection. Are you connecting an ethernet cable to a router? Or a USB cable to a cable modem? If the latter, then what make of cable modem is it?

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

see prev replies -- ethernet, router (probably). Am ever hopeful!