Re: [gentoo-user] Re: ppp connection problem

[Daniel da Veiga <danieldaveiga@gmail.com>]

On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 19:06, Moshe Kamensky
<moshe.kamensky@googlemail.com> wrote:
> * Daniel da Veiga <danieldaveiga@gmail.com> [09/03/09 12:33]:
>> On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 17:20, Moshe Kamensky
>> <moshe.kamensky@googlemail.com> wrote:
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I am trying to help my father install gentoo on a new computer (I am
>> > across the ocean). We have a problem with the internet connection. He
>> > has an adsl account. He runs pppoe-start, and it says that he is
>> > connected. ifconfig shows that ppp0 is up, and gives an ip address.
>> > However, I can't ping that address (I get 100% packet loss). He also
>> > can't ping any address.
>> >
>> > We called the ISP, and from their side it seems that he is connected,
>> > and everything is fine. I don't know where else to look. The log
>> > messages showed in the beginning messages of the form
>> >
>> > LCP: timeout sending Config-Requests
>> >
>> > but they seem to no longer appear. As I said, I don't even know where to
>> > start looking for the problem. Any help is appreciated.
>> >
>>
>> OK, this may me a little off topic. I don't even know where to start
>> when it comes to check your dad's connection. Being far away and not
>> knowing the exact messages, with no access to the machine itself, its
>> almost impossible to debug and resolve the problem.
>>
>> My advice: get a router! Configure it for your dad's connection, the
>> router will assume the PPoE connection, saving you the trouble. It
>> also will act as a firewall and even if your dad's computer fail, any
>> other DHCP enabled device connected to the router will have Internet
>> access.
>>
>> Anyway, my two cent :D
>>
>
> Thanks for the advice. I was told that it is possible to configure the
> current modem as a router, and that's what I will try next. Generally
> speaking, I don't understand what is the advantage: the router also
> needs to be configured, and can also fail?
>

There are some advantages. The router (or modem in router mode) is
already configured, you usually just have to set the right auth method
(PPPoE) and provide a valid user/pass, and that's about it. It will
only authenticate when the connection is ready or keep trying till it
suceeds. You don't need to start the connection ever, you'll get a
firewall and DHCP server, and the configuration (usually a web
interface) is easy (at least easier than a ppp connection). Most
routers get all information and relay it (DNS, gateway) to their
address, or provide this info in DHCP, so there's no configuration to
do at your computer, as an eth0 not configured is assumed DHCP. Also
you can get rid of all ppp related stuff from the computer.

I only say that cause my dad's home connection was setup that way so I
would never have to spend a whole weekend afternoon teaching him
again, he turns the computer on and its already online.

-- 
Daniel da Veiga