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Section 5.1:Internet Druid
5 Getting Online
PPP accounts are used to dial in to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a modem, ISDN, or DSL
connection. Using PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), you connect to a large network (the Internet) through
your ISP; your machine becomes a part of that network and you use the resources of the network.
Red Hat Linux offers a useful tool for establishing and modifying PPP accounts used to connect to
ISPs and networks. This utility removes much of the guesswork in creating an online connection; in
many cases, your only requirement is an ISP account.
The Internet Druid utility can be used for Internet configuration in any desktop environment. This
application is easy to use, providing a GUI that takes you through the few steps that are required to
set up your PPP account.
Because you will be making changes to your system, you must be root or
enter the root password when prompted in order to create a PPP account.
Your own ISP may have specific connection requirements for their service which differ from the in-
structions in this chapter. Before connecting with either of these tools, check first with your ISP for
any specific instructions that they provide, including the following information:
•
The phone number that your modem must dial to connect to your ISP.
•
Your login name and password for the ISP account.
•
Possibly, a gateway address. Some ISPs may require you to specifically type in the address for
the ISP's gateway.
•
DNS entries: DNS means Domain Name System. DNS servers act as a roadmap for the Internet.
When you use the Internet, the DNS tells your machine where to send its message traffic. The DNS
tracks IP (Internet Protocol) addresses; each computer connected to the Internet must have an IP
address, which is a unique set of numbers like 2xx.2xx.2x.2. You may receive one or more DNS
entries from your ISP when you sign up.
5.1 Internet Druid
Internet Druid, the Red Hat Internet configuration tool, makes easy work of connecting to the Internet.
To establish an Internet connection, click on the
desktop and one on the panel) and click on
5–1, System Settings). In KDE, select
You Must Enter the Root Password
System Settings
GNOME menus
icon (in GNOME, there is one on the
Start Here
in the next window to open (see Figure
from the main menu and select
61
.
Start Here
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