PPPoe connection but can't browse

[vroom]

Hi, i have had this problem with the internet connection ever since i've been trying to get into linux. The thing is i use a d-link 502 router and a username and a password to connect to the internet. i use pppoeconf to configure the pppoe connection in ubuntu and debian. in ubuntu 7.04 it works perfectly, but slower than windows and in debian 3, 4 and ubuntu 6.06 after much reading, playing with the configuration files, messing them up and reinstalling the distros i got to browse with mozilla/iceweasel for a few minutes, then not anymore, but GAIM was still working and i could still ping IPs. the resolv.conf in ubuntu 7.04 and debian 4 are the same, so i don't understand why this happens.

[banzaikai]

One major red light went off in my head when reading your post:
router ... pppoe
Simply put, if you have a router, then it's doing the PPPoE for you, and your computer (any) should be set for DHCP (or static, if that's your thing...).

For those jumping in, the D-Link DSL-502T is an all-in-one modem/router (like 2Wire makes) that allows the user to plug directly into the ADSL line and get an ethernet or (single) usb connection out.

Now, if what you did is run it through the usb port, then I highly recommend going with ethernet (10x faster!).

- Get rid of that usb connection, and forget you ever saw it.
- Install (or enable, if you already have one) a network card/controller, and set it up (eth0, usually) for DHCP/Auto.
- Plug in the cat-5e, go to "http://192.168.1.1" (it may be "0.1"), enter "admin/admin" for uname/pw, and start configuring (this is where you punch in your account setup for the PPPoE, not on the computer). Save and restart. You should be good to go.
- Any extra computers just need to have DHCP enabled, and plug 'em right in. Nothing extra needs to be done, save adding a switch (not hub) if you run out of ports.

banzai "D-Funkt" kai

[vroom]

ok, i was using the ethernet, now i'm gonna try this with ubuntu and debian, hope they both work, but is there a website where i can learn about how routers and isp and stuff work¿ because i don't want to have connection problems again :cool:

HOLY S***! it works, but the thing is: why? what happens if i change my router? where are my connection settings saved?

[banzaikai]

is there a website where i can learn about how routers and isp and stuff work
Yes. Give BroadbandReports, D-Link, Linksys, NetGear, and JustLinux a try.

Quick (for me) rundown:
DSL uses a direct carrier signal to what's known as a "DSLAM". Your modem connects to this when initiating a session. Neat thing is, it can be leased by any company, thanks to that Ma Bell breakup a couple of decades back. So, even if SBC owns the actual equipment, it can be leased out to my local ISP. This is why it needs your username/domain/password, so it knows who to send the bill to.
Once the DSLAM has the info verified, it locks your modem with an IP number for the session (PPPoE), or a dedicated IP (static) if you front up some more cash. Once the modem has this, it then passes that info to the computer.
Once the session times out (expires), or the modem gets reset, then you have to do this all over again. This is when you set up the computer to use PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet, if you're wondering). Doing this just saves all your info on the computer, so that it can set everything back up when the connection is needed again.
A router is simply a small computer (with custom hardware) that acts as a go-between (proxy). You set up the info in the router's setup (which is saved to NVRAM or Flash), and it does all the work, while the built-in DHCP server allows the computers to automatically connect and share the DSL line without having to keep track of all that stuff:

DSLAM <--> DSL Modem {PPPoE} <--> {PPPoE} Router {DHCP} <--> {DHCP} Computer(s)
- vs -
DSLAM <--> DSL Modem {PPPoE} <--> {PPPoE} Computer
(^ The router does all the PPPoE/DHCP work, so the computers won't have to!)

Now, you happen to have a modem/router combo unit, where you just plug in the phone line, connect the computer (via DHCP), and run the setup. The router already knows to use PPPoE and DHCP, so what you really deal with is:

Phone Line <--> DSL Modem/Router <--> Computer
what happens if i change my router? where are my connection settings saved?
You'll have to re-enter your settings into the new router, since the settings are saved in a non-volatile area of the old router. Head to the manufacturer's website for more info on the router (if you don't have it handy). Oh, and change your router's login password from "admin" to anything else asap!

banzai "router set to 'ogee'" kai

[vroom]

cool info, my isp won't explain any of this, no one asks either. i'm from chile, by the way, here we get screwed with our internet connections :). thanks!

[banzaikai]

Oh. Sorry about that whole Cameron Diaz thing. She doesn't speak (or act) for the rest of us.

It's nice (?) to see another country's companies screwing broadband users. Even in parts up here, DSL/cable broadband is unavailable, because it's not "economically viable" for the providers to do so. Can't wait to see how viable things get when satellite up/down links start to get competitive, and they start losing market share.

Have fun, and if you see a post where you can jump in and help out, we'd appreciate it.

banzai "patagonian pinger" kai

[vroom]

actually it was a =( haha... didn't get the cameron diaz thing though =). i have one more question, i can browse now with iceweasel in debian 4 but now the gnome bittorrent client doesn't work, GAIm doesn't work either. I think some of my ports are blocked but i haven't installed any firewalls, perhaps the router is doing this? how do i open ports in my router?

[banzaikai]

The (Australian) documents are here (http://www.dlink.com.au/Products.aspx?Sec=1&Sub1=1&Sub2=2&PID=48). You'll want both the product manual and installation guide (pdf).

It looks like this router uses http://10.1.1.1 as the IP. The installation guide has the quick run-through, but just shows the setup wizard for the various connection types.

So, login to router, make sure you're on the Home tab, then click on the WAN button to the left, and make sure the NAT and Firewall are enabled. Now, select the Advanced tab, and hit the Filter button on the left, and start editing (page 56 of the manual). If this is set to allow all, then the problem is on the Firewall button (page 63), or Parental Control (page 61).
If the router looks good, then the problem is your software/computer settings.

Also, GAIM is now called Pidgin, and should automatically update to this using apt/synaptic (at least, it did with Fedora and yum/yumex). If not, it's a quick download to add the repo to your list, and it'll pick it up from there. I don't use torrents, or any filesharing for that matter, so I can't help you there.

Since this is a single-port (usb/ethernet) router, if you want to add more computers, then I recommned getting the D-Link DSS-8+ Switch (bigger version of the DSS-5+ (http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=69)). Just plug it in and go. My unit has been working flawlessly for... 2, maybe 3, years now. It only gets reset when the power goes out, and has three computers and one print server hooked to it.

And Cameron has apologized for her faux-pas (in Peru). At least she admits her mistakes...

banzai "mea culpa" kai

[vroom]

problems again, :eek:, seems like letting the d-link router do all the work, isn't so good either, i have made a nice summary in another thread, see if you can help me out banzaikai.

[JohnT]

This link and the ones further down the page might assist you.
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/hacking-the-dlink-502t-router.html