[clug] Calling all Linux n00bs

[Felix Karpfen]

On Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:50:17 +1000, Francis Markham wrote:

> it will be a lot easier to use an ethernet capable router.

Firstly, I would like to thank all CLUGers who took time to post answers
to my query.

Bob Edwards also mailed a copy of his reply direct to me and my direct 
answer (below - edited and additio nal comments added) fills in some of the
gaps in my first post:

|| In most cases, the ADSL/ADSL2 line will terminate in a dedicated ADSL
|| Modem/router box and all that is left to do is to point a web browser
|| at that box and set up your username and password etc.
 
| This is - more or less - the info that I got from my ISP (iinet). 
| But there is a longer story.
|
| I need some help in selecting a basic "Modem/router" without upteen 
| bells and whistles that I will never use. The choices listed on the 
| Whirlpool site are legions!

e.g. does a "router with built-in firewall" supply mandatory features over
and above those provided by my (adequately-configured) "ip-tables"?  I
need some guidance on reliable makes and models that are designed to
handle ADSL2+ (as offered by iinet).  In my experience, ebay is a good
source - once you know what to look for.

| And I need some surety (from iinet!) that I will not lose my current 
| 56k modem access before I have successfully got the new setup to work. 
|
| Other tweaks to my system will be needed, in order to persuade it 
| to  logon to the broadband site. 
|

I was hoping for pointers on configuring and using "pppoe". I note that
my Debian's pppoe documentation (like Debian Etch) is dated 2007; the "man
pages" have dates of 2003 and earlier. And I do not know enough to be able
to distinguish between the relevant and the obsolete in their content.

Switching to Internode is likely to create more headaches than
attempting to tweak "pppoe". I would prefer to stay with iinet -
especially as it collected a few "Brownie points" in recent posts to
this mailing list.

Lastly, my use of broadband features is likely to be very modest. Like
all Linux addicts, I distrust multi-purpose tools. I have yet to identify
the benefits of VOIP and podcasts.  And there are probably lots of other
"features" available to broadband users, of which 56k modem users are
blissfully ignorant. So I would welcome suggestions on appropriate
broadband "plans".

Felix Karpfen



-- 
Felix Karpfen
Public Key 72FDF9DF (DH/DSA)