Connect to the internet via dial-up connection
Dial-up refers to a type of Internet connection. The name is derived from the fact that you must dial (in the same way you dial a phone) your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to connect to the Internet. Dial-up is also referred to as 56K, which pertains to the theoretical 56Kbps (56 Kilobits per second) maximum speed of Dial-up.
Dial-up connections operate over standard voice phone lines, and use frequencies similar to voice transmissions. For this reason, it is not possible use a Dial-up Internet connection and phone on the same line at the same time. It also means that the phone company does not have to reconfigure your line for you to use Dial-up Internet. In order to use Dial-up however, you will need to purchase a Dial-up modem if your computer is not already equipped with one, and create an account with a suitable ISP.
Dial-up Connectivity
Before you can dial up to your ISP and access the Internet, you have to set up your modem and then dial the correct number to your ISP. You will need to have at hand the following information needed for the modem configuration:
- telephone number - to dial to the ISP for the Internet access
- Internet access - login name and password provided by the ISP
Modem Configuration
To configure your modem for Internet access, you need to find out your distribution and proceed accordingly.
Fedora
Start the “Internet Configuration Wizard” tool from the Main Menu:
Main Menu --> System Tools --> Internet Configuration Wizard
You will be prompted for the root password as this is an attempt to change the system settings and so only the system administrator is allowed to perform this. Enter the root password and the Internet configuration wizard main screen will be displayed.
1. Select modem connection. Click on the Forward button. 2. If your system cannot detect the modem you will be prompted to enter the modem device name and related communication information. You can choose as follows:
Modem device: /dev/modem Baud rate: 115200 Flow control: Hardware (CRTSCTS) Modem volume: Medium
- Click on the Forward button.
3. Enter the phone number of the ISP (Internet Provider). If you need to use an area code and/or a dialling prefix to reach the ISP, you should enter them in the boxes provided, otherwise just enter the telephone number. Enter the name you want this connection to be known by, usually the name of the ISP is used (this is is just a nickname provided by you so that you can recognise this connection). Enter the login name and the password in the boxes provided.
- Click on the Forward button.
4. For the IP Settings screen the default settings may be used if your ISP assigns IP addresses automatically (the default for most ISPs). Otherwise you will have to enable the “Statically set IP addresses” button and enter your IP address and related information.
- Click on the Forward button.
5. Click on Apply to accept and end the set up. 6. The Network Configuration window will pop up; exit from it.
Activating the Modem
To test your modem and Internet connectivity, select the Network Device Control tool from the Main Menu:
Main Menu --> System Tools --> Network Device Control
Select the profile you have set up (remember the ISP nickname you used in the set up above?) by clicking on it and then click on the “Activate” button. The modem will start to dial and connect to the ISP and after awhile upon successful login the status of the profile in the Network Devices Control screen will change to “Active” from “Inactive”. You are now connected to the Internet. You can now perform the web browsing and other services discussed in the next few chapters.
To disconnect from the Internet bring up the Network Devices Control window and select the profile which was activated above and click on the “Deactivate” button. You will be disconnected from the Internet and the status of the profile will be changed to “Inactive”.