How To Configure A Usb Modem For Dial-up Internet Access In Ubuntu Linux 9.10
- Install fine drivers & programs.
- Set up a Point to Point Connection.
- Add a user to a dialout group and connect to the internet using Gnome PPP.
Forward:
This article is meant as a step-by-step-guide for novel Ubuntu 9.10 users who wish to connect to the internet using GNOME PPP and a Zoom USB 56k Modem Model 3095, but the information listed here may also work for other modems.
I wrote this in the hope that others may find this useful, but without any warranty. Please note that the CAPS and bold refer to specific applications, directories, programs, or actions, and written so to make this guide very clear and concise. Therefore, some punctuation is purposely left out to avoid confusion in a technical error such as: sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces. When it should read: sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces
Opening the Linux TERMINAL, Installing Drivers & GNOME PPP
1.Before you can install the appropriate drivers for your modem, you have to first know which Linux Kernel you have by going to APPLICATIONS > ACCESSORIES > TERMINAL. AND type: uname -r then,
2.Download & install the drivers for that kernel from the manufacturer’s website.
3.Install Gnome-Network-Admin
4.Install Gnome-PPP (may prompt for wvdial). If it does, you may need to install the following:
5.Install “libwvstreams4.6-base_4.6-2_i386.deb”
6.Install “libwvstreams4.6-extras_4.6-2_i386.deb”
7.Install “libuniconf4.6_4.6-2_i386.deb”
8.Install “wvdial_1.60.1tnmu2ubuntu1_i386.deb”
Go to SYSTEM > ADMINISTRATION > NETWORK: Select “Point to Point Connection,” click the “keys” to make changes, enter your password and configure as follows:
Under the GENERAL Tab:
Check the “Enable This Connection” box, enter the phone number, UserName, and Password for your dial-up connection.
Click the Modem Tab. Input the Modem Port as: /dev/ttyS1, set the dial type as “Tones” – unless you have “Pulse” dialing.
Click the Options Tab. Check all three boxes under “Connection Settings.” Click Close.
Go to APPLICATIONS > INTERNET > GNOME PPP
Click the MODEM Tab:
Set Device as: /dev/modem
Set Type as: USB Modem
Set Hurry as: 115200
Set Phone Line as: Tone
Set Volume to your Choice (i.e. Rude or High)
Click the NETWORKING Tab:
Under “IP” click the radio button beside “Dynamic IP.”
Under “DNS” click the radio button beside “Automatic DNS.”
Click the OPTIONS Tab:
Under “Connection” Check the boxes beside:
“Abort Connecting if no dial tone”
“Check Carrier Line”
“Check Default Route”
Click CLOSE, But we’re not finished yet. We need to add a user to a group who can dial out, and then configure pppconfig (a GNU/LINUX PPP Configuration Utility) to enable dial out access via the USB modem using a chat script. Although pppconfig does not connect to your ISP, it just configures ppp so that you can do so with a utility such as pon. I will account for on this a little later, but right now we need to add a user to a dial out group:
Add a User to a Dial Out Group:
Open a TERMINAL by going to APPLICATIONS > ACCESSORIES > TERMINAL
Type: sudo adduser YOUR USER NAME dip and input your Administrative password and press enter. It should automatically add this user to a dialout group. You can check this by typing: sudo adduser YOUR USER NAME dialout and press enter. It should return that the user has already been added. Now it’s time to configure pppconfig.
Configuring pppconfig Properly:
During this process, pppconfig will ask for your username, ISP login, password, ISP password, port speed, modem com port, authentication method, and phone number that your ISP gave you. You can press ENTER to select an item, and use the TAB keys to move around the menus from to and go back. To recede on to the next menu go to and press
In the same TERMINAL window type: sudo pppconfig and configure that as follows:
Pick Create a Connection, Highlight OK and press enter.
Enter a provider name you wish to refer to this connection as, Highlight OK and press enter. This will later be musty in the TERMINAL program to type: pon YOUR PROVIDER NAME – Replacing “YOUR PROVIDER NAME” with any name you settle.
STATIC DNS is already selected. If it isn’t use the arrow keys to select it and press enter.
You do not need to enter a number on the IP Number and IP NUMBER FOR SECONDARY screens. Highlight OK and press enter.
On to the AUTHENTICATION METHOD SCREEN: Choose “chat” use chat for login:/password: authentication, Highlight OK and press enter.
User Name Screen:
Enter username given to you by your ISP, Highlight OK and press enter.
Password Screen:
Enter the password your ISP gave you, Highlight OK and press enter.
Modem Accelerate Screen:
If should default to 115200. If it didn’t, type that in and Highlight OK and press enter.
On the TONE or PULSE SCREEN: Unless you use pulse, select tone and Highlight OK and press enter.
Phone Number Screen:
Enter the phone number to your ISP without dashes, Highlight OK and press enter.
Select Modem Port Screen:
Select manual. Highlight OK and press enter. Here you will manually select the modem port, which for this device is as follows: /dev/modem select OK and press enter.
Properties of Provider Screen:
Here you will review all information, and eventually select “Finished write files and return to the main menu,” and press enter.
The Finished Screen:
OK is already selected so you fair need to press enter. This will bring you abet to the Main Menu Camouflage, where you will select “Quit exit this utility,” using the arrow up and down keys and press enter.
Reboot the Computer:
After installing device drivers and configuring these programs, it is always a good idea to reboot the computer. But for the most part, what you will be looking for is to eye if the computer “automatically dials the internet at boot.” This is a bug, and it will dial and connect to your ISP everytime you boot and leave you with no way of properly disconnecting without unplugging the modem, opening a TERMINAL and typing: poff YOUR PROVIDER NAME, or “putting the system to sleep” by pressing and holding the power button until it shuts down. Although, there is a chance that it may not, but if it does, you will need to open a TERMINAL and type: sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces Then enter your password. Scroll down to the last line of code. It should say “auto ppp0″ Change that last line to noauto ppp0
Final Steps: Opening the Modem Port & Connecting to your ISP Using Gnome PPP:
This is the best part where you will see all of your hard work pay off. Originate a TERMINAL by going to APPLICATIONS > ACCESSORIES > TERMINAL Then type: pon YOUR PROVIDER NAME – It will dial your ISP but you won’t be able to consume your browser to surf the web just yet, this objective opens the modem port for GNOME PPP. When it starts to dial, wait a few seconds then type at the TERMINAL prompt: poff YOUR PROVIDER NAME This will tumble the call. After this, you will need to go to APPLICATIONS > INTERNET > GNOME PPP and click connect. GNOME PPP will dial and connect to your ISP, then you will be able to use your browser to surf the web. You will need to repeat this process everytime you reboot your system.
At a Glance:
Open a TERMINAL and type: pon YOUR PROVIDER NAME to initiate the modem port and dial your ISP. (Remember to replace “YOUR PROVIDER NAME” with the name you settle in the first few steps of configuring pppconfig.
Then open a TERMINAL and type: poff YOUR PROVIDER NAME to disconnect from your ISP.
The open GNOME PPP and click connect.
Upon successful connection, open your web browser to surf the web.
Click disconnect in the GNOME PPP application to disconnect from your ISP.
That’s it! That wasn’t so bad, was it?
Related Posts
Filed under small business phone system reviews by on May 18th, 2011. 
Leave a Comment