Connecting Broadband

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(D-Link DL-704P router in this example)

Broadband Connections Diagram:

Ok, your NIC is up, running and ready at boot for your broadband connection. (If not, go here for some tips).

First, you need to connect your DSL/broadband modem (either supplied by your internet service company or your own) to your filtered phone line connector (DSL) or coaxial cable (cable broadband).

Next, connect your modem output to your router input plug. This connection uses a "Cat 5" type of wire. Then, connect one of your output ports ( The D-Link has four ports) to your PC's NIC (or LAN) card using a "Cat 5" wire.

(Number one troubleshooting answer from my ISP is to turn off the modem and wait at least 30 seconds for it to reset, then turn on the modem and it will connect...in my experience, this is true)

Turn on the modem and router, boot up your computer. Open your Netscape, Mozilla or whatever browser you have and enter the (default) address of the D-Link router, which is 192.168.0.1 Follow the instructions that come with the D-Link router to configure it.

Here is an example of the configuration:

After entering the address of the router in your browser, and entering the default password supplied with the router you will see this screen:

Click on Setup and you will see this:

In the account box add your DSL providers account name for you, and then enter your password to connect. (This does not apply to Comcast Cable Broadband) This is the same as the info you would enter using a Linux operating system PPPoE dialer ( or Roaring Penquin). The PPPoE dialer software is built-in to the router also. Click Save and enter at the bottom of the screen (not visible in the screenshot above).

Notes about DHCP:

You may want to check the DHCP Server setting by clicking on DHCP and making sure that it is set to 'Enable'. (most customers will use this setting).

Briefly, DHCP, or "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol" tells the router to accept the current IP address that your DSL/broadband internet service provider is using. Your ISP has a pool of IP addresses and will change them possibly daily, weekly, or monthly. Rarely, you may have to turn-off and reset your dsl/cable modem to get it to reset after an ip change, but most of the time you will never notice the change. The router will automatically accept (input) this dynamic ip address and change (output) it as something like 192.168.0.1 for your 'local' network.

This is a key element in the 'firewalling' ability that a router provides. Think of it this way: when you call a company like Earthlink, you dial a 1-800 number. The answered call is then internally routed by voice mail, which allows you to choose the department you want you talk with, like customer service, sales, support, etc, by connecting you to their phone number automatically. In essence, your router accepts your ISP's current IP address for your account, then assigns it a new number and routes it through to your computer.

(If you have a purchased a broadband account with a static ip address from the cable company, then you have to enter that ip number instead of enabling DHCP.)

Click Connect on the device information screen and the connect button will change to read "Connected". Close or log out. That's it. Now test your internet connection by using your browser. Now, whenever you turn on your computer, you will be connect at boot since the PPPoE dialer in the router stays connected 24/7 whether or not your computer is on.

IP Addressing
(not necessary using DHCP)

With the (D-Link) router, if you have more than one computer plugged into the router, you can assign an IP address to each port, or computer. This screen looks like this:

That's it, good luck!