Ubuntu will automatically detect and configure your network connections with Network Manager. Should the automatic configuration either fail or be incomplete for some reason, you can also use Network Manager to perform a manual configuration (System | Preferences | Network Connections). If you want to make a simple dial-up modem connection you can use WvDial (GNOME PPP). Your network will also need a firewall. UFW (with the Gufw interface) or Firestarter is recommended. Table 15-1 lists several network configuration tools.
If you are on a network, you may need to obtain certain information to configure your connection interface. Most networks now support dynamic configuration using either the older Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or the new IPv6 Protocol and its automatic address configuration. In this case, you need only check the DHCP entry in most network configuration tools. If your network does not support DHCP or IPv6 automatic addressing, you will have to provide detailed information about your connection. Such connections are known as static connections, whereas DCHP and IPv6 connections are dynamic. In a static connection, you enter your connection information manually such as your IP address and DNS servers, whereas in a dynamic connection this information is provided automatically to your system by a DHCP server or generated by IPv6 when you connect to the network. For DHCP, a DHCP client on each host will obtain the information from a DHCP server serving that network. IPv6 generates its addresses directly from the device and router information such as the device hardware MAC address.
In addition, if you are using a dynamic DSL, ISDN, or a modem connection, you will also have to supply provider, login, and password information, and specify whether your system is dynamic or static. You may also need to supply specialized information such as DSL or modem compression methods or dialup number.
You can obtain most of your static network information from your network administrator or from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). You would need the following information:
The device name for your network interface For LAN and wireless connections, this is usually an Ethernet card with the name eth0 or eth1. For a modem, DSL, or ISDN connection, this is a PPP device named ppp0 (ippp0 for ISDN).
Hostname Your computer will be identified by this name on the Internet. Do not use localhost; that name is reserved for special use by your system. The name of the host should be a simple word, which can include numbers, but not punctuation such as periods and backslashes. On a small network, the hostname is often a single name. On a large network that could have several domains, the hostname includes both the name of the host and its domain.
Domain name This is the name of your network.
The Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to your machine Internet connections. Dynamic connections use the DHCP protocol to assign an IP address for you automatically. Every host on the Internet is assigned an IP address. Small and older network addresses might still use the older IPv4 format consisting of a set of four numbers, separated by periods. The IP protocol version 6, IPv6, uses a new format with a complex numbering sequence that is much more automatic.
Your network IP address Static connections only. This address is similar to the IP address, but lacks any reference to a particular host.
The netmask IPv4 Static connections only. This is usually 255.255.255.0 for most networks. If, however, you are part of a large network, check with your network administrator or ISP.
The broadcast address for your network, if available (optional) IPv4 Static connections only. Usually, your broadcast address is the same as your IP address with the number 255 added at the end.
The IP address of your network’s gateway computer Static connections only. This is the computer that connects your local network to a larger one like the Internet.
Name servers Static connections only. The IP address of the name servers your network uses. These enable the use of URLs.
NIS domain and IP address for an NIS server Necessary if your network uses an NIS server (optional)
User login and password information Needed for dynamic DSL, ISDN, and modem connection
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