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RE: [Wlug] High-speed access questions
by Martin, Eric 01 Apr '04

01 Apr '04

One thing, Remember to reboot your brigde (cable modem) after you install the router. It attatches to the mac address of what it's plugged into, and you need to reboot to have it grab the MAC of your router. Eric -----Original Message----- From: doug waud [mailto:douglas.waud@umassmed.edu] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:53 PM To: Worcester Linux Users Group Subject: Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions Hi Gregory Avedissian wrote: > It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac > to > use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't offer > tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm planning > on using a router and having two computers connected. I have dealt with 3 cable companies. The first, the local Shrewsbury Cable company wanted a Windows box so their installer could prove/test that the system was working. This is a reasonable position; if you don't draw the line tightly you'll end up dealing with the customer-from-hell and just run up expenses. Incidentally, the guy who came to my house played with Linux at home so the atmosphere was cordial but beside the point since I had a windows notebook for the initial test (and then just reconnected cables once he was out the door. The second was for my daughter in Southboro. There the cable was Charter. Again, I just had a windows notebook available in the cellar where the cable came in and the cable modem would lie. As with the Shrewsbury cable company the service guy just wanted to confirm that the signal was working and again, I just reconnected cables once he was out the door. The third was Adelphia up at our cottage in NH. This time I did not get to the notebook stage. I just looked over the service man's shoulder while he installed the signal separator (ethernet/tv) and waved goodbye. I then ran a cable into the house to the cable modem (this time I bought it; cheaper route) and from there to a firewall/router. In all cases most computers are running Linux (my wife still has a Windows box for games) and all work fine. Once the signal gets out of the cable modem to your router, the os of the connected computers will make no difference. I cannot comment on phone help from any of the three companies since I have never needed it. I would not expect them to deal with Linux since that would not be cost-effective. On the other hand, this list is an alternative that will trump a low paid telephone responder any time :-) Get the modem in (and have a windows machine available) and then connect your router and see if you can ping the router etc. If you run into a problem get in touch with the list (or me directly if you wish). doug _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RE: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo
by Martin, Eric 31 Mar '04

31 Mar '04

I def know what you mean with the Inet not being friendly anymore...I'm trying to explain to clients and co-workers alike that you can get an virus just by browsing a website...when Is M$ gonna patch that horrible browswer of theirs anyway?!!?!? So firewall is step 1. that I'm prob gonna test in house first, then expose it (complete with jail ;) ) -----Original Message----- From: Bob George [mailto:mailings02@ttlexceeded.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:52 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo Martin, Eric wrote: > A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that got > me into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, but I > want to deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly 2 DNS > servers if I can run them. Basically it comes down to wanting the > expirience of bringing up a mail server and dealing with real > problems... That's a great approach, but do appreciate that in making some early mistakes, you can easily wind up with your system used to relay spam en-masse, or worse. I would recommend a slow and thorough approach, along with a fail-back option if something doesn't work as expected. Get the firewall working and tested as step 1. Have someone knowledgeable help with testing as you go. Unfortunately, the 'net has become a dangerous place for learning these days, and mistakes are quickly exploited. Or you could simply never make mistakes. :) - Bob _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RE: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo
by Martin, Eric 31 Mar '04

31 Mar '04

Cool, thanks! -----Original Message----- From: Josh Huber [mailto:huber@alum.wpi.edu] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 3:00 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: Re: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo "Martin, Eric" <MartinE(a)worc.k12.ma.us> writes: > A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that got > me into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, but I > want to deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly 2 DNS > servers if I can run them. Basically it comes down to wanting the > expirience of bringing up a mail server and dealing with real > problems... Well, depending on your ISP 'situation', something like this might be nice: http://www.dyndns.org/services/pricing/index.html#mailhop I use dyndns' backup MX service, in case my connection goes down. They spool for up to 10 days, I believe. -- Josh Huber _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RE: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo
by Martin, Eric 31 Mar '04

31 Mar '04

A large part of it is the learning, that's one of the things that got me into comptuers in the first place. I know it sounds crazy, but I want to deal with the headaches of a mailserver, and possibly 2 DNS servers if I can run them. Basically it comes down to wanting the expirience of bringing up a mail server and dealing with real problems... -----Original Message----- From: Bob George [mailto:mailings02@ttlexceeded.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 2:14 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: [Wlug] Re: Good HowTo Martin, Eric wrote: > [...] I own two domains, and I want to have email from those domains > delivered to my server. The first question is: will your provider allow incoming smtp to your address? If so, you can set up MX pointers to your server... unless it's dynamic. In which case, you could set up with one of the dynamic dns providers, and update it with a short TTL. In which case, everything shulud work, although some systems will reject (RBL) mail originating from your address simply because it IS dynamic. Back in Phoenix, I was set up (with Cox as my provider) with a server at the house directly accepting mail from outside. It was great fun, but due to the worm/virus outbreaks, and various threats from the community at large, they began blocking inbound smtp, and eventually outbound as well. While this was certainly aggravating at the time, and I was annoyed they didn't bother to NOTIFY me of this change, in hindsight it's probalby just as well. I wound up going with a $2/mo. offsite hosting outfit, and have to say my aggravation levels are greatly reduced (not to mention I can down my server and not worry about losing stuff... a real advantage while moving last summer.) It's also nice now that I'm experiencing the not-quite-so-steady power in my new home area. Mail for my domains goes to the hosted server (my MX), and I pull it down at regular (5 min.) intervals using fetchmail via POP3. I run postfix locally, but relay through my provider's (charter) smtp server for outbound to avoid sudden surprises if ToS changes. I've got accounts on the hosted server for my users (family), plus a "wildcard" that I can use to break things out locally via aliases. It's not as sexy as having incoming mail handled directly, but mail for my domains "is delivered to my server" for local reading via POP/IMAP, and I do have control over the local outbound (smtp). I don't have spammers knocking at my server constantly, and I have to admit I don't miss the headaches of an exposed server (though the learning was fun). I'm not sure if that's what you had in mind, but it does work well. > I have Postfix in mind, I've heard it's pretty easy but I'm obviously > not set on it. I used postfix throughout, and found it quite easy to set up and administer. Handling multiple domains locally was no big deal, jsut a matter of setting the "mydestination" option. Again, specifics may vary depending on what your provider allows/requires. > I'd also like to include spamassassin, and antivirus (clamav > probaly...) I do run spamassassin via local delivery, but obviously the stuff's made it onto my server by then. I don't run any MTA-level blocking, due to the setup described above. It does keep the crud out of my family's inboxen though (and quite deftly, I might add.) I also chain bogofilter and spamprobe, experimenting with variations on bayes. I'm on the spamassassin list, and there ways to get MTA-level integration, if you desire. I'm running several anti-virus (3 - bitdefender, f-prot and clamav) in line via procmail on delivery. Each detects some the others miss (depending on the hour.) Again, this could be integrated at a higher level. You might check out amavis or mailscanner. I've got anomy sanitizer as a 3rd level of defense, stripping off active content and defanging (web bugs and the like), for selected accounts. I set this up all as discrete steps, and had no real headaches. The documentation for each package (postfix, fetchmail, procmail, spamassassin, clamav) was sufficient. I run my own linux firewall, but I can understand why some folks prefer to by an appliance. I host my mail server off-site, but have done the "studly mail admin" bit as well. Just a question of trade-offs for a home/hobby system, and how much time you want to spend on it. - Bob _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RE: [Wlug] High-speed access questions
by Martin, Eric 31 Mar '04

31 Mar '04

That's another good point about Charter...most of the tech support people are everyday people with a manual in front of them that has a table with 2 cols: Customer reports problem :: Solution. I had more dynamic solutions when I was 10 than these guys have. Also, how hard is it to setup a linux router? I've been meaning to make a DMZ, just have to get familiar with iptables... Eric -----Original Message----- From: Mike Frysinger [mailto:vapier@gentoo.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:59 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: Re: [Wlug] High-speed access questions On Wednesday 31 March 2004 12:35 pm, Gregory Avedissian wrote: > Has anyone had luck with linux and Verizon DSL? They're down to > $35/month, and they give you the modem. Anyone know of better deals? verizon is the cheapest ive seen in our area ... i use it out in holden and the service has been perfect the last few years ... if you can get speakeasy, i'd shell the few extra dollars out for them (too bad they dont have service in holden for me though :() ... speakeasy knows linux and offers technical support for no extra $$$ i started using them when they first started offering DSL and they sucked horribly ... but they have gotten their act together and i havent had troubles since personally i use a gentoo linux router that connects with PPPoE and hosts dns (with dnsmasq)/dhcp/NAT for about 6 linux machines and 5 windows machines ... never had troubles that were my fault :) do *not* try to contact technical support from verizon, the vast majority are stupid and just read off of the screen in front of them ... i only ever talked to one guy that knew what 'linux' was and that was after hours of being on the phone (this was back when their hardware would go dark for days on end) if need/want help i wouldnt mind stopping over to lend a hand ... assuming you live in the worcester area :) -mike _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RE: [Wlug] High-speed access questions
by Martin, Eric 31 Mar '04

31 Mar '04

It just means that they won't support it. Charter will add $30/mo I believe....Verizon Does PPoE, get get ready to recompile your kernel if you aren't using a router (which you are, so it doesn't matter). Once you have a router plugged in, your internet connection becomes just a regular lan, and TCP/IP takes over, not Verizon or Charter... -----Original Message----- From: Gregory Avedissian [mailto:avedis@rcn.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:36 PM To: wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Subject: [Wlug] High-speed access questions It seems like most of the providers say that you need windows or mac to use their DSL or cable internet. Does this just mean they won't offer tech support for linux, or does it mean that it won't work? I'm planning on using a router and having two computers connected. Has anyone had luck with linux and Verizon DSL? They're down to $35/month, and they give you the modem. Anyone know of better deals? Thanks. Greg _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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RedHat 9 Network Problem
by Joel Young 31 Mar '04

31 Mar '04

I just replaced Windows XP with RedHat 9 on one of my machines at home. My problem is that I can't connect to the network. If I specify DHCP and then try to connect I don't get any responses from my DHCP server and 'eth0' won't activate. If I specify a static IP address (i.e. 192.168.1.2) then 'eth0' will activate but I still can't get out on the network, event to ping. My network configuration consists of a Netgear 10/100 Wireless Router connected to a Cable Modem, with a Linksys Router/Switch to the Netgear Router to expand my ports. I've been running fine from all my XP Desktops through this configuration using DHCP. Any ideas would be appreciated.

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firstname.lastname and user.group e-mail
by Karl Hiramoto 30 Mar '04

30 Mar '04

I'm sure you all have see people with e-mails of first.last(a)domain.com Is this easy to do with linux? Is there any confusion with having user.group ? can you login to the box with username= first.last ? Any suggestions? -- Karl Hiramoto <karl(a)hiramoto.org> Work: 978-425-2090 ext 25 Cell: 508-517-4819 Personal web page: http://karl.hiramoto.org/ AOL IM ID = KarlH420 Yahoo_IM = karl_hiramoto

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RE: [Wlug] Good Beginners Book
by Martin, Eric 26 Mar '04

26 Mar '04

I def like the HOWTOs, just not sure how much people will like them of if they'll find even a stage3 gentoo box intimidating...Not to be rude, but please no comments for or against gentoo. We all know where everybody stands and don't need another distro argument :) Eric -----Original Message----- From: Gary Hanley [mailto:gary@hanley.net] Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 10:17 AM To: andystewart(a)comcast.net; Worcester Linux Users Group Subject: Re: [Wlug] Good Beginners Book On Thu, 25 Mar 2004, Andy Stewart wrote: > How about Matt Welsh's book: Running Linux That was my intro to Linux. 2nd edition, I think. But maybe a better idea would be to build a Gentoo system as a class project. The Gentoo on-line documention is fabulous and goes into easy to understand detail for any technical novice. Just a thought. -- Gary _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

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Good Beginners Book
by Martin, Eric 26 Mar '04

26 Mar '04

Anybody have good suggestions for a good beginners linux book? I teach Adult Education classes for Worcester, and I'm thinking of a Linux class target towards small business owners (figure they'll be the easiest to see the benefits.) Any ideas? Eric Martin

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