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Network

This screen (Figure 1.11) lets you configure your networking properties. This only applies to local ethernet connections and high-speed ADSL and ISDN connections--dial-up internet connections are handled in a separate screen.

There are several separate sub-screens corresponding to different network interfaces: Ethernet, ADSL and ISDN. Click on the gray tab that corresponds to your type of connection(s) in order complete the required information. In addition, there are two further sub-screens: Common and IPv6-in-IPv4. You must complete the Common subscreen if your computer is connected to a network. The IPv6-in-IPv4 information is only required if you are setting up SOT Linux to communicate using the new IPv6 protocol.

Figure 1.11: Networking Properties screen

Ethernet

You will have one ETHERNET tab for each network card your computer contains. Each should be configured separately.

If you have a standalone machine (i.e. your computer is not connected to a network) check that the NO ETHERNET option is selected.

If your network has a DHCP server (check with your network administrator!), select the ETHERNET CONFIGURED USING DHCP option.

Otherwise, you'll need to complete the text boxes with values supplied by your network administrator.

ISDN

If do not have an ISDN connection, select the NO ISDN button. Otherwise, select ISDN PRESENT and enter the required details. Pressing the PROBE button will cause the installer to attempt to determine your ISDN type automatically.

Figure 1.12: ISDN Configuration

ADSL

Figure 1.13: ADSL Configuration

If you do not have an ADSL connection, ensure the NO ADSL box is checked. Otherwise, choose the device corresponding to your ADSL device: eth0 is your first network card, eth1 your second etc.

If you use a username and password to activate your ADSL connection enter your details in the text boxes.

Common

In this sub-screen, enter the addresses of your network's gateway and nameservers.

IPv6-in-IPv4

Complete this screen if you need to create IPv6 tunnels over an IPv4 network, using the information provided by your tunnel broker.

Firewall setup

Figure 1.14: Firewall setup

Network security is an important consideration, particularly if your computer has a permanent connection to the Internet. A firewall protects your system by blocking connections to your computer from the outside world. On this screen you can select the level of security you feel is appropriate for your needs.

• None. The computer will accept all connections. This setting is not recommended for computers connecting to the Internet.
• Low. The computer will accept connections for all standard services.
• Medium. The recommended firewall level. Your computer will accept incoming HTTP, FTP and SSH requests, if it is running these servers.
• High. This is the most secure setting. You computer will not accept any incoming connections. This setting may prevent certain network-dependent programs from working properly, e.g. multiplayer network games, file-sharing programs etc.

Some computers have more than one network interface, for example a gateway computer that links a local area network to the Internet. For these types of machine, you can set the firewall level of each interface separately using the drop-down menu marked External network interface. You may choose to set a relatively high security level to the Internet-connected device and a lower level to the device connecting to your LAN.

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