Installing Slackware Linux Part 3 - Network Configuration
If
you chose to configure your network now, the first thing you will be
prompted for is a hostname. Enter something.
Now
you'll be prompted to enter a domain name.
If
you intend to participate as a member of a network that has a
nameserver, you will want to enter your fully qualified domain name,
ending in .com, .org, .edu or similar.
Otherwise just enter
localdomain. In subsequent steps you can even remove that domain
name. (That's what I do, for I don't really need to have one)
Next,
you will be prompted to set up your computer's IP address.
If
your network adapter connects to a cable modem, or a broadband
router, or uses a PPPoE connection (PPP Over Ethernet... commonly
used for ADSL Internet connections), then you probably want to choose
DHCP to have your TCP/IP info automatically assigned.
If you
choose DHCP, you will be prompted for a DHCP hostname. If you connect
directly to a cable modem, you may need to specify your user ID
here.
Otherwise,
just leave it blank and hit enter.
Next, setup will prompt you
to probe for your network adapter.
If
it doesn't detect it, don't panic. It just means you'll have to
figure out which kernel module your network adapter needs and
configure the network later.
Ok,
in this virtual machine, that's the virtual adapter it detects. It
works. However, on the real Slackware installation, it doesn't
automatically detect my D-Link 530TXS. Not a problem, because I know
what kernel module it needs (sundance.o). That's something for later
and we'll cover it then. It doesn't prevent us from configuring most
of the network information though.
If you've chosen to use
DHCP, a confirmation screen is what you'll see next. Your network
configuration steps are completed.
Myself,
I just configure my network statically, and I don't use the DHCP
server on my router. So, if you choose Static IP instead of
DHCP, this is how the configuration goes.
Enter your IP
Address.
Enter
your Subnet Mask
Enter
your Default Gateway
Enter
a Nameserver
Note:
I'm just entering the IP address of my router here, it acts as a DNS
proxy. The Primary and Secondary DNS servers of my ISP are entered in
my router's WAN configuration. You will probably want to enter your
ISP's Primary DNS server in this field, and then you can add more
nameservers (e.g. the secondary) to your /etc/resolv.conf file
later.
Now you will be prompted to confirm your network
settings.
You
can edit these settings from this dialog as well. For example, I want
to remove the domain name "localdomain" altogether.
This
concludes the network portion of setup.