Trouble with Ubuntu and Internet

john_s

I have 3 laptops with 3 different OS - XP PRO, Win7 and Ubuntu (Linux).
I try to connect to Internet in different locations using 2 different Internet Service Providers (ISP) and straight cable connection (not wireless).

Scenario 1: ISP number 1 - all 3 laptops can access Internet
Scenario 2: ISP number 2 - only Microsoft OS based laptops can access Internet

I wonder if anybody knows what might be the problem?

Thanks,

Franklin

What IP are you getting on each computer? Are they valid for the network you are trying to use?

LoopyByteloose

I too have three computers - all dual boot. One XP and Ubuntu, one Vista and Ubuntu, and one W7 and Ubuntu. They all work on ADSL, behind a router/gateway, or local networks.

For starters, take a look in System/Administration for Network Tools. That will tell you if you have a live connection or are just a dead wire into the computer (it could always be a bad cable). There is a lot of information there, but if you can determine that your hardware is intact, it eliminates one frustration. I believe that using the first tab, called Devices and then selecting for Ethernet interface (Eth0) is where you want to peek for activity.

Then go to System/Preferences for network connections. This will lead you to a box that has ALL your various connects, LAN, ADSL, Wifi, and so on.

Since Linux is very different that Windows, you may need to learn a bit about the terminology and about your particular network service. Most importantly, does it require a Password? That is usually PPPoE service. And do you have ADSL or a regular modem?

Other issues are whether you have a router/gateway logging onto your service for you or whether you are required to log on when you turn on the computer.

If you can provides some answers to these items, you can get logged on and might become a bit better informed about networks.

The biggest problem with learning the internet is that the model is something like seven layers and you can be looking for a problem thinking it is all in one place.

LoopyByteloose

Wondering if you are still stuck on this.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

Ubuntu forums is likely the best place to go for support. I use it all the time.

Alternatively, if there is a nearby Linux User Group with periodic meetings, you can take your laptop there and get help in person.

The problem is likely that you just expect to be able to do things in Linux in the same fashion as Windows. It doesn't work the same way. But once you learn the Linux approach and begin to get an understanding of how to get Linux support, it is very empowering. You actually can see what is going on and how it works.

john_s

Franklin wrote: »

What IP are you getting on each computer? Are they valid for the network you are trying to use?

All 3 laptops have no problem with obtaining valid IP via DHCP - that I confirmed in three various locations using either cable and ADSL modems from 2 different local ISPs.

The only difference is that rural locations that uses a wireless ISP+router+bridged access point (AP). It's inside that AP where I cannot obtain IP when using my Ubuntu laptop and DHCP. The other laptops which use Win7 and XP OS's both are able to get IP address without any problems.

john_s

Loopy Byteloose wrote: »

Wondering if you are still stuck on this.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

Ubuntu forums is likely the best place to go for support. I use it all the time.

.

Thanks, I registered there yesterday and am already learning in a hurry :-)

LoopyByteloose

In sounds like that router may be your problem. If it functions as a gateway/firewall there are several ways it might block your laptop from reaching the internet.

Wifi adds another layer of complexity and I have recently noticed a local wifi spot which includes a login for guests and a firewall will time out Linux while operate well on W7. Hopefully, MS hasn't found a way to hog wifi use. That problem seems to be involving the browsers IE8 versus Firefox.

john_s

When I connected ubuntu laptop directly to the front end router I finally got an access to internet... So it's a wireless AP bridge "setup" causing a problem... or ?

LoopyByteloose

Wifi is one of the most difficult aspects of the internet for me to get support, regardless of it being in Linux or another OS. It adds another layer to the internet, and it has its own problems with available hardware drivers.

There are a wide array of Wifi cards which have their own associated code, some of it proprietary. For quite a long time, M$ had supported any and all vendors that prefer to have proprietary code by providing them with drivers for Windows. Linux on the other hand has to have someone reverse engineer such devices or find ways to have the manufacturer release code in order to develop drivers.

It does seem that the field of wifi card manufacturers has consolidated and that may help some, but M$ will always try to retain market share by having manufacturers protect their hardware with proprietary driver code. Similar issues exist in the selection of scanners. And Linux generally forces you to exclude combination scanner/printer/copier machines for lack of driver software.

john_s

t's the wireless enGenius bridge that seems to cause the problem

LoopyByteloose

http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/

The above may or may not help. I lot of info to sort out. I did take a look at some enGenius documents that mention that the MAC address is extremely important. I have gotten the impression that Ubuntu Linux in some configurations doesn't require strict enforcement of MAC addresses (they are read for you, automatically). You may have to do a Manual and Static form of configuration to tie down the enGenius bridge. Of course, the use of a USB port adds more complexity.