How do I dial up to the Internet from Linux?

First, most winmodems will probably not work.

Second, you may have to do a little work to get it working.

The steps are as follows (note: If you think your modem is already pikced up, then skip to pppconfig):

1) open the root terminal.
2) type: lspci.
3) Look for something like this:

00:08.0 Communication controller: Lucent Microelectronics Venus Modem (V90, 56KFlex)

This is my modem.

4) type: dmesg |grep 00:08 (note: this is the number found in the lspci)

(root@wolf)(112/pts)(12:23am:01/24/04)-
(#:~)- dmesg|grep 00:08
PCI: Found IRQ 11 for device 00:08.0


5) type: dmesg |grep 11 (note: 11 is the IRQ number found in above command)

(root@wolf)(113/pts)(12:24am:01/24/04)-
(#:~)- dmesg|grep 11
PCI: Using IRQ router VIA [1106/0596] at 00:07.0
PCI: Found IRQ 11 for device 00:08.0
ttyS04 at port 0xa800 (irq = 11) is a 16550A


6) You know now that the modem is using port ttyS04. (note: if you do not get a response similar to mine with a ttyS##, your modem will probably not work without further configuration)

7) Just in case you haven't checked... type: cd /dev

8) type: ls -al ttyS04 (note: ttyS04 is my response from the dmesg).

9) If you have the device listed, skip to pppconfig. If not, you have to do a mknod.

10) Browse through the devices.txt file in /usr/src/kernel-source-2.4.21-xfs/Documentation. (note: kernel source will be dependent on your kernel version). This file will tell you the Major and Minor numbers you need. Mine was 4, 68.

11) After getting your major and minor numbers, type: mknod /dev/ttyS04 c 4, 68. (note: this is just an example, replace ttyS04 and 4, 68 with your settings)

12) Double check with ls -al /dev/ttyS04

(#:~)- ls -al /dev/ttyS04
crw------- 1 root 4, 68 Jan 24 00:19 /dev/ttyS04


13) type: pppconfig and follow the onscreen prompts. (note: make sure you name your connection)

14) when you have pppconfig completed, type: gkdial

15) Select the name of the connection you created with pppconfig and you're on your way!


NOTES:
1. If your modem does not show up in lspci, it's probably not going to work.
2. If your modem does not show up in dmesg, it's probably not going to work.
3. If you follow this document, your modem dials out, but you cannot connect, you probably configured pppconfig to connect with the wrong protocol, try again.
4. If you tried all the protocols, but still cannot connect, CALL YOUR ISP. Make sure they have linux support.
5. This is probably most important:

MOST ISPS THAT REQUIRE A WINDOWS PROGRAM WILL NOT WORK IN LINUX.


Basically, read the documentation, try the steps, and do the research. If this doesn't work, call your ISP, we probably can't help any more.