Modem Installation

From Grokdoc

I installed a Cendyne external modem on my SuSE 9.1 system. Since winmodems are problematic with linux systems and since many newbies do not want to open their case and install cards I think the external option is important. This modem only cost about $20 at computergeeks.com and works very well.

SuSE linux saw the modem as a Microcom Deskporte. It found it on the correct serial port. (in this case /dev/ttyS1) After I entered my isp's phone number, my user name, and my password it was able to dial out with the modem but before I connected to the internet it hung up. The fix that worked for me was to check Stupid Mode in the YaST configuration screens. Here is the procedure.

Click The Green SuSE button at the lower left of the screen. Choose System. Choose YaST. Enter root password. Choose Network Devices. Choose Modem. Click Edit under providers. Click Next after double checking your phone number and user name. This brings you to the Connection Parameters screen. Click the checkbox next to Stupid Mode. You should see an X in it. Click Next. Click Finish.

After I did this I was able to dial out and maintain my internet connection. Another useful setting on the Connection Parameters screen allows you to adjust the disconnect inactivity time interval. Default is 300 seconds or five minutes. Since I read a lot on the internet I found this to be to short and changed it to 600 seconds or ten minutes. You can also click a checkbox to enable a firewall on this same screen. So although this screen is seven clicks deep it is very important.

I think this is a serious usability problem (although not formulated as such), if there is no "easier" way to do it.