UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

This seems to be a common problem. I just installed Solaris 10 and do not have an internet connection. I am not that savy with Unix/Linux, although I have been using Linux in the past, and have never had any sort of problem detecting my internet connection. I have tried some things, but did not see the files that were described, and got nowhere.
Very nice system, and I want to make it work.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Eric

Run ifconfig and see if you are getting an ip
check /etc/resolv.conf for dns entries
can you ping your router? outside address? using dhcp?
a little more info might help

yes, i agree on your point on Linux, Let's go through the usual suspects

Assumptions are that your connecting to the Interent at home using a DSL (Broadband\ADSL in the UK) router connected to the ethernet\nic\network port (not usb)
- if your using a USB modem - pass....you'll need the drivers for the modem from the manufacturer

Check the the lights on the router & your able to tets it's functioing using another computer

First Test - Start a Web Browser - usually Firefox. Whatever the page, try another page,e.g. UNI - Ente nazionale italiano di unificazione - Versione Italiana or Sun Microsystems

Second Test - Open up (or start a Terminal session - search around for the Terminal Option on the solaris menu
Type the following (excluidng the # symbol)

# su -
(enter you password when prompted)
# ping www.unix.com
(you should recieve 4 lines of replies, if not, post the result)

We'll get onto chking the Network Interface Card if you still stuck

Quick check, which could possible save you a lot of time.

Did you get asked if you had a networked or non-networked system when installing?
If the answer is no, then Solaris cannot detect your card, at least not by default.

What type of network card are you using, and is it on the Solaris OS: Hardware Compatibility Lists ? What output do you get from "ifconfig -a" ?

Stevie,
yes its a DSL connection connecting to the ethernet. No USB modem. The connection and modem are fine, I am using the modem right now on another computer.

I pull up Firefox,and I get "Server not found."


Terminal output:

Sun Microsystems Inc. SunOS 5.10 Generic January 2005
# ping www.unix.com
ping: unknown host www.unix.com
#





**reborg,
Actually I installed this system about 3 weeks ago, and yes, I believe it did ask me if I was setting up a networked, or non networked connection. The answer is no, this is a non networked system. As I said above, I am not real Linux/Unix savy. I don't use these systems at work, this is just for fun and my own personal development. Not sure how to run ifconfig, or some of the others that bc5989 suggested. I think it would help me a lot if I knew.

I appreciate your responses.

Eric

Yes,
I had the same problem and I am reloading Solaris 10 just for that reason.

Choosing DHCP also helps. Note : you may meed to have a router or better yet a firewall like smoothwall.org or other variety that will automatically assign an ip #.

ps. also check to see if the ethernet adapter is compatible with sun.

Well, a "networked system" is any system that's on a network, like the internet. The installation basically asked you "are you connected to the internet?" and you said "no", so it didn't bother setting up your connection.

Now, don't take this the wrong way, I'm trying to save you the pain , but if you just want to play around with Unix, I'd suggest you stick with some version of a Linux based operating system and leave Solaris alone, at least until you get proficient with Linux. Unlike most Linux-based distributions, Solaris assumes you know how to configure everything from the command line. With all of the desktop bells and whistles that Sun keeps putting on the GUI, at its core, Solaris is an enterprise OS, meant for servers, not desktops.

I don't want to discourage you from learning, though. But you'd probably learn more if you first lean Linux, then move to Solaris after you are comfortable with Linux.