1. Introduction
This document was written to assist the Linux user in setting up their cable
modem, and includes information on configuring a DHCP client, enabling the device
with or without USB support and troubleshooting. I have successfully configured
Motorola and Toshiba brand cable modems with the methods herein, and others have
informed me that the configuration methods of other manufacturers' hardware is almost
identical. A mostly-complete laundry list of hardware specific tidbits is addressed
in Section 4; if you have a model working that is not listing or have
some specific informtion that you think will be helpful, please send it along via the
address in Section 1.5
1.1. Copyright Information
This document
is Copyright 2004 by Howard Shane.
Permission is granted to copy,
distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation
License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation
with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of
the license can be found in Appendix A.
1.2. Disclaimer
No liability for the
contents of this document can be accepted. Use the concepts, examples and other
content entirely at your own risk. As this is a new edition, there may be technical
or other inaccuracies that may result in the loss of irreplaceable data. In any case,
proceed with caution, and realize that although errors are highly unlikely, the author
can accept no responsibility for them.
All copyrights are held by their by their respective owners, unless specifically
noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document should not be regarded as affecting
the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen as endorsements.
1.3. New Versions
This is the initial release.
The latest version number of this document can be found here.
1.4. Credits
I would like to thank Brad Hards, the
primary author of the Linux CDCEther kernel driver for graciously volunteering several
useful bits of information, as well as Rob McGee and Jess Portnoy for encouraging
me to morph this document into the new Cable-Modem HOWTO and contributing useful
suggestions.
Also, I would like to thank Marla, who has stood by me
confidently even when the outlook was dimmest and others unforgiving. I'm yours forever.
1.5. Feedback
Please send any additions
or comments pertaining to this document to the following email address:
<hshane[AT]austin.rr.com>.
1.6. Conventions Used in this Document
The following conventions are
used in this document and are outlined here for those who may not yet have a complete
understanding of how to access and control the underlying operating system in Linux,
which is almost always the bash shell.
First, filenames are referenced in
a paragraph like so: /path/file
Commands in Linux are
executed (or 'called') at the command prompt, otherwise known as the 'command line.' If
you are in the non-graphical (text-based) environment you will usually be presented
the bash shell prompt which is a dollar sign:
...or the hash mark:
...if you have logged in as root or have acquired root, or 'superuser'
privileges. You can also access the bash shell in the X window system, otherwise known
as X or X11, with an
xterm
or similar X-terminal-emulator. Commands to be performed at the bash prompt, but
referenced in a paragraph of this document, usually look like this:
do this
now Commands and/or the resulting output of commands may also be
outlined with screen output in their own paragraph or heading:
$
date Sun Jul 27 22:37:11 CDT 2003 |
When a command is written in
front of the bash prompt (e.g. $ date above), it is assumed the
[Return] or [Enter] key has been depressed after the command, possibly followed by
the output (e.g., the date).
