Ethernet
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Ethernet

Ethernet adapters are the most common types of networking interfaces in use today. Ethernet is physically connected with a cable to either your broadband modem, router or switch, or another PC. The most common type of cable in use is know as Category-5 (CAT-5). It looks similar to the typical telephone cable, but instead of four wires inside the cable there are eight. For an example of what a CAT-5 cable looks like, please review http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat-5.

A majority of users who are using this form of Ethernet for a connection are not going to run into any problems. If you do in fact run into an issue connecting with this type of connection, the following could potentially assist you in fixing your issue.

GUI based troubleshooting and settings

KMenuSystem Settings+Network Settings

From within the Network Connection window there is a tab named Network Interfaces. Hopefully you will see your adapter labeled something like eth0. If there is an issue with the card or the settings, usually the system will automatically disable the card. If the card is disabled, you will see X Disabled under the State column. To enable the device, simply press the Administrator Mode... at the bottom of the window. This will open a password dialog in which you enter your username's password. Once you have entered this mode, simply press the Enable Interface button. If there are issues enabling the device, you will be notified with an error. To see the settings of this device, press the Configure Interface... button. The window that opens will allow you to manually configure your network settings to match your network.

Command line based troubleshooting and settings

KMenuSystemKonsole (Terminal Program)

The main file that the user will be working with is /etc/network/interfaces. A typical default interfaces file will look similar to the following:

Example 4. /etc/network/interfaces

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

auto eth1
iface eth1 inet dhcp

KNetworkManager Warning

If you are planning on using KNetworkManager it is advised that you DO NOT edit /etc/network/interfaces unless it is necessary to get your network connection working. If you do manually edit your /etc/network/interfaces then KNetworkManager will not work.

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