DSL or ADSL is another popular option for broadband Internet access. It is a bit more tricky to set up in GNU/Linux since most of the DSL modems require specific drivers, not all of them being available as free software. Still, the great majority of DSL modems are possible to be configured to work with GNU/Linux.

DSL is a dial-in connection. In GNU/Linux, the pppd tool is used for all dial-in connections. What you need is a user name, password and a modem driver. The authorization data should be provided to you by your ISP.

Modem drivers

The modem driver is a different issue. It may be already in your system, if your modem manufacturer was kind enough to provide free software drivers for its hardware (or at least provided the specification for the free software developers to create such drivers). If it wasn’t, you probably need to download the firmware from the manufacturer’s website and use some open-source scipt to load the firmware to activate the modem. The way to do this is very manufacturer-specific so the best you can do is to search for your modem type and your distribution name in Google, e.g. „ubuntu thompson dsl”, and find some HOWTO that explains step-by-step how to configure it under GNU/Linux. Sounds tricky and not very intuitivem but blame your modem manufacturer for ignoring you as a GNU/Linux user.

KPPP

Assuing that the appropriate drivers are loaded already, you can configure the DSL network easily with a GUI tool like the KDE’s KPPP.

TODO: describe connecting with KPPP with some screenshots

External articles on DSL modems

• DSL HOWTO for Linux