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JamesThornton.com -\> Writing -\> IRIX Cable Modem

Setting Up a Cable Modem on SGI/IRIX: HOWTO

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Please tell me how this procedure worked for you by sending e-mail to james@unifiedmind.com. If you can add comments or a link to related information, then do so by clicking "Add a comment" or "Add a link" at the bottom of this page.

The Big Picture

You want to set up an IRIX box to use a cable modem, and your ISP dynamically assigns an IP address when you connect. This document explains how to configure an IRIX system to use a cable modem, and it is the procedure I used to connect my SGI O2, running IRIX 6.5, to RoadRunner's cable service -- my RoadRunner service does not require log in software. If your service requires log in software, see Sean Houghton's Usenet posting.

Outline

Things You Need Before You Begin

Configure DHCP

  1. Connect the cable modem to your IRIX box with an ethernet cable (use a patch cable, not a cross-over cable)
  2. Reset the modem by unplugging the power connector and plugging it back in
  3. Log in to your IRIX box
  4. Open a winterm and su to root: 
    coyote ~ 1% su -
password:
  5. Ensure that autoconfig_ipaddress is turned on: 
    coyote 1# /etc/chkconfig autoconfig_ipaddress on
coyote 2# /etc/chkconfig

        Flag                 State               
        ====                 =====                

        autoconfig_ipaddress on

    By setting autoconfig_ipaddress to on, you are telling your system to run proclaim at boot time. For more information on proclaim, read its man page by typing man proclaim at a prompt -- here's an excerpt:

    Proclaim is a client that communicates with a DHCP server to obtain configuration parameters, including at least an IP address. The format of DHCP messages is based on the format of bootp messages, described in RFC 951. A detailed protocol specification of DHCP is in RFC 1541, available from the Network Information Center.

    The DHCP protocol uses UDP/IP as its transport mechanism. The DHCP server receives service requests at the UDP port indicated in the bootp service description contained in the file /etc/services; see services(4).

    Proclaim can be used to setup and configure new systems automatically, and to move systems from one net to another without administrative intervention. It can also be used to automatically verify current configurations at reboot. Only the superuser can employ proclaim. If the primary network interface is changed, proclaim updates the netaddr variable in the NVRAM.

    In the absence of the DHCPoptionsToGet keyword, proclaim requests the following configuration parameters from an available DHCP server:

    • an IP address
    • the lease duration (3 year default)
    • the subnet mask
    • hostname (users may be allowed to choose their own)
    • NIS domainname if the NIS option is installed.
    • IP address of the DHCP server; see dhcp_bootp(1M).

    As you can see, proclaim will automatically set the IP address, subnet mask, hostname, and IP address of the DHCP server. But, it does NOT set the default gateway or the name servers.

Set the Default Gateway and Name Servers

Beginning from Toolchest:
  1. Click System -> System Manager -> Networking and Connectivity -> Set Up and Start Networking -> Next
  2. Select the network interface to configure: Ensure that the interface connecting the cable modem is selected, click Next
  3. Specify a hostname and IP address:
    1. Ensure that Use DHCP Client is NOT checked (proclaim will handle this function)
    2. Enter a hostname (ex: coyote) -- proclaim will probably prepend it to your ISPs domain (ex: coyote.hot.rr.com)
    3. Enter an arbitrary IP address and netmask (proclaim will set these at boot time, but this configurator requires that you enter something)
    4. Click Next
  4. Confirm your settings: Click OK
  5. DO NOT restart your system

Back in the System Manger (window should still be open from earlier):

  1. Click Modify Network Settings -> Next
  2. Set the state of the primary network interface: Ensure that the primary network interface is enabled, click Next
  3. Add a default route to the network routing table: Select "add default route", and enter the IP address of your ISP's default gateway, click Next
  4. Disable (or enable) IP forwarding: this is up to you (I have mine disabled), click Next
  5. Set DNS name server entries: Enter the IP for your ISP's primary and secondary name servers, click Next
  6. Specify host resolution order: Set it how you want it (mine is set as "Files", "DNS", "None"), click Next
  7. Confirm your settings: Click Next
  8. Reboot the system: As the system comes up, watch to see if the IP, hostname, and subnet mask are set and if any errors occur

When the system comes back up, you should be online. Open a terminal and ping www.yahoo.com.

Troubleshooting

First, su to root.


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