F Installing a Modem in a Linux PC

Appendix F: Installing a Modem in Linux

Introduction

This appendix explains how to install a modem on a PC operating under the RedHat Linux 6.2 operating system. Other versions of RedHat and other Linux operating systems should be similar. Briefly, in Linux, you do not need drivers for most standard external modems and most internal ISA bus modems. Programs in Linux commonly call upon the port, rather than the modem.

Standard Linux Serial Port Definitions

Port

Linux Port

Com 1

ttyS0

Com 2

ttyS1

Com 3

ttyS2

Com 4

ttyS3

Installation

Connect the external modem to an available serial port.

Setup

This section describes how to make sure Linux can talk to the modem and be able to dial up to the Internet.

Using the terminal program Minicom to verify operation

1.At the command prompt, type minicom –sand press ENTER.

2.Select Serial port setup and press ENTER.

3.From Serial port setup, use the A key to access Serial Device, and then press

ENTER.

4.Press ESC.

5.You are now in the Minicom terminal. Type AT and press ENTER. The screen should display OK to verify the operation. Alternately, dial a phone number to verify line operation

6.To leave Minicom, press CTRL + A, and then press Z.

7.On the help menu, press X to exit.

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