John Martins'
Amateur Radio from near Empire Michigan USA

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Linux - Jnos Setup and Configuration HOW-TO

By John Martin KF8KK

Linux Network Configuration

When it asks for a domain for the machine you can enter almost anything you want.  It's best to be reasonable and short.  

The 'domain' you enter here is NOT how your machine appears on the internet and has no real effect on how your Jnos node will appear to the world either.  In fact, for most people, what you enter for the domain has no noticeable effect that I now of-- though you will need to know it for certain configurations later on if you delve into Linux a bit deeper.

Since I've succumbed to 'The Microsoft Borg', I will call my domain 'mshome.com' which is the domain that WindowsXP machines default to.  Since my home LAN is full of XP machines, perhaps someday I'll find out some benefit of having them all on the same domain.

Just remember-- the Linux networking section (where you are right now) is different than the Jnos networking section.  These Linux configs pertain to how the Linux portion of the machine interacts on your home network.

DHCP makes it very easy for laymen to install a home or office network without having to do much if any thinking.

On the other hand, DHCP will royally screw up your Jnos setup.   Similarly, DHCP is not good to use if you operate Echolink or other programs on specific machines that need 'special' access to the internet.

For our Jnos Linux machine we MUST choose a STATIC IP address.

The network segment where I will be putting this machine is in the 192.168.1.0 network.   I found the 'network number' by going to the web based configuration screen for my DSL router where I printed out the page with all the numbers.

Now, before you plunk down the IP address you want your machine to have on your LAN, the Jnos configuration will cause this machine to need TWO separate IP addresses on the same LAN segment.   

In my case, I want my Jnos machine to be accessible from the LAN at the address 192.168.1.12 -- as 12 is presently not used on the LAN and is a convenient number to remember (a dozen).   Please note, that is NOT the number I should enter here.

The underlying Linux IP address I will give this machine is 192.168.1.112.   This is an address that's NOT used on the LAN and after I have things configured it will most likely be forgotten.   

You can conveniently verify if an IP address is in use on your LAN by going to a machine that is currently operating on your LAN and open up a command window ('dos box'... in Windows it's START->RUN and then type 'command') and from the window type 'ping'  and then a space, and then the IP address you want to test for.   If it responds, then you should NOT use that one-- if there is no response, then the address should be available.

Select STATIC from the menu and hit ENTER.

Now enter the IP address for the LINUX side that you have chosen (in my case 192.168.1.112) and hit ENTER.

Leave the 'netmask' of 255.255.255.0 alone and hit ENTER.

The IP numbering scheme on most home LANs is such that the first three numbers (192, 168, 1) have to be the same, but the final number can be anything from 2 through 254--- as long as it doesn't conflict with something else on your LAN.

The end number of '0' is usually the 'broadcast address' or 'network number'.

The end number of '1' is usually the DSLrouter or CableModem.

This is the component that will route your data out to the internet.  For most of us it's the address on your LAN for the DSL router or CableModem.   In my case, it's 192.168.1.1

When it asks if you will be accessing a nameserver, answer YES.

In most cases, the DSLrouter or CableModem will provide a 'phantom dns' to your LAN.  

If this is the case, put the IP address of the CableModem or router where the nameserver address goes (in my case I put 192.168.1.1).   If you were given a specific nameserver/dns by your ISP, put that address in the box.  If you have more than one, lucky you!

Hit ENTER if all is well.

At this point, the 'Confirm Startup Services' screen is shown.

Make sure to ENABLE the 'rc.ip_forward' service!!  This is REQUIRED for your Jnos system to function.

As for the other services, you are best to leave the defaults in place unless you have a good background in Linux and have different preferences.  They can be changed later on if you desire.  

Select NO to trying custom screen fonts.

Select how you want your hardware clock to be set, in most cases local time is fine. Don't forget to select your time zone.

Setting the root password will take you out of the blue SETUP screen for a short time, so don't worry-- it's normal.

When you're done with setting the root password you will return to the blue setup screens and you will want to select YES to replace the /etc/fstab file.

At this point, the installation says it's complete, get a good laugh out of that.  

There is still much more to do, but you're quite far along in having the Linux OS on your machine.

After hitting ENTER you will be back to the normal Linux command prompt and will want to hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE to reboot the computer and see if it works.

Make sure to remove the bootable Slackware CDrom from the drive if it's still in the CDrom (you want to boot from the hard drive now).

NEXT --> Starting Slackware Linux