AOL (etc) on Linux using Voyager 205 Ethernet Router modem
(the sensible alternative)
The beauty of any ethernet router/modem is that it contains all the intelligence it needs including a small processor, so no drivers, repeat No Drivers, are required. This means it will work on Windows, Linux, Mac etc.
In essence the router/modem connects to the internet using your user ID (eg fredbloggs@aol.com) and your password, so as soon as it is switched on, it is quietly online whether or not your PC is on. The PC connects via the 10/100 ethernet socket which has a RJ45 cable. If you do not have an ethernet socket, network cards are very cheap. My old laptop didn't have one so I bought a PCMCIA Ethernet card from eBay for a few pounds. Actually finding a wired ethernet router modem can be harder than finding a wireless one because the shops are flooded with wireless lan goods. A wired ethernet modem is of course secure and your neighbours can't use your internet access for free!
Another advantage is that the IP address of the router/modem is not the same as your PC's IP address, so you are less likely to get hacked into by the bad boys.
The BT Voyager 205 was supplied by BT/Yahoo for their top range broadband (AOL please take note of how it should be done!) They can be had on eBay for about £12 plus postage (mid 2006). AND the 205 is not locked into BT, unlike the newer modems such as 220V and the Home Hub.
The 205 has two channels. Firstly a USB channel similar to the 105's (but probably not the same!) originally intended for PC connection to BT Broadband. Leave this alone, leave the sticker in place, throw the blue cable into the spares box and use the CD as a coaster.
The other channel is a router/modem combination, originally intended for online games boxes, with the PC either on or off, but it is a full featured router/modem, so this is the one we shall use.
Setting up the Voyager 205
The 205 set up menu is accessed using your internet browser. Bear in mind that as soon as power is applied the modem will try to log into broadband with whatever ID is stored inside, so at this point do not connect to the phone line!So with the power on (push switch at the back), phone not connected, and the ethernet cable connected, enter http://192.168.1.1 into your browser. (If you are reading this article and have a router other than the Voyager 205, find out what the home address is for your router!) This will open up the basic 205 menu at "Quick Start" . Enter your full master AOL screen name (e.g. fredbloggs@aol.com) and your AOL password for that screen name.
If you were on any other ISP than AOL you would be able to connect the phone line and click "connect" and you would be online! However with AOL you need to change the MTU setting from 1500 to 1400. I also suggest some basic security. Both are described next first.
Advanced
Go into the "advanced" menu with ID "admin" and password "admin". First thing is to go into "Security" and change the admin password to stop hackers getting to you via the ethernet setup.Then in "IP-Filter" change the setting to "High".
Then in IP Addressing, go to the bottom and overtype MTU of 1500 with 1400 in two places (Remember this is ONLY for AOL users)
Then Save (red button).
Now Connect
Leave the setup menu (close your browser), Switch off the 205, connect the phone line, and switch the 205 back on. After a few flashing lights, eventually you will have a Power light, a DSL Light (i.e. you are in!) and an ethernet light which blinks on data transfer. Diag and USB lights should be off. Open your browser, browse your favourite website and off you go!Remember all the above applies equally to Windows, Linux, Mac, whatever PC you have, so long as it has an ethernet socket.
Simplicity - no fiddling with protocols!
Remember with Linux there is usually no fiddling with protocols or network settings. For example, if you already have a Windoze PC connected to the web by Ethernet, just install Linux to any PC, shut down the Linux PC, plug into the ethernet port of the running modem in place of the Windoze PC, boot up, select the browser (Firefox etc) and you are in!!I have reassured a number of people emailing me who have naturally thought it was going to be difficult and fiddled with settings and made things worse.
Trouble shooting etc
If you go into the quick start menu (http://192.168.1.1 on the Voyager 205) whilst running you will see the up and down data traffic. If for any reason you can't get connected to your ISP, you can use the trouble shooting section, where you can run some detailed connection tests, and you will be able to your inform ISP support exactly where the problem is. Of course if there is a problem at their end they will not believe you because1) Any problem is always assumed to be a fault in the customer's PC, and
2) "There are currently no reports of problems with our system" (not counting you of course)
However you can feel smug that this time because at least you KNOW they are wrong, it's not your PC, and if your tests show the line is OK all the way to the exchange, it will probably right itself in an hour or so.
If you are interested in "hacking" the 205 to make it completely secure (I mean like a vault) the links page gives a very in-depth hackers guide.