Verizon ignores GNU+Linux
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Nov. 29th, 2007 | 04:00 pm
I configured a really old Dell computer with Debian 4.0 GNU/Linux for home. I hate Debian's contorted view of freedom software, but it's hard to not like their really nice packaging system (and the many packages!), Iceweasel (speaking of freedom), and support for really old hardware. The computer is a base-model Pentium 2 with 256 MB of memory. I hope to be upgrading those features, soon, but the install was really smooth. I tried Xubuntu awhile back, but had trouble with their installation media. It's hard to break old habits.
I bought a DSL Internet service from Verizon for this computer. For those who don't know the punchline, Verizon requires proprietary operating systems to configure the connection. This is because they give you an installation CD that sets up your DSL account and modem up for you, with no instructions for other operating systems.
Verizon sent me their Westell 6100 DSL modem.
Before it comes, you should probably visit Verizon's "What's Next" Web site as they suggest in the signup email. That system will allow you to pick a username and get ready for the big day when the "gifts" come in the mail.
I couldn't find a way to get a password from that site, even though I proved who I was, submitted a secret question (for password resets?) and they have my email address I used to order the service. They could surely send me a temporary password by email. So you need to call their support to do this, but that's later.
Doubly unfortunate, the Activate My DSL site of Verizon's also doesn't work in this situation. It seems to be an extension/alternative of the installation CD that comes with modem. You'd think they'd just write the activation system as a portable Web application. Nope, the message is:
Fortunately, the Web server on the modem is not prejudiced.
But because you're not using this Web site or the CD, you need to call Verizon's technical support to have the password reset, and they'll give you a new password. Don't do it, yet.
After connecting your modem to the machine, the network interface on the GNU+Linux machine should receive an IP address from the modem's DHCP server. See what the "inet addr" entry is when you run /sbin/ifconfig eth0 (don't specify eth0 if you're not sure what your network interface is). You should be 192.168.1.100.
Open a Web browser to http://192.168.1.1
The user and password for the modem is "admin" and "password".
You'll quickly be asked to change this. Verizon suggests "admin" and "admin" -- but whatever.
In the network settings for the modem ("My Network"), look for "Broadband connections".
Your modem is currently connected with some default account. It's totally useless, to my knowledge.
Create a new connection by clicking "Add".
Name the service "Verizon" and put in your username, and then call Verizon support for the password. You'll talk to a telephone robot. Using your best broken and choppy spoken inflection, communicate that you are trying to "install", "DSL" on "another operating system". When you reach an actual person, they'll reset your account's password and tell you it over the phone. They'll also stay on the phone with you to make sure it worked, so read ahead the instructions below so you're prepared to follow through with the final steps for them and confirm that it works.
Enter the password they give you and hit "Apply".
At the same "Broadband connection" screen click "Disconnect" for the default connection.
Click "Connect" for the new "Verizon" connection. (My guess is if the password didn't work, you'd no at this moment, and would need to go back and type it again. Try the "Edit" icon or link.)
Click the check box to make the "Verizon" connection default.
Visit http://192.168.1.1/verizon/redirect.h
Click the "Disable" button (I don't know why).
Visit an Internet Web page and make sure everything works. You can release the Verizon tech support worker from the phone conversation.
You'll should reset the password by logging into your account at Verizon.net (I was told reset passwords have expiration dates).
After resetting the password, go back into your modem's administrative interface and change the password.
Restart the modem by unplugging it and plugging it back in to make sure it's ok.
After all that, I'm thinking about trying to see if I can run PPPoE on the machine, just because playing with firewalls is fun!
Yeah, I couldn't have done it without Ben.
I bought a DSL Internet service from Verizon for this computer. For those who don't know the punchline, Verizon requires proprietary operating systems to configure the connection. This is because they give you an installation CD that sets up your DSL account and modem up for you, with no instructions for other operating systems.
Verizon sent me their Westell 6100 DSL modem.
Before it comes, you should probably visit Verizon's "What's Next" Web site as they suggest in the signup email. That system will allow you to pick a username and get ready for the big day when the "gifts" come in the mail.
I couldn't find a way to get a password from that site, even though I proved who I was, submitted a secret question (for password resets?) and they have my email address I used to order the service. They could surely send me a temporary password by email. So you need to call their support to do this, but that's later.
Doubly unfortunate, the Activate My DSL site of Verizon's also doesn't work in this situation. It seems to be an extension/alternative of the installation CD that comes with modem. You'd think they'd just write the activation system as a portable Web application. Nope, the message is:
Troubleshooting: Operating System Not Supported
We're sorry, but we detected you are using an unsupported
operating system.
DSL web-activation currently supports:
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
Mac OS X 10.3 and above
To proceed with the installation, please upgrade your
operating system or use an alternate computer that meets
the minimum system requirements.
Fortunately, the Web server on the modem is not prejudiced.
But because you're not using this Web site or the CD, you need to call Verizon's technical support to have the password reset, and they'll give you a new password. Don't do it, yet.
After connecting your modem to the machine, the network interface on the GNU+Linux machine should receive an IP address from the modem's DHCP server. See what the "inet addr" entry is when you run /sbin/ifconfig eth0 (don't specify eth0 if you're not sure what your network interface is). You should be 192.168.1.100.
Open a Web browser to http://192.168.1.1
The user and password for the modem is "admin" and "password".
You'll quickly be asked to change this. Verizon suggests "admin" and "admin" -- but whatever.
In the network settings for the modem ("My Network"), look for "Broadband connections".
Your modem is currently connected with some default account. It's totally useless, to my knowledge.
Create a new connection by clicking "Add".
Name the service "Verizon" and put in your username, and then call Verizon support for the password. You'll talk to a telephone robot. Using your best broken and choppy spoken inflection, communicate that you are trying to "install", "DSL" on "another operating system". When you reach an actual person, they'll reset your account's password and tell you it over the phone. They'll also stay on the phone with you to make sure it worked, so read ahead the instructions below so you're prepared to follow through with the final steps for them and confirm that it works.
Enter the password they give you and hit "Apply".
At the same "Broadband connection" screen click "Disconnect" for the default connection.
Click "Connect" for the new "Verizon" connection. (My guess is if the password didn't work, you'd no at this moment, and would need to go back and type it again. Try the "Edit" icon or link.)
Click the check box to make the "Verizon" connection default.
Visit http://192.168.1.1/verizon/redirect.h
Click the "Disable" button (I don't know why).
Visit an Internet Web page and make sure everything works. You can release the Verizon tech support worker from the phone conversation.
You'll should reset the password by logging into your account at Verizon.net (I was told reset passwords have expiration dates).
After resetting the password, go back into your modem's administrative interface and change the password.
Restart the modem by unplugging it and plugging it back in to make sure it's ok.
After all that, I'm thinking about trying to see if I can run PPPoE on the machine, just because playing with firewalls is fun!
Yeah, I couldn't have done it without Ben.