Belgian HOWTO

Dag Wieërs

dag@wieers.com

v1.1.6, 12 May 2002


Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Why this document?
1.2. New versions of this document
1.3. Translated versions
1.4. Contributions
1.5. The Linux.be-domain debacle
1.6. Feedback
1.7. Copyright information
1.8. Todo
2. Configuration
2.1. Keyboard setup
2.2. Display and applications
2.3. Time zone
2.4. Locale support
2.5. Native language support and codepages
2.6. Ispell
2.7. Setting up Internet
3. Belgian ISP information
3.1. PPP/ISDN
3.2. Cable
3.3. ADSL
4. Belgian Linux user groups
4.1. ALLIN Linux User Group [BEGIJNENDIJK]
4.2. Antwerp Linux User Group - ALUG [ANTWERP]
4.3. Brussels Linux User Group - BeLUGa [BRUSSELS]
4.4. Charleroi LUG [CHARLEROI]
4.5. Computer Forum KaHo - CFK
4.6. HCC Limburgse Linux Gebruikers Groep - HLLGG
4.7. HCC Linux Gebruikers Groep Leuven [LEUVEN]
4.8. Independent Group of Unix-Alikes and Network Activists - IGUANA
4.9. Infogroep - IGWE [BRUSSELS]
4.10. Leuvense Linux Users - L2U [LEUVEN]
4.11. Liège Linux Team - LiLiT [LIEGE]
4.12. Linux User Group De Bruxelles - BxLUG [BRUSSELS]
4.13. Linux User Group Heist op den Berg [HEIST OP DEN BERG]
4.14. Linux User Movement Underground Mad Belgian Aliens - LUMUMBA [DIEPENBEEK]
4.15. LinuxBe.Org A.S.B.L
4.16. Louvain-Li-nux - LLN [LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE]
4.17. Mons LUG [MONS]
4.18. Namur LUG [NAMUR]
4.19. Open Source Blanc Blue Belge - OS3B [CHARLEROI]
4.20. Open Technology Assembly Linux Special Interest Group [BRUSSELS]
4.21. PC Aktief Computerclub [SINT-NIKLAAS]
4.22. Student Information Networking - SIN [GEEL]
4.23. There Is No Alternative - TINA [ANTWERP]
4.24. Unix Lovers Yield Student Services & Internet Support - ULYSSIS [LEUVEN]
4.25. West-Vlaamse Linux User Group - Lug-WV [BRUGGE]
4.26. Workgroup of Linux Fanatics - WOLF [MECHELEN]
4.27. Zeus WPI - Werkgroep Informatica RUG [GENT]
5. Belgian Linux businesses
5.1. aDOC Services
5.2. Arafox
5.3. Aragne
5.4. Better Access nv
5.5. Consultux
5.6. CoreSequence Consultancy & Training
5.7. CSS nv
5.8. D. Connect
5.9. Dolmen
5.10. DS Improve bvba
5.11. EMMO Service
5.12. FKS bvba
5.13. Glasshouse Business Networks bvba
5.14. Grmbl productions
5.15. IBM Belgium sa/nv
5.16. IP Net generation
5.17. Kangaroot Linux Solutions
5.18. Life nv
5.19. Linugen bvba
5.20. LinuxIdee
5.21. M-TEC SERVICE
5.22. Mind Linux Solutions
5.23. Neolabs
5.24. Phidani Software sprl
5.25. Qbian Linux Systems
5.26. Si-Lab
5.27. Spier bvba
5.28. Stone-IT Belgium
5.29. Supporting Open Source cvba
5.30. Théridion sprlfs
5.31. VirgoPlus sprl
6. Belgian Linux resources
6.1. Websites
6.2. HOWTO
6.3. HOWTO translations
6.4. FTP
6.5. Usenet/Newsgroups
6.6. IRC

1. Introduction


1.2. New versions of this document

If you need to know more about the Linux Documentation Project or about Linux HOWTO's, feel free to contact the supervisor Tim Bynum .

Tim Bynum will post the listing to several national and international newsgroups on a monthly basis. In addition, the Belgian HOWTO can be found on the World Wide Web at http://dag.wieers.com/howto/. New versions of the Belgian HOWTO are always placed at this site first, so please be sure to check if the copy you are reading is still up to date!


1.4. Contributions

A few people mailed us their suggestions and improvements, thanks go to:

Many thanks go to Ivo Clarysse who started something similar earlier (LinBel) and his project helped us a lot to get this document online.


2. Configuration

2.1. Keyboard setup

Linux provides 2 ways to set up your keyboard. At the console you can use loadkeys and under XFree86 you can use xmodmap.


2.7. Setting up Internet

2.7.1. Dialing in with your modem (PPP)

To configure PPP correctly, you should check the PPP-HOWTO. I try to explain it briefly, but if you have any questions or problems, read the HOWTO very carefully.


2.7.1.1. Configuring the modem

To configure your modem, you can alter the initstring of your modem. To learn more about your modem, check Ask Mr. Modem.

Warning

If you have a winmodem you will probably not get it to work. More information about winmodems is at: http://linmodems.org/. Work is underway, but winmodems are not as good as real modems.


2.7.1.2. Installing pppd

Now, you need to have the ppp-package installed (check this by typing pppd --version), make sure you have a recent one. Then you have to make sure you've got these files:

/usr/local/bin/ppp
	#!/bin/sh

	case $1 in
		(on|start)
			TELEPHONE='555-1212'        # The telephone number for the connection
			ACCOUNT='your_login'        # The account name for logon (as in 'George Burns')
				PASSWORD='your_pass'        # The password for this account (and 'Gracie Allen')
			INITSTRING='AT&F&C1&D2Z'# Modem initstring
			IPLOCAL=0.0.0.0             # Local IP address if known. Dynamic = 0.0.0.0
			IPREMOTE=0.0.0.0            # Remote IP address if desired. Normally 0.0.0.0
			DEVICE=/dev/ttyS1           # Serial Device com1=ttyS0, com2=ttyS1,...
			SPEED=57600                 # 19200, 38400 or 57600 (don't try something different)
			export TELEPHONE ACCOUNT PASSWORD INITSTRING
			exec /usr/sbin/pppd $DEVICE $SPEED $IPLOCAL:$IPREMOTE \
			user $ACCOUNT connect /etc/ppp/ppp-on-dialer
			;;
		(off|stop)
			if [ -r /var/run/ppp0.pid ]; then
				kill -INT `cat /var/run/ppp0.pid`
				if [ ! "$?" = "0" ]; then
					rm -f /var/run/ppp0.pid
					echo "ERROR: Removed stale pid file"
					exit 1
				fi
				exit 0
			fi
			echo "ERROR: PPP link is not active on ppp0"
			exit 1
			;;
		(info|status)
			/usr/sbin/pppstats
			;;
		(*)
			echo "Usage: ppp on|off|info|start|stop|status";
	esac

/etc/ppp/ppp-on-dialer
	#!/bin/sh

	exec /usr/sbin/chat -v                                        \
		REPORT CONNECTION                                     \
		REPORT CARRIER                                        \
		TIMEOUT              10                               \
		ABORT                '\nBUSY\r'                       \
		ABORT                '\nNO ANSWER\r'                  \
		ABORT                '\nNO CARRIER\r'                 \
		ABORT                '\nNO DIALTONE\r'                \
		ABORT                '\nRINGING\r\n\r\nRINGING\r'     \
		ABORT                'Invalid Login'                  \
		ABORT                'Login incorrect'                \
		''                   "\r$INITSTRING\r"                \
		'OK-+++\c-OK'        'ATH0'                           \
		TIMEOUT              45                               \
		OK                   "ATDT$TELEPHONE"                 \
		CONNECT              '\d\c'                           \
		ogin:--ogin:         "$ACCOUNT"                       \
		ord:                 "$PASSWORD"
You can remove the -v once everything looks normal.

The pppd command uses /etc/ppp/options to list its options, change these options to whatever fits. These defaults normally work in most cases.
	asyncmap 20a0000
	crtscts
	debug
	default-mru
	defaultroute
	detach
	escape 11,13,ff
	hide-password
	ipcp-accept-local
	ipcp-accept-remote
	lcp-echo-failure 4 
	lcp-echo-interval 400 
	lock
	modem
	mtu 1500
	netmask 255.255.255.0
	noipdefault
	passive

	#idle 300 
	#kdebug 0
	#-vj
Once dialing in works like a charm, you can leave debug out.

Warning

It is important to emphasize that every special character, thus every character that is not [a-ZA-Z0-9] and '_', should be escaped by preceding it with a '\'-character. Thus "e!b$l+" would become "e\!b\$l\+". Try it if you are having troubles !


2.7.2. Dialing in with your ISDN-modem

Contributed by Christophe Lambin

This section does not aim to be a definitive guide on ISDN for Linux. For a more detailed discussion on the topic, see Paul Slootman's ISDN4Linux HOWTO and ISDN4Linux-FAQ.


2.7.2.1. Updating the kernel

If you're using a 2.2 kernel, it's recommended to get an updated version of the ISDN code. You can retrieve it from CVS at ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/isdn4linux/. For more information, check: http://www.brisse.dk/site/linux/docs/isdn.htm

Warning

If you've recently purchased an Eicon Diva 2.0 PCI (eg, via Belgacom), there's a good chance you've actually got a Diva 2.01.In this case, you must get a version dated 1 July 1999 or later !

Once the ISDN is in place, you can start up the driver. Eg: modprobe hisax type=11 protocol=2 Refer to the Readme's for the right parameters and values for your card.


2.7.2.3. Configuring the interface

With the tools installed and configured, write a script to configure the interface, to be used for the ISDN connection. As always in Linux, there's no one correct way of doing this. I've put these in a script

/etc/rc.d/rc.isdn:
	#!/bin/sh

	MSNREMOTE='555-1212'    # Phone number of ISP
	MSNLOCAL='555-1313'     # my number, without 0, with areacode
	ACCOUNT='george'        # The account for logon (as 'George Burns')
	IPLOCAL=10.0.0.2        # my fixed IP (use 10.0.0.2 if no fixed)
	IPREMOTE=0.0.0.0        # IP number of ISP
	INTERFACE=ippp0
	/sbin/modprobe hisax type=11 protocol=2
	/sbin/isdnctrl verbose 3 system on
	/sbin/isdnctrl addif $IF
	/sbin/isdnctrl secure $IF on 
	/sbin/isdnctrl addphone $IF out $MSNREMOTE
	/sbin/isdnctrl eaz $IF $MSNLOCAL
	/sbin/isdnctrl huptimeout $IF 300
	/sbin/isdnctrl l2_prot $IF hdlc
	/sbin/isdnctrl l3_prot $IF trans
	/sbin/isdnctrl encap $IF syncppp
	/sbin/isdnctrl dialmode $IF auto
	/sbin/ifconfig $IF $IPLOCAL pointopoint $IPREMOTE -arp -broadcast
	/sbin/ipppd /dev/ippp0 user $ACCOUNT $IPLOCAL:$IPREMOTE

To start this at boot time, make it executable and append the following to /etc/rc.d/rc.local:
	if [ -x /etc/rc.d/rc.isdn ]; then
		. /etc/rc.d/rc.isdn
	fi

The ipppd command gets its parameters passed through a file, /etc/ppp/ioptions:
	-ac
	-bsdcomp
	debug
	defaultroute
	ipcp-accept-local
	ipcp-accept-remote
	mru 1524
	mtu 1500
	noipdefault
	-pc
	useifip
	-vj
	-vjccomp

	#idle 360
	#persistent

Warning

Do NOT specify +pap or +chap in this file. This specifies the authentication that ipppd should use for an INCOMING client. If you were to use this to connect to your ISP, ipppd would wait for the ISP to authenticate itself using the specified protocol.

Warning

It is important to emphasize that every special character, thus every character that is not [a-ZA-Z0-9] and '_' should be escaped by preceding it with a '\'-character. Thus 'e!b$l+' would become 'e\!b\$l\+'. Try it if you are having troubles !

Finally, create /etc/ppp/ip-down.local to handle the shutdown of the interface:
	#!/bin/sh

	/sbin/ifconfig $1 down
	sleep 1
	/sbin/ifconfig $1 10.0.0.2 pointopoint 

NoteNote!
 

This is to handle some problems with routes on shutdowns. Anyone know of a clean(er) solution ?


3. Belgian ISP information

3.1. PPP/ISDN

3.1.1. Brutélé

Web

http://www.brutele.be/

Support

no official Linux support yet


3.2. Cable

DHCP was designed to make life easier, and most of the times it does ;) More information to set up your DHCP client can be found at: http://www.oswg.org/oswg-nightly/DHCP.html and a list of Frequently Asked Questions from the infamous document of John Wobus at http://www.dhcp.org/ which describes everything you need to know. Along with the information in the Cable-Modem HOWTO (http://www.oswg.org/oswg-nightly/Cable-Modem.html).

Lots of people want to connect a whole network to their cablemodem, that's not a problem. You'll need IP-Masquerading and make sure the interface (that speaks to the cablemodem) has the right MAC-address !! Another solution (in case of problems) is to reset your cablemodem.


4. Belgian Linux user groups

More information can be found in the User Group HOWTO A complete list of Linux User Groups is at: http://www.ssc.com/linux/glue/ and at: http://lugww.counter.li.org/


4.21. PC Aktief Computerclub [SINT-NIKLAAS]

Address

          PC Aktief Computerclub

Web

http://www.pcaktief.be/

Meetings

Fourth tuesday every month in 't Hoveken van Belsele, Nieuwe Baan 130, B-9111 Belsele (Sint-Niklaas)

Contact

Johan De Baere


5. Belgian Linux businesses

The Linux Documentation Project contains worldwide lists of Linux businesses, Linux Consultants HOWTO and V.A.R. HOWTO, and can be found at: http://www.linuxports.com/.


5.3. Aragne

Address

Boulevard Général Michel 1E
B-6000 Charleroi

Phone

+32 (0)71 270 389

Email

Web

http://www.aragne.com/

Contact

Denis Frère

Special expertise

GNU/Linux services, specially Python and Zope solutions (websites, intranet, Internet connectivity, ...)


5.4. Better Access nv

Address

Geldenaakse Vest 6
B-3000 Leuven

Phone

+32 (0)16 298 045

Fax

+32 (0)16 298 046

Email

Web

http://www.ba.be/

Type of support

After an onsite installation, we mainly support our customers with SSH remote administration. Most problems are reported by E-mail or by the inhouse-developped webbased supportsystem. This doesn't mean that once in a while a supportcall comes in.

Special expertise

Security, systemadministration and setups, security (firewalling, tigerteaming, VPN, etc.) Networkdesign, wireless networking, Troubleshooting, product development, etc. Please visit http://www.ba.be for more info.


5.6. CoreSequence Consultancy & Training

Address

Tiensestraat 243/3
B-3000 Leuven

Phone

+32 (0)472 689 497

Fax

+32 (0)16 29 99 32

Email

Web

http://www.coresequence.com/

Contact

Machtelt Garrels

Special expertise

Consultancy: disaster recovery, troubleshooting. Training: Dutch/French/English speaking trainers.


5.22. Mind Linux Solutions

Address

Vaartkom 11
B-3000 Leuven

Phone

+32 (0)478 274 069

Fax

+32 (0)16 309 644

Email

Web

http://mind.be/

Contact

Peter Vandenabeele

Type of support

Installation & configuration, auditing & consultancy, support & maintenance, training & education, research & development.

Special expertise

We are specialised in installing Linux servers for various purposes (Web-, File-, Print- or Mailservers, Routers, Firewalls, VPN, ...) in heterogenous networks. We provide support and training for Linux and Open Source products and we develop custom Linux solutions for our customers.


5.26. Si-Lab

Email

Phone

+32 (0)486 149 048

Web

http://www.si-lab.com/

Contact

Toon Knapen


5.28. Stone-IT Belgium

Address

          Minerva Office Brussels
Minervastraat 14b
B-1930 Zaventem

Email

Phone

+32 (0)2 720 88 35

Fax

+32 (0)2 720 51 71

Web

http://www.be.stone-it.com/

Contact

Martijn Smit

Type of support

Stone-IT is a 'one-stop' Linux provider for integrating business environments in which we offer: Linux Consulting, Linux Solutions, Linux Support and Linux Education.

Special expertise

Stone-IT offers high quality Linux expertise and can develop, test and implement Linux in several different business environments such as all kinds of servers (File-/Web-/Name-/Mail-/Print servers), as well as Clustering, VPN, Storage, Firewalls & Routers. Our support consists of Pro Active Monitoring, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Besides having trainers being a Red Hat Certified Engineer we offer Distribution Independent Education.


5.31. VirgoPlus sprl

Address

Rue E. Solvay 29 A
B-4000 Liège

Phone

+32 (0)4 253 00 59

Fax

+32 (0)4 253 00 49

Email

Web

http://www.virgoplus.com/

Contact

Bruno Mairlot

Type of support

By phone, email, or remote networked administration, inhouse, onsite

Special expertise

Installation, configuration, administration of Linux, internet connection, intranet developpment, firewalls, samba, netatalk, firewalls, proxys, DNS, web server (Apache), mod_perl, MySQL, Gui interface developpment (GTK+). We have acquired a special expertise with the Red Hat distributions.


6. Belgian Linux resources