Configuring Spectranet cable broadband to work on Debian Squeeze

This post attempts to explain how spectranet cable broadband can be configured on debian squeeze ( possibly other distributions of linux ).

I have followed exactly the same process as is outlined in the following article: http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/howto-ubuntu-linux-convert-dhcp-network-configuration-to-static-ip-configuration.html .

The cable operator for my Spectranet broadband connection provided me the following information

1. static ip address
2. subnet mask
3. gateway
4. dns server
5. alternate dns server

I am reproducing the steps just for completeness ( all addresses, for example, 192.168.1.1 below are fabricated for illustration, please use the actual values provided to you. These values can be got by double clicking the network icon in the windows task bar, then clicking properties, selecting tcp/ip and finally clicking properties. )

The symbol # below represents root user prompt in linux.

1. modify the file /etc/network/interfaces as follows
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.1.1
netmask 255.255.0.0
network 192.168.1.0
broadcast 192.168.1.255
gateway 192.168.1.3

2. # /etc/init.d/networking restart

3.Add the new dns server name by modifying the file /etc/resolv.conf
nameserver 192.168.1.1
nameserver 192.168.1.2

4. #ifconfig eth0 down

5. #ifconfig eth0 up

6. #ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.50 netmask 255.255.0.0 up

7. #route add default gw 172.16.236.0

8. From the windows machine look at the address spectranet uses for log-in from the browser. The address will look like http://192.168.1.2/userportal/login.do and type this address into the browser. You should be redirected to the spectranet login page. Thats it.