(1 votes, average: 9 out of 10)
Loading ...Got Linux? Don’t tell your ISP
An e-mail from a reader:
“Often when I have problems with Internet connectivity the same issue keeps cropping up.
“The issue has been the same with several ISPs, to the point I feel it is a standard problem.
Usually it starts with instructions to go ping some IP address and I make a brief mention that I am on a Linux box. There is usually a pause and then they say, ‘We don’t support Linux.’ By this time we have usually established the problem is unlikely to be in my end of the system. Just what support do they think they are required to give me? Often it takes considerable wheeling and dealing to keep them working on the problem, even suggesting they tell me what they are trying to do and let me deal with how to use my computer to ping an address. As the problem has always been at their end, this insistence that I use Microsoft if I want connectivity is inappropriate and should stop.
“It would also be interesting to know the correct percentage of Linux users out there. Percentages based on sales mean nothing, as most suppliers insist that if one purchases their new PC with Microsoft installed, that’s what remains. By this method the four computers I have are all Microsoft, when in fact none of them are. When the percentage calculations are done there should be an allowance for the number of computers that are reinstalled with other operating systems after the initial purchase.
“It would be nice to see an article on these two topics.”
Maybe we will.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I had a similar problem with a local ISP repeating that the don’t support Linux. I politely informed them that their entire operation runs on Linux servers, so obviously someone at the ISP could help.
Within a few minutes I got transferred to one of the server techs that figured out what the problem was in about two minutes.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
More likely you’ll have a router connected to your system, that you could access from your Linux computer. Then the ISP guys could troubleshoot whatever they want from their site up to your router. You’ll know your computer is talking to the router since you would be able to access the router from it.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:18 am
yeah that’s why i go with my isp (iinet) is a debian mirror. I have asked them about configuring debian / other linuxes often. I advise people to just pretend your on windows. (click the start bar go to the control panel see your ip is 192.168.X.X or 10.XXXX. tick) then check dns tick… then go the modem /routers page TICK) they will quickly give up…. and just fix it at their end. I agree with you but some companies can’t afford to retrain people to be any good…. they should just run through the basis and if you ask to speak to a manager they can help you most of the time. Most of it stems from a wizard / standard method of troubleshooting — just follow along if you have no other option (fake it ).
August 15th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Oh and most modems and routers run linux these days so they should know better. (even if they don’t they are not running windows — the majority of them)