The FreeBSD Diary

Many people have mailed mailing lists, posted messages on newsgroups, read documentation about trying to configure their @Home service with freebsd (including me). Most people with cable modems don't have many problems setting it up, except for @Home subscribers.

The configuration is real easy.  The thing that throws people off is whether to use DHCP or manually set the values.

@Home uses DHCP so don't manually configure it.  Why do they use it?  Don't ask me, it confuses many subscribers because they have a static ip address, a static gateway address, a static netmask, and a static name server.  The usage of DHCP generally takes place when cable modem subscribers from certain providers have dynamic ip addresses, dynamic etc.  Cable subscribers (who aren't part of @Home) who have static settings can manually enter their info in.

@Home users must use DHCP as I have stated before.  Please do not use the identification number I used on this webpage, IT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE!!!!  Please use the identification number @Home gave you.

These are the steps you need to take:

1. Edit the dhclient.conf file. Usage: ee /etc/dhclient.conf (this is the DHCP config file)

This is what mine looks like:

interface "de0" {
send host-name "cr123456-a";
request subnet-mask, broadcast-address, routers,
          domain-name-servers, domain-name, time-servers;
require domain-name-servers;
}

Make sure you edit the file so it looks like mine (except for the hostname :)).   Later on you can add other settings if you wish.  Once you edit it, save the changes.

Note that "de0" is the driver name for pci ethernet card that was installed in my computer, if you were given a different device then use the appropriate driver name with the device. Ex - "ep0", "de0", "ed0"

2. Edit the rc.conf file. Usage: ee /etc/rc.conf  Just add these two lines to what you have there:

ifconfig_de0="DHCP"
hostname="cr123456-a";

3. Finally you can now run your cable modem by running dhclient. Usage : dhclient de0

You should get a signal back. It will say something like:

DHCP offer at 24.123.4.5

To do the final test, you should ping a website. Usage: ping www.freebsd.org

If you don't get your @Home setup working then please e-mail me at freebsdhelp and I will help you within 24 hours.  Check for any typos that you might have made before mailing me :).   Also give me feedback about the site!