Frequently Asked Question

WVDial was a great way to use your Linux PC as an internet gateway using dialup or DSL. 

In modern times it's still perfect using a 4G stick (see attached config file) in your Linux PC when your regular internet connection goes down for prolonged periods of time if your DSL modem/router does not have direct support for it, although most of them do now days.

Making a New Connection

Run wvdialconf to generate a configuration file containing information on your modem and ISP information. The output should look like this:

[root@blah /root]# wvdialconf /etc/wvdial.conf
Scanning your serial ports for a modem.

ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 -- OK
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 Z -- OK
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 -- OK
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 -- OK
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 -- OK
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 -- OK
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0 -- OK
ttyS1: Modem Identifier: ATI -- 28800
ttyS1: Speed 2400: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Speed 4800: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Speed 9600: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Speed 19200: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Speed 38400: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Speed 57600: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Speed 115200: AT -- OK
ttyS1: Max speed is 115200; that should be safe.
ttyS1: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0 -- OK
ttyS0: ATQ0 V1 E1 -- ATQ0 V1 E1 -- ATQ0 V1 E1 -- nothing.
Port Scan: S2 S3 

Found a modem on /dev/ttyS1.

As you can see, wvdialconf probes your comm ports, looking for a modem, and determine the capabilities of any modems it finds.

If your output looks different, check that your modem is plugged in, turned on, and connected to a com port.

Configuring WvDial

Once you have run wvdialconf, you need to edit the /etc/wvdial.conf file to reflect the phone number to dial, and your username and password.

Open up /etc/wvdial.conf in your favorite text editor. It should look something like this:

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem = /dev/ttyS1
Baud = 115200
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0
; Phone = 555-1212
; Username = my_login_name
; Password = my_login_password

Remove the ';' in front of the Phone, Username and Password lines

Fill in 0198 308 007 Phone = line.

Using the information from the Welcome Letter that was faxed to you;

Fill in your Username on the Username = line.

Fill in your Password on the Password = line.

Save your changes and exit out of the text editor.

Connecting to the Internet

Run wvdial. Assuming that you filled in your phone number, username, and password correctly, wvdial will now dial your ISP.

Disconnecting from the Internet

wvdial will not exit until the connection is terminated- you can do a Ctrl-C to terminate it.