problem getting freebsd to connect to network

Okay I know FreeBSD isn't strictly Linux, but since there's no UNIX
networking newsgroup, I thought I'd try my luck here. I hope nobody minds.

I have a small network of three computers in my office here. Two Windows
2000, and one FreeBSD 5.1. It's the BSD box that's giving me problems.

My computers are connected to my modem via an ethernet switch. My modem is
set up as a DHCP server, and my computers are DHCP enabled.

When the input cable is disconnected from the modem (not the power, so it's
still assigning IP addresses to my LAN) my BSD box picks up a valid internal
IP address and subnet mask, it can ping and be pinged from all other
computers on the LAN.

However, when the input cable is connected to my modem, so it's connected to
the internet, my BSD box receives nothing. When I do an ifconfig, it shows
NO IP address and NO subnet mask.

I don't think the problem's with the switch, since I tested all the ports.
Same goes for the LAN cards, and I know my modem is properly configured.

So has anyone got an idea? I would be very grateful for any help, as this
is beginning to get the better of me.

Many thanks

Colin

In article <CiZ7b.7126$_(E-Mail Removed)>,
colin wrote:
> Okay I know FreeBSD isn't strictly Linux, but since there's no UNIX
> networking newsgroup, I thought I'd try my luck here. I hope nobody minds.

Since you are clearly aware that this is off-topic, no, I don't mind.
But I see that no one has HELPED, either. I think this is a matter for
your "modem" manufacturer's support and/or FreeBSD mailing lists.

> My computers are connected to my modem via an ethernet switch. My modem is
> set up as a DHCP server, and my computers are DHCP enabled.

By "modem" I am guessing that you mean some kind of cable or DSL router?
Strictly speaking, a modem is a device which plugs into analog telephone
lines.

> When the input cable is disconnected from the modem (not the power, so it's
> still assigning IP addresses to my LAN) my BSD box picks up a valid internal
> IP address and subnet mask, it can ping and be pinged from all other

Okay. Try enabling maximum debugging in your DHCP client. See what
transpires between client and server ...

> However, when the input cable is connected to my modem, so it's connected to
> the internet, my BSD box receives nothing. When I do an ifconfig, it shows

.... and repeat under these conditions.

> I don't think the problem's with the switch, since I tested all the ports.
> Same goes for the LAN cards, and I know my modem is properly configured.

I'm guessing that the DHCP server is doing something non-standard, maybe
a Windows-only DHCP extension, which your DHCP client doesn't like.

> So has anyone got an idea? I would be very grateful for any help, as this

Have you tried a static IP on the BSD box? Set the "modem" IP as the
default gateway, and probably also as the DNS server. (Check the Windows
clients for what DNS server[s] they were assigned.)
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