wvdial provides an easy way to configure your connection to the internet.  As wvdial is not a gui tool, it is not dependent upon X Window, and can be executed from the command line.

1. Download wvdial

      download site:

      tested versions:

             wvdial 1.40-5 (for RedHat 6.1) on COL 2.3, eDesktop 2.4

      I also tested wvdial 1.41-3 (for RedHat 6.2) on eDesktop 2.4; but could only get it to function correctly when executed by root.

2.  Install wvdial

       Log on as root

       Use kpackage to install wvdial rpm

       Open a terminal window and execute the following commands:

             cd /
             wvdialconf /etc/wvdial.conf
             chmod u+s /usr/bin/wvdial  # only needed for non-root use

3.  Configure the connection

       Open /etc/wvdial.conf using your favorite editor.

       The unedited file's content on my system is shown below:

          [Dialer Defaults]
          Modem = /dev/ttyS1
          Baud = 115200
          Init1 = ATZ
          Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0
          ; Phone = <Target Phone Number>
          ; Username = <Your Login Name>
          ; Password = <Your Password>

       Uncomment the last three lines by deleting the ';'.
       Fill in the requested information on each of these lines.
       If you want to turn the modem sound off, insert a new line at
       line 6:

          Init3 = ATM0

       The final contents of my /etc/wvdail.conf look like this:

          [Dialer Defaults]
          Modem = /dev/ttyS1
          Baud = 115200
          Init1 = ATZ
          Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0
          Init3 = ATM0
          Phone = *70 927-3101 # '*70' deactivates call waiting
          Username = myusername
          Password = mypassword

       If you need additional ppp accounts, create additional sections  similar that what is shown above.  Modify the information to suit  the new account, and replace [Dialer Defaults] with some other name  ([account2], for example).  'wvdial' will use the default configuration.   'wvdial account2' will use account2's configuration.

4.  DNS:  Unless you're receiving DNS IP addresses via dhcp, you need to add
    a nameserver to /etc/resolv.conf:

       search earthlink.net
       nameserver 207.217.126.81

5.  Execute wvdial from the command line by entering 'wvdial' at the command line.

See the man page for wvdial for more information.