Mac OS X 10.5 Help
Using PPPoE or DHCP to connect to your ISP
Network Diagnostics needs to know whether you use PPPoE or DHCP to connect to the Internet.
Some DSL and cable modem Internet service providers require you to use PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) to connect to the Internet. If you were given a user name and password to enter in Network preferences, you probably connect using PPPoE.
If you were not given a user name and password, and there are IP settings already entered into Network preferences, you probably have an Internet account that uses DHCP.
Check with your ISP if you are not sure whether you use PPPoE or DHCP.
If your computer has been set up to connect to the Internet, you can check the settings on the Network pane of System Preferences.
To determine whether you use PPPoE or DHCP:
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, and then click Network.
Check the Services list on the left side of the window.
If there is a PPPoE entry in the list, click it and check the settings, such as Account Name and Password.
If there isn’t a PPPoE entry in the list, and you have connected to the Internet using Ethernet, you are most likely using DHCP to connect to your ISP. Click Ethernet in the list, and check the settings.
If you use PPPoE to connect to the Internet, the user name and password you were given may be different from your email account name and password. Check with your ISP if you are not sure.