One of the first things every new FreeBSD user wishes to do is set up a connection to the Internet. It can be overwhelming to be thrust into the world of PPP chat scripts and DHCP, especially if these terms are unfamiliar to you. I'll start today's article with some definitions of common terms and explain how these terms interrelate when you connect to the Internet. Then I'll show you how easy it is to do a basic Internet connection with FreeBSD, and leave you with some references should you wish to try more complicated configurations. CAT-5 cable looks like the wire that plugs into your telephone jack, except that the connection at the end is bigger.
Coaxial cable looks like cable-TV wiring.
There is no way of knowing whether your data is travelling over CAT-5 cable, fiber optic cable, or transmissions from satellite links. The most common way of gaining this access is through an account with either an ISP or a cable provider. A modem is required to translate the digital signals used by your computer into the analog signals the telephone cabling in your home understands. You don't need to configure PPP if you are using a cable modem, as you already have a constant connection to your cable provider. The cable modem does the necessary translation to make this work.