My Slitaz 4.0 install is now connecting to the internet again. I seemed to be missing some essential packages, needed for DNS resolution and for getting the USB modem to connect properly. Those packages are:
bind
bind-client
linux-usb-misc
linux-usbdsl
linux-usbip
and their dependencies. Those might actually be more packages than I needed, but my connection is now working, and that's the only thing that's important.
I'm using eth0 as the default interface in /etc/network.conf with the DHCP client enabled at boot time. The path to the USB modem, which is /dev/ttyACM0, is the default route specified in /etc/ppp/scripts/ppp-on. This works, despite the fact that the on-board ethernet hardware is disabled in BIOS. The kernel module, cdc-acm, is loaded as the USB modem driver.
When connecting with the "Stupid Mode = 1" option added to /etc/wvdial.conf, I see the following output:
root@slitaz:/home/tux# wvdial
--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.61
--> Cannot get information for serial port.
--> Initializing modem.
--> Sending: ATZ
ATZ
OK
--> Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
OK
--> Modem initialized.
--> Sending: ATDT< my connect phone number >
--> Waiting for carrier.
ATDT< my connect phone number >
CONNECT 115200
--> Carrier detected. Starting PPP immediately.
--> Starting pppd at Sun Nov 2 15:53:49 2014
--> Pid of pppd: 1378
--> Using interface ppp0
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> local IP address 72.251.71.29
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> remote IP address 207.223.72.68
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> primary DNS address 64.136.173.147
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
--> secondary DNS address 64.136.164.146
--> pppd: 8A[06][08]�8[06][08]
For my ISP, the local IP address is set dynamically; it changes session-to-session. The remote IP address, primary DNS address, and secondary DNS address, are static; they remain the same session-to-session. This is information, by the way, that the support staff at my ISP could not provide. The staff there adamantly refuses to have anything to do with Linux. I was able to fetch the IP addresses, however, even before I was able to resolve URL's, so I could see what was dynamic and static.
The TRENDnet 56K USB modem works nicely. It is very compact and lightweight, so it can hang freely from its built-in USB connector without being physically supported. US Robotics also makes a 56K USB modem that works perfectly with Slitaz 4.0, but it is slightly larger and heavier, plus it costs more.
And, in conclusion, I discovered what needs to be done, if I need to do a fresh install of Slitaz 4.0 in the future. Another old Pentium III machine has been saved from the recycling facility, thanks to Slitaz 4.0.
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Compaq Deskpro EN, Pentium III 930 MHz, 512 MB RAM, 20 GB HDD,
TRENDnet 56K USB Modem TFM-561U
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"Avoid that bloated feeling. Use Slitaz daily."
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