Okay, I'll try to give as much information as I can about my failed RedHat FTP install:

I've got a linux box that is plugged into a hub which has a router for a dedicated T1 plugged into it. I've got all the ip information for that, and an entire class c subnet to myself. i assign an ip address to that linux box, i put in the router address for the gateway, i've tried every possible mask, and then i put in a dns server. when i try to connect to an ftp site, however, it says that the "hostname is invalid", and if i try to connect directly to the site's ip, it gives a similar "couldn't contact site" or something error.

Now, a windows NT machine plugged into the same hub, with all the same settings (except for ip, of course) works fine. in fact, i'm sending this message from it right now. and i can even ping the ip address i give to the linux box from the nt machine during the install. and if i plug the box into an existing network with a separate T1 and tell it to get the info via DHCP, the installation process goes smoothly. why can't my linux box access the T1??

any ideas, guys? this one has me totally stumped.

Thanks.

-Charlie

If you have a class c then the netmask should be 255.255.255.0. If you could give us the output of ifconfig and route it would really be helpful.

Is this a question about INSTALLING Linux via FTP or is it about running an FTP client from a machine that already has a running Linux installation?

On the surface.. it sounds like you might be giving an IP address to the Linux box that is already in use somewhere on that subnet. Try taking the Linux box down and issuing a 'ping -a' to the ipaddress in question from your NT box. If it still comes back, then something else is using it. Also, the '-a' might resolve a name to the IPaddress so you can tell where it is.