loop back device

["Ralph M. Deal" <deal@xxxxxxxx>]

Hello, LINUX experts,

Here is a puzzle for me but I'm sure not for you:
In my prior installation of RH 6.2, ifconfig would always show  a loop
back device, lo, whether
I was connected to a remote server or not.   In my new installation of
6.2, ifconfig gives no
response unless I am connected via ppp0 to MichNet and , once
connected,  ONLY ppp0.

I'd appreciate some enlightment on this discrepancy.

    Thanks,   Ralph    deal@kzoo.edu