Network Works on Knoppix but...

I have Knoppix live cd 3.3 which I believe is an amazing package but I wanted a more persistent version of linux and my advisor told me to get suse 8.1. I installed Suse with no problems but I can't get online.
I am using an ADSL ntl Ambit modem connected by usb under windows and knoppix but Ethernet is available as well (it just didn't work with win so I use USB).
The question is this is there something that knoppix does and suse 8.1 can't do? Somekind of configiration utility that made Knoppix 3.3 get online without me doing anything. And if not could anyone tell me the config files I could copy from knoppix to suse in order to get both net configurations exactly the same (if possible). Plz keep it simple I am new and I can't really cope with extra long filenames and commands:) I used to like them with dos but windows made me a lazy bugger:(