4. Configuring ppp

pppconfig is a utility that automates the setting up of a dial-up ppp connection. (You can find out more by entering "man pppconfig" at the command prompt.)

4.1. Running pppconfig

You should still be logged in as the super user. At the command prompt, type pppconfig and tap enter.

debian:/home/chris# pppconfig enter

You should now see a screen titled "GNU/Linux PPP Configuration Utility" and headed "Main Menu". Use the arrow keys and the tab key for navigating the menus.

4.2. Entering the information

4.2.1. Creating a connection

From the main menu, choose "Create" and tap enter.

Main Menu 
Create    Create a connection   enter

Leave the provider name as "provider" in the next screen. You only need to change this if you are using more than one ISP. The "provider" stting is used by default when your modem dials. If you enter a different name here, you will have to specify it when you invoke the dial-up command.

Provider Name 
provider   enter

4.2.2. Configuring DNS

If your ISP connection uses server assigned name server addresses, choose "Dynamic" and skip to next section.

Configure Nameservers (DNS)
(*) Dynamic    Use dynamic DNS   enter

If your ISP connection specifies name server addresses, choose "Static" and enter the addresses.

Configure Nameservers (DNS)
(*) Static    Use static DNS   enter

IP number
Enter the IP number for your primary nameserver.
nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn enter

IP number
Enter the IP number for your secondary nameserver (if any).
nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn enter

4.2.3. Configuring authentication method

It is likely that your ISP has designed its service for MS Windows clients. In that case, the "PAP" protocol will work.

Authentication Method for provider
PAP    Peer Authentication Protocol   enter

4.2.4. Configuring user name and password

The user name is the name of your account with your ISP. Delete the message "replace_with_your_login_name" and enter your user name. Then enter your password.

User Name
Enter the username given to you by your ISP.
username   enter

Password
Enter the password your ISP gave you.
*******   enter

4.2.5. Configuring the modem connection

Set the modem port speed to its highest value (115200). Choose pulse or tone dialling, and enter the telephone number of your ISP connection.

Speed
115200   enter

Pulse or Tone
(*)Tone   tab enter

    OR

    Pulse or Tone
    (*)Pulse   tab enter

Phone number
nnnnnnnnnnn   enter

4.2.6. Selecting the modem port

Make sure your modem is switched on. pppconfig can then identify your modem port automatically.

Choose Modem Config Method
Yes   enter

This may take a little while. You should see activity on your modem's Rx/Tx led. pppconfig then presents you with a list of ports. The detected port is indicated with a "*" and should correspond to the physical connection to your PC (COM1 = /dev/ttyS0, COM2 = /dev/ttyS1). If the selection is correct, tab to <Ok> and tap enter.

Select Modem Port
(*) /dev/ttySn tab enter

You should now see a summary screen. By default, only the "root" user is allowed to dial out. You should not be using "root" for everyday tasks, so you will want to enable at least one normal user to dial out. The next section shows you how.

4.3. Adding normal users

You should be looking at a summary screen headed "Properties of provider". If not, you can re-run pppconfig and choose "change a connection" from the main menu. Use the arrow keys to highlight "Advanced" and tap enter.

Properties of provider
Advanced    Advanced Options   enter

You now have a list of advance options. Choose Add-user and enter the user's name.

Advanced Settings for provider
Add-user    Add a ppp user   enter

Add User
user's name   enter

You will be returned to the "Advanced Settings for provider" screen. Scroll down the menu to "Previous", and return to the "Properties of provider" screen.

Advanced Settings for provider
Previous    Properties of provider   enter

From here you can save your settings, return to the main menu and exit.

Properties of provider
Finished    Write files and return to main menu.   enter

Finished
<OK>   enter

Main Menu
Quit    Exit this utility   enter

4.4. Finishing off

You no longer need to be logged in as the super user. Enter "exit" at the command prompt.

debian:/home/chris# exit   enter
chris@debian:~$