ppp

If you’re looking for an open source package that can implement the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) on your Linux or Solaris system, then look no further than ppp (Paul's PPP Package). This package is specifically designed to be used with Unix systems, and it provides a reliable and secure way to connect to ISPs.

To get started, you’ll need to use a simple command to get pppd to dial your ISP from your Linux box. The command is “pppd call apex”. However, before you do this, you’ll need to set up a file called /etc/ppp/peers/apex, which contains the following details:

- ttyS0 38400 crtscts
- connect ‘/usr/sbin/chat -v -f /etc/ppp/chat/apex’
- defaultroute
- user paulus
- remotename apex

This file tells pppd how to connect to your ISP, and it contains information about the device used for the connection, the chat script to be used, and the authentication details.

The chat script that you’ll need to use is located in /etc/ppp/chat/apex, and it looks like this:

- ABORT “NO CARRIER”
- ABORT “NO DIALTONE”
- ABORT “ERROR”
- ABORT “NO ANSWER”
- ABORT “BUSY”
- TIMEOUT 90
- REPORT CARRIER
- “” at
- OK “atw1&d0&c1”
- OK
- atdt62485791
- “~”

Note that the “~” at the end of the script is not strictly necessary, but it does mean that the chat script won’t finish until a ppp frame from the ISP has been received. If your ISP uses PAP authentication rather than a login dialog, then you’ll need to add the appropriate details to the /etc/ppp/pap-secrets file, as shown below:

- # Secrets for authentication using PAP
- # client server secret IP addresses
- paulus apex “notmypassword”

In summary, ppp is a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use open source package for implementing the Point-to-Point Protocol on your Unix system, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.