Setting up PPP Under NetBSD 1.1

Running a PPP Client under NetBSD 1.1

So you want to be cool and use your NetBSD machine to connect to an ISP and get the network live on your desktop? PPP is the answer. This is for NetBSD-1.1 or later; I have NO IDEA how to do things to 1.0 or 0.9 -- don't even ask. If you're really stuck, mail the NetBSD Help Line and NOT ME! If you want to have people dial-in to your machine and have ppp route them packets (ie: a PPP server), this is not the place to learn about it.

First make sure that PPP is in your kernel.
Use the netstat command to determine if PPP exists in your kernel. If it does, one or more interfaces named "pppX" will appear in the output of netstat -i and ifconfig -a. If PPP isn't in your kernel you'll have to beg, buy, borrow, or steal a new one.

[Output of netstat -i]
Name  Mtu   Network     Address              Ipkts Ierrs    Opkts Oerrs  Coll
ed2   1500  <Link>      0.0.c0.8.be.28       19382     0    19640     0     0
ed2   1500  165.227.14  gabriella            19382     0    19640     0     0
lo0   32768 <Link>                             421     0      421     0     0
lo0   32768 127         localhost              421     0      421     0     0
ppp0* 1500  <Link>                               0     0        0     0     0

[Output of ifconfig -a]
ppp0: flags=8010<POINTOPOINT,MULTICAST>

Set up the /etc/ppp directory.
First, make sure /etc/ppp exists. I have five files in my directory: options, PPP-login, ip-up, ip-down, and restart-ppp.
- Create the options file:
```
/dev/tty00
115200
defaultroute
persist
crtscts
lock
modem
disconnect '/etc/ppp/restart-ppp'
connect 'chat -f /etc/ppp/PPP-login'
```
  I use a com port at /dev/tty00 at 115200 bps. Since I have a Hayes ESP board with a 1024b FIFO, this is no problem, you may find that this is too fast and that you need to run at 57600.
- Create the PPP-login file:
```
ABORT BUSY
ABORT 'NO CARRIER'
REPORT CARRIER
REPORT CONNECT
'' ATDT*phone*
ogin: *login*
word: *password*
```
  Where, obviously, you need to replace *PHONE* with the phone number and *login*/*password* with your login and password. The REPORT lines log the connection messages into the file connect-errors; if your modem doesn't make messages, or if the messages start with something other than CARRIER or CONNECT you won't get anything captured.
- Create ip-up and ip-down
  You don't really need these files, but they allow you to do specific things when your PPP link comes up or goes down. My scripts are very simple; note that you must use full pathnames.
```
#!/bin/sh
# ip-up
/sbin/route delete default
/sbin/route add default 165.227.1.100
```
```
#!/bin/sh
# ip-down
/sbin/route delete default
```
- Create restart-ppp. You don't need this either and actually I don't even know if this works the way I think it does!
```
#!/bin/sh
# Try to restart pppd in case the modem has dropped.
#
/bin/sleep 60
pppd
```
Try it out!
Run the command pppd. Your modem should dial, connect, and start ppp and you're on the net!
It didn't work!
- Did the modem dial?
  Is the option local in /etc/ttys? If not then you need to make sure that the modem works (use tip). Is there an old modem lock file in /var/spool/lock?
- Modem dialed but didn't connect?
  Did you hear any modem connecting noises? Did you put the right phone number in PPP-login?
- Did the modem connect but chat failed?
  Did you put in your correct username and password? Does your ISP prompt you for things other than "login:" and "password:"? Walk through the login with tip to see all of the prompts.
- PPP comes up but then drops or doesn't work?
  Are your interfaces configured right? Do you have a route out of the ppp device? Is your telephone line really flaky? Does netstat show traffic on the ppp device?
```
[Output of netstat -i]
Name  Mtu   Network     Address              Ipkts Ierrs    Opkts Oerrs  Coll
ppp0  1006  resort-net  atrium              471914     0   471548    15     0
	
```
```
[Output of netstat -r]
Internet:
Destination      Gateway            Flags     Refs     Use    Mtu  Interface
default          scruz-ts1.scruz.ne UGS         3   471396      -  ppp0
```
```
[Output of ifconfig -a]
ppp0: flags=51<UP,POINTOPOINT,RUNNING>
        inet 165.227.14.1 --> 165.227.1.100 netmask 0xffffff00 
```

Future Additions

Demand dialing.
Server mode setup.
Better chat script (ha!).