Calling the Dial-in Server

You establish a dial-up PPP link by having the dial-out machine call the dial-in server. You can instruct the dial-out machine to call the server by specifying the demand option in the local PPP configuration files. However, the most common method for establishing the link is for the user to run the pppd command on the dial-out machine.

Before you proceed to the next task, you should have done either or both of the following:

• Set up the dial-out machine, as described in Configuring the Dial-out Machine

• Set up the dial-in server, as described in Configuring the Dial-in Server

How to Call the Dial-in Server

1. Log in to the dial-out machine by using your regular user account, not root.
2. Call the dial-in server by running the pppd command.

   For example, the following command initiates a link between the dial-out machine and dial-in server myserver:

   % pppd 57600 call myserver

   pppd

   Starts the call by invoking the pppd daemon

   57600

   Sets the speed of the line between host and modem

   call myserver

   Invokes the call option of pppd. pppd then reads options in the file /etc/ppp/peers/myserver, which was created in How to Define the Connection With an Individual Peer

3. Contact a host on the server's network, for example, the host lindyhop that is shown in Figure 2-1:

   ping lindyhop

   If the link is not working correctly, refer to Chapter 7, Fixing Common PPP Problems (Tasks).

4. Terminate the PPP session:

   % pkill -x pppd

See Also

If you have followed all the procedures in this chapter, you have completed the configuration of the dial-up link. The following list provides references to related information.

• To have users start working on their dial-out machines, see How to Call the Dial-in Server.

• To fix problems on the link, see Chapter 7, Fixing Common PPP Problems (Tasks).

• To learn more about the files and options that are used in this chapter, see Using PPP Options in Files and on the Command Line.