Modem Administration

This section describes how to set up a point-to-point protocol (PPP) link between the Netra server and a remote host using a modem.

PPP enables two computers to be connected over a two-way communications link. The connection is established as needed. The Modem Administration module enables you to administer connections to a remote host system (for example, your ISP) using PPP. The following PPP protocol options are supported:

• Dynamic assignment of your Netra system's host address

• Addition of the remote system's host address to your routing table

Connecting to a Remote Host Using a Modem

Connecting to a remote host using a modem and PPP requires the following tasks:

1. Defining a modem.

   Examine the existing modem definitions in the Netra server using the View modem definitions option described on "To View Modem Definitions". If an initialization definition for your modem has already been created, skip this task. If not, add an initialization definition and a unique name for your modem using the Add a modem definition option described on "To Add a Modem Definition".

2. Assigning a modem to a port.

   Your modem must be physically connected to the Netra server on one of the serial ports. Assign your modem to a specific port by using the appropriate Assign a modem to Port x option, as described on "To Assign a Modem to a Serial Port".

3. Adding a remote host connection.

   After you assign a modem to a serial port, set up a connection to a remote host using the Add a remote host connection option described on "To Add a Modem Remote Host Connection". (Note that this option will not be displayed until at least one modem is assigned to a port.)

Remote Host Connections

You must assign a modem to a port before you can see the Add a remote host connection option.

To Add a Modem Remote Host Connection

1. Choose Modem --> Add a remote host connection.

   The Add A Remote Host Connection page is displayed.

2. Complete the form using the information in Table 4-2.

   Table 4-2 Modem Remote Host Administration

   Option	Description
   Remote Host Address	The host address of the system at the other end of the PPP connection (presumably the ISP). Example: 129.144.102.6
   Local Host Address	The host address of the Netra server. Example: 129.144.102.27  If the remote host assigns the host address dynamically, enter dynamic in this field.
   Phone Number	The phone number for the remote host. Example: 17005554141
   Login String	The UUCP-style chat script used to log in to the remote PPP server once the modem connection is established. Example: \" in: LOGIN\r\c word: PASSWORD\r\c\"
   Timeout (minutes)	The time, in minutes, after which an idle connection is terminated.
   Use Remote Host As Default Route	Select this option if you want the remote host address to be added to the route table as the default destination. This default route is removed when the connection is terminated.
   Serial Port Name	The name of the serial port on the Netra server through which to connect to the remote host. Choices: ports with connected modems.
   Connection Speed	The bits-per-second speed at which the serial port on the Netra server should communicate with the modem. (Use 38400 for maximum throughput.) Choices: 38400, 19200, and 9600

To Modify or Delete a Remote Host Connection

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Choose one of the following:

   • To modify an existing remote host connection, click Modify, and complete the form using the information in Table 4-2 as a reference.

   • To delete a remote host connection, click Delete, then confirm the delete operation.

Modem Definitions

The Netra server defines 33 modems. You cannot change these definitions or use any of them as your modem name.

To Add a Modem Definition

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Modem Definitions," Add a modem definition.

   The Add a Modem Definition page is displayed.

3. Complete the form using the information in Table 4-3.

   Table 4-3 Adding/Modifying a Modem Definition

   Option	Description
   Modem Name	The name associated with the modem. The name must be unique. It must start with a letter, and can include letters, digits, hyphens, and underscores. A modem name must not exceed 12 characters. Example: myhayes
   Initialization String	The string passed to the modem when the connection to it is first established. Example: \" AT\r\c\ OK ATM1L)\r\c OK ATDT\D\r\c CONNECT\"

To View Modem Definitions

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Modem Definitions," click View modem definitions.

   A list of definitions is displayed in a scrolling window. The modems you defined are shown under your Modems; the system-defined modems are listed next.

To Modify or Delete a Modem Definition

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Choose one of the following.

   • To modify an existing modem definition, click Modify, and complete the form using the information in Table 4-3 as a reference.

   • To delete a modem definition, click Delete, then confirm the operation.

Modem Port Assignments

You can assign a modem to a serial port using the Network Connection Administration page.

To Assign a Modem to a Serial Port

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Port Assignments," click Assign a modem to Port x.

   (Choose the port to which your modem is connected.)

   The Modem Port Assignment page is displayed with current port assignments.

3. From the scroll list, select the name of the modem connected to the port (see Table 4-4).

   Table 4-4 Modem Assignments

   Option	Description
   Modem assigned to port x	All modems are listed, including those defined by the system. "No modem" is not a valid selection if the port is in use by a remote host. If you do not assign modems to any ports, you cannot make a remote connection.

Modem Log Files

You can change, view or delete modem log files using the Network Connection Administration.

To Change the Log File Detail Level

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Under "Modem Log file," Change log file detail level.

   The Modem Log File Detail Level page is displayed.

3. Choose a level of detail (see Table 4-5):

   Table 4-5 Modem Log File Detail Levels

   Option	Description
   Log File Detail Level	oerrors only  ominimal information  osome uucp chat script information  oall uucp chat script information  omaximum uucp information  oPPP message traces  oeverything, including IP packets

To View or Clear the Log File

1. From the Main Administration page, under "Network Connection Administration," click Modem.

   The Modem Administration page is displayed.

2. Choose one of the following options:

   • To view information in the log file, click View log file.

   • To clear information in the log file, click Clear log file, then confirm the operation.