How to Invoke a Chat Script (Task)

1. Create the chat script as an ASCII file.

2. Invoke the chat script in any PPP configuration file by using the following syntax:

   connect 'chat -f /etc/ppp/chatfile'

   The -f flag indicates that a file name is to follow. /etc/ppp/chatfile represents the name of the chat file.

3. Give read permission for the external chat file to the user who will run the pppd command.

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   Caution –

   The chat program always runs with the user's privileges, even if the connect 'chat ...' option is invoked from a privileged source. Thus, a separate chat file that is read with the -f option must be readable by the invoking user. This privilege can be a security problem if the chat script contains passwords or other sensitive information.

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Chat Script in an External File

If the chat script that is needed for a particular peer is long or complicated, consider creating the script as a separate file. External chat files are easy to maintain and document. You can add comments to the chat file by preceding them with the hash (#) sign.

The procedure How to Create the Instructions for Calling a Peer shows the use of a chat script that is contained in an external file.

Inline Chat Script

You can place the entire chat script conversation on a single line, similar to the following:

connect 'chat "" "AT&F1" OK ATDT5551212 CONNECT "\c"'