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 PPP configuration files on the dial-out machine. But 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 30-1:

   ping lindyhop

   If the link is working correctly, the standard Telnet login sequence should be displayed in the terminal window. If the link is not working correctly, refer to Chapter 35, Fixing Common Problems (Tasks).

4. Terminate the PPP session:

   % pkill -TERM -x pppd

Where to Go From Here

If you have followed all the procedures in this chapter, you have completed the configuration of the dial-up link.