PPP for Linux

PPP, or Point-to-Point Protocol, is a way of connecting a computer to the Internet over a phone line. The University provides PPP access to faculty, staff, and graduate students who have requested the PPP enhancement added to their account.

PPP under Linux has a long history of being a bit "tricky" to new/novice users. With new distributions, it is actually quite straight-forward.

  • Red Hat has a "Dialup Configuration Tool" in the "Internet" program group.
  • KDE has "kppp," which is very nice and easy to configure.
  • X-ISP has a very easy-to-use setup and many advanced features.
  • For the power user, there is the old pppd/chat script method.

You must have superuser privileges to configure for PPP. Login as "root" or as a privileged user. Only a couple settings are needed to get your connection up and going.

  • Phone Number: 327-8500  This is a Reno/Sparks local number. (See Statewide Access Numbers.)
    The University is not responsible for any long-distance charges.  Check to see if this is a long-distance number for you.
  • Name server / DNS:
        134.197.5.1
        134.197.6.1

There are 2 types of account used for PPP authentication. They are Fallon or NetID accounts.

Fallon

  • Username:  Portion of email address to the left of the @ sign (e.g., joeuser@unr.nevada.edu, username = joeuser)
  • Password:  Case-sensitive password associated with email account

NetID

  • Username:  NetID username
  • Password:  Case-sensitive password associated with NetID

Login scripts are not provided by IT, nor are they recommended.  Authentication is acheived through an After-Dial Terminal Window.  If this automated configuration does not work, go to detailed Linux PPP instructions.