OSX as a PPP server

sdussin · 04-25-2002, 05:09 PM

I have a rather strange (I think) requirement for a system I'm developing.

I'm running OSX on a Mac-based kiosk device, and I need to be able to both dial into the kiosk and dial out from the kiosk. I'm assuming that I need to setup PPP to do this. I'm concerned about how to configure the machine so that it can wait for an incoming PPP call, yet still be able to initiate a PPP call when the modem is clear.

I have exactly no idea how to go about this. Can anyone give me a few tips or pointers on where I might be able to get information on this??

Thanx
Steve Dussinger

Dr-NiKoN · 04-29-2002, 06:50 AM

man pppd
is a good place to start.

You might want to look into compiling dialin, which is a linux ppp-server.

But, I think pppd should handle this for you.

nikon

randydarden · 06-23-2002, 12:03 PM

Quote:


	I have exactly no idea how to go about this. Can anyone give me a few tips or pointers on where I might be able to get information on this??

I set up PPP dialin on my OpenBSD machine -- that is, I could dial into this machine from another computer as if it was any other PPP server. I wrote up some instructions here:

Just today I decided to figure this out on Mac OS X. However, I don't know if it can be done -- the PPP answering setup for OpenBSD relies on a unix program called "chat" to communicate with the modem, and this appears to be absent in OS X. I've been searching around the web all morning and this forum thread is the first mention I've found of PPP answering setups in OS X.

If you don't need OS X, Mac OS 9 (and earlier I think) had modem answering functionality built in. And it was very easy to set up!

Craig R. Arko · 06-23-2002, 01:17 PM

And if you happen to have an AirPort Basestation lying around, apparently the new 2.0.4 software/firmware update allows you to set it up as a PPP server. I have a 3rd party access point so I can't test this, but maybe someone will let us know?

Novajo · 06-25-2002, 10:54 AM

You need mgetty to answer the phone and "manage the connection". It has everything you need and more (voice, fax, data (which includes pppd)). I compiled it, modified it for Mac OS X and configured it. It answers the phone. Then, you need to configure the data connect to start pppd. I got it to work. Everything is *almost* fine... except for one big problem: once the modem has answered, if I hang up (from the remote computer), the server computer does not. The line stays busy forever. I suspect this is related to a configuration problem in the modem init string.

You can get my working copy from my anonymous CVS server with:

setenv CVSROOT :pserver:anonymous@cvs.novajo.ca:/usr/local/CVS

and then

cvs login
(no password)

cvs checkout mgetty-macosx

please note this is not an official macosx release at all. I will eventually contribute my patches to the main mgetty site.

A few notes:

All modems on Apple computers are Rockwell.
Check out the policy.h.macosx file for details.
I have the answering machine working perfectly fine.
I have the fax machine working, but unstested.
I have the data connect working with above limitation (no hang up).
I don't know the init string. Don't trust mine.
I believe the "init" process (pid 1) has problems in restarting "getty-type" processes (might have read that somewhere).

Please if you find the problem with the init string, let me know at dccote@novajo.ca

04-25-2002, 05:09 PM	#1
sdussin Prospect Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3	OSX as a PPP server I have a rather strange (I think) requirement for a system I'm developing. I'm running OSX on a Mac-based kiosk device, and I need to be able to both dial into the kiosk and dial out from the kiosk. I'm assuming that I need to setup PPP to do this. I'm concerned about how to configure the machine so that it can wait for an incoming PPP call, yet still be able to initiate a PPP call when the modem is clear. I have exactly no idea how to go about this. Can anyone give me a few tips or pointers on where I might be able to get information on this?? Thanx Steve Dussinger

06-25-2002, 10:54 AM	#5
Novajo Triple-A Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 185	mgetty You need mgetty to answer the phone and "manage the connection". It has everything you need and more (voice, fax, data (which includes pppd)). I compiled it, modified it for Mac OS X and configured it. It answers the phone. Then, you need to configure the data connect to start pppd. I got it to work. Everything is almost fine... except for one big problem: once the modem has answered, if I hang up (from the remote computer), the server computer does not. The line stays busy forever. I suspect this is related to a configuration problem in the modem init string. You can get my working copy from my anonymous CVS server with: setenv CVSROOT :pserver:anonymous@cvs.novajo.ca:/usr/local/CVS and then cvs login (no password) cvs checkout mgetty-macosx please note this is not an official macosx release at all. I will eventually contribute my patches to the main mgetty site. A few notes: All modems on Apple computers are Rockwell. Check out the policy.h.macosx file for details. I have the answering machine working perfectly fine. I have the fax machine working, but unstested. I have the data connect working with above limitation (no hang up). I don't know the init string. Don't trust mine. I believe the "init" process (pid 1) has problems in restarting "getty-type" processes (might have read that somewhere). Please if you find the problem with the init string, let me know at dccote@novajo.ca Last edited by Novajo; 06-25-2002 at 04:18 PM.

04-29-2002, 06:50 AM	#2
Dr-NiKoN Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Norway Posts: 51	man pppd is a good place to start. You might want to look into compiling dialin, which is a linux ppp-server. But, I think pppd should handle this for you. nikon

06-23-2002, 01:17 PM	#4
Craig R. Arko Site Admin Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,988	And if you happen to have an AirPort Basestation lying around, apparently the new 2.0.4 software/firmware update allows you to set it up as a PPP server. I have a 3rd party access point so I can't test this, but maybe someone will let us know?