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8. Getting the Information you need about the PPP server

   Before you can establish a PPP connection with a server, you need to
   obtain the following information (from the sysadmin/user support
   people of the PPP server):-
     * The telephone number(s) to dial for the service
       If you are behind a PABX, you also need the PABX number that gives
       you an outside dial tone - this is frequently digit zero (0) or
       nine (9).
     * Does the server use DYNAMIC or STATIC IP numbers?
       If the server uses STATIC IP numbers, then you may need to know
       what IP number to use for your end of the PPP connection. If your
       ISP is providing you with a subnet of valid IP numbers, you will
       need to know the IP numbers you can use and the network mask
       (netmask).
       Most Internet Service Providers use DYNAMIC IP numbers. As
       mentioned above, this has some implications in terms of the
       services you can use.
       However, even if you are using STATIC IP numbers, most PPP servers
       will never (for security reasons) allow the client to specify an
       IP number as this is a security risk. You do still need to know
       this information!
     * What are the IP numbers of the ISPs Domain Name Servers?
       There should be at least two although only one is needed.
       There could be a problem here. The MS Windows 95 PPP setup allows
       the DNS address to be passed to the client as part of its
       connection process. So your ISP (or corporate help desk) may well
       tell you you don't need the IP address of the DNS server(s).
       For Linux, you DO need the address of at least one DNS. The linux
       implementation of PPP does not allow the setting of the DNS IP
       number dynamically at connection time - and quite possibly will
       never do so.
       Note: whilst Linux (as a PPP client) cannot accept the DNS address
       from a server, it can, when acting as a server, pass this
       information to clients using the dns-addr pppd option.
     * Does the server require the use of PAP/CHAP?
       If this is the case you need to know the "id" and "secret" you are
       to use in connecting. (These are probably your user name and
       password at your ISP).
     * Does the server automatically start PPP or do you need to issue
       any commands to start PPP on the server once you are logged in?
       If you must issue a command to start PPP, what is it?
     * Is the server a Microsoft Windows NT system and, if so, is it
       using the MS PAP/CHAP system?
       Many corporate LANs seem to use MS Windows NT this way for
       increased security.
       
   Carefully note down this information - you are going to use it!
   
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References

   1. http://amelia.db.erau.edu/ldp/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO-7.html
   2. http://amelia.db.erau.edu/ldp/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO-9.html
   3. http://amelia.db.erau.edu/ldp/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO.html#toc8
   4. http://amelia.db.erau.edu/ldp/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO-7.html
   5. http://amelia.db.erau.edu/ldp/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO-9.html
   6. http://amelia.db.erau.edu/ldp/HOWTO/PPP-HOWTO.html#toc8