Getting connected: Mac OS9 PPP GENERIC help

This page for Macintosh OS 9 users recommends that you set up your Internet connection to hosts at Murdoch University with Apple's standard "built in" PPP as supplied on the Mac OS 9.0 system CD. This page assumes that you have a standard OS 9 installation.

Earlier software used for Internet connections, such as InterSLIP, MacPPP, FreePPP and MacTCP, is not usable with System 9. If you are considering an upgrade from System 8.x to System 9, you should contact your Apple dealer for advice on purchasing and feasibility for installing OS 9 on your Mac.

PPP window

 

  1. Obtain this window from the Remote Access Control Panel (from the Apple Menu, select Control Panels, Remote Access).
  2. You will use this window to initiate your connection. For first time use, you must enter your Modem settings, the TCP/IP settings and Options.
  3. Enter your login name in the "Name" box (not mine!), and your password. (Your login name (sometimes referred to as user name) is the name you sign on as when you collect information from the Staff or Student Myinfo kiosk. For staff, it's your Murdoch Username. For students, your username is your student number.) The characters in your password are displayed as "bullets" so that other persons, if present, cannot read it. "Guest" login (ie, without password) is not provided. Enter modem pool number.
  4. If your settings are correct and your modem is ready, initiate connection by clicking upon the "Connect" button. However, please read the next section below before dialing.


 

2. Configure modem

 

  1. With the PPP window active (click upon it to make it the active window), you can access this pull down menu. Select Modem. Alternatively, you can obtain Modem via Apple Menu, Control panels, Modem.
  2. In the Modem window, select Modem Port, or Modem/Printer Port, whatever is available on your Mac.
  3. In the Setup part, select a suitable modem from the large list (click the small black triangles to view - Apple Personal Modem is usually the most likely one to try first).
  4. Make other settings as indicated. Close this window, saving if prompted to save. Test by telling the PPP window to connect. If your modem won't dial, you should try again with "Ignore dial tone" ticked on
  5. If this is your first time use, go now to TCP/IP settings to continue setup.


 

3. Configure TCP/IP

 

  1. With the PPP window active (click upon it to make it the active window), you can access this pull down menu. Select TCP/IP. Alternatively, you can obtain the TCP/IP window via Apple Menu, Control panels, TCP/IP.
  2. In the TCP/IP window (below), for "Connect via" you select PPP, and for "Configure", select Using PPP Server.
  3. For Name Server address, type in two numbers, 207.172.3.8 (the primary) and 207.172.3.9 (the secondary) as shown. For Search domain, type in murdoch.edu.au as shown.
  4. Close the window (click small square at top left corner), saving if prompted.

 

4. PPP window: Options, Redialing and Connection

 

The Options window is obtained from the Options button in the PPP window. The settings for Redialing and Connection are optional but we recommend that you do make the settings as specified below.

Redialing tab

  1. You can set Redial "Off", or "main number only". Redial is very useful if you need to try repeatedly when all lines are busy.
  2. If Redial is on, the number of redials and time between retries should not exceed Austel limits (up to 10 redials, at least 5 seconds apart).

Connection tab

  1. Click upon the Connection tab to foreground it. We recommend "Connect automatically" be off, because often you may wish to use Netscape or Eudora, for example, for offline work such as reading web files saved on your hard disk, composing a long email, etc.
  2. "Flash icon" is a useful indicator that you are still connected. "Disconnect if idle (you set the number of minutes)" may be useful for STD callers, who may forget that a call charge meter is merrily incrementing their telephone account charges.
  3. Now go to the next step in Options, setting Protocol (settings for Redialing, Connection and Protocol are saved when you click the OK button). For setting Protocol choose PPP server.

5. PPP server connection

This section concerns an essential setting for Options: Protocol. In most cases you won't have to do anything because the "PPP server" type of connection is the "default".

Protocol setting for using PPP server

  1. Obtain the Protocol tab from the PPP window, Options (click upon the Protocol tab to foreground it).
  2. Check that the selections are ticked as shown (This selection is the "default" for Mac OS9 PPP). "Connect to a command line host" must be unticked, and in general its bullets will be empty, except in cases where you have been using script or terminal window previously.
  3. Click OK to save Protocol and other Options settings. This completes your PPP setup, but please read the further advice below before returning to your PPP window and attempting to connect via its "Connect" button.

During the connection process

  1. When your click the "Connect" button in your PPP window, the password prompt shown here will be displayed, if you have not already told PPP your password. Enter your password for your host (the "Guest" option to not use a password is not available for Murdoch hosts).
  2. "Enter password" is the only "manual" step in the connection process. However, if it is safe to do so, you may elect to "Save password".

 

Connected window

 

  1. The end result from the connection process, if successful, is this window. You will receive intermediate Status messages, "Dialling [number], "Communicating at [modem speed]" after the modems have connected, and "Authenticating", but some steps are not displayed. The time span between modem connection established and completion of PPP initiation is usually 25-35 seconds.
  2. Upon successful connection, the Status portion will be similar to that shown . About "Time remaining: Unlimited", sorry, no such luck. All hosts have "kick-off" regimes and some have daily connect time quotas as well!
  3. You can close the PPP window if you wish (click the square at top left corner), or leave it open. The "Send" and "Receive" indicators may be re-assuring if you are uncertain about whether your PPP is functional. To disconnect, re-open the PPP window if it's not visible, and click the "Disconnect" button.
  4. When connected, you can use Netscape to obtain web pages, Eudora to check and send email, or use other services.