Configuring Kppp for your own use

There was a time when only a UNIX expert would know how to use PPP to connect your Linux box to the internet. Things have changed quite a bit since then :-) You should find that Kppp configuration is as easy as plugging an MS Windows machine into the internet. Some people think that it's easier to use the internet with Linux. Since KDE 2.0 came along things have improved quite a bit. The pictures below are only a guide. You will have to have a look at your own computer and work it out for yourself.

So, let's get started ? First off all you don't need to saw your leg off so get rid of all of those power tools and wood saws from the end of the bench before you do something nasty to yourself. You should be able to see the first picture below. To get to this point you must either be running the KDE window manager or you can open a terminal window and type in "kppp" (without the quotation marks). If Kppp doesn't come up on the screen you haven't installed it yet.

What you need to do is click on setup. That's in the middle of the picture ? No, don't click on this picture. Do it on your own machine.

Click the accounts tab (as you can see above) and select the following by clicking on New....

What's next is you fill in the connection name with whatever you might think is a good name. Perhaps it's "Demon Internet" ?? In the phone number put the local dialup code as well as the number for your ISP. That might be something like 08456671234 ? Make sure that authentication is set as PAP. Most ISPs in the UK use PAP. Then you need to click om the DNS tab (top of the above picture). You can see it below.

You need to fill in the Domain Name with the domain name of your internet service provider. That might be "demon.co.uk" ? Without the quotation marks please. The DNS IP Address slot will need two values. That's first and second IP address of your ISP. Every ISP has an info page that will give this information. You don't need to phone them up. It might be something like 192.194.23.1 for the first IP address and 192.194.23.15 for the second IP address. Next part is to click on the Login Script tab and the picture below shows that.....

You need to click on the drop down listbox and select send. This will make sure that your Linux box connects to the internet. Then click on OK to get to the screen which is the picture that you can see below. select the Device tab...........

You need to set up your modem to work with Kppp and the internet. You can get info about the "Modem Device" if you set up a modem under YaST. It will tell you that it might be under /dev/ttyS3 or wherever it is. Flow control is normally set to XON/XOFF but it might be something else ? Line Termination and Connection Speed are also important. Finally have a look under the PPP tab just to make sure that's alright as well ?? That's the next picture below.

You can select or de-select any of the options in here. Simple isn't it ? Next you click on OK and should be able to connect to the internet. You might want to run a login window the first time so that you can see what's going on ?