hopefully simple ppp dns or routing problem on Slack 9.1

I recently posted this on alt.os.linux.slackware, but I think it
might be more relevant here:

I'm just trying to get a simple desktop dialup setup working. I haven't set
up any LAN. I'd like to be able to use ppp-on/off as a regular user, but for
now I just want to get it working for root. I'm running a stock Slack 9.1
install with bare.i.

(Foreshadow: I'm beginning to think that this problem might have something
to do with the fact that I've got an unused (but recognized) PCI ethernet
NIC in my machine.)

I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback connection
(for "modem or no net").

I've run pppsetup and given it the usual input.

I can run ppp-on as root and get my external modem to dialup and connect.
/var/log/messages tells me:

CONNECT
-- got it
Serial connection established.
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/modem


Once connected, If I try to ping the one dns IP in my /etc/resolv.conf,
I get:

connect: Network is unreachable


If I try to ping something else

ping www.osnews.com


I get

ping: unknown host www.osnews.com


Trying to traceroute the IP of my DNS listed in /etc/resolv.conf

traceroute: findsaddr: Can't find interface

Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section,
there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are in the lo section.


Some more (possibly relevant) info from my config files:

/etc/resolv.conf:
search my_isp.net
nameserver 123.456.789.123

/etc/host.conf:
order hosts, bind
multi on

/etc/hosts:
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 me.example.net me

/etc/networks:
loopback 127.0.0.0
localnet 127.0.0.0

/etc/nsswitch.conf:
# [snip] Everything says "files" except
hosts: files dns

Also, /etc/ppp/options mentions:
defaultroute
noipdefault

Further -- once connected, "netstat -rn" output only lists that one line
starting with 127.0.0.1 for the lo interface. That's the same as when I'm
*not* connected.

Maybe something to do with setting up a default route?

Any help is appreciated. If there's a trick here, I'll be sure to notify
the relevant developers of it. Thanks.

--- remove zees if attempting to reply via email ---

John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:

> I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback connection
> (for "modem or no net").

You need networking enabled to create a PPP functional (networking)
interface.

<snip>

> Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section,
> there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are in the lo section.

No "UP, RUNNING" for the PPP interface means PPP no workie.

--
Clifford Kite Email: "echo xvgr_yvahk-ccc@ri1.arg|rot13"
PPP-Q&A links, downloads: http://ckite.no-ip.net/
/* "PPPoE has many advantages for DSL service providers, and
practically none for DSL consumers."
- David F. Skoll */

Clifford Kite wrote:
> John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:
>
>
>>I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback connection
>>(for "modem or no net").
>
>
> You need networking enabled to create a PPP functional (networking)
> interface.
>
> <snip>
>
>>Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section,
>>there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are in the lo section.
>
>
> No "UP, RUNNING" for the PPP interface means PPP no workie.
>

Thanks for the reply Cliff. I'm not sure what you mean by "I need
networking enabled", since I've got some /etc/rc.d/rc.inet* scripts
that *are* getting run.

I'm also getting some help on this where I originally posted it in
alt.os.linux.slackware (subject: slack, help with simple ppp dialup).
*** I probably should've given the post there a few days fermentation
time before posting here and having duplication. :) ***

Please direct any further interest to that thread. Thank you. (I don't
yet have a solution, but am getting there.)

John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:
> Clifford Kite wrote:
>> You need networking enabled to create a PPP functional (networking)
>> interface.
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>>Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section,
>>>there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are in the lo section.
>>
>>
>> No "UP, RUNNING" for the PPP interface means PPP no workie.

> Thanks for the reply Cliff. I'm not sure what you mean by "I need
> networking enabled", since I've got some /etc/rc.d/rc.inet* scripts
> that *are* getting run.

You said:

I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback connection
(for "modem or no net").

To me that 'no net' meant 'no networking,' but looking at the netconfig
scripts convinces me that it means no network card. I run Slackware,
but it started life as 7.1 and has been upgraded whenever necessary.
It's been something like four years since the install and it's doubtful
that I've ever run netconfig, unless it was a part of the initial setup.

Add the pppd option debug and the chat -v option. Run pppd and look
in /var/log/debug and /var/log/messages for clues. Post exact copies
(cut-and-paste) of the chat and pppd generated messages in those logs
should you need more help.

> I'm also getting some help on this where I originally posted it in
> alt.os.linux.slackware (subject: slack, help with simple ppp dialup).
> *** I probably should've given the post there a few days fermentation
> time before posting here and having duplication. :) ***

> Please direct any further interest to that thread. Thank you. (I don't
> yet have a solution, but am getting there.)

I've added the alt group to the follow-up part of the header, but
any request for help from me should include this group, since the
alt group is not one that I monitor. FWIW, I specialize in helping
people with PPP problems.

--
Clifford Kite Email: "echo xvgr_yvahk-ccc@ri1.arg|rot13"
PPP-Q&A links, downloads: http://ckite.no-ip.net/
/* Speak softly and carry a sucker rod (See man syslogd, footnote to
recommendation 4 under SECURITY THREATS). */

Clifford Kite wrote:

> John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:
>
>>Clifford Kite wrote:
>>
>>>You need networking enabled to create a PPP functional (networking)
>>>interface.
>>>
>>><snip>
>>>
>>>>Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section,
>>>>there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are in the lo section.
>>>
>>>
>>>No "UP, RUNNING" for the PPP interface means PPP no workie.
>
>
>>Thanks for the reply Cliff. I'm not sure what you mean by "I need
>>networking enabled", since I've got some /etc/rc.d/rc.inet* scripts
>>that *are* getting run.
>
>
> You said:
>
> I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback connection
> (for "modem or no net").
>
> To me that 'no net' meant 'no networking,' but looking at the netconfig
> scripts convinces me that it means no network card.

After I run netconfig to configure my NIC (as if I was using it with a
static IP on a LAN even though nothing is plugged into it), the only
changes I see are in:

1. /etc/hosts -- 127.0.0.1 me.example.net me ==>
192.168.0.0 me.example.net me

2. /etc/networks -- localnet 127.0.0.1 ==> localnet 192.168.0.0

3. /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1.conf -- IPADDR[0] and NETMASK[0] now have values
in them you'd expect (they were empty strings before).

4. /etc/resolv.conf -- search my_isp.net ==> search example.net (which
I see can't work (since I'm not running my own DNS server or even a
LAN).

No changes to /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1 or rc.inet2 -- which is where I'd expect
to see a change if some part of the networking system was enabled.

> I run Slackware,
> but it started life as 7.1 and has been upgraded whenever necessary.

The ppp package I've got installed is ppp-2.4.1-i486-1. Looks there's a
more current version available, but I don't have an easy way to get it
on that machine (I'm typing this from my old PowerBook running OS X).
No CD burner on this thing, and it won't read my ext2-formatted USB
flash drive. Pfft! :)

> It's been something like four years since the install and it's doubtful
> that I've ever run netconfig, unless it was a part of the initial setup.
>
> Add the pppd option debug

Yup. I've already uncommented that option in /etc/options.

> and the chat -v option.

That's already being specified in /usr/sbin/ppp-go.

> Run pppd and look
> in /var/log/debug

I there, I see some messages from pppd saying things like:
using channel 1
using channel 2
using channel 3
using channel 4

along with what seems like many ("message repeated 9 times"...) messages like:

sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0xd18d00f6> <pcomp> <accomp>]

but those hex numbers after "magic" change.

> and /var/log/messages for clues. Post exact copies
> (cut-and-paste) of the chat and pppd generated messages in those logs
> should you need more help.

Well, since that machine can't connect to the net, and as I said, I can't
get OS X to read ext2, I'm stuck hand-typing for now. But I'll type stuff
in as best I can. :)

>
>>I'm also getting some help on this where I originally posted it in
>>alt.os.linux.slackware (subject: slack, help with simple ppp dialup).
>>*** I probably should've given the post there a few days fermentation
>>time before posting here and having duplication. :) ***
>
>
>>Please direct any further interest to that thread. Thank you. (I don't
>>yet have a solution, but am getting there.)
>
>
> I've added the alt group to the follow-up part of the header, but
> any request for help from me should include this group, since the
> alt group is not one that I monitor.

I don't know what the follow-up header means, but I'm sending this
to both alt.os.linux.slackware and comp.os.linux.networking.

Hitting the "reply-all" button puts your email address in the "to"
field, so I just hit "reply", it came up addressed to a.o.l.s, and
I added the c.o.l.n address by-hand.

> FWIW, I specialize in helping
> people with PPP problems.

Thank you very much. I'm glad I bumped into you. :)

---J
--- if contacting via email, remove zees ---

John Gabriele wrote:

> Clifford Kite wrote:
>
>> John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Clifford Kite wrote:
>>>
>>>> You need networking enabled to create a PPP functional (networking)
>>>> interface.
>>>>
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>>> Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section,
>>>>> there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are in the lo
>>>>> section.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> No "UP, RUNNING" for the PPP interface means PPP no workie.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Thanks for the reply Cliff. I'm not sure what you mean by "I need
>>> networking enabled", since I've got some /etc/rc.d/rc.inet* scripts
>>> that *are* getting run.
>>
>>
>>
>> You said:
>>
>> I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback
>> connection
>> (for "modem or no net").
>>
>> To me that 'no net' meant 'no networking,' but looking at the netconfig
>> scripts convinces me that it means no network card.
>
>

Hmm... /etc/ppp/ip-up isn't getting called.

John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:

> Hmm... /etc/ppp/ip-up isn't getting called.

That's only done when PPP successfully completes IPCP negotiations.
It never got past LCP negotiations so ip-up wasn't called.

--
Clifford Kite Email: "echo xvgr_yvahk-ccc@ri1.arg|rot13"
PPP-Q&A links, downloads: http://ckite.no-ip.net/
/* Speak softly and carry a +6 two-handed sword. */

John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:
> Clifford Kite wrote:

> After I run netconfig to configure my NIC (as if I was using it with a
> static IP on a LAN even though nothing is plugged into it), the only
> changes I see are in:

> 1. /etc/hosts -- 127.0.0.1 me.example.net me ==>
> 192.168.0.0 me.example.net me

I'll take that to mean that these lines appear in /etc/hosts:

127.0.0.1 me.example.net me
192.168.0.0 me.example.net me

I don't think the first one is a good idea, but there will be some that
agree with me and some that won't. I'd replace the first line with
these two:

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.2 me.example.net me

> 2. /etc/networks -- localnet 127.0.0.1 ==> localnet 192.168.0.0

I'd prefer to replace the first with

loopback 127.0.0.0

But it's rather doubtful that the above configurations are related to
your problem.

> 3. /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1.conf -- IPADDR[0] and NETMASK[0] now have values
> in them you'd expect (they were empty strings before).

Okay.

> 4. /etc/resolv.conf -- search my_isp.net ==> search example.net (which
> I see can't work (since I'm not running my own DNS server or even a
> LAN).

The domain names are just examples and should be replaced by whatever
the actual domains are. Just as "me.example.net me" is an example for
the hosts file. You should to put your ISP domain name as a search
argument in place of my_isp.net and the ISP DNS nameserver IP addresses
need to be in resolv.conf. I'd recommend you buy the "Running Linux"
book published by Dover - it should be worthwhile since you run Slackware.

My /etc/resolv.conf contains:

search ev1
options attempts:5 rotate
nameserver 216.88.76.6
nameserver 216.88.77.7

I'd suggest you read "man 5 resolver" for explanations of the options.

>> Run pppd and look
>> in /var/log/debug

> I there, I see some messages from pppd saying things like:
> using channel 1
> using channel 2
> using channel 3
> using channel 4

Hmm. This is new to me, although the channel numbers likely refer to
/dev/pts/{1,2,3,4} which are PPP device files.

Do you have /dev/pts and /dev/ppp? The first is a device directory,
not a file. You should see /dev/pts/{0,1,2,3,4} when connected.

> along with what seems like many ("message repeated 9 times"...) messages
> like:

> sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0xd18d00f6> <pcomp> <accomp>]

> but those hex numbers after "magic" change.

This is not new. Pppd quit after 10 attempts to start PPP negotiations
with the peer, which apparently isn't responding in any way.

>> and /var/log/messages for clues. Post exact copies
>> (cut-and-paste) of the chat and pppd generated messages in those logs
>> should you need more help.

> Well, since that machine can't connect to the net, and as I said, I can't
> get OS X to read ext2, I'm stuck hand-typing for now. But I'll type stuff
> in as best I can. :)

I don't know what "OS X" is.

Is there no way to transfer files from the problem host to the one with
"OS X" except though an Internet connection? For example, with a floppy
disk with an MS filesystem that both can read.

If there's no way then please include the timestamps, which sometimes
can provide a clue.

That's it for this time around.

--
Clifford Kite Email: "echo xvgr_yvahk-ccc@ri1.arg|rot13"
PPP-Q&A links, downloads: http://ckite.no-ip.net/
/* 97.3% of all statistics

Clifford Kite <kite@see.signature.id> writes:

]John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:
]> Clifford Kite wrote:

]> After I run netconfig to configure my NIC (as if I was using it with a
]> static IP on a LAN even though nothing is plugged into it), the only
]> changes I see are in:

]> 1. /etc/hosts -- 127.0.0.1 me.example.net me ==>
]> 192.168.0.0 me.example.net me

]I'll take that to mean that these lines appear in /etc/hosts:

]127.0.0.1 me.example.net me
]192.168.0.0 me.example.net me

]I don't think the first one is a good idea, but there will be some that
]agree with me and some that won't. I'd replace the first line with
]these two:

]127.0.0.1 localhost
]127.0.0.2 me.example.net me

I agree with Kite. The first address obtained will be the address used to get name to ip
mapping. Thus me.example.net will always resolve to 127.0.0.1.


]> 4. /etc/resolv.conf -- search my_isp.net ==> search example.net (which
]> I see can't work (since I'm not running my own DNS server or even a
]> LAN).

The search option is more or less useless. you do not need it. What you
need is the nameserver lines to point to proper DNS IP resolvers, and
MUST be IP addresses not names.




]>> and /var/log/messages for clues. Post exact copies
]>> (cut-and-paste) of the chat and pppd generated messages in those logs
]>> should you need more help.

]> Well, since that machine can't connect to the net, and as I said, I can't
]> get OS X to read ext2, I'm stuck hand-typing for now. But I'll type stuff
]> in as best I can. :)

]I don't know what "OS X" is.

Macintosh operating system I assume.
Put it onto a floppy.

You could also try reading
www.theory.physics.ubc.ca/ppp-linux.html
which may give you hints as to how to hook up your ppp, and to debug the
connection.

It sounds to me like your pppd never dialing out and making the
connection, or your ISP expects something you are not sending.

YOur log with time stamps are crucial to figure this out.

Clifford Kite wrote:
> John Gabriele <john3gz@bestwebz.net> wrote:

Thanks for the continued replies Cliff. To make this less confusing,
I'll refer to my actual computer, domain, and isp names (instead of
the made-up "me" and the default (which is now changed) "example.net").
I just edited /etc/HOSTNAME and /etc/hosts: My computer is now
avocado.pinecountry.net. I ran Slack's netconfig again (using this
new name when prompted) and then ran pppd's "pppsetup" utility again.

While running netconfig, it asked what my gateway was, and said it
was ok to leave it blank -- so I did.

To briefly recap, before running ppp-go, "ifconfig -a" shows eth0 and
lo only (both show up as being "UP").

"route -n" tells me

Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface
192.168.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0
127.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 U 0 0 0 lo

*After* running ppp-go (during which I can hear and see (modem lights)
the modem dialing up and negotiating), route -n tells me the same thing
as it just did. "ifconfig -a" though shows ppp0 now listed after eth0 and
lo but with no "UP" line (the eth0 and lo entries are the same as before).

Ok, continuing...

>
> > Clifford Kite wrote:
>
>
> > After I run netconfig to configure my NIC (as if I was using it with a
> > static IP on a LAN even though nothing is plugged into it), the only
> > changes I see are in:
>
>
> > 1. /etc/hosts -- 127.0.0.1 me.example.net me ==>
> > 192.168.0.0 me.example.net me
>
>
> I'll take that to mean that these lines appear in /etc/hosts:
>
> 127.0.0.1 me.example.net me
> 192.168.0.0 me.example.net me
^^^
Nope. The lines I have in /etc/hosts are:

127.0.0.1 localhost
192.168.0.1 avocado.pinecountry.net avocado
^^^

>
> I don't think the first one is a good idea, but there will be some that
> agree with me and some that won't. I'd replace the first line with
> these two:
>
> 127.0.0.1 localhost
> 127.0.0.2 me.example.net me
>

Ok, thanks. :) I've added that extra line, so now I've got three lines
in there:

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.2 avocado.pinecountry.net avocado
192.168.0.1 avocado.pinecountry.net avocado

>
>>2. /etc/networks -- localnet 127.0.0.1 ==> localnet 192.168.0.0
>
>
> I'd prefer to replace the first with
>
> loopback 127.0.0.0

Check. Re-runnig the config programs has left me with 2 lines
in that file:

loopback 127.0.0.0
localnet 192.168.0.0

>
> But it's rather doubtful that the above configurations are related to
> your problem.
>
>
>>3. /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1.conf -- IPADDR[0] and NETMASK[0] now have values
>> in them you'd expect (they were empty strings before).
>
>
> Okay.
>
>
>>4. /etc/resolv.conf -- search my_isp.net ==> search example.net (which
>> I see can't work (since I'm not running my own DNS server or even a
>> LAN).
>
>
> The domain names are just examples and should be replaced by whatever
> the actual domains are. Just as "me.example.net me" is an example for
> the hosts file. You should to put your ISP domain name as a search
> argument in place of my_isp.net and the ISP DNS nameserver IP addresses
> need to be in resolv.conf.

Sorry for the confusion. Since the above-mentioned renaming, my resolv.conf
file now has in it:

search bestweb.net
nameserver 209.94.100.100

since bestweb is my ISP.

> I'd recommend you buy the "Running Linux"
> book published by Dover - it should be worthwhile since you run Slackware.

I'll have to have a look through the couch cushions and
see if I can come up with the dough. :) I didn't realize
that the book had substantial Slackware-related info.

I figure you mean this one (4th edition)
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/bibli...7-0596002726-0
by Welsh, Kaufman, and Dalheimer -- though it's published by
O'Reilly rather than Dover.

>
> My /etc/resolv.conf contains:
>
> search ev1
> options attempts:5 rotate
> nameserver 216.88.76.6
> nameserver 216.88.77.7

Hmm... Ok, I added a 2nd nameserver line (since my isp provides 2,
and the resolver man page you point out says I can have 3).

>
> I'd suggest you read "man 5 resolver" for explanations of the options.

Thanks for the pointer. I don't see any mention of the "attempts"
variable for the "options" config option. Only "debug" or "ndots:n".

>
>
>>> Run pppd and look
>>>in /var/log/debug
>
>
>>I there, I see some messages from pppd saying things like:
>>using channel 1
>>using channel 2
>>using channel 3
>>using channel 4
>
>
> Hmm. This is new to me, although the channel numbers likely refer to
> /dev/pts/{1,2,3,4} which are PPP device files.
>
> Do you have /dev/pts and /dev/ppp? The first is a device directory,
> not a file. You should see /dev/pts/{0,1,2,3,4} when connected.
>

When not connected I have /dev/pts/{0,1,2}. Same when I'm connected.
These are, of course, just the three terminal windows I happen to have
open right now.

/dev/ppp is always

crw-rw---- 1 root uucp 108, 0 Mar 25 2001 /dev/ppp


>
>>along with what seems like many ("message repeated 9 times"...) messages
>>like:
>
>
>>sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0xd18d00f6> <pcomp> <accomp>]
>
>
>>but those hex numbers after "magic" change.
>
>
> This is not new. Pppd quit after 10 attempts to start PPP negotiations
> with the peer, which apparently isn't responding in any way.
>
>
>>>and /var/log/messages for clues. Post exact copies
>>>(cut-and-paste) of the chat and pppd generated messages in those logs
>>>should you need more help.

"chat" just gives me the usual in /var/log/messages:

.... [snip]

OK
-- got it
send (atdt6632120^M)
timeout set to 75 seconds
expect (CONNECT)
^M
atdt6632120^M^M
CONNECT
-- got it

------------- then pppd goes on to tell me:

Serial connection established.
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/modem

with nothing about IP addresses (like mine and the ISP's gateway)
getting set.

How can I ask the system to tell me how authentication is going?
I'd love to see something like "authentication failed/succeeded".

>>Well, since that machine can't connect to the net, and as I said, I can't
>>get OS X to read ext2, I'm stuck hand-typing for now. But I'll type stuff
>>in as best I can. :)
>
>
> I don't know what "OS X" is.

Sorry. Macintosh OS X. The only other computer I have is a PowerBook G3
running Apple's OS X operating system.

> Is there no way to transfer files from the problem host to the one with
> "OS X" except though an Internet connection? For example, with a floppy
> disk with an MS filesystem that both can read.

The PowerBook has no floppy drive, and I have no external floppy drive.
I've got a USB flash drive, but when I use OS X to format it (UFS or some
Windows/DOS format), I can't read the thing in Linux -- and when I format it
in Linux (ext2), I can't read the thing in OS X.

I've got a CD burner in the x86 box, but since I've only recently installed
Slack, I haven't yet even attempted to burn anything with it yet.

Also, I've got a hub and some cables, but I haven't yet looked into what's
necessary to make these 2 computers talk to each other.


> If there's no way then please include the timestamps, which sometimes
> can provide a clue.

Ok, I'll attempt to copy/past some log file data to this thread.
Which log files, specifically? /var/log/messages and /var/log/debug?

> That's it for this time around.

Thanks for the help.