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FreePPP is a freeware PPP (point-to-point protocol) implementation for Macintosh computers. It requires the following Mac and Mac OS:

• Hardware: 16Mb RAM, 14.4Kbs modem, 50Mb disk space
• Mac OS: System 7.5 (7.6 or later preferred)
• TCP Stack: MacTCP v2.0.6 (or later) or TCP/IP as included with Mac Open Transport

The following write-up assumes that the FreePPP software has been correctly installed. The software is generally distributed in a self-extracting archive called 'FreePPP Installer', created using the Internet Setup Monkey Admin Kit. Include with the installer is a complete reference guide on FreePPP. When FreePPP Installer is used, the items FreePPP and FreePPP Guide are placed in the Extensions folder; the item, ~FreePPP Menu is placed in the Control Panel folder; a folder entitled FreePPP Menu Items is created in the System folder; and an item FreePPP Control Strip is placed into the Control Strip Modules folder (if the folder exists).

Configuring FreePPP v2.5.x

1. Double click on 'FreePPP Setup' icon
2. Click the wedge in the lower left so that it points downward, expanding the FreePPP setup window
3. Select 'General' tab
4. Configure this window as
      [X] Allow applications to open connection
      [X] Disconnect if idle for [15 minutes]
      [X] Check line every [20 seconds]
      [X] Show alerts during connect and disconnect
      [ ] On connect, open FreePPP Setup application
      [ ] Open application on connect...
5. Hit the 'Modem Setup' button. Configure as
      Connected To: [Modem Port], if modem attached to modem port or [Printer Port], if modem attached to printer port
      Dial Type: [ ] Tone [ ] Pulse (choose as appropriate)
      [x] Modem speaker on while connecting
      [ ] Long re-dial delay       [ ] Fast modem initialization
      [x] Hang up on disconnect     [ ] Performa internal modem
6. Modem Init String Settings:
      [X] Auto detect init string
      [ ] Use init string from account configuration
      [ ] Use:
7. Hit 'OK' button

If you are using MacTCP, hit the 'Open MacTCP' button. This invokes a Control Panel item called 'MacTCP'. From here,

1. Highlight PPP icon
2. Hit 'More' button
3. Configure this window as
      Obtain Address                   IP Address
      [ ] Manually                    Class [C]
      [x] Server
      [ ] Dynamically
      Domain Name Server Information
      Domain               IP Address       Default
      greenapple.com 192.168.187.6 x
      greenapple.com 192.168.187.5
4. Hit 'OK' button
5. Close MacTCP window

If you are using TCP/IP that comes with Open Transport, hit the 'Open TCP/IP' button.

1. Configure as
      Connect via: FreePPP
      Setup
      Configure: Using PPP Server
      Search domains
      Name server address:
      192.168.187.6        greenapple.com
      192.168.187.5
      Close TCP/IP window.
      You should now be back to the General tab of the FreePPP Setup application. From here, click on the 'Accounts' tab
2. Hit 'New' button
3. Select 'Account' tab and enter
      Server name: Green Apple
      Phone Number: [see below]
      Connect: Directly
      User name: <your login>
      Password: <your password>
4. Depending on your location, use one of the following dial-in numbers:
            Lancaster: 654-2133 (and surrounding areas)
            Columbus: 834-5124
5. If you have call-waiting, add '*70,' as prefix (e.g., *70,654-2133)
6. Select 'Connection' tab. Configure as
      Port Speed: 57600 bps (if you have 14.4 modem)
      115200 bps (if you have better than a 14.4 modem)
      Flow Control: CTS & RTS (DTR)
7. Do not enter any values under the 'Options' tab
8. Hit 'OK' button
9. Do not enter any values under the 'Locations' tab
10. Click on the wedge so that it now points to the right, minimizing the FreePPP Setup window.

Connecting Using FreePPP

Open FreePPP Setup window. Hit 'Connect' button. FreePPP will initialize modem, dial-in the phone number and log you in. Once this process is complete, you will be ready to start an Internet application such as Netscape or Eudora.

When you are done with your Internet sessions, close all your Internet applications that might be running, return to the FreePPP window, and hit the 'Disconnect' button.

Corrupt Preferences

A semi-common problem seen with FreePPP is the corruption of the TCP/IP stack which occurs both using MacTCP or TCP/IP control panel items. The problem is manifest one of two ways

1. The 'Connect' button in the FreePPP Setup window will never become bold so that it may be pushed.
2. The modem initializes, dials out and the login information seems to have been sent, but the connection never comes up.

To fix this problem, you will want to re-initialize the TCP/IP settings as described in step 7 above. Perform this step twice: the first time providing bogus values and restarting; the second time providing the correct values.

Other Notes

FreePPP has been known to have problems running with RamDoubler and Apple Fax Extension. If you are running either of these, you should read the release notes associated with your version of FreePPP. In addition, FreePPP as of release v2.5.3 does not include support for Multilink PPP (needed for dual channel ISDN connections).

 
This document is copyright Green Apple, Inc, 1995-2007.  Permission is granted for the free distribution of it provided that its contents, including this notice, are not in any way altered. Green Apple disclaims all responsibility of fitness and suitability of this document. User is responsible for any software they download or install. It is incumbent upon User to read and obey copyright and licensing notices of all the software they use.
 

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