OzEmail Linux Support

OzEmail Customer Support Centre

IMPORTANT!!! Read the following.

OzEmail Customer Service is unable to provide phone or Email assistance to Linux users. The information contained herein is provided on an as is basis. OzEmail takes no liability for any effects the following information may have on any systems to which it is implemented. This document provides guidance to people who wish to use Linux and PPP through the OzEmail PPP servers. It assumes that PPP and TCP/IP have been compiled and installed on your Linux machine, and loopback is enabled. This document describes the standard Linux PPP software (chat/pppd).

Any user with a networked computer should not follow these instructions. They are intended for stand-alone users only. Implementing these instructions on a networked computer may hinder your ability to access local networked file systems.

If you like, visit the following page: http://www.serv.net/~cameron/ezppp/
On this page you will be able to download a small dialer, similar to Shiva dialer, that can dial a PPP connection for Linux. The basic connection info you need can be found below, or here.

Quick OzEmail Connection info:

Dial-in numbers
Primary DNS: 203.2.193.124
Secondary DNS: 203.2.192.124
Connections via PAP, PDT and script permissible. All operate on a "clear text" mode.

Extended OzEmail Connection info: click here

Setting up your modem:

To setup your modem you will need to enter into xwindows as root.
When in xwindows, open a shell, and type control-panel.
In the control panel you will find an icon for the modem, click it and set the modem up as follows:

    DOS com1 = Linux /dev/cua0
    DOS com2 = Linux /dev/cua1
    DOS com3 = Linux /dev/cua2
    DOS com4 = Linux /dev/cua3

Simply mount the modem under the same dev it would equate to in DOS.

Setting up a Dial-up PPP connection to OzEmail:

Write this file to /usr/local/bin/ppp-on to open a ppp connection. Where myusername is your username and mypass1 is your password.

#! /bin/sh
# ppp-on: This is the script to connect up to OzEmail.
INIT=ATZ #This is the initialisation string for the modem. Use whatever you think is appropriate.
PHONE=94348011 #The dial-number. Change for your location.
/usr/sbin/pppd connect "usr/sbin/chat ' ' $INIT OK ATDT$PHONE \
CONNECT '' 'vice:' ppp 'name:' myusername 'word:' mypass1 ''" /dev/modem 38400 \
modem defaultroute

Write this file to /usr/local/bin/ppp-off to terminate the ppp connection.

#! /bin/sh
# ppp-off: The is the script to disconnect from OzEmail.
DEVICE=ppp0
if [ -r /varrun/$DEVICE.pid ]; then
    kill -INT 'cat /var/run/$DEVICE.pid'
    if [ ! "$?" = "0" ]; then
        echo "removing stale $DEVICE pid file."
        rm -f /var/run/$DEVICE.pid ; exit 1
    fi
    echo "$DEVICE link terminated" ; exit 0
fi
# The connection is now not active
echo "#$DEVICE link is not active." exit 1

Now make both of these scripts executable with chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/ppp-on
and chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/ppp-off.

Write the following file into /etc/ppp/options:

# /etc/ppp/options
/dev/modem
38400 #Use 38400 for 33.6 and 28.8k modems, 19200 for 14.4k modems, and 57600 for 56.6k modems.
lock
crtscts
modem
asyncmap 0
remotename dialup.ozemail.com.au
defaultroute

Write the following file to /etc/ppp/pap-secrets however, substitute your own details in there, i.e., your own username and your own password.

#/etc/ppp/pap-secrets
# username remotehost secret
nick dialup.ozemail.com.au mosmania7

Edit /etc/resolv.conf like this:

# /etc/resolv.conf
search ozemail.com.au
nameserver 203.2.193.124
nameserver2 203.2.192.124

Using PPP:

Now to open a PPP connection, do the following:
    Restart the computer,
    Log in as root
    Type ppp-on
    If this script can't be found, then cd /usr/local/bin and type ppp-on again.
    You should hear the modem dial out and handshake with a modem at OzEmail.
    After this there will be silence as the modems connect.
    To check if it has connected, try the following: ping ozemail.com.au
    If this works then you should be OK now to use your Internet programs.
    To close the connection, as root, type ppp-off in the relevant directory (depending on whether /usr/local/bin is pathed for root).

Basic Troubleshooting:

If you don't hear the modem dial out:
    Check the modem is plugged in properly and turned on.
    Check that you have the modem on the correct port.
    Check the initialisation string is compatible with type of modem (see the modem vendor for more info).

If the modems dials but makes abnormal sounds:
You will need to address the initialisation string and environmental factors affecting the modem.

If the modem dials out, makes a good handshake but does not connect:
Check the script /usr/local/bin/ppp-on.
Ensure that your account is active by phoning 132 884.

Can connect ok, but unable to ping or open pages properly:
    Check /etc/resolv.conf
    Check that TCP/IP is functioning properly
    Check that loopback is functioning properly

Unable to disconnect properly:
Check the disconnection script /usr/local/bin/ppp-off.
Check the modem initialisation string.

And finally:

Now with any luck, you should be finished. You may have to tinker with the settings until it works on your system, depending on the version and patching of your kernel, type of modem, setup of phone lines, paths used by users, permissions and so on. Again, if you have any troubles, it is best to seek answers on the resources page.