Chapter 6 • Using InterPPP

Contents of this Chapter

•  6.1 Using Connection Documents 
          to Connect to Remote Networks

•  6.2 The Status Window

•  6.3 Your Activity Log

•  6.4 AppleTalk Status

•  6.5 Using CCL Scripts

•  6.6 Opening CCL Scripts

•  6.7 Creating and Modifying CCL Scripts

InterPPP uses connection documents to record the information it needs to connect to a remote network. Once a connection document is configured and saved, you can double-click the connection document icon and it automatically launches InterPPP. InterPPP is now ready to connect using its preset parameters. See Chapters 3, 4, and 5   for more information on configuration.

InterPPP uses the Connection Control Language, or CCL , to write modem scripts. Each different type of modem requires a modem script to send commands from your Macintosh to the modem. The commands sent to the modem are used to configure and connect the modems.

Most modem manufacturers provide scripts on the installation disks included with their modem. The CCL scripts in InterPPP are simple text files designed to dial and answer a particular modem. The documents can be copied from machine to machine and can be printed. For more information on CCL scripts, see Appendix B, CCL Scripts.

6.1 Using Connection Documents 
      to Connect to Remote Networks

InterPPP uses the configuration information in connection documents to connect to specified remote networks. Once a connection document is configured and saved (see Chapter 4, Configuring a Connection 
Document ) , you can double-click the connection document icon. This automatically launches InterPPP, which is then ready to connect using its previously configured parameters.

            If you implemented the Dial on Demand feature of InterPPP, your 
              connection document is located in your Startup Items folder.

             ou can only make successful connections if all appropriate
              connections are already configured for this document. See Chapters 
              3, 4, and 5   for information on configuring a connection document 
              for successful connections.

To open an existing connection document and connect to a remote network:

1.  Select Open Connection… from the File menu and choose the 
         previously configured connection document you want to open from
         Apple’s standard Open File dialog.

OR

       Double-click the icon of a previously configured InterPPP Connection
        Document.

√  The selected document opens (Figure 6.1).

Figure 6.1 A Configured Connection Document

 2.  Click Connect to establish a connection to the remote network. 

√  Status messages are displayed during a connection in the right side of 
         the Connection Document window (Figure 6.2).

Figure 6.2 The Status Displayed in the Connection Document Window

3.  If it is necessary to drop your modem’s connection at this point, click 
         Disconnect.

            InterPPP uses the preferences you configured in the Modem 
             Configuration dialog to determine what action is taken after your 
             modem connects to the remote network. See Section 5.1, Modem 
             Configuration ,  for more information on available preferences.

6.2 The Status Window

To display more detailed status information during a connection:

1.  Select Open Connection… from the File menu and choose the 
         previously configured connection document you want to open from 
         Apple’s standard Open File dialog.

OR

       Double-click the icon of a previously configured InterPPP connection
        document.

√  The selected document opens.

 2.  Click Connect to establish a connection to the remote network. 

3.  Select Status… from the Status menu.

√  The Status window opens (Figure 6.3) and displays the status and 
        progress of your connection.

Figure 6.3 The Status Window

            If the percentage of bad frames in or bad frames out in the Status 
             window is more than 10% of your frames in or frames out, have 
              your System Administrator check your modem for problems.

4.  If it is necessary to drop your modem’s connection at this point, click 
        Disconnect in the Status  window.

5.  Click the close box to close the Status window.

6.3 Your Activity Log

Your Activity Log is a file that InterPPP generates to record the history of each connection InterPPP makes until the next time your Macintosh is restarted. The information in the log is useful, for example, to determine where a connection failed or how certain configuration parameters, such as timeouts, affect your connection.

To view the contents of the Activity Log:

1.  Select Activity Log… from the Status menu to view the Activity Log 
         window anytime your connection document is open.

√  The Activity Log window opens (Figure 6.4) and displays information 
         on the connections you have made with InterPPP.

Figure 6.4 The Activity Log Window

2.  Use the size box to adjust the window’s size and the scroll bars to view 
         text that does not fit in the window.

3.  Select Print… from the File menu if you want to print the contents of 
         this Activity Log.

4.  Select Save from the File menu if you want to save the contents of this 
         Activity Log.

             If you do not save your Activity Log, the information in the log is
              erased the next time your Macintosh is restarted.

5.  Click the close box to close the Activity Log window.

6.4 AppleTalk Status

To monitor the AppleTalk status of an active InterPPP connection:

            AppleTalk routing must be available for your AppleTalk PPP 
             connection to work. Contact your System Administrator to 
             determine if your server routes AppleTalk.

1.  Open a previously configured connection document and click Connect 
         in the Connection Document window to connect to the remote 
         network.

2.  Select AppleTalk… from the Configure menu.

√  The AppleTalk Status window appears (Figure 6.5) and displays 
        information about your address, zone, and server.

Figure 6.5 The AppleTalk Status Window

3.  Click the close box to close the dialog.

√  The Connection Document window is displayed.

6.5 Using CCL Scripts

The Connection Control Language, or CCL , is the language used to write modem scripts. Each different type of modem requires a modem script to send commands from the Macintosh to the modem. 

CCL scripts are usually provided by your modem vendor. Check your modem installation disks for the CCL script that you need. InterPPP provides default scripts, stored in the Extensions folder, for generic modem types. If, for some reason, you need to create or modify a CCL script, see Appendix B, CCL Scripts,  for more information.

The CCL scripts in InterPPP are text files designed to dial and answer particular modems. The scripts can be exchanged between machines, as well as printed.

            Most InterPPP users never have a need to open, print, modify, or 
             create CCL scripts since modems usually provide their own default
             scripts. Information in this manual regarding CCL scripts is 
             provided for users who are interested in working with scripts. 

6.6 Opening CCL Scripts

To open an existing CCL script:

1.  Select Open CCL Script… from the File menu.

√  Apple’s standard Open File dialog (Figure 6.6) is displayed, allowing 
       you to select a CCL script to open.

Figure 6.6 Apple’s Standard Open File Dialog

2.  Select a CCL script and click Open. (Or click Cancel to close the dialog
         without opening a CCL script.)

√  The CCL script opens (Figure 6.7).

Figure 6.7 An Example of an Open CCL Script

6.7 Creating and Modifying CCL Scripts

InterPPP provides default scripts for generic modems. There usually should be no need to edit these scripts. However, if it is necessary to create or edit a script, follow the procedures in Appendix B, CCL Scripts,  as well as the information in the AppleTalk Remote Access Modem Developer’s Guide. This is only suggested for users who are familiar with working with CCL scripts and the particular modem they are using.