[355] in Resnet-Forum
modem support nightmare
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael Sherer)
Thu Sep 15 16:30:08 1994
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 1994 15:09:55 -0500
To: resnet-forum@MIT.EDU
From: michael.r.sherer.1@nd.edu (Michael Sherer)
Cc: Wendy.W.Shih.1@nd.edu
Does anyone out there have the beginnings of the definitive modem
troubleshooting guide for SLIP/PPP dial-up? I've been working hard to make
the whole thing simple as possible for our Mac users and our help desk is
still getting eaten alive. Things are equally bad on the PC side, but hey,
not my problem.
Steps so far:
1. Created an installer which places MacTCP and configured Prep file,
MacPPP and related files, NetSwitch, and all the network clients we could
cram onto a HD floppy. The installer allows you to pick custom
installations for 9600 and higher, 2400 w/ compression, 2400, ExpressModem
and PB 500's. NetSwitch automatically checks to see if there's network
connected at boot-time and loads the appropriate MacTCP settings.
2. Hacked MacPPP so the users' password is sitting in clear text in the script.
3. Wrote PPP set-up program which allows them to specify their name and
password, whether they're on or off-campus (to specify the different phone
number), whether they've got call-waiting (tack on a suppress call-waiting
string), and whether they've got a pulse phone line (tack on a different
suppress call-waiting string).
4. Wrote a 2 page installation and troubleshooting guide.
Ideally the user just runs the installer, runs the PPP Setup program and
opens an IP application and everything works. Where we get into trouble is
that MacPPP gives very little useful feedback when there are problems and
enough modems need initialization strings that it creates a pretty heavy
support burden. What I'm most interested in is the definitive list of INIT
strings for a broad range of modems.
-ms
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Michael Sherer voice: (219) 631-7404
Department of User Services internet: sherer.1@nd.edu
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Notre Dame, IN 46556 fax: (219) 631-8201
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