Network Component  Version 6.6
MDK-Professional Middleware for IP Networking
 All Data Structures Files Functions Variables Typedefs Enumerations Enumerator Macros Groups Pages
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

PPP Interface Configuration

The PPP interface is configured using the Net_Config_PPP.h file. The options are set in the file directly or using the Configuration Wizard.

net_config_ppp_h.png
PPP Interface Configuration File

The PPP configuration file contains the following settings:

  • Connect to hardware via Driver_UART# defines the number of the UART peripheral on the microcontroller device to be used.
  • Modem Settings specifies connection parameters for the serial modem like baud rate, flow control, and an init string.
    • Speed specifies the baud rate that is to be used for the UART.
    • The Flow Control switch enables the usage of RTS/CTS flow control in the UART.
    • Initialization String specifies a string that is to be used for modem initialization.
  • IP Address specifies a static local 4 bytes IP address. The value 255.255.255.255 is not allowed.
  • Primary DNS Server specifies the IP address of the primary DNS server. The DNS Client sends IP address resolution requests to this address. The setting is irrelevant if the DNS Client is disabled.
  • Secondary DNS Server specifies the IP address of the secondary DNS server. It is used if the primary DNS server is down or not accessible. In this case, the DNS Client automatically switches to the secondary DNS server if a non-zero address is provided. The setting is irrelevant if the DNS Client is disabled.
  • The Logon Authentication switch enables or disables the logon authentication. When the authentication is not used, it should be disabled to reduce the application's code size.
    • The Unsecured password (PAP) switch enables or disables the Password Authentication Protocol. PAP transmits unencrypted ASCII passwords over the network and is therefore considered insecure.
    • The Secured password (CHAP-MD5) switch enables or disables the Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol with a MD5 digest algorithm. CHAP requires that both the client and server know the plaintext of the secret password, although it is never sent over the network.
  • The Obtain Client IP address automatically option applies when the PPP dial-up connection dials to a remote PPP Server. If it is enabled, the local PPP IP address is obtained from the remote server automatically. In this case, the Local IP address setting is ignored.
  • The Use Default Gateway on remote Network option applies when both Ethernet and PPP dial-up networks are used simultaneously. If a packet with a destination IP address does not belong to either the LAN or the PPP interface is found, this option determines which gateway to use. If this option is disabled, these packets are forwarded to the default gateway on the LAN. If this option is enabled, these packets are forwarded to the Dial-up PPP network.
  • Async Control Character Map specifies the map of control characters that are transmitted with an escape character. All 32 control characters are mapped into a 4-byte map table.
  • LCP Echo Interval in seconds configures the idle timeout of the Link Control Protocol (LCP). If no frames are received within this time interval, PPP sends an Echo Request and expects an Echo Response from the peer. If the response is not received, after certain number of retries, the link is terminated.
  • Number of Retries specifies the number of retransmissions before the PPP protocol module gives up.
  • Retry Timeout in seconds is the timeout after which the PPP protocol module retransmits the packet.

IP Address Assignment

The IP address for the PPP network interface is assigned using the following modes:

  • Static IP
    The IP address, network mask and default gateway are configured manually in the system configuration file. However, it is possible to change the IP address at runtime. The static configuration specifies also a primary and optional secondary DNS server.
  • Automatic IP
    This mode is mostly used. The IP address for the PPP client is obtained from the Dial-up server. The network mask is 255.255.255.255. The Dial-up server specifies also a primary and optional secondary DNS server. In order to use this mode, the option "Obtain Client IP address automatically" must be enabled in the system configuration. When this option is enabled the Local IP address and Subnet Mask configuration settings are ignored.
Note
All available functions for using PPP are explained in Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) section of the Reference.