basic question - internet access using ppp

[Brian Densmore]

> I am running it from my home computer (no firewall!).
>...
> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.41
> Initializing modem.
> Sending: ATZ
> ATZ OK
> Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0
> ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 S11=55 +FCLASS=0 OK
> Modem initialized.
> Sending: ATDT 8164120952
>...
> Waiting for carrier.
> ATDT 8164120952 CONNECT 40000 V42bis
> Carrier detected.  Waiting for prompt.
> ** Welcome to KC1-DIAL3 **
> 
> 
> login:
> login:Looks like a login prompt.
> Sending: (user)
> (user)
> Password: Looks like a password prompt.
> Sending: (password)
> 
> PPP session from (local ip) to (server ip - 206.57.114.127)
you should be able to ping this address ^

> beginning....~}#@!}!}!} }4}"}&} } } }
> }%}&jqf7}'}"}(}"V~PPP negotiation detected.
 Those funny characters concern me - I don't recollect ever getting them in
a dial up (except to destroy the current line.

> Starting pppd at Sun Jul  1 13:53:35 2001

Ok,

 Well it looks like you're getting connected and logged in and the ppp
daemon is working. Do you have an option to keep the "modem
lights"/connection in an icon (better yet see the physical lights). If so
make sure that you still have a connection after that last message. If you
are not dropping the connection, then there is something running (like
ip-filter) that is blocking traffic. Just because you are on your home box
doesn't mean you're not running a firewall. Many Linux distros ship with
software firewalls; some are active after install, some aren't. If you are
not losing your connection, you should go through the Redhat administration
tool to discover any option that might limit internet traffic. If you are
dropping you connection, your ISP might be using a different validation
technique than what you are. I usually cover my bases by setting up a chat
script and a chap script. My ISP requires chap verification, as do many
Winblows ISP providers (not the Linux default chat).

Hope this helps.
Brian