pppoe-connect

pppoe-connect [connection_name]

connection_name
    The name of the connection to establish. This typically corresponds to a configuration file in /etc/ppp/peers/ or a named configuration section.

The pppoe-connect command is a shell script commonly used in Linux-based systems to initiate a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) connection. This script handles the necessary steps to establish a connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that uses PPPoE for authentication and network access. It relies on the pppd (PPP daemon) and related utilities to manage the PPP negotiation, authentication (typically using PAP or CHAP), IP address assignment, and routing.
Typically, this command is a wrapper around `pppd` with preconfigured options and often reads configuration from `/etc/ppp/pap-secrets` or `/etc/ppp/chap-secrets` for authentication credentials. When executed, pppoe-connect dials the access concentrator and initiates the PPP handshake. Success results in an IP address being assigned to the local interface and a default route being established via the PPPoE link. Connection termination is generally handled by a companion script, pppoe-disconnect.

The exact behavior and available options of pppoe-connect can vary significantly depending on the specific distribution and its PPPoE configuration. It is frequently a customized script rather than a standard system utility.
Troubleshooting connection failures often requires examining the system logs and the pppd configuration files.

The behavior of pppoe-connect is heavily influenced by various configuration files, including `/etc/ppp/options`, `/etc/ppp/pap-secrets`, `/etc/ppp/chap-secrets`, and files within the `/etc/ppp/peers/` directory. Reviewing and modifying these files is often necessary to customize the PPPoE connection settings.

When experiencing problems with pppoe-connect, examine the system logs (e.g., `/var/log/syslog` or `/var/log/daemon.log`) for error messages related to pppd and PPPoE. Also, ensure that the necessary kernel modules for PPPoE are loaded.

PPPoE gained popularity as a common method for ISPs to provide broadband access over Ethernet networks, particularly DSL. The pppoe-connect script, along with its companion pppoe-disconnect, emerged as a convenient way to manage these connections on Linux systems. Its development was driven by the need to simplify the process of configuring and initiating PPPoE connections for users who might not be familiar with the intricacies of pppd and network configuration.

pppd(8), pppoe-disconnect(8), pppoe.conf(5), ifconfig(8), route(8)