Help Desk | Setting Up a PPP Connection on a Macintosh

Setting Up a PPP Connection on a Macintosh

If you are already familiar with the details of setting up a PPP connection on a Macintosh and just want the necessary server information, go to the Basic Account Configuration.

You can also jump directly to the configuration pages for MacTCP or Open Transport Protocol

If you need a little background information or you are not sure what you need, read on.

Connecting a Macintosh to the Internet

In order to establish a PPP connection on a Macintosh, you need to teach your Mac to handle two new protocols (computer communications languages).

The first is TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - This is simply the common language that computers on the Internet use to communicate.

The second is PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) - This protocol provides for the handling of TCP/IP over a modem connection.

This page will give you the essentials for setting up the necessary connection tools for your personal PPP account at Access Internet Communications.

Step 1 - Selecting / Configuring a TCP/IP tool for your Mac

There are two standards for TCP/IP implementation on the Macintosh - "Classical Networking" and Apple's new "Open Transport Protocol". Your options depend on your specific Mac model and Mac OS version you are running. There are three basic categories of Macs with different networking options.

Category 1 - Macs with 68000 and 68020 processors
Macs with 68000 and 68020 processors cannot run the new Open Transport protocol. On these systems, you must run "classic networking". See the Mac Classic Networking section for help in setting up the classic networking tools on your Mac.
Category 2 - Macs with 68030 and 68040 processors, and non-PCI Power Macs
Macs with 68030 and 68040 processors, and non-PCI Power Macs, have a choice of running "classic networking" or "Open Transport networking". Open Transport is not likely to help performance much on these systems and may even slow some operations down, but it offers more convenience and flexibility, with its new TCP/IP and AppleTalk control panels. On these systems, with system 7.5.2 installed, you can select either "classic networking" or "Open Transport networking" using the Network Software Selector. See Setting up Open Transport for help in configuring these machines.
Category 3 - PCI Power Macs
Apple does not support classic networking on PCI Power Macs. For these machines you must use "Open Transport networking". See Setting up Open Transport for help in configuring this protocol.