Using the Serial Interface Dialer
This document describes how to configure and monitor the Serial Interface Dialer. It includes the following sections:
Overview
Modem Requirements
Configuring the Serial Interface Dialer
Displaying the DIAL Monitoring Prompt
Manually Dialing the DIAL Circuit Interface
DIAL Commands
Overview
The Serial Interface Dialer (DIAL) handles the process of placing and receiving calls on the public switched telephone network. DIAL supports asynchronous and synchronous communication, including synchronous V.25 bis communication. Figure 1 shows a sample DIAL configuration.
Figure 1 Sample DIAL Configuration
You can set up the DIAL device
Terminology
This discussion of the Serial Interface Dialer uses the following terminology.
Each WAN device on the router can have multiple DIAL circuit interfaces configured. Each DIAL circuit interface is a normal serial line network, running Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP).
DIAL circuit interfaces support the following forwarding protocols:
Figure 2 shows the relationship between the forwarding protocols, DIAL Circuit interfaces, WAN device, and the modem. The Serial Interface Dialer operates as the DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) and the modem operates as the DCE (Data Communications Equipment).
Figure 2 Relationship Between Routing Protocols, DIAL Circuit Interfaces, WAN Device, and Modem
Modem Requirements
To work with DIAL, your modem must support the following circuits and configuration.
Circuits Required
DIAL requires your modem to support the following V.24 circuits:
Modem Configuration Required
DIAL support assumes that the modem configuration
OpenROUTE Networks also recommends
Configuring the Serial Interface Dialer
To set up a DIAL configuration, follow the steps in the next sections:
- 1. Configuring the DIAL Parameters
- 2. Adding a Modem Definition
- 3. Creating Chat Scripts (optional)
- 4. Setting Serial Line Parameters
- 5. Setting DIAL Circuit Configuration Parameters
- 6. Limiting Dial-on-Demand (optional)
- 7. Restarting the Router
PPP is the protocol that runs over DIAL. To set up PPP features such as PAP, CHAP, MP, data compression, or call-back, see Using PPP Interfaces.
Before You Begin
To configure DIAL, you need the following information:
Configuring the DIAL Parameters
The DIAL parameters, which you enter at the Dial Config <WAN#> or DIAL <WAN#> prompt, apply to all DIAL circuit interfaces on a WAN device.
- 1. If necessary, set the data link of the serial interface to PPP.
Config>set data-link ppp
Interface Number [0]? 1
- 2. Enable DIAL on the WAN device.
If your router has multiple WAN devices, the software prompts you for a device name. To see a list of devices on your router, enter list devices.
Config>enable dial
Device name? WAN2
- 3. Display the circuit configuration prompt. Enter network followed by the number of the interface you want to configure. To see a list of interfaces, enter list interfaces.
Config>network
What is the network number [0]? 1
Circuit Configuration
Circuit Config <NET-1>
- 4. Display the DIAL configuration prompt.
Circuit Config <NET-1>dial
Serial Interface Dialer Configuration
DIAL Config <WAN>
- 5. Add an address for each potential destination.
DIAL Config <WAN>add address
Address name (1-23 characters)? seattle
Network dial address (1-31 digits)? 1-555-3421
- 6. Set optional DIAL parameters. The default parameters work for most configurations.
Adding a Modem Definition
The modem definition supplies commands to configure the modem to dial, accept connections, and disconnect. It also tells the router how the modem is configured and what result codes to expect from the modem. The following steps show how to add a modem definition to your DIAL configuration. For more information on these commands, see Modem Definition Commands.
- 1. Add a modem definition. Give it a name and set the modem type to one of the options: configurable, non-configurable, or v25bis.
For example, to add a configurable modem definition, enter
DIAL Config <WAN> add modem configurable
Modem name (1-23 characters)? usr288
- 2. Display the Modem Config> prompt. At this prompt, you can modify the modem definition.
Enter modem, followed by the modem name that you added in step 1.
DIAL Config <WAN>modem
Modem name (1-23 characters)? usr288
Modem Config>
- 3. Display the default modem definition and compare it to your modem's configuration. If your modem configuration does not match these parameters, you need to change these settings.
Modem Config>list
Configuration of Modem:
Options
-------
Initialization: Enabled
Answer: Disabled
Dial: Enabled
Disconnect: Disabled
Carrier Wait: Disabled
Ready Wait: Disabled
Commands
--------
Initialization: ATE0M0S0=1\r
Answer: ATA\r
Dial Prefix: ATDT
Dial Suffix: \r
Disconnect: ATH\r
Escape Sequence: +++
Guard Time: 50
Result Codes
------------
BUSY: BUSY
CONNECT: CONNECT
ERROR: ERROR
NO ANSWER: NO ANSWER
NO CARRIER: NO CARRIER
NO DIALTONE: NO DIALTONE
OK: OK
RING: RING
To enable or disable the Options, use the enable and disable modem configuration commands. To change Commands or Result Codes, use the set modem configuration commands.
- 4. When you are done modifying your modem definition, return to the DIAL Config <WAN> prompt.
Modem Config>exit
DIAL Config <WAN>
- 5. Set the modem definition to use with this DIAL device.
DIAL Config <WAN>set modem
Modem name?usr288
Creating Chat Scripts
Chat scripts allow a DIAL circuit interface to communicate with remote destinations that require login authentication. You can create chat scripts for DIAL circuit interfaces to use on outgoing calls over asynchronous lines. Chat scripts let you specify the dialog, consisting of queries and responses, expected to take place between the DIAL circuit interface and the remote router. See Chat Script Commands for complete information on these commands.
Notes:
The following steps show an example of how to create a chat script.
- 1. Add a chat script and give it a descriptive name.
DIAL Config <WAN>add chat-script
Chat script name? seattle
- 2. Display the chat script configuration prompt. At this prompt, you create or modify the contents of the script.
Enter chat-script, followed by the name of the chat script that you added in step 1.
DIAL Config <WAN>chat-script
Chat script name?seattle
Chat Config>
- 3. Specify the first string of characters that the circuit expects to receive as a query from the remote destination.
Chat Config>receive
Receive string []?Login:
- 4. Optionally, you can insert a delay in the chat script before a transmit line, and the circuit waits this number of seconds before it sends the string in the transmit line to the remote router.
Chat Config>wait
Wait in seconds [0]? 5
- 5. Specify the string of characters that the circuit sends to the remote destination in response to the query the circuit receives. In this case, in response to Login:.
Note: You must enter a \r (carriage return character) at the end of your transmit string or the router does not send the string.
Chat Config>transmit
Transmit string []?boston\r
- 6. Enter the next string of characters that the circuit expects to receive as a query from the destination.
Chat Config>receive
Receive string []?password:
- 7. Enter the next string of characters that the circuit sends to the destination in response to the query the circuit receives. In this case, in response to password:.
Chat Config>transmit
Transmit string []?abracadabra\r
- 8. Continue using the receive and transmit commands until you are done specifying the entire chat script.
- 9. To see the chat script that you created, enter list.
Chat Config>list
Configuration of Chat Script: seattle
1 receive Login:
2 wait 5
3 transmit boston\r
4 receive password:
5 transmit abracadabra\r
- 10. If necessary, use the following chat script commands.
- 11. When you are done creating or modifying your script, return to the DIAL Config <WAN> prompt.
Chat Config>exit
DIAL Config <WAN>
- 12. Follow step 5 in Setting DIAL Circuit Configuration Parameters to assign the chat script to a DIAL circuit interface.
Setting Serial Line Parameters
This section describes the Serial Line parameters that you can set. These parameters apply to all DIAL circuit interfaces configured on the WAN device.
- 1. Display the Serial configuration prompt.
Circuit Config <NET-1> sl
Serial Line Configuration
Serial Config <WAN>
- 2. The default line discipline is synchronous (sync). To use asynchronous, set the line discipline to async.
Serial Config <WAN>set line-discipline async
- 3. If the line discipline is
* Not configurable on all platforms. Some platforms automatically detect the cable type and set clocking to internal or external, based on whether the cable is DTE or DCE.
* Not configurable on all platforms. Some platforms automatically detect the cable type.
Setting DIAL Circuit Configuration Parameters
You can set up multiple circuit interfaces for each DIAL device. The circuit configuration includes a remote destination, which chat script to use, whether the connection is dial-on-demand, and whether the circuit accepts inbound calls, places outbound calls, or both.
Note: OpenROUTE Networks recommends that the maximum number of dial interfaces you configure on a GT 60 Series or GT 70 Series is eight. Adding more than eight dial interfaces can cause the router to exhaust available memory and crash during initialization. If this happens, you have to clear your configuration before reloading, unless you saved a configuration with no more than eight dial interfaces.
- 1. Display the Circuit Config> prompt.
Enter network followed by the interface number of the DIAL circuit interface. To see a list of interfaces, enter list interfaces at the Config> prompt.
Config>network
What is the network number [0]? 1
Circuit Configuration
Circuit Config <NET-1>
- 2. Specify the address name of the remote router to which the DIAL circuit interface is to connect.
Enter one of the names you defined using add address at the DIAL Config <WAN>.
Circuit Config <NET-1> set destination
Assign destination address name []? seattle
- 3. Set up the circuit to dial on demand or to always remain active. To do so, specify a timeout period using the set idle command. If there is no traffic over the circuit for this time period, the circuit hangs up. Zero (0) causes the connection to remain established indefinitely.
Circuit Config <NET-1>set idle
Idle timer (seconds, 0 means always active) [0]? 180
- 4. Set up the circuit to initiate outbound calls, accept inbound calls, or both initiate and accept calls. To avoid a conflict when both ends of the link attempt to establish a call at the same time, set up the circuit at one end of the link to accept inbound calls only, and set up the circuit at the other end of the link to initiate outbound calls only.
Use the disable or enable commands. The options are inbound, outbound, or any-inbound. For example:
Circuit Config <NET-1>enable outbound
- 5. If this circuit is to use a chat script, assign a chat script that you created in the DIAL configuration.
Circuit Config <NET-1> set chat-script
Assign chat script name? seattle
Note: To turn off use of the chat script, enter set chat-script off at this prompt.
- 6. Optionally, you can create a list of up to eight remote routers from which this circuit accepts calls. This list is in addition to the router named with the set destination command.
Circuit Config <NET-1> set access-list
Enter 1st name:? new york
Enter 2nd name:? pittsburg
Enter 3rd name:?
- 7. To see your circuit configuration, enter list.
Destination Name: seattle
Chat Script Name: seattle
Outbound calls: Allowed
Inbound calls: Allowed
Idle Time: 180 seconds
Access List: seattle (destination), new york, pittsburg
You can set up additional DIAL circuit interfaces, each with its own destination, chat script, inbound or outbound call set up, idle timer, and access list. To do so, add a PPP interface and repeat the steps in this section for each new DIAL circuit interface.
Config>add interface ppp
Adding interface 3 linked to base device WAN.
Limiting Dial-on-Demand
Most protocols send out periodic routing information that could cause the router to dial out each time it sends routing information over dial-on-demand circuits. To limit periodic routing updates, configure IP to use only static routes and disable the routing protocols (RIP, OSPF) over the dial circuits. Configure IPX for low-frequency updates or change updates so that it sends broadcast messages at specified intervals, when there is data to send, or if there is a problem. You should also enable IPX Keepalive filtering, which prevents keepalive and serialization packets from continually activating a dial-on-demand link.
Restarting the Router
When you are finished configuring the router, restart it to activate the new configuration.
- 1. Return to the * prompt by pressing Ctrl P.
- 2. Enter restart.
Displaying the DIAL Monitoring Prompt
At the DIAL monitoring prompt, you can display statistics for the DIAL device, show the number of completed and attempted calls, display the status of the DIAL device, and list the current configuration of the DIAL device.
To display the DIAL monitoring prompt.
- 1. At the * prompt, enter monitor.
*monitor
+
- 2. Enter network followed by the number of a DIAL interface. Enter list interface at the + prompt to see a list of interface numbers.
+network 1
Circuit <NET-1>
- 3. Enter dial.
Circuit <NET-1> dial
Serial Interface Dialer Console
DIAL <WAN>
Manually Dialing the DIAL Circuit Interface
To set up the DIAL circuit interface to dial out on command, disable the interface. When you are ready to dial out, enable the DIAL circuit interface. If you have the idle timer set to 0 (zero), the router dials out immediately. Otherwise, it waits until there is data to send.
To disable the DIAL circuit interface, enter disable interface followed by the number of the interface. If there is an active call, the interface drops the call. To see a list of interface numbers, enter list interface at the + prompt. For example:
+list interfaces Self-Test Self-Test Maintenance
Nt Interface Passed Failed Failed
0 Eth/0 0 0 0
1 PPP/0 0 0 0
2 PPP/1 0 0 0+disable interface
Interface number [0]? 2
To enable the interface, enter test interface followed by the number of the DIAL circuit interface.
+test interface
Interface number [0]? 2
DIAL Commands
This section describes the DIAL commands.
Press Space twice after you type a command to display the available parameters for each command. Enter help for information about using the command line interface.
[C] means the command is available at the DIAL Config <WAN#> prompt.
[M] means the command is available at the DIAL <WAN#> prompt.
Add [C]
Adds dial addresses, chat scripts, and modem definitions to the DIAL configuration.
Syntax: add
- address
- chat-script
- modem
address
Adds dial address information for a remote site. Add an address for each destination to which you expect to connect. To add more than one network dial address for each address name, repeat the command using the same address name.
Any DIAL circuit interface on the router can use an address. After you add an address, assign the address name that a particular DIAL circuit interface uses by entering set destination at the Circuit Config <NET-#> prompt.
Example: add address
Address name (1-23 characters)? portland
Network dial address (1-31 digits)? 1-555-2323
chat-script name
Adds a chat script to your configuration.
Note: You can use chat scripts only over asynchronous lines.
Any DIAL circuit interface on the router can use a chat script. After you add a chat script, assign the script that a particular DIAL circuit interface uses by entering set chat-script at the Circuit Config <NET-#> prompt.
For the chat script name, enter up to 23 printable ASCII characters.
After you add a chat script, configure it by entering chat-script. See Creating Chat Scripts.
Example: add chat-script
Chat script name? seattle
modem
Adds a modem definition to your DIAL configuration. For modem type, enter configurable, non-configurable, or v25bis.
For the modem name, enter up to 23 printable ASCII characters.
After you add a modem definition, you can configure configurable modem definitions by entering the modem command followed by the name of the modem definition. See Adding a Modem Definition for steps to configure a modem definition.
Once you add a modem, enter set modem to specify the name of the modem definition to be used with this DIAL device.
Example: add modem configurable
Modem name (1-23 characters)?usr288
Calls [M]
Lists the number of attempted and completed connections that this DIAL device made since the last time statistics were reset on the router.
Syntax: calls
Example: calls
Refused Refused
Remote Site In Out Remotely Locally Blocked
Seattle 0 0 0 0 0
Chat-Script [C]
Displays the configuration prompt for the chat script that you specify. For steps to configure a chat script, see Creating Chat Scripts. For a description of the chat commands, see Chat Script Commands.
Syntax: chat-script name
Example: chat-script
Chat script name []? seattle
Chat Config>
Copy Chat-Script [C]
Creates a duplicate chat script by copying a chat script and giving it a new name.
Syntax: copy
Example: copy chat-script
Chat script name? seattle
Name of new chat script? fairbanks
Circuits [M]
Shows the status of the DIAL circuit interfaces.
Syntax: circuits
Example: circuits
State Reason Duration
Connected Up 6:58:17
Delete [C]
Deletes a specific dial address, all dial addresses for an address name, a chat script, or a modem definition from the DIAL configuration.
Syntax: delete
- address
- all-addresses
- chat-script
- modem
address
Deletes a specific address that you added using the add address command.
Example: delete address
Address name? portland
Network dial address? 1-555-2323
all-addresses
If you entered more than one network dial address for an address name, use this command to delete all dial addresses for that address name.
Example: delete all-addresses
Address name? portland
chat-script
Deletes a chat script.
Example: delete chat-script
Chat script name? seattle
modem
Deletes a modem definition.
Example: delete modem
Modem name?usr288
Exit [C] [M]
Returns to the previous prompt.
Syntax: exit
Example: exit
Circuit Config>
List [C]
Displays a list of dial addresses, chat scripts, and modems that you configured. Also displays the current DIAL parameters.
Syntax: list
- addresses
- chat-scripts
- modems
- parameters
addresses
Displays dial addresses that you added using the add address command.
Example: list addresses
Address assigned name Network Address
--------------------- ---------------
portland 1-555-2323
chat-scripts
Displays the names of all chat scripts that you added.
Example: list chat-scripts
Chat Script Name
----------------
boston
seattle
modems
Displays the modem definitions that you created.
Example: list modems
Modem Name Modem Type
---------- ----------
usr288 Configurable
microcom Non-configurable
parameters
Displays the current DIAL configuration.
Example: list parameters
Serial Interface Dialer Configuration
Modem Name: usr288
Non-Responding Addresses
------------------------
Retries: 1
Timeout: 0 seconds
Call Timeouts
-------------
Connect: 60 seconds
Disconnect: 2 seconds
Modem [C]
Displays the configuration prompt for the modem definition that you specify. See Adding a Modem Definition for steps to configure a modem definition. See Modem Definition Commands for a description of the modem commands.
You cannot configure V.25 bis modems.
Syntax: modem
Example: modem
Modem name (1-20 characters)? usr88
Modem Config>
Modem-Info [M]
If you have a GTX 1000 with an optional modem module installed, this command appears in the command menu. Reports hardware, firmware, and country information describing the modem module installed in your GTX 1000.
Syntax: modem-info
Example: modem-info
Parameters [M]
Displays the active parameters for this DIAL device. This is the same information the list parameters configuration command displays.
Syntax: parameters
Example: parameters
Serial Interface Dialer Parameters
Modem Name: usr288
Non-Responding Addresses
------------------------
Retries: 1
Timeout: 0 seconds
Call Timeouts
-------------
Connect: 60 seconds
Disconnect: 2 seconds
Set [C]
Sets timeouts, number of retries, and the modem definition for the DIAL configuration.
Syntax: set
- connect-timeout
- disconnect-timeout
- modem
- retries-no-answer
- timeout-no-answer
connect-timeout
Sets the number of seconds allowed to complete a call. The range is 0 to 65535 seconds, and the default is 60. Zero (0) causes the modem to control the connection timeout.
Example: set connect-timeout
Connect Timeout (0-65535 Seconds, 0 means no timeout)[60]?
disconnect-timeout
Sets a timer that starts when the disconnect process begins. If a DIAL interface has not received a signal from the modem indicating the connection is complete when this timer expires, the interface initiates further calls. The range is 0 to 65535 seconds, and the default is 2. Zero (0) causes a DIAL interface to wait for the modem to complete and signal the disconnect before it initiates further calls.
Example: set disconnect-timeout
Disconnect Timeout (0-65535 sec, 0 means no timeout)[2]?
modem
Specifies the name of the modem definition to be used with this DIAL device. See Adding a Modem Definition for information on creating modem definitions.
Example: set modem
Modem name []?
retries-no-answer
Sets the maximum number of calls a DIAL interface attempts to make to a nonresponsive address during the timeout period specified by set timeout-no-answer. The range is 0 to 10, and the default is 1. Some telephone service providers impose restrictions on automatic redialing devices to limit the number of successive calls to an address that is inaccessible or that refuses those calls. Government regulations may also impose limits on the modem manufacturer that would supersede this parameter.
Example: set retries-no-answer
Retries-no-answer (0-10, 0 means no limit) [1]?
timeout-no-answer
After a DIAL interface reaches the maximum number of retries to a nonresponsive address, specified by set retries-no-answer, it does not make further calls to that address until this time expires. This timeout period begins when the router attempts the first call to an address. The range is 0 to 65535, and the default is 0. Zero (0) causes the modem to control the timeout period.
Example: set timeout-no-answer
Timeout-no-answer (0-65535 Seconds, 0 means no timeout) [0]?
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