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SET UP UNIX SHELL ACCOUNT
USING SLiRP WITH WIN 98

SLiRP is a free TCP/IP emulator over the SLIP/PPP link-level protocols which allows a normal user with a shell account on a Unix system to act like a real SLIP/PPP account.

This allows shell users to use all the graphical user interface tools like www browsers (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera), ftp, telnet, news readers, mail programs (Eudora, Outlook, Pegasus), FreeTel, Real Audio, etc. on a Unix shell account.

Getting SLiRP
Unpacking and compiling SLiRP
Setting up SLiRP on your Unix shell account
Configuring Windows98 Dial-Up Networking
Making it all work!
Configuring Netscape Communicator
Configuring Outlook Express
Configuring Eudora Light
Problem solving
Other stuff

Getting SLiRP

If you want pre-compiled binaries for the following: 
FreeBSD-2.1.0  download  FreeBSD-2.1.0.tar.gz
Linux-1.2.13   download  Linux-1.2.13.tar.gz
SunOS-4.1.2    download  SunOS-4.1.2.tar.gz
SunOS-5.5      download  SunOS-5.5.tar.gz
ULTRIX-4.2     download  ULTRIX-4.2.tar.gz
these will be found in

ftp://blitzen.canberra.edu.au/pub/slirp/binaries/1.0c/
However, I prefer to get the source and compile my own binary. From your shell account either use Lynx or ftp. Example: 
lynx ftp://blitzen.canberra.edu.au/pub/slirp/
download slirp.tar.gz (280451 bytes)

Unpacking and compiling SLiRP

To unpack SLiRP type the following command at your shell prompt: 
gzip -dc slirp.tar.gz | tar xvf -
Where 1.0c is the version of SLiRP you are unpacking. This will unpack the SLiRP package into a directory called slirp-1.0c. To compile SLiRP type the following commands at your shell prompt: 
cd slirp-1.0c/src
./configure
make
Note: if you do not intend to use PPP you can give ./configure the flag "--disable-ppp". This will make a somewhat smaller executable. That's all there is to it. If the compilation failed, read Problem solving below for information on how to get help. You should be left with a file called "slirp", this is the SLiRP executable. After compilation, you can type: 
strip slirp
to make the SLiRP executable smaller, but this will also remove any debugging information from the executable. Here are some common: configure; compiler; pre-processor; etc. problems and suggestions for fixing them:
  • "configure: error: can not run test program while cross compiling" (or similar errors about cross compiling). This almost always happens due to an error in the setup of the compiler. Look in the file config.log for clues as to why it failed, or send it to your sysadmin for help.
  • "gcc: xxxxxxx.p: No such file or directory.": This can be completely ignored when running the pre-processor, and can probably be ignored in the actual compilation. The .p files only contain the function prototypes.
  • "gcc: warning: no previous prototype for XXX'": Again, you can ignore this.
  • "RUN_MAKE_AGAIN: not found ... *** Error code 1": This is normal. As suggested, simply run "make" again.
Once you have compiled SLiRP you can delete everything except the file called "slirp", this is the SLiRP executable. I suggest you also keep all the files in the "docs" directory, this is where all the documentation is kept. Copy the SLiRP executable somewhere in your home directory (e.g., ~/bin) then to run SLiRP, you simply type:

~/bin/slirp

(or whatever the full path to "SLiRP" is). That's it. Now you activate your SLIP/PPP software, and start your applications.

All you have to remember is this: Once you run SLiRP, your shell account now looks exactly like a SLIP/PPP account (with some limitations of course). Any documentation that you have telling you how to connect to a SLIP/PPP account is completely valid for SLiRP as well.

To quit SLiRP you simply kill your SLIP/PPP software and type five 0's (zeroes), with a 1 second gap between each zero. SLiRP will then exit and you will be back at your shell prompt.

You can also "disconnect" SLiRP by typing five 1's (one's), with a 1 second gap between each. This will disconnect SLiRP from your shell's terminal and put SLiRP in the background. Later, you can type "slirp -l 0" to "reconnect" SLiRP again. Please read Section 10, "Load-balancing" and Section 11, "Link-resumption" of the SLiRP manual for more information.

Setting up SLiRP on your Unix shell account

Login to your Unix shell account

Make a ppp command file using your favorite editor (I use pico). 

pico ppp
exec slirp -P
ctrl O
ctrl X
Make a .slirprc file using your favorite editor (I use pico). 
pico .slirprc
# We used this for Usenet News from 94-99
#add exec nntpd:119
# Then this after Mindspring takeover
#add exec /u13/seligman/bin/nntpd:nntp
# Now, after Mindspring fixes in 2000, neither needed
baudrate 57600
ctrl O
ctrl X
Type "slirp", you should see the message: 
Slirp v1.0c (RELEASE)
Copyright (c) 1995,1996 Danny Gasparovski and others.
All rights reserved.
This program is copyrighted, free software.
-------------- lines deleted --------------------------
[autodetect SLIP/CSLIP, MTU 1500, MRU 1500, 57600 baud]

SLiRP Ready ...
Type five 0's (zeroes) to exit. This should bring you back to the Unix prompt. You may have to do this a few times to get to the prompt.

Type "ppp", you should see the message: 

Slirp v1.0c (RELEASE)
Copyright (c) 1995,1996 Danny Gasparovski and others.
All rights reserved.
This program is copyrighted, free software.
-------------- lines deleted --------------------------
[autodetect SLIP/CSLIP, MTU 1500, MRU 1500, 57600 baud]

SLiRP Ready ...
Type five 0's (zeroes) to exit.  Because the "ppp" file starts SLiRP with the "exec" command, your shell proccess may have been terminated. You may not be able to return to the Unix prompt with the five "0"'s. If so, just hangup the modem.

We have now successfully setup and tested SLiRP.

Configuring Windows98 Dial-Up Networking

Eliminating duplicate WINSOCK.DLLs
  • Click the Start button in Windows 98
  • Click Find
  • Select Files or Folders
  • Type WINSOCK.DLL in the Named Box
  • Make sure Look In is set to the C: Drive
  • Click Find Now
The Microsoft Windows 98 WINSOCK.DLL is in the \WINDOWS\ Directory. It's file date is 12/4/98 and is 21 KB. All other WINSOCK.DLL files should be renamed to WINSOCK.OLD by clicking on the filename and selecting Rename from the File pull-down menu.

Making sure Dial-Up Networking is installed

  • Click Start
  • Select Settings
  • Select Control Panel
  • Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon
  • Select the Windows Setup tab
  • Single-click Communications, then click the Details button
  • The Dial-Up Networking item should be checked. If it isn't, check it. You may be prompted for your Windows98 CD-ROM
  • Click OK
Note: The following steps assume you have Dial-Up Networking support installed.

Making sure the Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP Protocol are installed

  • Click Start
  • Select Settings
  • Select Control Panel
  • Double-click the Network icon
  • Verify the Dial-Up Adapter is present. If it isn't:
    • Click Add
    • Double-Click Adapter
    • Scroll down the list and select Microsoft
    • Choose the Dial-Up Adapter and click OK
    • You may be prompted for your Windows98 CD-ROM
    • Click OK
  • Verify the TCP/IP Protocol is present. If it isn't:
    • Click Add
    • Double-Click Protocol
    • Scroll down the list and select Microsoft
    • Choose TCP/IP and click OK
    • You may be prompted for your Windows98 CD-ROM
    • Click OK
  • Click OK until you are asked to restart the system. After you restart, proceed to the next step
Setting up the connection
  • Double-click the My Computer icon
  • Double-click the Dial-Up Networking icon
  • Double-click the Make New Connection icon
    • Type a name of the computer you want to connect to (I use Netcom SLiRP)
    • Your modem should already be displayed. If it isn't, consult the Windows98 documentation for information on how to set up your modem for use with Windows98
  • Click Next
    • Type in the Area Code if the number you dial is different from your area code (mine is different)
    • Type in the phone number for your local ISP (mine is Netcom), putting in any special codes to disable call waiting or to get an outside line. Most people will just need to put in the 7-digit phone number with no other modifications
  • Click Next, then Finish
  • Single-click the new ISP (mine is Netcom SLiRP) icon with the RIGHT mouse button, and select Properties
  • In the General tab, check for your Area Code, Phone Number and Country Code. Make sure the "use area code and dialing properties" is checked if you dial outside your area code (I do)
  • Click the Server Types tab
  • The Type of Dial-Up Server should be set to PPP: Internet, Windows NT Server, Windows98
  • In the Advanced options section, make sure:
    • Enable Software Compression is checked
    • Log on to network is NOT checked
    • Require encrypted password is NOT checked
    • Require data encryption is NOT checked
    • Record a log file for this coonection is NOT checked. If you have problems connecting, come back here and check this box to provide a log for debugging purposes
  • In the Allowed network protocols section, make sure:
    • NetBEUI is NOT checked
    • IPX/SPX Compatible is NOT checked
    • TCP/IP is checked
  • Click on TCP/IP Settings
    • Make sure Server Assigned IP Address is selected
    • Make sure Specify Name Server Addresses is selected
    • Type in the following DNS Server IP Addresses:
      • 10.0.2.3 - Primary DNS Server
      • 0.0.0.0 - Secondary DNS Server
      • For the Primary and Secondary WINS configuration, leave them at 0.0.0.0
    • Use IP Header Compression should be Checked
    • Use Default Gateway on Remote Network should be Checked
  • Click OK twice
  • Single-click the new ISP (mine is Netcom SLiRP) icon with the RIGHT mouse button, and select Properties again
  • Click the Configure Button under the "Connect using" section in the General tab
  • In the General tab
    • Make sure Maximum speed is set at 57600 for a 28.8k modem or 115200 for a 56K modem
    • Click on the Options tab
    • Make sure Bring up terminal window after dialing is selected
    • In the status control section, make sure Display modem status is checked
  • Click OK twice

Making it all work!

  • Double-click the new ISP (mine is Netcom SLiRP) icon. You will be prompted for your username and password
  • Click Connect
  • The Post Dial Terminal Screen should come up
  • Login with your username and password
  • At your Unix prompt type "ppp" and press enter
  • After "SLiRP ready ..." appears, click on "Continue (F7)"
  • Now click on the Netscape icon or any other applications like Eudora
  • When you are ready to exit your ISP, close all of your Windows applications (Netscape, Eudora, Telnet, etc.), double click on the monitor icon in the Windows 98 tray (located in the lower right-hand corner), then click on "disconnect"

Configuring Netscape Communicator

The following items are very useful in setting up Netscape Communicator 4.7 Mail & News:
  • Click Edit
  • Click Preferences
  • Select Mail and Newsgroups by clicking on the "+" sign
  • Click Mail Servers

    • In the Incoming Mail Servers area:
    • click "edit"
    • click the "General" tab
    • Server name = 10.0.2.2
    • Server tpye = POP3 server
    • User Name = (your logon name, mine is gboyd)
    • Click OK

    In the Outgoing Mail Server area:
    • Outgoing mail (SMTP) Server = 10.0.2.2
    • Outgoing mail server user name = (your logon name, mine is gboyd)
    • Use Secure Socket..., click on "Never" button
    • Click on Newsgroup Servers in the Category area on the left

    In Newsgroup Servers it should show 10.0.2.1 (Default). If it doesn't, click "add" and add it.
  • Click OK

Configuring Outlook Express

Click Tools then Accounts

Click Add then Mail, the Internet Connection Wizard should start

  • Type in the name you will use on E-mail (mine says Gerry Boyd)
  • Click Next

    • Type in your E-mail address (mine says gboyd@netcom.com)
  • Click Next

    • In the "My incoming mail server is a", type POP3
    In the "Incoming mail (POP3 or IMAP) server", type 10.0.2.2
    In the "Outgoing mail (SMTP) server", type 10.0.2.2
  • Click Next

    • In the Interent Mail Logon tab, click on "Log on using", and type your userid in the "POP account name" (mine says gboyd)
  • Click Next

    • In the "Friendly Name" tab, type in 10.0.2.2 in "Internet mail account name"
  • Click Next

    • In the "Choose Connection Type" tab, click on "Connect using my phone line" button
  • Click Next

    • In the "Dial-Up Connection" tab, click on "Use an existing dial-up connection" button, and select your ISP name (mine says Netcom SLiRP).
  • Click Next
  • Click Finish
You should now see the information you typed in the Mail Tab

Click Add then News, the Internet Connection Wizard should start again

  • Your name tab should contain your name (mine says Gerry Boyd)
  • Click Next

    • Your E-mail address should show (mine says gboyd@netcom.com)
  • Click Next

    • In the "Internet News Server Name" tab, type in 10.0.2.1 in the "News (NTTP)" field
    If your ISP requires you to logon to the news server, click in the box in front of "My news server requires me to log on" (Mine doesn't)
  • Click Next

    • In the "Friendly Name" tab, 10.0.2.1 should display in "Internet news account name"
  • Click Next

    • In the "Choose Connection Type" tab,  "Connect using my phone line" button should display
  • Click Next

    • In the "Dial-Up Connection" tab,  "Use an existing dial-up connection" button should display.  Select your ISP name (mine says Netcom SLiRP)
  • Click Next
  • Click Finish
You should now see the information you typed in the News Tab

Click Close

Configuring Eudora Light

Click Tools then Options

Click Getting Started

  • In POP account, enter your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)
  • In Real name, enter your name (mine is Gerald E. Boyd)
  • In Return address, enter your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)
  • In Connection Method, click on "Winsock (Network, PPP, SLIP)" button
Click on Personal Info
  • In POP account, it should display your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)
  • In Real name, it should display your name (mine is Gerald E. Boyd)
  • In Return address, it should display your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)

    • In Dialup username, enter your userid (mine is gboyd)
Click on Hosts
  • In POP account, it should display your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)
  • In SMTP, type 10.0.2.2
Click on Checking Mail
  • In POP account, it should display your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)
  • In the "Check for mail every -- minutes", type a number just less than your ISPs idle time limit (I use 10 for Netcom).
  • The other options are up to you.

    • NOTE: You might want to make sure the "Leave mail on server" box is checked until you get Eudora working to your satisfaction. Then come back here an un-check it. Be sure to remove mail from your Unix account if you have this box checked.
  • I also have "Save password" checked.
Click on Sending Mail
  • In Return address, it should display your userid@domain.name (mine is gboyd@netcom.com)
  • In SMTP server, it should display 10.0.2.2
  • The other options are up to you. I have them all checked except for "may use quoted-printable" which keeps undersibale HTML and/or MIME encoding from appearing in my E-mail.
Click on Autoconfigure
  • In Server name, type 10.0.2.2
  • In User Name, type your userid (mine is gboyd)
The other Category choices are up to you.

Click OK

Other configuration items you might want to check out, are a signature file (I use one) and also line length and word wrap in messages.

Problem solving

This is for your reference 
Your PPP setings are:
IP Address = 10.0.2.15
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
gateway = 10.0.2.3
host name = (your login name, mine is gboyd)
domain name = (your domain, mine is netcom.com)
DNS server = 10.0.2.3
Incoming POP3 server = 10.0.2.2
Outgoing SMTP server = 10.0.2.2
NNTP server = 10.0.2.1
domain suffix = (your domain name, mine is netcom.com)
host IP = 10.0.2.2 (use telnet://10.0.2.2 for a local host prompt)
irc server = (your irc server domain, mine is irc.netcom.com port 6667)
There are several sources of help. First, read the SLiRP manual called slirp.doc in the "docs" directory of the Slirp package, especially Section 13, "Troubleshooting" and Section 14, "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)".

If you receive hard DNS lookup errors try http://207.200.83.29/ This is the same as http://www-mv1.netscape.com/ If it works, look at your DNS server entries. Use the shell command "ping -s"  to test other IP addresses. Ping is located in /usr/etc Netcom users may want to try 199.182.120.203 and 199.182.120.202 which are the Netcruiser DNS's.

Many ISPs don't support SLiRP(Netcom doesn't) but allow you to use it. Netcom users should post problems to mindspring.users.shell.

There is also a Newsgroup dedicated to SLIP-emulators called alt.dcom.slip-emulators. You will find lots of discussion about SLiRP and other "SLIP-emulators". The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for alt.dcom.slip-emulators is included in the "docs" directory, I would suggest reading this as well.

You just can't get SLiRP to work. You click your ISP (mine is Netcom SLiRP) icon, "Connect", do "ppp", "continue", and it just hangs. There may be some values in the "master" TCP/IP settings. Select My Computer -> Control Panel -> Network -> TCP/IP -> Properties. There should be no entries. Everything should be "Disable", "none", or "obtain automatically". If you are not connected to a "real" network, you should only see Dial-up Adapter and TCP/IP under the configuration tab.

If Auto Dial stops working, check that url.dll hasn't been deleted from the windows\system directory. Sometimes when you un-install Netscape, it will delete this file.

If you are missing articles in News using Netscape Communicator, be sure to check Edit -> Preferences -> Mail & Newsgroups -> Newsgroup Servers -> and change the "ask me..." to a number larger than 100 (mine is 500).

Sound Blaster users need to get the latest drivers from (http://support.soundblaster.com/files/newfiles.asp)
Get sbw9xup.exe (Full duplex Sound Blaster 16/32/AWE Driver Updates for Windows 95/98) for improved sound from Real Audio and FreeTel in full duplex mode.

Other stuff

Windows 98 has a fairly good Telnet program in the Windows directory. Telnet://10.0.2.2/ to get your ISP prompt. Because we started SLiRP with the exec command, you should not receive any "multiple login" notes from your ISP.

Most images on web pages have a higher color resolution than 256 colors. Click My Computer -> Control Panel -> Display -> Settings and select a color pallete with higher color resolution for advanced video cards.

The latest Netscape software
http://www.netscape.com/

Windows Updates - always get latest
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/default.asp

For Windows 95 users, look under NETWORKING section on this page for Script and Slip Support for Dial-Up Networking Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/default.asp

For Windows 98 users, look under RECOMMEND UPDATES section on this page for Windows Script Support
http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corporate.asp

My Windows 98 dial-up script for Netcom 

; Main entry point to script
  proc main
  waitfor "ogin:"
  transmit $USERID, raw
  transmit "^M"
  waitfor "assword:"
  transmit $PASSWORD, raw
  transmit "^M"
  waitfor ":1}"
  transmit "exec slirp -P^M"
  waitfor "SLiRP Ready ..."
  endproc
Real Audio http://www.realaudio.com/ Version 1.0 and 2.0 should work without modifing the .slirprc file In Real Audio 2.x, try TCP packets under "View -> Preferences"

FreeTel http://www.bransonsoftware.com/freetel.htm - Talk over the Internet for Free! Version 1.0 should work without modifing the .slirprc file

Reference: (portions from and revised for Windows 98)
ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/jo/jonzonk/setup95.txt

Last Revised: August 05, 2000
Copyright © 1997-2000 Gerald E. Boyd All rights reserved.
Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions concerning these web pages.
Send email to: gboyd@expita.com