ARCHIVED: For Mac OS, what is Open Transport PPP, and how do I use it?

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Note: This information does not apply to Mac OS X.

Open Transport PPP (OT/PPP) is a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) client for Mac OS. It was developed by Apple Computer, and shipped with Mac OS 7.6 through 8.1. Apple Remote Access (ARA), the PPP client included in Mac OS 8.5 through 9.x, is essentially a revised version of OT/PPP, so differences between the two programs are cosmetic for most users.

As long as you have Open Transport 1.1.1 or higher installed, OT/PPP will work on computers running versions of the operating system as old as 7.1. It is not, however, compatible with MacTCP nor the earlier versions of Open Transport included with the System 7.5 releases. If it is not already on your computer, you can download OT/PPP, the OT/PPP manual, and a compatible (though not the most recent) version of Open Transport from the Open Transport directory on the Apple Downloads page.

If you have Mac OS 7.6 through 8.1, you may install OT/PPP from the system software CD-ROM that came with your computer. Similarly, if you have a PowerBook G3, iMac, or Mac OS 8.5 through 9.x, you may install ARA from the system installation software CD-ROM.

Warning: Make absolutely certain you do not already have OT/PPP or Remote Access 3.0+ installed on your computer before you attempt to install OT/PPP from Apple's web site.

For more information about configuring OT/PPP and Remote Access for the Indiana University modem pools, see ARCHIVED: How do I configure my Mac OS PPP client to use the IUB or IUPUI modem pools?