In preparing for your CCNA and CCNP exams, PPP Callback is an important feature to know. Even better, it's a skill that you'll find very helpful on the job as well. Let's take a look at how to configure this vital testing skill, as well as how to test the configuration.
You may run into situations where a router in a remote location needs to dial in to a central router, but the toll charges are much higher if the remote router makes the call. This scenario is perfect for PPP Callback, where the callback client places a call to a callback server, authentication takes place, and the server then hangs up on the client! This ensures that the client isn't charged for the call. The server then calls the client back.
In the following example, R2 has been configured as the client and R1 is the callback server. Let's look at both configurations and the unique commands PPP Callback requires.
Client:
interface BRI0
ip address 172.12.12.2 255.255.255.0
encapsulation ppp
dialer map ip 172.12.12.1 name R1 broadcast 5557777
dialer-group 1
isdn switch-type basic-ni
ppp callback request
ppp authentication chap
Most of that configuration will look familiar to you, but the ppp callback request command might not. This command enables the BRI interface to request the callback.
Simple enough, right? The PPP Callback Server config requires more configuration and an additional map-class as well.
Server:
interface BRI0
ip address 172.12.12.1 255.255.255.0
encapsulation ppp
dialer callback-secure
dialer map ip 172.12.12.2 name R2 class CALL_R2_BACK broadcast 5558888
dialer-group 1
isdn switch-type basic-ni
ppp callback accept
ppp authentication chap
map-class dialer CALL_R2_BACK
dialer callback-server username
Examining the PPP Callback Server command from the top down...
dialer callback-secure enables security on the callback. If the remote router cannot be authenticated for callback, the incoming call will be disconnected.
The dialer map statement now calls the class CALL_R2_BACK, shown at the bottom of the config excerpt.
ppp callback accept enables PPP callback on this router.
dialer callback-server username tells the callback server that the device referenced in the dialer map statement is a callback client.
The only way to find out if the config works is to test it, so let's send a ping from R2 to R1 and see if the callback takes place.
R2#ping 172.12.12.1
Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 172.12.12.1, timeout is 2 seconds:
02:45:42: BR0 DDR: Dialing cause ip (s=172.12.12.2, d=172.12.12.1)
02:45:42: BR0 DDR: Attempting to dial 5557777
02:45:42: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface BRI0:1, changed state to up
02:45:42: BR0:1 DDR: Callback negotiated - Disconnecting now
02:45:42: BR0:1 DDR: disconnecting call
02:45:42: %ISDN-6-CONNECT: Interface BRI0:1 is now connected to 5557777 R1
02:45:42: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface BRI0:1, changed state to down
02:45:42: DDR: Callback client for R1 5557777 created
02:45:42: BR0:1 DDR: disconnecting call.....
Success rate is 0 percent (0/5)
R2#
02:45:57: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface BRI0:1, changed state to up
R2#
02:45:57: BR0:1 DDR: Callback received from R1 5557777
02:45:57: DDR: Freeing callback to R1 5557777
02:45:57: BR0:1 DDR: dialer protocol up
02:45:58: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface BRI0:1, changed state
to up
The callback was successfully negotiated, and the call then disconnected. R1 then called R2 back, and show dialer on R1 confirms the purpose of the call.
R1#show dialer
BRI0 - dialer type = ISDN
Dial String Successes Failures Last DNIS Last status
5558888 2 4 00:00:20 successful
0 incoming call(s) have been screened.
0 incoming call(s) rejected for callback.
BRI0:1 - dialer type = ISDN
Idle timer (120 secs), Fast idle timer (20 secs)
Wait for carrier (30 secs), Re-enable (15 secs)
Dialer state is data link layer up
Dial reason: Callback return call
Time until disconnect 99 secs
Connected to 5558888 (R2)
Pretty cool! Knowing how to configure PPP Callback isn't just for passing the CCNA and CCNP Cisco certification exams - it can save your company a lot of money as well!
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.
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