If anyone is curious like I am then you'll understand why I want to know which RAS my exchange is connected to. I previously only knew of the method detailed at Kitz's Website and while this is effective it is annoying to have to change your login name and re-enable NAT etc. Today I decided to find an easier way to do it, and a few hours later here it is. As long as you have a Netgear router that is...
This has been tested on the following Netgear routers:
DG834v1
DG834v2
DG834v3
DG834GT
DG834G
So here's how to do it:
1. Stick the following into your web browser: http://routerip/setup.cgi?todo=ppp_debug and log in
At this stage you should see "PPP Debug Enable!" in the browser.
2. Then navigate to http://routerip/ppp_log - WHEN YOU DO THIS YOUR PPP SESSION WITH YOUR ISP WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED
3. Have a look through that; I get the following:
Options file - /etc/ppp/options.0.38. setting line discipline hook connect_pppoatm_ses...Enter connect_pppoatm_ses: socket created fd - 0x7. connect_pppoatm_ses: setsockopt called. connect_pppoatm_ses: connect successful. Calling line discipline hook Setting pppoatm line discipline. vc encaps. using channel 6 Using interface ppp0 Connect: ppp0 <--> sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1] rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 ] sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x1 ] rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x2 ] sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x2 ] sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 ] rcvd [LCP ConfAck id=0x1 ] Untimeout 0x4092ac:0x1000a7c0. sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x0 magic=0xd41ce452] rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x1 , name = "ESR4.Sheffield3"] sent [CHAP Response id=0x1 <301cfc5e53d9aca58d4497cb4da85e99>, name = "jgjg5@a.1"] rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0x2ea27099] rcvd [CHAP Success id=0x1 "Welcome Jon Green"] Untimeout 0x414838:0x1000aa70. Remote message: Welcome Jon Green sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 ] rcvd [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 ] ipcp: returning Configure-ACK sent [IPCP ConfAck id=0x1 ] rcvd [IPCP ConfNak id=0x1 ] Untimeout 0x4092ac:0x1000aa00.
rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x1which shows I'm on the Sheffield RAS, and on what looks like Cisco ESR equipment. I've also seen ERX in other people's routers; which I believe refers to Juniper ERX equipment., name = "ESR4.Sheffield3"]
It seems RAS routing may not be as obvious as you might think; here's what I've found:
Cudworth Exchange (near Barnsley which is near Sheffield) - Sheffield RAS - ESR4.Sheffield3
Broomhill Exchange (in Sheffield City Centre) - Birmingham RAS - ERX14.Birmingham3
Attercliffe Exchange (just outside of Sheffield City Centre) - Sheffield RAS - ESR8.Sheffield3
Great Ayton Exchange (North Yorkshire) - Sheffield RAS - ERX1.Sheffield
Also it's worth remembering that each DSLAM in the exchange may not be on the same RAS, I've seen circumstances where two lines on the same exchange are on different RAS servers.
Anyway, hope this will help some of you curious souls out there. Feel free to email me at jon-nospam-@-nospam-jgmail.co.uk (removing the obvious) with any comments or suggestions. Also please see Chris Tomlinson's website which shows how to do the same on a Speedtouch/Cisco Router.