if ppp uninstalled, 3G connection fails with unhelpful error message

[LeoRochael]

Binary package hint: network-manager

The UNR live image of ubuntu jaunty beta as of 2009-04-15 network-manager but doesn't have ppp installed.

When a 3G modem is connected (a Nokia N95 8G, in my case), the user is properly notified to configure a 3G connection, which proceeds normally.

When network-manager then tries to establish this recently configured connection, it instantly notifies the user that the connection was terminated, without any other tips as to what caused the connection to terminate.

By watching /var/log/daemon.log I realized that this was because the "ppp" package was not installed ("ppp binary could not be found"). Installing this package enabled network-manager to successfully establish the previously configured 3G connection.

However, non-technically savvy users will never be able to figure out what is wrong with their setup and it will look like Ubuntu can't get their 3G modems or cellphones to work.

Network-Manager should make the notification for failed "ppp" connections be more explicit about the need to install the ppp package, or check for the presence of the "ppp" binary before attempting to establish a Point-to-Point connection. Ideally, it should offer to install the "ppp" package for the user if it is missing.

[Thomas Hood (jdthood)]

@Leo: What's the status of this problem in Ubuntu 12.04?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for network-manager (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]