837 ADSL Router using CHAP but no password?

andrew.butterworth · ‎03-10-2006

I have hit a problem with an 837 ADSL router in the UK whilst attempting to test the ADSL line.

BT (DSL provider) have asked me to test the line using a testing UserID that connects to a limited network to allow testing only. The PPP Authentication details they have provided is a CHAP username and no password. This presents a problem with the router as it refuses to authenticate when no password is configured and fails authentication when a dummy password is entered.

No password configured - router refuses to authenticate:

router#

.Mar 10 11:14:02: Vi2 PPP: Authorization required

.Mar 10 11:14:02: Vi2 PPP: No remote authentication for call-out

.Mar 10 11:14:04: Vi2 PPP: No authorization without authentication

.Mar 10 11:14:04: Vi2 CHAP: I CHALLENGE id 221 len 35 from "rdsl-lond-uk01"

.Mar 10 11:14:04: Vi2 CHAP: Unable to authenticate for peer

.Mar 10 11:14:06: Vi2 PPP: Authorization required

.Mar 10 11:14:06: Vi2 PPP: No remote authentication for call-out

.Mar 10 11:14:08: Vi2 PPP: No authorization without authentication

.Mar 10 11:14:08: Vi2 CHAP: I CHALLENGE id 138 len 45 from "rdsl-lond-uk01"

.Mar 10 11:14:08: Vi2 CHAP: Unable to authenticate for peer

router#

Dummy Password configured - router tries, but fails authentication:

router#

.Mar 10 11:16:01: Vi2 PPP: Authorization required

.Mar 10 11:16:01: Vi2 PPP: No remote authentication for call-out

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 PPP: No authorization without authentication

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 CHAP: I CHALLENGE id 42 len 50 from "rdsl-lond-uk01"

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 CHAP: Using hostname from interface CHAP

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 CHAP: Using password from interface CHAP

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 CHAP: O RESPONSE id 42 len 47 from "speedtest@speedtest_domain"

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 CHAP: I FAILURE id 42 len 19 msg is "nothing matched"

I have tried all variants of the 'PPP authentication chap callin etc' commands but the same issue remains. I am looking for a 'trick' or hidden command to allow PPP CHAP to work without a Password.

Andy

c.lemaire · ‎03-10-2006

Hi Andy,

I think BT router is trying to authenticate your router. This line in the debug indicate the remote router is challenging yours.

.Mar 10 11:16:03: Vi2 CHAP: I CHALLENGE id 42 len 50 from "rdsl-lond-uk01"

You could try to disable the ppp authentication and only configure a chap username but I doubt it will work...

no ppp authentication chap

ppp chap hostname

HTH

Regards,

Christophe

andrew.butterworth · ‎03-11-2006

I found some information on the internet regarding the test accounts BT use. Apparently the password should be ignored and whatever you enter as a password is accepted. I therefore think this is an issue with BT and there is nothing more I can do until BT sort out the authentication problem at thier end.

http://www.more-solutions.co.uk/support/bt-test-user.html

Thanks

Andy