---
name: "ppp"
section: "4"
platform: "linux"
package: "freebsd-manpages"
version: "6.0-5"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ppp/4"
---

# ppp(4)

point to point protocol network interface

## NAME

**ppp** – point to point protocol network interface

## SYNOPSIS

**device ppp**

## DESCRIPTION

The **ppp** interface allows serial lines to be used as network interfaces using the *point-to-point* protocol. The **ppp** interface can use various types of compression and has many features over the [sl(4)](/sl/4.md) protocol.

Each **ppp** interface is created at runtime using interface cloning. This is most easily done with the [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md) **create** command or using the *cloned\_interfaces* variable in [rc.conf(5)](/rc.conf/5.md).

## DIAGNOSTICS

- ppp%d: af%d not supported.

  The interface was handed a message with addresses formatted in an unsuitable address family; the packet was dropped.

## SEE ALSO

[inet(4)](/inet/4.md), [intro(4)](/intro/4.md), [sl(4)](/sl/4.md), [pppd(8)](/pppd/8.md), [pppstats(8)](/pppstats/8.md)

## BUGS

Currently, only the [ip(4)](/ip/4.md) protocol is supported.