LinuxQuestions.org - help getting simple PPP (no LAN) DNS working

I'm just trying to get a simple desktop dialup setup working. I haven't set up any LAN. I'd like to be able to use ppp-on/off as a regular user, but for now I just want to get it working for root. I'm running a stock Slack 9.1 install with bare.i.

I've run netconfig and told it I just want to setup a loopback connection (for "modem or no net").

I've run pppsetup and given it the usual input.

I can run ppp-on as root and get my external modem to dialup and connect. /var/log/messages tells me:

Code:

CONNECT

 -- got it

Serial connection established.

Using interface ppp0

Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/modem

Once connected, If I try to ping the one dns IP in my /etc/resolv.conf, I get:

Code:

connect: Network is unreachable

If I try to ping something else

Code:

ping www.osnews.com

I get

Code:

ping: unknown host www.osnews.com

Trying to traceroute the IP of my DNS listed in /etc/resolv.conf

Code:

traceroute: findsaddr: Can't find interface

Running 'ifconfig -a' lists eth0, lo, and ppp0. In the ppp0 section, there's no "inet" or "UP" lines present like there are when I haven't run ppp-on.