downstairs:~ # synce-serial-start
Serial connection established.
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/ttyUSB0
local  IP address 192.168.131.102
remote IP address 192.168.131.201
Script /etc/ppp/ip-up finished (pid 18185), status = 0x0
Terminating on signal 2
Connect time 2.2 minutes.
Sent 0 bytes, received 768 bytes.
Connection terminated.
Script /etc/ppp/ip-down finished (pid 18419), status = 0x0

synce-serial-start was unable to start the PPP daemon!