Configuring a TCP/IP network

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Use this procedure as a guide for configuring your network. Ensure that you have read and understood the appropriate material.

Before beginning this procedure, make sure that the following prerequisites are true:
  1. Network hardware is installed and cabled. For more information about installing and cabling your hardware, see TCP/IP local area network adapter cards.
  2. TCP/IP software is installed. For more information about installing the TCP/IP software, see the Installation and migration.

After you bring your network up and it is running properly, you might find it useful to refer to this checklist for the purpose of debugging.

To configure your TCP/IP network, use the following steps:

  1. Read TCP/IP protocols for the basic organization of TCP/IP.
    You should understand:
    • the layered nature of TCP/IP (that is, different protocols reside at different layers)
    • how data flows through the layers
  2. Minimally configure each host machine on the network.
    This means adding a network adapter, assigning an IP address, and assigning a host name to each host, as well as defining a default route to your network. For background information on these tasks, refer to TCP/IP network interfaces, TCP/IP addressing, and Naming hosts on your network.
    Note: Each machine on the network needs this basic configuration whether it will be an end-user host, a file server, a gateway, or a name server.
  3. Configure and start the inetd daemon on each host machine on the network. Read TCP/IP daemons and then follow the instructions in Configuring the inetd daemon.
  4. Configure each host machine to perform either local name resolution or to use a name server.
    If you are setting up a hierarchical Domain Name network, configure at least one host to function as a name server. Read and follow the instructions in Name resolution.
  5. If your network will communicate with any remote networks, configure at least one host to function as a gateway.
    The gateway can use static routes or a routing daemon to perform internetwork routing. Read and follow the instructions in TCP/IP routing.
  6. Decide which services each host machine on the network will use.
    By default, all services are available. Follow the instructions in Client network services if you wish to make a particular service unavailable.
  7. Decide which hosts on the network will be servers, and which services a particular server will provide.
    Follow the instructions in Server network services to start the server daemons you wish to run.
  8. Configure any remote print servers you will need.
    See Printing administration in Printers and printing for more information.
  9. Optional: If desired, configure a host to use or to serve as the master time server for the network.
    See the timed daemon in the Commands Reference, Volume 5 for more information.