IP (Internet Protocol) is the basic networking protocol for connecting
computers on the Internet, and it has become the method of choice for most
LANs as well. Novell uses (or used; they're changing) a different protocol
called IPX (Internetworking Packet eXchange, I think) that was proprietary
and incompatible with IP. To add to the fun, Novell also used a different
Ethernet frame type for its LAN connections. This is all old stuff, though;
modern Novell systems support the standard protocols.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) runs on top of IP (TCP packets are sent
in IP datagrams) to support some application-level setvices. Others use UDP.
Read a book for the technical details if you want; you don't need them to
make a connection work.
As to your computer ... yes, it will work, if you have thr right hardware.
For a LAN connection, you need an Ethernet card (also referred to as an NIC,
for Network Interface Card). For a dial-up connection, you need a
Linux-compatible modem. (I've never heard of a "7k modem", so I don't know
what you have. With older systems, you do need to be concerned about the
UART used in your serial ports - older 16450s won't support high speeds
reliably, and some early 16550s had a bug. Newer 16550s and 16550As will be
fine.
Setting up a Linux host to do Ethernet networking is very easy, and setting
up a PPP connection (PPP is a serial-line protocol that substitutes for
Ethernet) isn't too much harder. The setup details are somewhat distribution
specific, though. After you've decided on what Linux distribution you want
to use, try using its network setup feature during installation. If you have
problems, come back to the list with specific questions.
Oh ... I've assumed you are familiar with the Linux HowTos and miniHowTos,
which coer this any many other subjects. Most distribution CDs include them,
and they can be found online at the Linux Documentation Project
(http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/).
At 09:02 AM 5/8/99 -0700, John Trivedi wrote [abridged]:
>I have friend who has a bigger hard drive than
>me and more everything than me. He said I could network on his
>computer since he serves as a server on M.I.R.C. but I would have to
>configure my TCP/IP protocol. ... What I want to know is
>what does it do and why is it necessary to have it? How does it differ
>from Novel's protocols? The last question is can it work on my
>computer so I can network with my friend. Remember my computer? 486
>with 25MHz. I am going to upgrade memory and disk size due to all the
>advice I got from my first question. Oh! by the way I have a 7K modem
>in case you need to know.
------------------------------------"Never tell me the odds!"---
Ray Olszewski -- Han Solo
762 Garland Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94303-3603
650.328.4219 voice [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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