Connecting to Network

♦ Overview ► A network connection is required to communicate with other computers when they are in a network. Network interface cards have to be configured in a Linux system in order to communicate with other computers of the network. A network client is a system that obtains service from the server. ♦ Lessons covered in this module ► Configuring Network Interfaces ► Configuring Network Client Services Module 10 – Connecting to Network

Connecting to Network ♦ Introduction A network connection is required to communicate with other computers when they are in a network. This is achieved by adding a network interface card and making the operating system identify the Network Interface Card. ♦ Topics covered in this lesson ► Configuring an Ethernet Connection ► Configuring a PPP Connection ► Setting the Host Name Lesson 1 – Configuring Network Interfaces

Connecting to Network Topic 1 - Configuring an Ethernet Connection ♦ Ethernet device is a type of Network Interface Card (NIC) ♦ Verification of the configuration of all interfaces can be done using ifconfig command ~]# ifconfig

Connecting to Network Network Configuration ♦ Network configuration for obtaining Internet connection, can be obtained through DHCP and through Static IP address. ♦ To set the network configuration, the user can make use of su command to become root and run the following command Netconfig Network Configuration

Connecting to Network Static IP address Network Configuration ♦ Fill in the fields with relevant data in IP Address, Netmask, Default Gateway and Primary Nameserver as shown in the following figure. Click on OK after all the required data is entered

Connecting to Network ♦ If the network connection has to be DHCP then just go to the Use dynamic IP Configuration BOOTP/DHCP and press TAB, a * (asterisk symbol) will appear on the space enclosed by square brackets. ♦ This indicates that DHCP is enabled, now click OK. DHCP Network Configuration

Connecting to Network Configuring an Ethernet connection ♦ To configure an ethernet connection, the steps given below have to be followed. ♦ To start a network administration tool, go to Main Menu Button =>Systems and Settings =>Network Network Administration Tool

Connecting to Network Configuring an Ethernet connection ♦ Click the Devices tab on Network Administration Tool as shown in the above figure ♦ Double-click on the highlighted line as shown in the above figure. Now the following screen appears.

Connecting to Network ♦ After configuring the Ethernet device, you will see it displayed in the device list as shown in the figure given below ♦ After configuring the Ethernet device, select File => Save to save the changes Configuring an Ethernet connection

Connecting to Network Topic 2 - Configuring PPP Interface ♦ A point-to-point (PPP) interface is used to build direct connection between two inodes. ♦ There are three technologies that use PPP for connecting computers to a network such as the Internet and they are: ► Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) ► Modems ► Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

Connecting to Network ♦ An ISDN connection is an Internet connection that is set with an ISDN modem card via a special phone line installed by the phone company. ISDN connections are popular in Europe. ♦ ISDN connection is done using Network Administration tool. To start the Network Administration tool, Configuring an ISDN Connection

Connecting to Network Configuring a Modem Connection ♦ A modem can be used to configure an Internet connection over an existing phone line. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, also called a dial-up account is needed to establish a modem connection. ♦ Modem connection is configured using the Network Administration Tool

Connecting to Network ♦ DSL devices are becoming popular. The configuration is similar to the Ethernet configuration and only the difference is in permitting configure settings such as the SSID (service set identifier) and key for the DSL device. ♦ DSL is configured using the Network Administration Tool Configuring a DSL Connection

Connecting to Network Topic 3 – Setting the Host Name ♦ Network applications depend on the local host name to be set to some reasonable value. ♦ This setting is generally made during the boot process by running the hostname command. ► The syntax used to set the host name is: # hostname name ♦ Organizations will have their own authorized fully qualified domain name (FQDNs)

Connecting to Network Lesson 2 - Configuring Network Client Services ♦ Introduction A network client is a system that obtains service from the server. A network client has to be configured to avail the services such as sharing files, mail services from the network server. To configure a network client, a user should have root privileges or super user access. ♦ Topics covered in this lesson ► Configuring DNS Client Services ► Configuring NIS Client Services ► Configuring Mail Client Services

Connecting to Network ♦ Domain name recognizes one ore more IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. Domain names are used in URLs (uniform resource locators) to recognize specific web pages. ♦ The configuration is made into the DNS server using the commands given below: # vi /etc/resolv.conf Topic 1 – Configuring DNS Client Services

Connecting to Network Topic 1 – Configuring DNS Client Services ♦ /etc/hosts lists IP addresses and related hosts names and aliases. ♦ Add the line PEERDNS = no to the interface configuration file to avoid the DHCP server from updating the /etc/resolv.conf.

Connecting to Network Topic 2 – Configuring NIS Client Services ♦ Network Information Service or NIS was designed to permit sharing files between Unix systems and Unix administrators. ♦ A set up of NIS has two components, a NIS master server that offers centrally administered configuration information and NIS clients ♦ The configuration can be done most rapidly with the use of graphical configuration tool authconfig ♦ NIS clients can be created using command line interface by manually configuring the following configuration files. ► /etc/sysconfig/network ► /etc/yp.conf ► /etc/nsswitch.conf

Connecting to Network Contd … Topic 2 – Configuring NIS Client Services

Connecting to Network Topic 3 – Configuring Mail Client Services ♦ Red Hat Linux has a default client called Evolution. Evolution offers all the standard client features that include powerful mailbox management, user-defined filters and quick searches. ♦ Evolution also features a flexible calendar and scheduler that permits users to make and authenticate group meetings and special events online. ♦ Start Evolution from the desktop panel go to Main Menu =>Internet=>

Connecting to Network ♦ The first time Evolution is started, a Welcome Screen is displayed that allows you to configure a new connection. Click Forward to continue. The following screen is displayed Topic 3 – Configuring Mail Client Services

Connecting to Network ♦ Summary ► Network Interface card such as Ethernet, is a hardware device used in making operating system to connect the network. ► A network client has to be configured to the server to obtain the services from the network server. ► , DNS client and NIS client are some of the network clients configured to their corresponding network server ♦ Question and Answer Session Conclusion