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Preparing to Join a TCP/IP Network  



Before you can configure a host to run TCP/IP, you must have a unique IP address and host name. Unlike network hardware addresses, which are hardcoded and fixed, an IP address is assigned by a network administrator. Networks connected to the public Internet must obtain an official, unique network ID from the InterNIC. The IP address has a total of 32 bits (four octets) that identify the network and host. A host name is the name assigned to a computer to facilitate communication.

In addition to providing host and network IDs, the IP address provides information that helps a host determine which packets it should receive and which packets it should ignore. In order for a host to know whether or not another host is on the same or a different subnet, the host compares its own address and the address of the destination computer to a subnet mask. If the network ID of the destination matches the network ID of the source, the packet is delivered to the destination host on the local network. If the network IDs do not match, the packet is forwarded through an IP router to the destination computer.

In addition to an IP address and host name, you must obtain the following information from your network administrator:

You must also decide which end-user services to provide and whether your system is operating as a client, server, or both.

For more information about planning to install and configure HP TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS, refer to Compaq TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS Concepts and Planning.


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