From: bjork@telebit.com (Steven Bjork)
Subject: Re: Internet link
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 20:42:21 GMT

In article <18oiuoINNs2g@bigboote.WPI.EDU> jradoff@wpi.WPI.EDU (Jonathan B Radoff) writes:
>Can someone provide or otherwise direct me to where I can find out
>how one can connect a Unix system to the Internet -- not simply for

Here's something I wrote up about what's needed to join. --Steven


                       Joining the Global IP Internet

Overview

  With the availability of easily configured IP routers that can use the
Public Switched Telephone System, the network of IP internets is growing
phenomenally. There are many advantages to IP networks. One of the biggest
advantages is the existance of the global IP Internet.

  This network is composed of Government networks and Research and Educational
networks, and recently, full commercial networks as well. All these networks
are joined by gateways, allowing the full range of IP services (such as FTP,
Telnet, and applications such as X windows) to be exchanged.

  The availability of sophisticated software such as compilers, X window
system, and numerous other utilities makes access to the  IP Internet
a distinct advantage in today's internetworking environment.
This note will describe the various items necessary for obtaining
a fully supported connection to the  IP Internet.

Basic Walkthrough

  The following items will be necessary for supporting the internet connection.
It is assumed that the reader has obtained one or more of the references 
listed in the appendix, and will understand the need for the various items
as this note mentions them. In addition, the Network Information Center
(NIC) will be consulted for Network number assignment and domain registration.
The contact information for the NIC is in the appendix.

1. Obtaining an IP network number

  An officially registered Network number must be obtained from the appropriate
party. This number uniquely identifies the IP network. The NIC will assign the
network number based upon the needs of your organization. The various classes
of network numbers are described in the TCP/IP reference listed in the
appendix.

  Once the network address is obtained, you are then able to assign individual
host numbers to entities on your IP network. Each network entity must have
a unique host number. One of the most important addresses that you must
assign is the address of your Domain Name System (DNS) server. You must
have a network number to assign host addresses for your DNS server before
you can complete the Domain Application form from the NIC (see next section).

2. Registering a Domain

  A Domain Name is also registered at the NIC. The domain name uniquely 
identifies your organization in the Internet community. It is used
in electronic mail addresses, and many other IP services. See the appendix
for a reference volume for the Domain Name System (DNS). The NIC will 
refuse to register a domain unless there are two servers for the domain.
The two servers are a primary and a secondary. Two servers are required
for reliability, and it is strongly recommended that the servers be
physically separated. Most often, an organization will run its own
primary server, and the secondary is off-site. The off-site server
can be arbitrary, and often is simply a "network neighbor." The
commercial IP network providers can also act as DNS servers for
smaller sites.

3. Physical Interconnection Issues

  The physical connection must be supported with an IP router. The router
can use a telephone company (telco) leased line for high speed, or the
regular Public Switched Telephone System for low cost. The router is what
directs network traffic outside your local organization, and into and out
of the  internet. The flexibility of the IP protocols is especially
apparent here, with numerous options available for transport and 
interconnection of various IP network segments. Options include optical
fiber, satellite relay, microwave transmission, or the common telco lines.
Consult the router vendors listed in the appendix for further information.

4. Network Service Providers

There are several entities that can be contacted
for obtaining interconnection to the internet. Military users generally
are attached to the Defense Data Network (DDN). Research and Educational
institutions often connect via the National Science Foundation network
(NSFnet). Recently, full commercial IP networks have been placed into
operation. The commercial networks generally have fewer restrictions
on the traffic they will carry as compared to the Military and Research
networks. The appendix lists contacts for some of these transport agencies.

5. Tying It All Together

Once you have a network address, and have your domain registered, you can 
begin building the network connection. Coordinate with your network sevice
provider for the appropriate access method, for instance a dialup IP link
via SLIP or PPP. The telephone company may need to install circuits if a
high speed leased line is required. Once the leased line (or other access
method) is in place, you can test the LAN access. Consult your vendors
documents for appropriate configuration commands. Once your IP routers
are configured for your network topology, the packets should flow.
Congratulations, you're now a member in good standing of the IP Internet
community.

Appendix

Follows is a short introduction to various IP networking references.


                     Networking Reference Information

==================================================
Books and the Request For Comment (RFC) Collection

  Follows is a list of various books and other reference information for
networking issues, with emphasis on TCP/IP Internets.

___________________________________________
Internetworking With TCP/IP, Second Edition
Douglas Comer
Prentice Hall

You will find this book an excellent reference for most TCP/IP internet
questions. Covers such issues as network classes, domains, and routing.

_______________
The Simple Book
Marshall Rose
Prentice Hall

The Internet Standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is given
a thorough treatment by the author. Because of the nature of managing a
network with SNMP, the internet protocols are given a wring out in the text.

_________________________________
Computer Networks, Second Edition
Andrew Tannenbaum
Prentice Hall

A comprehensive overview of various networking implementations including
TCP/IP, DECnet, SNA, x.25, and various transport agents such as ethernet,
token ring, packet radio, and others.

_____________________
DDN Protocol Handbook
SRI International

This four volume set contains sufficient information to code a functional
TCP/IP protocol implementation from. A number of Request For Comments
(RFC's) are listed in the handbook.

____________________
Request For Comments
(various authors)

The Request For Comment (RFC) is the mechanism used by the Internet Community
to define protocol standards. Several sites make the RFC's available for
copying from the network free of charge. Hard copy service is provided by
SRI International.

=========================
Network Service Providers

 This section lists providers of IP network backbone transport facilities.
Agents for Military, Government, Research and Education, and Commercial
users are listed. The Network Information Center (NIC) is listed as well.

________________________________
Network Information Center (NIC)

The Network Information Center provides assignment of IP network addresses,
registers domains, and operates the root name server for the Domain Name
System (DNS).

Government Systems, Inc.
Attn: Network Information Center
14200 Meadow Park Drive
Suite 200
Chantilly, VA 22021
+1-703-802-4535
(800) 365-3642

__________________________________________________
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA, nee DCA)

Military and Government communications services are provided by DISA,
formerly known as Defense Communications Agency (DCA).

Headquarters
8th and South Courthouse Road
Washington, DC 20390

____________________________________________
National Science Foundation Network (NSFnet)

The NSFnet backbone provides supercomputer access for research and educational
facilities across the planet. In addition, NSFnet provides network access
for government agencies.

National Science Foundation Network
1800 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20550

+1-202-357-9717

_____________________________
UUNET Communications Services

UUNET offers many services, including Domain MX records and commercial
internet access.

UUNET Communications Services
3110 Farview Park Drive, Suite 570
Falls Church, VA 22042

+1-703-876-5050

______________________________________________________
California Education and Research Foundation (CERFnet)

CERFnet provides commercial IP network access.

California Education and Research Foundation (CERFnet)
10100 John Jay Hopkins Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093

+1-619-534-5056

__________________________________________
Performance Systems International (PSInet)

PSInet provides commercial IP network access.

Performance Systems International
P.O. Box 3850
Reston, VA 22091

+1-703-620-6651

---------------------------------------
Advanced Network & Services, Inc. (ANS)

ANS provides commercial IP network access.

Advanced Network & Services, Inc. (ANS)
100 Clearbrook Road
Elmsford, NY 10523

Phone: 1-914-789-5300

=================
IP Router Vendors

Follows is a listing of some of the Internet Protocol router vendors.

___________________
Telebit Corporation

Provides IP network routers capable of using the regular Public Switched
Telephone System as a transport agent. Also capable of traditional leased
line operation.

Telebit Corporation
1315 Chesapeake Terrace
Sunnyvale, CA 94089

+1-408-734-4333

___________________________
Cisco Systems, Incorporated

Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents.

Cisco Systems, Incorporated
1525 O'Brien Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025

+1-415-326-1941

______________________________
Wellfleet Communications, Inc.

Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents.

Wellfleet Communications, Inc.
12 DeAngelo Drive
Bedford, MA 01730-2204

+1-617-275-2400

_____________
Proteon, Inc.

Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents.

Proteon, Inc.
Two Technology Drive
Westborough, MA 01581

+1-508-898-2800

----------------
3Com Corporation

Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents.

3Com Corporation
5400 Bayfront Plaza
Santa Clara, CA 95052

+1-408-764-5000


=======================
Other Service Providers

SRI International provides anonymous FTP of online RFC's as well
as having a complete hard copy collection of all RFC's ever published.
Use ftp.nisc.sri.com for access to the RFC collection.

SRI International
Network Information Systems Center
Room EJ291
333 Ravenswood Avenue
Menlo Park CA
94025
+1-415-859-3695
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