For information on installing Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), see the AIX Installation Guide.
Once the TCP/IP software is installed on your system, you are ready to begin configuring your system.
Many TCP/IP configuration tasks can be performed in more than one way, either by:
For example, the rc.net shell script performs required minimum host configuration for TCP/IP during the system startup process (the rc.net script is run by the configuration manager program during the second boot phase). By using Web-based System Manager or SMIT to perform the host configuration, the rc.net file is configured automatically.
Alternatively, you can configure the rc.net file using a standard editor. With this method, you can specify the traditional UNIX TCP/IP configuration commands such as ifconfig, hostname, and route. (Refer to the "List of TCP/IP Commands" for further information.)
A few tasks, such as configuring a name server, cannot be done using Web-based System Manager or SMIT. (Refer to Fast Paths for TCP/IP in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices for a list of tasks in TCP/IP that can be performed using SMIT.)
Each host machine on your network will need to be configured to function according to the needs of the end-users and the network as a whole. For each host on the network, you must configure the network interface, set the Internet address, and set the host name. You also need to set up static routes to gateways or other hosts, specify daemons to be started by default, and set up the /etc/hosts file for name resolution (or set up the host to use a name server for name resolution).
If the host machine is to have a specific function, for example, if it is to serve as a gateway, file server, or name server, you must perform the necessary configuration tasks after the basic configuration is complete.
For example, if your network is organized hierarchically and you want to use the DOMAIN protocol to resolve names into Internet addresses, you will need to configure at least one name server to provide this function for your network.
Remember, a server host does not have to be a dedicated machine: it can be used for other things as well. For example, if the name server function for your network is fairly small, the machine might also be used as a workstation or as a file server for your network.
Note: If your system has the Network Information Service (NIS) application installed, NIS can also provide name resolution service.
If your network is going to communicate with other networks, you will need to configure at least one gateway host. You will need to consider which communications protocols you will need to support, and then use whichever routing daemon (the routed or gated daemon) supports those protocols.
The following list contains the commands you will use to configure and manage your TCP/IP network:
| arp | Displays or changes the Internet address to hardware address translation tables used by the Address Resolution protocol. |
| finger | Returns information about users on a specified host. |
| host | Shows the Internet address of a specified host or the host name of a specified Internet address. |
| hostname | Shows or sets the Internet name and address of the local host. |
| ifconfig | Configures network interfaces and their characteristics. |
| netstat | Shows local and foreign addresses, routing tables, hardware statistics, and a summary of packets transferred. |
| no | Sets or shows current network kernel options. |
| ping | Determines whether a host is reachable. |
| route | Permits you to manipulate manually the routing tables. |
| ruptime | Shows status information on hosts that are connected to local physical networks and are running the rwhod server. |
| rwho | Shows status information for users on hosts that are connected to local physical networks and running the rwhod server. |
| setclock | Reads the network time service and sets the time and date of the local host accordingly. |
| timedc | Returns information about the timed daemon. |
| trpt | Reports protocol tracing on TCP sockets. |
| whois | Provides the Internet name directory service. |
Use the following procedure as a guide for configuring your network, both initially and when you make changes over time. Be certain that you have read and understood the appropriate material. Taking extra time now to understand what you are doing will save you time and frustration later, by avoiding having to correct an earlier mistake.
After you have your network up and running properly, you may find it useful to refer to this checklist for the purpose of debugging the inevitable problems that occur in every 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.