Introduction Once Known Only to Researchers and True Hackers, The
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Introduction Once known only to researchers and true hackers, the TCP/IP stack of communications protocols has risen to prominence along with the explosion of the Internet and the World Wide Web. It seems every PC these days comes with dial-up protocol software for Net access, and every LAN and WAN has a gateway into the TCP/IP Internet world. Many companies and individuals are setting up Web servers on desktop computers using shareware or the latest commercial server software packages. The proliferation of computers accessing the public Internet is itself sufficient reason for network and information systems professionals to want to master the ins and outs of TCP/IP. An even more pressing reason, however, is the increasing use of private and public TCP/IP networks to link corporate networks into enterprise-wide, distributed computing and information systems. Mission-critical corporate applications require new levels of security, throughput, and reliability. As you'll see throughout this book, the TCP/IP protocol suite has been evolving to meet those challenges. There are new opportunities to exploit as well—technologies such as interactive multimedia conferencing and object- and component-based Java and ActiveX applications. These, too, place new demands on the network infrastructure. Inside this book, you'll find answers to many of the questions you might have about the TCP/IP stack. If you are new to packet-switched approaches, this book will help you master the concepts and architecture of a leading technology. If you've been working with TCP/IP-based networks, you will find useful information on recent extensions that support new forms of multimedia, multicasting, and multiple protocol/interoperable networks, along with enhanced addressing and security features. You'll also find out where to get more information and how to stay abreast of rapidly changing communications standards. Who This Book Is For This book is primarily aimed at readers who have advanced familiarity with networking, protocols, and administration. The advanced and expert user will find this a useful reference and an excellent introduction to the newest members of the TCP/IP protocol family. Less experienced readers will find that care has been taken to explain the usefulness and relevance of this material as an aid to mastering the rich layers of the TCP/IP protocol stack. It's an exciting time because networking technologies evolve rapidly. The authors of this book invite you to explore the TCP/IP Blueprints on which so much of today's newest advances are based. Conventions in This Book This book uses the following conventions: Tip: Tips indicate the author's simple and direct advice on how to do specific tasks better and easier. Note: Notes contain pertinent information that will help expand on the information in the text. Warning: Warnings let you know something you should watch out for. The information presented in these warnings could help save you from disaster. Program names are indicated in all uppercase. Screen messages and commands are shown in a monospaced type style like the command below: ROUTE PRINT Discussions of commands sometimes include variables that are shown in italicized monospace. You should substitute your command or statement where an italicized command or statement is shown. About the Authors First, I'd like to say thanks to the team at Sams Publishing who have prodded, pushed, cajoled, and obtained my output in good time and have managed to make it presentable to you, the reader. Also, I'd like to say a very big thank-you to my wife, who has tolerated the long days and longer nights and has supported and organized me. —Thomas Lee Robin Burk Robin Burk has over 25 years of experience in advanced software and communications technologies, having contributed to the development of packet-switched network software, multiple operating systems, and multimedia applications. After serving as a successful executive in entrepreneurial companies, she now consults on the software development and business use of the Internet. Robin's other passion is breeding and training show dogs. She moderates an e-mail list for English Cocker Spaniel fanciers, and she can be reached at [email protected]. Robin holds an undergraduate degree in Physics/Math and an MBA in finance and operations. Martin J. Bligh Martin J. Bligh is a communications specialist, working for Sequent Computer Systems in the United Kingdom. He has experience in planning, designing, and implementing networks, specializing in UNIX and Windows NT communications and LAN/WAN technologies. He holds a degree in Mathematics and Computing from Oxford University, England, and his interests include distributed operating systems, the application of neural networks, and playing the game of Go. He can be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]. Thomas Lee Thomas Lee is a computer consultant and educator living in the United Kingdom. He has been working with Windows NT since 1993. Educated at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, he worked on two successful operating systems projects (Comshare's Commander II and ICL's VME) before joining Andersen Consulting in 1981. Thomas founded PS Partnership, a Microsoft Solutions Provider, in 1987, and today is a partner. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society as well as an MCSE, MCT, and MVP. You can contact Thomas at [email protected]. Richard J. Maring Richard J. Maring is a Senior Programmer/Analyst for the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). He is currently tasked with the design and development of an enterprise-scale, Web-based OLAP solution for the internal Executive Information System. He is also a freelance Microsoft Certified Trainer, specializing in all 32-bit Microsoft operating systems. His extensive background includes LAN/MAN/WAN construction, capacity planning, performance tuning, database design, and system development/integration, as well as extensive experience in project management/budgeting. Richard has recently been acquired by Microsoft to serve in their elite Internet Infrastructure and Architecture division as the Site Architect and QA Manager for all microsoft.com Web sites throughout the world. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. Christopher Fisher Christopher Fisher has a B.S. in Anthropology and Computer Science from Trent University and an MBA specialized in MIS from McMaster University. He currently works as a Technology Specialist for a major Canadian bank. Mark Vevers Mark Vevers is a consultant for Research Machines PLc in the United Kingdom, which designs and delivers high-performance networks to the education sector, specializing in IP network design and LAN/WAN connectivity. Mark was educated at Oxford University, England, and holds a Masters degree in Engineering and Computing Science. His background includes UNIX/Windows NT cross-network backup and mass data storage technologies. His other interests include robotics and fast motorcycles. Mark can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. Acknowledgments Special thanks to Roger for support and grocery shopping. Also to the Laurelwood English Cockers, who intuitively understand how to negotiate a communications session (beg), allocate resources (if it's on the counter, it's ours!), and travel in encapsulated cells (show crates) over broadband highway networks. Thanks, also, to Stephen P. Kowalchuk, who provided an IS manager and practicing network administrator's point of view. —Robin Burk Tell Us What You Think! As a reader, you are the most important critic and commentator of our books. We value your opinion and want to know what we're doing right, what we could do better, what areas you'd like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you're willing to pass our way. You can help us make strong books that meet your needs and give you the computer guidance you require. NOTE: If you have a technical question about this book, call the technical support line at (317)581-3833. Do you have access to CompuServe or the World Wide Web? Then check out our CompuServe forum by typing GO SAMS at any prompt. If you prefer the World Wide Web, check out our site at http://www.mcp.com. As the publishing manager of the group that created this book, I welcome your comments. You can fax, e-mail, or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn't like about this book—as well as what we can do to make our books stronger. Here's the information: Fax: (317) 581-4669 E-mail: [email protected] Mail: Dean Miller Sams Publishing 201 W. 103rd Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 Part I Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction to TCP/IP by Robin Burk 1.1. The History of TCP/IP 1.2. The TCP/IP Protocol Stack 1.3. The Internet Protocol 1.4. Client/Server Relationships in TCP/IP Networks 1.5. Who's in Control Around Here? 1.6. Summary The Transmission Control Protocol and the Internet Protocol are the key data communication mechanisms that underlie the Internet and, in a quiet way, have enabled its rapid growth. In actuality, TCP/IP means more than just these two protocols. As you'll see throughout the book, the TCP/IP protocol suite is a rich, open, and flexible facility that continues to evolve by adapting to new hardware, software, and application environments. It is this adaptability, along with the accessibility of the World Wide Web, which has led to increasing use of the Internet and TCP/IP–based intranets and extranets, by incorporating MIS groups previously wed to stable, vendor-proprietary networks. Inside these chapter you'll find answers to many of the questions you might have about the TCP/IP stack. If you are new to packet-switched approaches, this book will help you master the concepts and architecture of a leading technology.