NEXTSTEP In Focus, Summer 1993 (Volume 3, Issue 3). 
Copyright ã1993 by NeXT Computer, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Network Know-How

This issue, we focus on something that has merited lots of discussion in many forumsÐNetInfo. 

A WHOLE ISSUE ON NETINFO?

NetInfo is central to NEXTSTEP configuration and networking. The articles in this issue pick up where the NEXTSTEP system administration classes leave off and present information on NetInfo that isn't available anywhere else. There's really no way to learn some of this stuff short of studying the source code, taking the Advanced NetInfo class we've occasionally offered, or talking directly with the NetInfo developers. We hope this issue will be particularly helpful to those who manage large networks.

The feature articles examine various aspects of NEXTSTEP networking in detail. Topics include how the critical pieces of NetInfo information are configured dynamically, how processes look up NetInfo information, what binding is and how it works, how updates are propagated through the network, and how to handle the trickiest things in a network. These articles are detailed and assume you're very familiar with NetInfo. 

There's also an introduction to NetInfo for those who are new to system administration. It covers the basics and helps you get started managing networks.

And perhaps most important, ªNEXTSTEP Networking Referencesº lists additional sources of information, so you can learn more.

OTHER GOODIES

As in every issue, we also present ªTips & Techniques.º This issue, we look at how to set up a standalone printer using TCP/IP. We also check out how to use the new ftp access to NeXTanswers. For information on contacting NeXT, see ªFYI.º

SPECIAL THANKS

Most of this special NetInfo issue was written by our featured author, Alan M. Marcum. Alan is a technical support engineer in NeXT's Premium Support Team who specializes in designing, implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting large networks. He's been at NeXT for 5 years and in the industry for over 21 years, so you can bet he knows his stuff!

Marc Majka also wrote and assisted with this issue's articles. In addition to being a wonderful source of NetInfo information, Marc is a trainer in NeXT Education, and a frequent contributor to NEXTSTEP In Focus.

We appreciate the fantastic job they and our hard-working technical reviewers (especially Garth Snyder) have done preparing this material!

TELL US WHAT YOU WANT! 

We think we know what kinds of topics you'd like us to cover in NEXTSTEP In Focus, but maybe you have other ideas. If you do, let us know. More detail? Less detail? More information on networking? Something we haven't ever covered? Tell us what's useful to you. Send e-mail to InFocus@next.com, fax us at (415) 780-4554, or send postal mail to: 

NEXTSTEP In Focus
NeXT Computer, Inc.
900 Chesapeake Drive
Redwood City, CA 94063

If you've got opinionsÐand we think you doÐwe want to hear them!

ÐCynthia Closkey, Editor

Next issue: Release 3.2