The Network Preferences in Zeta

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TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. It is a set of protocols that enable computers on the network to communicate with each others.

The Network Preferences in Zeta

If you're connecting to the Internet (or to a local network) through an ethernet card, you will be using TCP/IP. On a TCP/IP network, each computer has an IP address. An IP address can best be described as the computer's Social Security number, as it uniquely identifies each computer on the network.

An IP address has four numbers separated by periods on the form: 192.168.0.2. Each number can range from 0 to 255.

To connect to the Internet (or to a local network) you need to use the Network preferences application to configure your connection. To launch Network preferences, click on the Zeta logo, open the Preferences item, and click on Network.

When you launch the Network preferences, you see this panel:

First of all, you should Set Location: for your network connection. This is a real useful feature if you have a laptop that you use one several locations. For instance, you might have different network configurations at home and work, and you can then set up:

- home
- home-wireless
- work

In the Interfaces you must Set Netcard. There is an entry for each card that's plugged into your computer. To configure the chosen network card, first you have to choose between a Static address or getting an address from a DHCP server.

Your computer may have a network card that you only use with another operating system, but don't use within Zeta. For example, if you have a computer that you can switch between Linux, Windows and Zeta, you may only use one network interface in one of the other operating system, and should therefore disable that network interface when using Zeta. If you want, you can set up your computer with several network cards also with Zeta.

Some computer networks designate a computer that manages the IP number, netmask settings, and other network information for all the computers on the network. This computer uses a protocol called DHCP to manage the exchange of information between the computers connected to the network. If you choose getting your IP address from a DHCP server (or from a basestation if you are using a wireless network card), you will not have to enter any information in the Settings. If DHCP can't get all the information for you, switch to Static, fill in the missing info, and then switch back to DHCP (Automatically).

If you are to run Zeta with a static IP address, you can copy the information from any other operating system you may be running. If this is the first time you connect to a network with your computer, you should get the informatioyou need from your ISP or network administrator.

The most common configuration settings involve specifying the Internet Protocol (IP) numbers used by a network. Each computer on a network has an individual IP number that identifies it on the network.

If you're creating a stand-alone network, see the section "Setting Up a Stand Alone Network" for instructions on what to fill in here.

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