Network Configuration

8.4 Network Configuration

The network configuration panel shown in Figure 30 is designed to allow easy manipulation of parameters such as IP address, gateway address, and network address, as well as name servers and /etc/hosts.

Figure 30:Network Configuration Panel

Network devices can be added, removed, configured, activated, deactivated and aliased. Ethernet, arcnet, token ring, pocket (ATP), PPP, SLIP, PLIP and loopback devices are supported. PPP/SLIP/PLIP support works well on most hardware, but some hardware setups may exhibit unpredictable behavior. When using the Network Configuration Tool click ``Save'' to write your changes to disk, to quit without making any changes select ``Quit''.

8.4.1 Managing Names

Managing Names

The ``Names'' panel of the Network Configuration tool serves two primary purposes: setting the hostname and domain of the computer, and determining which name server will be used to look up other hosts on the network. The Network tool is not capable of configuring a machine as a nameserver. To edit a field or add information to a field simply click on the field with the left mouse button and type the new information.

Figure 31:Adding/Editing Hosts

8.4.2 Managing Hosts

Managing Hosts In the Hosts management screen you have the ability to add, edit, or remove hosts from the /etc/hosts file. Adding or editing an entry involves identical actions. An edit dialog box will appear, simply type the new information and click Done when you are finished. See figure 31 for an example.

8.4.3 Adding a Networking Interface

Adding a Networking Interface

If you have added a networking interface to your machine since installing Red Hat Linux, or you didn't configure your ethernet card at install time, you can configure it with a few clicks of a mouse. Begin by clicking on Interfaces in the main panel. This will bring up a window of configured devices with a row of available options, see figure 32.

Figure 32:Configured Interfaces

To add a device, first click the Add button then select the type of interface you want to configure from the box that appears. (Figure 33)

Figure 33:Choose Interface Type

8.4.3.1 PPP Interface

PPP Interface Adding a PPP interface can be as simple as supplying the phone number, login name and password in the ``Create PPP Interface'' box shown in figure 34. In many cases some degree of customization will be needed to establish a PPP connection. Selecting the Customize button will allow you to make changes to the hardware, communication, and networking settings for the PPP interface.

Figure 34:Create PPP Interface

8.4.3.2 SLIP Interface

SLIP Interface In order to configure a SLIP interface you must first supply a phone number, login name, and password. This will supply the initial parameters for the chat script needed to establish a SLIP connection. When you select the Done button an ``Edit SLIP Interface'' dialog will appear that enables you to further customize the Hardware, Communication and Networking parameters for SLIP.

8.4.3.3 PLIP Interface

PLIP Interface To add a PLIP interface to your system you only have to supply the IP address, the remote IP address, and the Netmask. You can also select if you want to activate the interface at boot time.

8.4.3.4 Ethernet, Arcnet, Token Ring and Pocket Adaptor Interfaces

Ethernet, Arcnet, Token Ring and Pocket Adaptor Interfaces If you are adding an ethernet, arcnet, token ring or pocket adapter to your computer you will need to supply the information

Device: This is determined by netconfig based on the devices already configured.
IP Address: Enter an IP address for your network device.
Netmask: Enter the network mask for your network device.
Network: This is determined based on the values supplied for IP address and Netmask.
Broadcast: This is determined based on the values supplied for IP address and Netmask.
Activate at Boot: If you want the device to be configured automatically when your machine boots select this by clicking on the box.
Configure with BOOTP: If you have a BOOTP server on your network and would like to use it to configure the device select this by clicking on the box.

After providing the configuration information for your new device, click Done. The device should appear in your ``Interfaces'' list as an inactive device. (The active column should have a label of ``no''). To activate the new device highlight it with a mouse click and then click on the Activate button. If it does not come up properly, you may need to reconfigure it by clicking on Edit.

8.4.4 Managing Routes

Managing Routes In the Routes management screen you have the ability to add, edit, or remove static networking routes. Adding or editing an entry involves identical actions, just like the Hosts panel. An edit dialog box will appear, simply type the new information and click Done when you are finished. See figure 35 for an example.

Figure 35:Adding/Editing Routes