7
TCP/IP protocol
The TCP/IP protocol identifies computers by
numbering them according to a system
similar to an international telephone num-
ber, known as an IP address. The number
consists of four sets of digits separated by a
full stop, similar to the way an international
telephone number consists of country code
+ area code + local code + subscriber
number. (The IP address also comprises a
subnet mask which must be identical for all
computers on the same network. Usually
255.255.255.0 is used.)
In order for two or more computers to be
able to communicate they must be on the
same local network. In this example the
first three sets of digits must be identical,
and the last set must be unique for each
computer.
Example: The computers have the following
IP addresses (numbers):
1) 10.0.0.1
2) 10.0.0.2
Both computers have the subnet mask
255.255.255.0 and are members of the
same “Workgroup”.
These two computers will be able to com-
municate as they are all part of the same
local area network and have unique IP
addresses.
Configuring network protocols
The TCP/IP protocol is the standard commu-
nication protocol in the vast majority of
programs and is also used for Internet
communication.
WINDOWS® 98/Me
Configuring the TCP/IP protocol
1. Click
”Start”
,
”Settings”
and then
”Control Panel”
. Double-click the
”Network”
icon.
2. Double-click
”TCP/IP”
and select
”Specify an IP address”.
Enter an IP
address (see example below).
3. Click
”OK”
and close the
”Network”
dialog box by clicking
”OK”
. The IP
address will be activated after the com-
puter is restarted.
Examples of IP addresses:
Computer 1, IP address: 10.0.0.
1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Computer 2, IP address: 10.0.0.
2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
The Gateway server and DNS server ad-
dress fields can be left blank. These are
used for connecting to the internet via an
ADSL connection, for example.
Configuring the Computer Name
1. Click
”Start”
,
”Settings”
and then
”Control Panel”
.
2. Double-click the
”Network”
icon and
select the
”Identification”
tab.
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