Joining the Global IP Internet by Steven Bjork bjork@telebit.com Overview With the availability of easily configured IP routers that can use the Public Switched Telephone System, the network of IP internets is growing phenomenally. There are many advantages to IP networks. One of the biggest advantages is the existance of the global IP Internet. This network is composed of Government networks and Research and Educational networks, and recently, full commercial networks as well. All these networks are joined by gateways, allowing the full range of IP services (such as FTP, Telnet, and applications such as X windows) to be exchanged. The availability of sophisticated software such as compilers, X window system, and numerous other utilities makes access to the IP Internet a distinct advantage in today's internetworking environment. This note will describe the various items necessary for obtaining a fully supported connection to the IP Internet. Basic Walkthrough The following items will be necessary for supporting the internet connection. It is assumed that the reader has obtained one or more of the references listed in the appendix, and will understand the need for the various items as this note mentions them. In addition, the Network Information Center (NIC) will be consulted for Network number assignment and domain registration. The contact information for the NIC is in the appendix. 1. Obtaining an IP network number An officially registered Network number must be obtained from the appropriate party. This number uniquely identifies the IP network. The NIC will assign the network number based upon the needs of your organization. The various classes of network numbers are described in the TCP/IP reference listed in the appendix. Once the network address is obtained, you are then able to assign individual host numbers to entities on your IP network. Each network entity must have a unique host number. One of the most important addresses that you must assign is the address of your Domain Name System (DNS) server. You must have a network number to assign host addresses for your DNS server before you can complete the Domain Application form from the NIC (see next section). 2. Registering a Domain A Domain Name is also registered at the NIC. The domain name uniquely identifies your organization in the Internet community. It is used in electronic mail addresses, and many other IP services. See the appendix for a reference volume for the Domain Name System (DNS). The NIC will refuse to register a domain unless there are two servers for the domain. The two servers are a primary and a secondary. Two servers are required for reliability, and it is strongly recommended that the servers be physically separated. Most often, an organization will run its own primary server, and the secondary is off-site. The off-site server can be arbitrary, and often is simply a "network neighbor." The commercial IP network providers can also act as DNS servers for smaller sites. 3. Physical Interconnection Issues The physical connection must be supported with an IP router. The router can use a telephone company (telco) leased line for high speed, or the regular Public Switched Telephone System for low cost. The router is what directs network traffic outside your local organization, and into and out of the internet. The flexibility of the IP protocols is especially apparent here, with numerous options available for transport and interconnection of various IP network segments. Options include optical fiber, satellite relay, microwave transmission, or the common telco lines. Consult the router vendors listed in the appendix for further information. 4. Network Service Providers There are several entities that can be contacted for obtaining interconnection to the internet. Military users generally are attached to the Defense Data Network (DDN). Research and Educational institutions often connect via the National Science Foundation network (NSFnet). Recently, full commercial IP networks have been placed into operation. The commercial networks generally have fewer restrictions on the traffic they will carry as compared to the Military and Research networks. The appendix lists contacts for some of these transport agencies. 5. Tying It All Together Once you have a network address, and have your domain registered, you can begin building the network connection. Coordinate with your network sevice provider for the appropriate access method, for instance a dialup IP link via SLIP or PPP. The telephone company may need to install circuits if a high speed leased line is required. Once the leased line (or other access method) is in place, you can test the LAN access. Consult your vendors documents for appropriate configuration commands. Once your IP routers are configured for your network topology, the packets should flow. Congratulations, you're now a member in good standing of the IP Internet community. Appendix Follows is a short introduction to various IP networking references. Networking Reference Information ================================================== Books and the Request For Comment (RFC) Collection Follows is a list of various books and other reference information for networking issues, with emphasis on TCP/IP Internets. ___________________________________________ Internetworking With TCP/IP, Second Edition Douglas Comer Prentice Hall You will find this book an excellent reference for most TCP/IP internet questions. Covers such issues as network classes, domains, and routing. _______________ The Simple Book Marshall Rose Prentice Hall The Internet Standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is given a thorough treatment by the author. Because of the nature of managing a network with SNMP, the internet protocols are given a wring out in the text. _________________________________ Computer Networks, Second Edition Andrew Tannenbaum Prentice Hall A comprehensive overview of various networking implementations including TCP/IP, DECnet, SNA, x.25, and various transport agents such as ethernet, token ring, packet radio, and others. _____________________ DDN Protocol Handbook SRI International This four volume set contains sufficient information to code a functional TCP/IP protocol implementation from. A number of Request For Comments (RFC's) are listed in the handbook. ____________________ Request For Comments (various authors) The Request For Comment (RFC) is the mechanism used by the Internet Community to define protocol standards. Several sites make the RFC's available for copying from the network free of charge. Hard copy service is provided by SRI International. ========================= Network Service Providers This section lists providers of IP network backbone transport facilities. Agents for Military, Government, Research and Education, and Commercial users are listed. The Network Information Center (NIC) is listed as well. ________________________________ Network Information Center (NIC) The Network Information Center provides assignment of IP network addresses, registers domains, and operates the root name server for the Domain Name System (DNS). Government Systems, Inc. Attn: Network Information Center 14200 Meadow Park Drive Suite 200 Chantilly, VA 22021 +1-703-802-4535 (800) 365-3642 __________________________________________________ Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA, nee DCA) Military and Government communications services are provided by DISA, formerly known as Defense Communications Agency (DCA). Headquarters 8th and South Courthouse Road Washington, DC 20390 ____________________________________________ National Science Foundation Network (NSFnet) The NSFnet backbone provides supercomputer access for research and educational facilities across the planet. In addition, NSFnet provides network access for government agencies. National Science Foundation Network 1800 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20550 +1-202-357-9717 _____________________________ UUNET Communications Services UUNET offers many services, including Domain MX records and commercial internet access. UUNET Communications Services 3110 Farview Park Drive, Suite 570 Falls Church, VA 22042 +1-703-876-5050 ______________________________________________________ California Education and Research Foundation (CERFnet) CERFnet provides commercial IP network access. California Education and Research Foundation (CERFnet) 10100 John Jay Hopkins Drive La Jolla, CA 92093 +1-619-534-5056 __________________________________________ Performance Systems International (PSInet) PSInet provides commercial IP network access. Performance Systems International P.O. Box 3850 Reston, VA 22091 +1-703-620-6651 --------------------------------------- Advanced Network & Services, Inc. (ANS) ANS provides commercial IP network access. Advanced Network & Services, Inc. (ANS) 100 Clearbrook Road Elmsford, NY 10523 Phone: 1-914-789-5300 ================= IP Router Vendors Follows is a listing of some of the Internet Protocol router vendors. ___________________ Telebit Corporation Provides IP network routers capable of using the regular Public Switched Telephone System as a transport agent. Also capable of traditional leased line operation. Telebit Corporation 1315 Chesapeake Terrace Sunnyvale, CA 94089 +1-408-734-4333 ___________________________ Cisco Systems, Incorporated Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents. Cisco Systems, Incorporated 1525 O'Brien Drive Menlo Park, CA 94025 +1-415-326-1941 ______________________________ Wellfleet Communications, Inc. Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents. Wellfleet Communications, Inc. 12 DeAngelo Drive Bedford, MA 01730-2204 +1-617-275-2400 _____________ Proteon, Inc. Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents. Proteon, Inc. Two Technology Drive Westborough, MA 01581 +1-508-898-2800 ---------------- 3Com Corporation Provides IP internet routers utilizing a variety of transport agents. 3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, CA 95052 +1-408-764-5000 ======================= Other Service Providers SRI International provides anonymous FTP of online RFC's as well as having a complete hard copy collection of all RFC's ever published. Use ftp.nisc.sri.com for access to the RFC collection. SRI International Network Information Systems Center Room EJ291 333 Ravenswood Avenue Menlo Park CA 94025 +1-415-859-3695