TCP/IP overview

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the most popular network protocol, and the basis for the Internet. Its routing capabilities provide maximum flexibility in an enterprise-wide network. In Windows XP TCP/IP is automatically installed.

On a TCP/IP network, you must provide IP addresses to clients. Clients may also require a naming service or a method for name resolution. This section explains IP addressing and name resolution for Network Connections on TCP/IP networks. It also describes the FTP and Telnet tools that are provided by TCP/IP.

Assigning IP addresses to dial-up and virtual private network (VPN) connections

Each remote computer connecting to a remote access server on a Windows TCP/IP network is provided an IP address by the remote access server.

If you use a specific IP address, the remote access server must be configured to permit users to request a specific address.

Name resolution for network and dial-up connections

In addition to requiring an IP address, network and dial-up connections on a TCP/IP network may require a mechanism to map computer names to IP addresses. Four name resolution options are available: DNS, WINS, broadcast name resolution, and the Hosts and Lmhosts files.

In small networks where IP addresses do not change, network and dial-up connections can use a Hosts or Lmhosts file for name resolution. By using these files on the local drive, you do not need to transmit name resolution requests to a WINS or DNS server and wait for the response.

Internet tools

TCP/IP provides File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Telnet. FTP is a character-based utility that permits you to connect to FTP servers and transfer files. Telnet is graphical application that lets you log in to remote computers and issue commands as if you were at the keyboard of the computer. Multiple variations of FTP, Telnet, and other programs based on earlier Internet standards are also available on the Internet or commercially.