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Protocol Stacks The TCP/IP protocol suite is endowed with a large number of application services that provide such functions as file transfer, remote terminal access, electronic mail, Web browser access, a name service that translates domain names to IP addresses, and network management. TCP/IP can be implemented using a TCP/IP protocol stack on almost every type of computer. Although computer users had to purchase third-party TCP/IP stacks to use with Windows 3.1 and early Macintosh operating systems, both Microsoft and Apple Computer now include the core TCP/IP stack in their new operating system releases. Users of Windows 95 and Apple Macintosh System 7.5 have a built-in access capability for connecting to a TCP/IP network. Although Internet applications must run on top of the TCP/IP protocol stack, the transmission facilities used to construct an enterprise intranet can carry a mixture of protocols. In fact, certain applications that are currently impractical for use on the Internet can be implemented on top of TCP/IP or another protocol stack and effectively carried on an enterprise intranet. For example, a live videoconference could be accommodated on an intranet, whereas the transmission of a videoconference on the Internet could encounter severe time distortion of frames if other traffic on backbone circuits interfered with the timely delivery of frames. Although a TCP/IP protocol stack is essential for Internet and intranet communications, by itself it is useless for providing employees with the ability to perform desired operations. To use a browser, transfer a file, send and receive electronic mail, create personal Web pages, or convert a departmental PC into a Web server to provide information associated with a help desk, or a form distribution facility, employees need access to applications operating above the TCP/IP protocol stack. Using and Integrated Application Suite One of the most popular and comprehensive TCP/IP application suites is the NetManage Chameleon program package. Originally developed to provide a group of Internet-related applications for individual users, Chameleons release 4.6 includes more than 50 applications and a TCP/IP protocol stack. Chameleon provides a comprehensive set of applications that can either supplement or complement Netscape and Mosaic and is marketed as both an Internet and intranet tool for Intel PC and Macintosh platforms. Other vendors, such as FTP, Frontier, and Spry, market TCP/IP application suites that can also be used for both Internet and intranet applications. Internet Access Using Chameleon Chameleons Automatic Internet icon provides a script facility that permits users to sign up for accounts with an Internet service provider such as InterRamp, IBM Internet, AlterNet, CERFnet, or NETCOM. This application allows individuals and organizations with minimal requirements for Internet access to use integrated services digital network (ISDN) or modems to communicate. Because Chameleon includes a TCP/IP protocol stack that supports LAN applications, its intranet operations would actually bypass the Automatic Internet application, yet still let users access applications such as Internet Relay Chat, NEWTNews (which provides access to a news reader application), and NEWTSound and NEWTView (which enable audio and image files associated with news reader or other Internet applications to be heard and viewed). Support for Audio and Image Files NEWTView supports BMP, DCX, DIB, GIF, PCT, PCX, TIF, and JPEG file formats, providing users with a tool for retrieving, displaying, and printing popular bit-mapped graphics files produced by many applications that may be received as attachments to E-mail, news, or downloaded from Archie or Gopher sessions. In comparison, NEWTSound supports audio encoded in WAV files using a sound board. Although many standalone applications are available from different vendors to provide a similar capability, if audio and image files are going to be supported on the corporate intranet, the use of an integrated application suite can be more cost effective than obtaining separate programs from different vendors. Thus, network managers should consider FTP, Frontier, and NetManage because these vendors offer a comprehensive suite of Internet applications that can be used for an enterprise intranet.
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