The NET code is a complete kernel based implementation of tcp/ip for Linux. The recent NET-2 and NET-3 versions of code support:
Most popular ethernet cards are supported.
for tcp/ip networking over serial lines such as the telephone via modem, or a local cable between two machines.
for compressing the tcp/ip headers to improve slip/ppp performance over low speed lines.
to allow local connections between two machines using your printer ports.
to allow you to remotely mount another machines filesystems.
Alan Cox has some experimental code working.
An experimental PI Card driver is available.
to allow you to write custom SPX/IPX applications, or to use Linux as an IPX router.
An NIS implementation has been ported to Linux should you wish to use it.
The NET-2 and NET-3 network code does not yet currently support:
to allow Linux to serve and mount Novell network devices. This is being worked on but due to the proprietry nature of the product it may take some time.
This means token ring, arcnet, FDDI, etc. An experimental Token Ring driver is being developed. An experimental ARCNet driver has also been developed. Details of both are included later.
this is being developed. I would appreciate any more up to date information.
The standard linux kernel release supports the following type of Ethernet cards:
Additional drivers are available in the 1.1.* and later development kernels.
The Ethernet-HOWTO contains a lot of very useful information on the supported ethernet cards, including information on how to choose an ethernet card if you are intending to puchase some specifically for Linux.
As mentioned above, Linux supports other means of network connection if you don't have access to an ethernet card or connection. Many universities and businesses worldwide offer some form of dial-up network access. Generally these forms of access will offer an option of either SLIP or PPP access, so you will be well catered for. All you will need is a telephone modem, the one you already have may well be good enough, and to configure your Linux system appropriately. There are sections below that describe exactly what you need.
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