Softerm TCP/IP Help
Softerm TCP/IP Contents

Step-by-Step Instructions

Menu Options

Using Softerm TCP/IP Menu Options

View Status Information

Viewing Installation Specifications

Viewing TCP Activity

Viewing UDP Activity

Viewing IP Activity

Viewing Network Card Activity

Configuration Parameters

Configuring Hardware Parameters

Configuring Interface Parameters

Configuring Gateway Machines

Configuring DNS Parameters

Configuring Host File Database

Ping

Using the Ping Utility

Softerm TCP/IP Reference

Term Definitions


Using Softerm TCP/IP Menu Options

The Softerm TCP/IP main window offers two menus, File and Help.

File

Refresh Statistics

Lets you update the current statistics display.  This applies when the View TCP, UDP, IP and Network Card tabs are active.  Any other time, the menu item's grayed out.

Save Changes

Saves the configuration changes you have made through the Configure tab.

Update Status

Lets you configure the Softerm TCP/IP configuration utility to automatically update the statistics in the View tab at regular intervals.  The default is to update every 1/2 second.

Always On Top

If this menu item is checked, Softerm TCP/IP configuration utility window will always be on top of other windows on the desktop.

Minimized At Startup

Starts the Softerm TCP/IP utility with a minimized window.

Exit Softerm TCP/IP

Exits the Softerm TCP/IP configuration utility.

Help

Help Contents

Lists the Help table of contents.

Search Help

Lets you search for a specific topic.

Using Help

Brings up a dialog box that explains how to use help.

About Softerm TCP/IP

Brings up the Softerm TCP/IP About Box that provides the version number and copyright information.


Ethernet Address

The address identifying a network adapter on the Ethernet network.


Gateway

A device, or Internet address representing that device, that connects two or more networks.  The gateway passes data between networks.  A gateway is also known as a "router."


DNS

Domain Name Server.  An optional network utility serving as a centralized name-to-IP address mapping device.


Viewing Installation Specifications

View Installation Tab

View installation tab shows installation and status information for the Softerm TCP/IP network software.

Hardware

Network Card

The name of the network card being used, if known.

Physical Address

Ethernet Address that identifies the network adapter.

Interrupt

The hardware interrupt number used by the network card.  If grayed out, this typically means that the Interrupt number is configured automatically by the software on your network card.  Refer to your network card documentation for further information.

I/O Port

An input/output address used by many network cards for data passing.  If grayed out, this typically means the I/O port is either not used or is configured automatically by the software on your network card.  Refer to your network card documentation for further information.

DMA Channel

Direct Memory Access channel of your network card.  If grayed out, this typically means the DMA channel is either not used or is configured automatically by the software on your network card.  Refer to your network card documentation for further information.

Interface

PC Name

The name of the PC on which Softerm TCP/IP is installed.

PC IP Address

The IP address of the PC on which Softerm TCP/IP is installed.

Subnet Mask

The subnet mask identifies machines on your network and subnet.  Network addresses are 32-bit numbers.  A portion of the 32-bits identifies your network/subnet and the remaining bits specify machines within your network/subnet.  Subnet masks have bits set to 1 in machine portion of the address.

Default Gateway

The Default Gateway is used to specify which router should receive communication destined for addresses in an unknown subnet or network.

Default DNS Server

The Default Domain Name Server (DNS) is the address of the Domain Name Server used to maintain and resolve IP addresses, instead of a host file.


Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Two network protocols commonly used for communication over local area networks.


Viewing TCP Activity

View TCP Tab

The View TCP tab displays Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) activity for the current Softerm TCP/IP session.

Connections

Keeps a count of the currently active TCP connections, total TCP connections, accepted connections by the host, and connections that have been closed, during this invocation of the Softerm TCP/IP configuration utility.

Packets

TCP network communication is carried on in the form of packets.  Packets are bundles of information regulated by TCP so that communication between two network nodes can take place.

The total number of packets sent and received are kept, along with a duplicate packet count and a count of the packets that were retransmitted.

The period information is the number of packets sent and received, duplicate packet count, and a count of the packets that were retransmitted for this period.  A period is defined in the File menu Update Status command.

Bytes

Packets are composed of Bytes of information.  The total number of bytes sent and received are kept, along with a duplicate byte count and a count of the bytes that were retransmitted.

The period information is the total number of bytes sent and received, the duplicate byte count, and a count of the bytes that were retransmitted for this period.  A period is defined in the File menu Update Status command.


Viewing UDP Activity

View UDP Tab

The View UDP tab displays User Datagram Protocol (UDP) activity for the current Softerm TCP/IP session.

Datagrams

Keeps track of the total number of datagrams sent and received along with the errors during this invocation of the Softerm TCP/IP Configuration utility.  The same information is displayed for the period of time as defined in the File menu Update Status command.


Datagram

A term used in Ethernet networks to describe the part of a message sent as a unit data package.  A datagram normally consists of four decimal numbers termed: "octets," under TCP protocols.


Viewing IP Activity

View IP Tab

The View IP tab displays Internet Protocol (IP) activity for the current Softerm TCP/IP session.

Datagrams

Keeps track of the total number of datagrams sent and received along with the errors during this invocation of the Softerm TCP/IP Configuration utility.  The same information is displayed for the period of time as defined in the File menu Update Status command.


Viewing Network Card Activity

View Network Card Tab

The View Network Card tab displays network card activity for the current Softerm TCP/IP session.

Packets

Network communication occurs in the form of packets.  Packets are bundles of network information.

The total number of packets sent and received on the network card are displayed.  The number of packets sent and received on the network card for the period of time defined in the File menu Update Status command is also displayed.

Bytes

Packets are composed of bytes of information.  The total number of bytes sent and received on the network card are displayed.  The number of bytes sent and received on the network card for the period of time defined in the File menu Update Status command is also displayed.


Configuring Hardware Parameters

Configure Hardware Tab

The Configure Hardware tab modifies parameters for the specific network card you are using or changes network card types.  This tab is selectable only if you have installed the NDIS driver.

Note:  If you do not understand the entries, contact your system administrator for further information.  Modifying one of these parameters incorrectly can cause the Softerm TCP/IP network software to function incorrectly.

Network Adapter

Contains a description of the network adapters currently in use.  Choose the network adapter that you have installed in your PC.

You will be presented with several configuration parameters, depending on the Network Adapter you choose.  For example, if you choose the 3Com 3C503 EtherLink II network adapter, you will be prompted for hardware information necessary for that card:  Hardware Interrupt, I/O Base, DMA Channel, Transceiver Type, and Transmit Buffers.  For each of these entries, the factory suggested default is highlighted in a list box of possible selections.  Choose from the list that matches your network card configuration.


NDIS

Network Device Interface System.  A standard used for communication with network adapters.


Configuring Interface Parameters

Configure Interface Tab

The Configure Interface tab lets you configure the local (PC) interface parameters.

Note:  If you do not understand the entries, contact your system administrator for further information.  Modifying one of these parameters incorrectly can cause the Softerm TCP/IP network software to function incorrectly.

PC Name

The name of the PC on which Softerm TCP/IP is installed.  Contact your system administrator if you do not know the name of your PC.

PC IP Address

The address of the PC on which Softerm TCP/IP is installed.  Contact your system administrator if you do not know your IP Address.

Subnet Mask

A mask used in the IP protocol layer to separate the subnet address from the host portion of the address.  Contact your system administrator if you do not know your Subnet Mask.

Broadcast Address

An IP address that is common to all nodes on a network.  A datagram sent to the broadcast address is received by all hosts on a network and processed as if the datagram was sent directly to each host.  Contact your system administrator if you do not know the name of your PC.

Use BOOTP

BOOTP provides TCP/IP configuration parameters to your PC when it is started.  If your network has a BOOTP server, it is not necessary to input the PC Name, PC IP Address, Subnet Mask or Broadcast Address;  BOOTP does that for you.  Check the BOOTP checkbox if you can use BOOTP. Contact your system administrator if you are not sure if you can use BOOTP.


IP Address

Internet Protocol Address.  The address identifying a module on the network.


Subnet Mask

A mask used in the IP protocol layer to separate the subnet address from the host portion of the address.


Configuring Gateway Machines

Configure Gateway Tab

The Configure Gateways tab lets you configure your local network gateway machines.

Communication is usually limited to the systems directly connected to your network.  Many networks consist of a collection of networks (subnets) interconnected with routers (gateways).  Gateways let one subnet talk to another subnet.  Contact your system administrator for gateway addresses that you can use.  You can enter up to four gateways.  Gateway 1 will be your Default Gateway.

Note:  If you do not understand the entries, contact your system administrator for further information.  Modifying these parameters incorrectly can cause the Softerm TCP/IP network software to function incorrectly.


Configuring Host File Database

Configure Host File Tab

The Configure Hosts File tab lets you view or edit your local hosts database.

To enter a new name, click in the Primary Host Name box and type in the name.  Press Tab to move to the Host IP Address box.  Enter the IP address.  Additional Tabs take you to the Alias and comment fields.  When done, press save.

If you do not have an existing HOSTS file on your PC, one will be created in the ETC directory below your Softerm TCP/IP sub-directory.

Primary Host Name

The common ASCII text name of a host on the network.

Host IP Address

The IP address of the Primary Host Name.

Aliases

You can give each host up to three aliases.  You can communicate with the host with each alias as if it was the Primary Host Name.

Comments

Let's you add comments to the host entry.

Delete Entry

You can delete the entry for a host by first selecting the host from the Primary Host Name list and then pressing the Delete Entry button.

Save

You can save a new host to the local hosts database by entering the host name, IP address and optional alias and comments.  When you are satisfied with the new host parameters, press the Save button.  This will save the new host to the host database.

Note:  If you do not understand the entries, contact your system administrator for further information.  Modifying these parameters incorrectly can cause the Softerm TCP/IP network software to function incorrectly.


Hosts File

A HOSTS file contains regarding the known machines on your network.  Each line in the HOSTS file has the format:

     Internet-Address     Official-host name     alias

The alias field(s) are optional.  Items separated by one or more spaces or tabs.  A "#" indicates the beginning of a comment;  characters after the "#" to the end of the line are not interpreted as host addresses, host names, or aliases.  An example of a HOSTS file entry is:

     192.112.36.5     NS     #Network Information Center


Using the Ping Utility

Ping Tab

The Ping tab lets you check a network address for a response.  Ping is helpful when you want to see if your PC can communicate with a particular host over Softerm TCP/IP.

Target (IP or Hostname)

Enter your host's IP address or host name.  If you are using a local host file, use the drop down list to select a host name.

Status

After entering the Target, click the Start button.  The status of the PING will be reflected in the Status window.


Ping

A program used to verify simple network functionality.  Ping sends a request to a machine on your network and waits for a reply.


ARP

Address Resolution Protocol.  A network facility whereby an Ethernet address is given or resolved.  Note that ARP datagrams do not use IP headers.


Configure

To select and install compatible hardware and software for a computer system.  Configuring the computer network is a major part of a system administrator's responsibility.


Domain Name

A sequence of names separated by periods.  The names represent a hierarchy, or path, within the Internet that references your network.  For Example ".com" is reserved for commercial enterprises.  Thus,

softronics.com

is the domain name for Softronics Incorporated.

See also

Fully Qualified Domain Name


Ethernet

A popular network protocol and physical channel for transmitting data over coaxial cable, twisted-pair cable, or fiber-optic cable.


Fully Qualified Domain Name

A complete domain name that represents one machine within a network.  For example, the machine "qa" within the domain name "company.com" has a fully qualified domain name of "qa.company.com."


Host

A computer system that provides a set of services for a remote system.


ICMP

Internet Control Message Protocol.  A network protocol permitting acknowledgment of requests to remote systems.


Internet

A collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP protocol family and function as a single cooperative network, connecting many businesses, universities, and government facilities.


Local Area Network  (LAN)

A network of computers that are physically close, usually in the same building, or group of buildings, connected by high-speed communication software and hardware such as Ethernet.


MIB

Management Information Block.  A network item.


NIC

Network Interface Card.  A network adapter, or network controller board on your PC.


Network

A collection of computing devices connected by communication software and hardware.


NFS

Network File System.  A protocol allowing a set of computers to access each other's file systems.


ODI

The Open Data-Link Interface developed by Novell.  ODI is a method that allows Novell Netware and other network protocols, such as TCP/IP, to run simultaneously on one network adapter board.  ODI drivers permit this simultaneous dual protocol access to network adapter boards.


PC Name

The name given to a machine.  The name is associated with an Internet address either in your HOSTS file or by your domain name server.


Protocol

A set of rules designating the format, timing and sequence of a data transmission method.  TCP/IP, IPX, and DECnet are three different network protocols.


Protocol Stack

An implementation of a network protocol.  Softerm TCP/IP is a protocol stack representing one implementation of the TCP/IP protocol.


SLIP

Serial Line Internet Protocol;  allows a display station to be used over an asynchronous RS-232-C port.


SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol (available for TCP/IP networks only.)  SNMP provides a means to monitor, set network configuration, and runtime parameters.


System Administrator

An individual responsible for managing the computers and network at a computer site.


Term Definitions

ARP

Configure

Datagram

DNS

Domain name

Ethernet

Ethernet Address

Fully Qualified Domain Name

Gateway

Host

Hosts file

ICMP

Internet

IP Address

Local Area Network (LAN)

MIB

NDIS

NIC

Network

NFS

ODI

PC name

Ping

Protocol

Protocol Stack

SLIP

SNMP

System Administrator

Subnet Mask

TCP/IP


Configuring DNS Parameters

Configure DNS Tab

The Configure DNS tab lets you configure your local domain name and name servers.

Note:  If you do not understand the entries, contact your system administrator for further information.  Modifying these parameters incorrectly can cause the Softerm TCP/IP network software to function incorrectly.

Domain Name

The Domain Name for this PC is the local domain name given to the local network by the system administrator.  Contact your system administrator for your Domain Name.

Name Server 1 - 4

The Name Server is the IP address of the server that stores resource records about hosts.  These servers are accessed to resolve host names into IP addresses.  If Name Server 1 cannot resolve the name, Name Server 2 is tried, etc.

Note: If Name Servers and HOSTS files are used, name servers are given first opportunity to resolve host names, then the local host file is used.