Look before You Leap

As Internet usage continues to grow throughout the world, increasing numbers of network administrators face the task of connecting their local area networks (LANs) to the Internet. For these personnel, this project represents an entirely new challenge, and in some cases a daunting one. After all, there is much to consider when implementing a dedicated connection to the Internet.

In the past, only a small group of people possessed the skills and knowledge needed to build an Internet connection. Until recently, the Internet was not a huge network. Furthermore, until the 1990s, access was too expensive for small and midsize organizations. Lower access prices and an increase in the number of ISPs, however, have now led to a pervasive expansion of the Internet.

Today, network professionals need basic information about how to connect their LANs to the Internet. This book seeks to fill this information gap and explain the process of building and maintaining a dedicated connection from the LAN to the Internet. Unlike other networking projects, building a dedicated Internet connection poses a unique challenge because it requires functional expertise in a range of technical subjects, including:

• TCP/IP
• Internet services and functions
• Wide area networking
• Security
• Network architecture
• Testing and validation procedures

Moreover, constructing an Internet connection usually requires the administrator to involve other external parties, such as the Internet service provider (ISP), the telecommunications vendor, and sometimes a consultant (or two). Thus the process of connecting the LAN to the Internet requires both technical and project management expertise.

Many excellent books focus on specific aspects of Internet connectivity. In particular, the most popular subjects are TCP/IP and security. Excellent books can also be found on wide area networks (WANs) and Internet-specific topics such as Domain Name System (DNS). Yet, few books bring together the pertinent parts of these technical subjects in a manner that enables the reader to start building a connection without overloading him or her with unnecessary information. This book focuses on what is immediate and necessary to build such a connection.

This book really describes the process of connecting your LAN to the Internet. Its structure reflects the order in which you carry out tasks necessary to build an Internet connection. Each chapter discusses one particular element of the construction process, providing both conceptual information and useful tips on how to avoid common pitfalls in the construction process.

With the exception of Chapter 1, which provides additional information about TCP/IP and Internet services that is pertinent to building a connection, each chapter includes a checklist of key points to address when you build your connection. This book is your travel guide to putting your LAN on the Internet.

Audience

This book is intended for network and system administrators who are implementing an Internet connection for the first time, as well as managers who are overseeing the construction of such a connection. We have attempted to make the book international in scope so that the contents will prove useful to administrators throughout the world.

Prerequisites

Only one prerequisite exists for readers of this book--an understanding of the TCP/IP communications protocol. In particular, we assume the reader has a basic knowledge of the following:

• OSI Reference Model
• IP addressing
• Subnet masking
• Default gateways
• Domain Name System (DNS)

Acknowledgments

I never really understood why authors write acknowledgements until I wrote a book myself. Now I understand. Most books, including this one, are really a joint effort. Although the author may write the words, he or she depends on the support of many folks. This support includes sharing ideas, offering opinions, and encouraging the author's effort.

Without the help of many people, this book would not have been possible. In particular, I owe a world of thanks to Saskia (my spouse) for putting up with my crazy project, especially during weekends when we should have been doing fun things like backpacking. I also wish to thank my family and friends, who helped me keep my sense of humor and direction throughout the writing process.

Many thanks go out to my colleague and friend, Darryl Black, whom I blame entirely for this book. (I am joking, of course!) Without his involvement, technical skills, and encouragement over an occasional beer, I would not have completed this project. I also wish to acknowledge my colleagues at 3Com, from whom I have learned much over the years. Many thanks go to my managers, Scott Graham and Adam Wasylyshyn.

Of course, nothing would have been possible without the guidance of my editor, Mary Hart, and the Addison Wesley Longman team. In addition, I am indebted to the technical reviewers of this text, who shared their experiences, thoughts, and comments on Internet connectivity and made many suggestions about how to improve the book. They include Dustin Andrews, Howard Lee Harkness, Richard P. Jussaume, Brendan Kehoe, Dana Love, Alain Mayer, James McGovern, Ravi Prakash, Thomas H. Ptacek, Ian Redfern, Dan Ritter, and Vincent Stemen.

--Andrew F. Ward


0201379562P04062001

Andrew F. Ward works as a network administrator for 3Com Corporation. He is responsible for Internet connectivity, security, and LAN and WAN design and operations. Previously Mr. Ward worked as a Novell system administrator and software developer.

Look before You Leap As Internet usage continues to grow throughout the world, increasing numbers of network administrators face the task of connecting their local area networks (LANs) to the Internet. For these personnel, this project represents an entirely new challenge, and in some cases a daunting one. After all, there is much to consider when implementing a dedicated connection to the Internet. In the past, only a small group of people possessed the skills and knowledge needed to build an Internet connection. Until recently, the Internet was not a huge network. Furthermore, until the 1990s, access was too expensive for small and midsize organizations. Lower access prices and an increase in the number of ISPs, however, have now led to a pervasive expansion of the Internet. Today, network professionals need basic information about how to connect their LANs to the Internet. This book seeks to fill this information gap and explain the process of building and maintaining a dedicated connection from the LAN to the Internet. Unlike other networking projects, building a dedicated Internet connection poses a unique challenge because it requires functional expertise in a range of technical subjects, including: TCP/IP Internet services and functions Wide area networking Security Network architecture Testing and validation procedures Moreover, constructing an Internet connection usually requires the administrator to involve other external parties, such as the Internet service provider (ISP), the telecommunications vendor, and sometimes a consultant (or two). Thus the process of connecting the LAN to the Internet requires both technical and project management expertise. Many excellent books focus on specific aspects of Internet connectivity. In particular, the most popular subjects are TCP/IP and security. Excellent books can also be found on wide area networks (WANs) and Internet-specific topics such as Domain Name System (DNS). Yet, few books bring together the pertinent parts of these technical subjects in a manner that enables the reader to start building a connection without overloading him or her with unnecessary information. This book focuses on what is immediate and necessary to build such a connection. This book really describes the process of connecting your LAN to the Internet. Its structure reflects the order in which you carry out tasks necessary to build an Internet connection. Each chapter discusses one particular element of the construction process, providing both conceptual information and useful tips on how to avoid common pitfalls in the construction process. With the exception of Chapter 1, which provides additional information about TCP/IP and Internet services that is pertinent to building a connection, each chapter includes a checklist of key points to address when you build your connection. This book is your travel guide to putting your LAN on the Internet. Audience This book is intended for network and system administrators who are implementing an Internet connection for the first time, as well as managers who are overseeing the construction of such a connection. We have attempted to make the book international in scope so that the contents will prove useful to administrators throughout the world. Prerequisites Only one prerequisite exists for readers of this book--an understanding of the TCP/IP communications protocol. In particular, we assume the reader has a basic knowledge of the following: OSI Reference Model IP addressing Subnet masking Default gateways Domain Name System (DNS) Acknowledgments I never really understood why authors write acknowledgements until I wrote a book myself. Now I understand. Most books, including this one, are really a joint effort. Although the author may write the words, he or she depends on the support of many folks. This support includes sharing ideas, offering opinions, and encouraging the author''s effort. Without the help of many people, this book would not have been possible. In particular, I owe a world of thanks to Saskia (my spouse) for putting up with my crazy project, especially during weekends when we should have been doing fun things like backpacking. I also wish to thank my family and friends, who helped me keep my sense of humor and direction throughout the writing process. Many thanks go out to my colleague and friend, Darryl Black, whom I blame entirely for this book. (I am joking, of course!) Without his involvement, technical skills, and encouragement over an occasional beer, I would not have completed this project. I also wish to acknowledge my colleagues at 3Com, from whom I have learned much over the years. Many thanks go to my managers, Scott Graham and Adam Wasylyshyn. Of course, nothing would have been possible without the guidance of my editor, Mary Hart, and the Addison Wesley Longman team. In addition, I am indebted to the technical reviewers of this text, who shared their experiences, thoughts, and comments on Internet connectivity and made many suggestions about how to improve the book. They include Dustin Andrews, Howard Lee Harkness, Richard P. Jussaume, Brendan Kehoe, Dana Love, Alain Mayer, James McGovern, Ravi Prakash, Thomas H. Ptacek, Ian Redfern, Dan Ritter, and Vincent Stemen. --Andrew F. Ward 0201379562P04062001