Chapter 3. Alternative Network Stacks

Computers are very good at following precise instructions, but they're not very good at improvising or dealing with deviations from expectations. For this reason, computer networks rely on a series of very precisely defined protocols ”descriptions of how a procedure or transaction is supposed to occur. As described briefly in Chapter 1, these protocols are arranged in a linear fashion to form what's referred to as a network protocol stack, or a network stack or protocol stack for short. The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack is the most common network stack; it forms the basis of the Internet, as well as of most Linux network tools. Chapter 2 described configuring Linux to use TCP/IP. There are several alternative network stacks, however, and Linux includes support for some of these.

This chapter begins with an overview of what a network stack is, including a brief description of TCP/IP. Next up are discussions of three common alternative network stacks: AppleTalk, IPX, and NetBEUI. These alternative stacks are used mostly on local area networks for file and printer sharing among Macintosh and Windows computers.