Chapter 4. Fundamental IPv4

Terms you'll need to understand:

• IP Address Classes

• Broadcast Address

• /etc/hostname.< interface > File

• /etc/inet/ hosts File

• /etc/inet/ netmasks File

• /etc/nodename File

• Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)

• Internet Protocol (IP)

• Multicast Address

• Subnetworks

• Unicast Address

• Variable Length Subnet Mask (VLSM)

Concepts you'll need to master:

• Describe the purpose, features, and functionality of Internet layer protocols, IP datagrams, IP address types, subnetting, and VLSM, and interface configuration files as used in an IP configuration.

• Explain how to configure and unconfigure logical interfaces in IP.

The Internet Protocol (IP) is delivered with the Solaris 9 release as part of the operating system kernel and operates at the Internet layer of the TCP/IP model. This chapter concentrates on the fundamental aspects of IP, including the address structure, subnetworking, and how to configure and troubleshoot network interfaces.

Since the emergence of IPv6, there has been a tendency to describe the existing IP functionality as IPv4. You should be aware that IP, on its own, without a version descriptor, refers to IPv4.