Chapter 1. Configuring and Troubleshooting TCP/IP Addressing Objectives The capability to allow computers to communicate with each other is the fundamental principle of the modern computer network. Just as people from various parts of the world may have different native languages, different operating systems have typically had different native networking protocols they could use. This has changed recently, however, as TCP/IP has become the networking protocol of choice for nearly all operating systems and networks. The capability of all computers on a network to communicate effectively is dependent on having a properly implemented common network protocol. Microsoft lists the following objectives for the "Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining IP Addressing" section of Exam 70-291, "Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure": Configure TCP/IP addressing on a server computer. A Windows Server 2003 computer needs connectivity with other computers and network devices to effectively accomplish its mission. You, as the administrator, need to be knowledgeable about the fundamentals of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)the primary network communications protocol used in Windows Server 2003 networks. Troubleshoot TCP/IP addressing. Diagnose and resolve issues related to Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). Diagnose and resolve issues related to incorrect TCP/IP configuration. Having an incorrect IP address assigned to a computer prevents the computer from establishing and maintaining normal, effective network communications with other hosts. Although APIPA IP addresses can be helpful in some small networks, they really serve no purpose in an enterprise network that runs Windows Server 2003 and uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for IP address assignment. In addition, having an incorrectly entered TCP/IP configuration prevents normal network communications from succeeding. You need to be able to determine the source of problems and correct problems such as these to keep communications flowing on a network. Outline Introduction | 26 | Understanding TCP/IP and Related Concepts | 26 | The Mechanics of IP
| 27 | IP Addresses
| 28 | Subnets and Subnet Masks
| 30 | Variable Length Subnet Masks (VLSM)
| 30 | Default Gateway
| 35 | Configuring TCP/IP | 37 | Advanced TCP/IP Configuration
| 42 | Common TCP/IP Ports
| 46 | Common TCP/IP Protocols
| 48 | (TCP/IP Packet Filtering
| 49 | Troubleshooting TCP/IP Addressing Problems | 50 | Troubleshooting APIPA
| 50 | Troubleshooting Incorrect TCP/IP Configurations
| 52 | ping
| 52 | ipconfig
| 54 | The Network Diagnostics Tool
| 55 | netsh
| 57 | Chapter Summary | 59 | Key Terms | 59 | Apply Your Knowledge | 60 | Exercises
| 60 | Exam Questions
| 62 | Answers to Exam Questions
| 67 | Suggested Readings and Resources | 68 |
Study Strategies Make sure that you understand the basics of TCP/IP. Windows Server 2003 is extremely reliant on TCP/IP; in fact, you cannot even uninstall TCP/IP from Windows Server 2003. This exam focuses heavily on the more complex issues of TCP/IP and how it works with several aspects of Windows Server 2003. You should take some time to review the basics of IP and then build from there. Become familiar with the available TCP/IP troubleshooting tools you have at your disposal. Each of them can be used to perform one or more specific tasks, but no single one of them provides a solution by itself. You can use these tools not only on your own network, but also on hosts located on the Internet and other networks (within reason, of course) to see how they behave differently when the computer on the other end of the connection is located remotely. You should commit to memory the functions of the various switches and modifying commands that each tool has; these are often the basis for very simple exam items that you should not miss. Get your hands dirty. The Step by Step exercises throughout this book provide plenty of directions and exercises, but you should go beyond these examples and create some of your own. If you can, experiment with each of the topics we discuss in this chapter to see how they work and why you would use each one. |