Technical data

Conﬁguring Interfaces

OpenVMS systems running TCP/IP Services communicate with other internet

hosts over a variety of physical media. Because TCP/IP is independent of the

underlying physical network, IP addresses are implemented in the network

software, not the network hardware. (See the Compaq TCP/IP Services for

OpenVMS Software Product Description for a complete list of supported media.)

This chapter reviews key concepts and describes:

• How to conﬁgure network controllers (Section 2.2)

• How to conﬁgure network interfaces (Section 2.3)

2.1 Key Concepts

A network controller is the hardware connection between a computer system

and a physical network. Controllers perform the packet channeling to and from

the physical medium of your network, usually a cable.

The network interface is a logical network controller — a software component

that communicates with your network software and the network controller.

For each interface, you can enable or disable the interface, set the subnet mask,

and assign IP and broadcast addresses.

2.2 Conﬁguring Network Controllers

TCP/IP Services automatically recognizes network controllers at startup. If

you need to change the conﬁguration (remove, modify, or add new network

controllers to your system) after installing and conﬁguring the product, follow the

installation and conﬁguration instructions that come with your hardware; then

run TCPIP$CONFIG again. The TCP/IP Services software will recognize the new

controller immediately, and will create new interfaces the next time the software

starts up.

Note

Hardware installation and conﬁguration instructions are speciﬁc for the

various network controllers. Be sure to read the instructions provided

with your new hardware before installing.

Conﬁguring Interfaces 2–1