[net.unix] TCP/IP

cowan@udel-relay.arpa (03/14/84)

From:      Ken Cowan <cowan@udel-relay.arpa>


	There has been a discussion about getting VMS and UNIX to talk
to each other.  I think I need a definition of some terms:

	Both VMS and UNIX support Ethernet.  DECNet/VMS sits on top of
Ethernet for VMS.  Is TCP/IP the upper level protocol for Unix Ethernets?
Or is TCP/IP a packet-switched long haul protocol (a la ARPANET?)  If
TCP/IP is a long-haul, what is the term for the upper level protocols
for a Unix Ethernet?

						Thanks,
						KC
						cowan@udel-relay

ron%brl-vgr@sri-unix.UUCP (03/14/84)

From:      Ron Natalie <ron@brl-vgr>

DECNet and TCP/IP are both different upper level protocols.  They both
handle a variety of network hardware.  TCP/IP just carries on a bit farther.
The Internet Protocol (IP) is a Department of Defense standard network
protocol that allows any two hosts on any network to talk to each other.
The Internet Community is composed of over 100 active nets which include
the ARPANET and MILNET.  Users on different networks communicate trans-
parently with each other do to magic in IP and computers called gateways.
TCP is the Transmission Control Protocol.  It essentially takes packets
and turns them in to reliable virtual circuits (like unix pipes between
machines).  On top of TCP there are Virtual Terminal (telnet), file
transfer, and Mail protocols.

All this means is sitting in my office, I can type "telnet UCLA-CCN"
and then start logging in to an IBM in California.  This goes through
a couple of local area nets here and accoss the MILNET to the ARPANET
to UCLA.  DECNet sort of does this provided you are using DEC machines
and DEC network hardware.  TCP/IP is available on all DEC machines and
nearly every operating system that will run on them, IBM's (both mainframes
and the PC), UNIVACs, Honeywells, and most anything that runs Unix (Gould,
Pyramid, Suns, and most of your smarter micros).  It allows use of the
ARPANet style BBN Packet Switches, Ethernets, and a who slew of more
exotic networking hardware.  In addition, zapping around the country
on a network that your tax dollars paid for is a little self satisfying
(do that on DECNET!).

I hope this helps.

-Ron

vacca@burdvax.UUCP (Dave Vacca) (06/19/86)

I am posting this message for a friend who does not have access to netnews.
Please forward all responses to Brian at the following address:

           ..!burdvax!asgdtn!brian

Following is Brian's message:
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    Is TCP/IP software in the public domain?  I would like to have any
information on this topic that exists, in particular, TCP/IP porting
methodologies/problems/experiences, etc.  Thanks in advance.  - Brian

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