INTERNET

             The Internet provides world-wide access to other computers via an Internet server 
              computer, usually owned by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and reached via a 
              single dial-up public switched telephone network (PSTN) line and modem. 

An Internet server can also reside on any standard network to create an Intranet or on the Integrated Digital Services Network (ISDN) for high-speed access.

Example dial-up services include:-

           • E-mail — communication between over 30 million users
           • News Groups — over 30 thousand of them
           • Product support — updates and answers to technical questions
           • Research material — Library of Congress catalogues, government reports
           • Software — shareware and freeware, good and bad
           • Video Conferences — seeing your contacts around the world

              Special software is essential — the Internet Connection Kit (Apple) contains 
               all that you need. Your ISP must give you a telephone number for the dial-up 
               connection, your IP address (see below) and instructions on how to set up the 
               TCP/IP (or MacTCP) and Config PPP (or similar) control panels.

Once you’ve obtained a connection with the latter panel you can actually launch one or more Internet applications. There are a range of these available — some are designed for particular services whilst others, such as Cyberdog (Apple), cater for almost anything!

System Software
qqqqqqqqqqqqq

              Before using an Internet application you must install and set up certain protocols 
               in your System Folder. These protocols allow different types of computers to 
               understand each other. Any number protocols can be active at any one time.

Internet Protocols
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) creates envelopes for the packets created by IP (see below). It supports File Transfer Protocol (FTP), for downloading data, Standard Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), for electronic mail, and Telnet, for logging onto other machines.

Internetworking Protocol (IP), from which the word Internet is derived, governs the transfer of individual data packets over dissimilar interconnected networks. Every Internet user has a unique IP Address that acts in a similar way to a telephone number. It consists of four number spaced by decimal points, such as:- 195.79.171.10.

Point to Point Protocol (PPP) is used for modem dialling  and establishes a dial-up Internet connection — Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) is sometimes used instead. Special versions of PPP are needed for ISDN operation.

Protocols Software
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

To provide Internet protocols for a dial-up Internet service you must put the following files into your System Folder:-

          • Link Access Module(s) — in the Extensions folder
          • TCP/IP (or MacTCP) control panel — in the Control Panels folder
          • Config PPP (or similar) control panel — in the Control Panels folder

Link Access Modules
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

              A Link Access Module (mdev) works in conjunction with the TCP/IP (or MacTCP) 
               control panel — you can use a freeware version or the one supplied by your ISP. 
               The most common mdev is PPP — this is provided with the System 7.5.5 update 
               but must be dragged into the Extensions folder by hand.

Other mdevs include
FreePPP,
InterPPP, Sonic PPP, and AOL Link. For Open Transport you can use Apple’s OT PPP. 

Special mdevs                                                                                                          

Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) is sometimes used instead of PPP. Example SLIP mdevs include InterSLIP, MacSLIP and VersaTerm SLIP. Alternative mdevs can be used for Point to Point operation over an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) trunk route — for example, SAGEM ISDN PPP.

TCP/IP Control Panel
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

               This must be used if Open Transport is active — if Classic AppleTalk is in use, or if 
              AppleTalk is disabled, you must use the MacTCP panel instead (see below).

Both TCP/IP and MacTCP are provided by the System Installer — if you can’t find one of the panels you should check that the Network Software Selector is set to the form of AppleTalk that suits the panel you wish to use. The appropriate panel will then appear!

TCP/IP Basics                                                                                                        

All of the TCP/IP settings described below can be kept as a Configuration for later recall. The panel operates in Basic, Advanced or Administration mode, the latter with password protection. In Administration mode specific features can be locked out to prevent users  tampering with them. The Options button allows you to turn the panel on or off.

Connect via: and Configure Menus                                                                            

The TCP/IP panel appears as shown below. The Connect via: menu allows you to select any mdev in the Extensions folder or any other protocol supported by the system — in this instance PPP has been selected and appears as MacPPP. Some mdevs, including FreePPP may require you to turn off Virtual Memory and, to add confusion, Pacer PPP, FCR PPP and Tribe PPP, mdevs may all appear in the menu as TCP/IP PPP!

 

As you can see, MacPPP acts as a ‘server’, automatically providing your IP Address and other addresses. The Subnet mask is the IP addresses for your part of a multiple network (if you’re in one), whilst the Router address contains the IP addresses for any routers used to connect you to other networks.

If you select Using PPP Manually in the Configure: menu the upper portion of the window changes to:-

 

In this instance you must enter your IP Address by hand, as shown — but this can cause confusion if the mdev itself is using a different number! Boot Protocol (BootP), as used by some servers, typically over Ethernet, is supported in MacPPP’s Configure menu:-

 

but the Subnet mask and Router address may need to be entered by hand. If there are several routers every IP addresses must be typed into the box (separated by a Return) — if not you may find yourself isolated on one ‘wing’ of the network! Another server protocol, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) appears as:-

 

Some mdevs support a server protocol called Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) — this also provides the IP Address automatically.

For a Macintosh Internet Protocol (MacIP) server operating over an AppleTalk network you must select AppleTalk (MacIP) in the Connect via: menu. MacIP translates TCP/IP data packets into a form suitable for transmission over AppleTalk. A MacIP server, running MacIP software, stores its own IP addresses that it assigns to other computers. If you select Using MacIP Server in the Configure menu the settings are provided automatically:-

 

but if you select Using MacIP Manually you’ll have to enter the settings yourself:-

 

Domain Name System                                                                                              

The Domain Name System gives each Internet computer a domain or host name that’s easier to remember than its IP address! For example:-

               IP Address              DNS Name                                       

               67.56.89.5              dataserver.sales.slugcorp.com.uk
               68.79.123.56          wxyltd.co

The relationships between IP addresses and host names must be kept in a DNS database, either locally in a Hosts file or on one or more remote name server computers. The latter are often maintained by your ISP and provide a comprehensive listing of sites. All of the IP addresses for the name servers you wish to use should be entered in the Name server addr.: box at the bottom of the control panel window:-

 

Up to 255 characters can be typed in the box — each address should be separated by Return. If you want to use several servers you should enter the most reliable one on the top line.

If you prefer to use a Hosts file you should use the button at the top right to select a suitable text file containing IP Addresses and names:-

The control panel first looks for a Hosts file in the Preferences folder and then in the System Folder itself. You’re unlikely to be able to keep track of all the addresses and names that you use — it’s easier to use a name server instead!

Implicit Search Paths                                                                                                

Operation over a network can be accelerated if other computers can be found by using just part of a host name or an implicit search path. To enable this you should enter a Starting domain name and Ending domain name for your computer in the boxes provided:-

  

For example, if your full domain name is:-
               harry.sales.hq.slugcorp.com

then your local or starting domain name should be:-
               sales.hq.slugcorp.com

and the larger or ending domain, which must match the end of the local domain, is:-
               slugcorp.com

If you try to find a host called ‘xxx’ using these settings TCP/IP will search as follows:-

               1: Starting domain:       xxx.sales.hq.slugcorp.com
               2: Larger domain:          xxx.hq.slugcorp.com
               3: Ending domain:        xxx.slugcorp.com

You can also extend these implicit searches into domains that are unrelated to your own network area. To do this you must add entries to the Additional Search domains box at the bottom of the panel. For example, if you entered:-

               hopeless.org
               superschool.edu
               bloggs.com

and then searched for ‘xxx’ it would also look for:-

               xxx.hopeless.org
               xxx.superschool.edu
               xxx.bloggs.com 

MacTCP Control Panel
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

               This panel replaces the TCP/IP panel when using Classic AppleTalk or neither form 
               of AppleTalk. It creates a MacTCP DNR file in the System Folder for converting 
               host names to addresses. Despite its location this additional file is presented as a 
               control panel for compatibility with older applications.

When you first open MacTCP you’ll see this window:-

 

The IP Address can be supplied by whichever server is highlighted — in this instance either AppleTalk or PPP could be used. If your address appears correctly in the box you can usually close the panel at this point! The address can only be modified by hand if you enable Manually in the following window that appears when you click on More…:-

 

The address Class can adjusted to assign a different number of address bits to define each network, subnet and node. For example, Class B gives a Subnet Mask of 255.255.0.0:- 

 

and Class C gives a mask of 255.255.255.0:-

 

The slider can also be moved by hand to assign bits to address a subnet. In the example below Obtain Address is set to Manually and Class A is selected with the slider moved to give 9 subnet address bits. It’s worth noting that entering numbers into the lower boxes has no effect on the address at the top until you close the window. Any numbers that you do enter are subject to limitations set by the available number of address bits.

 

IP Addresses for individual nodes can also be assigned dynamically within an range entered into the box as shown below:-

 

The Gateway Address box and Domain Name Server Information list operate in a similar way to those provided in the TCP/IP panel.

Config PPP Control Panel
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

              Config PPP is a control panel that sets up the PPP mdev. Each mdev can only be 
               reached via its own panel. For example FreePPP uses a FreePPP Setup panel that 
               works in three areas:-

              General      allows automatic connection or disconnection when an Internet 
                                      application is launched or closed and determines modem settings

              Accounts    sets the server name, phone numbers, connection methods, user 
                                      name and password for each account

              Location     for different dialling prefixes at various locations

Setting up one of these panels can require a lot of effort. To avoid any difficulties you should ensure that your ISP has provided you with a full set of documentation. The Config PPP panel begins with a fairly harmless looking window:-

 

Pressing Config… button lets you to set up the panel for your first server, in this case with the name Untitled. You can select various modem options, the number to dial to reach the server and the Init code (beginning AT) required by a Hayes-compatible modem. The connect timeout setting determines how long the modem waits for the server to respond:-

 

Clicking on Authentication… presents you with the window shown below, in which you can enter the Authentication ID and Password supplied by your ISP. As shown, you’re allowed 10 attempts if you enter these in at the time of connection — after this or a three-second wait you’re shown the door!

 

The LCP Options… window takes you into this interesting window that could entail endless discussions with your ISP, unless you use the defaults:-

 

and lastly, for the purpose of this illustration, IPCP Options… leads you to the window  below. Amongst other things, it includes the most vital of entries — your IP Address!

 

Once you’ve finished all this lot you can repeat the process for additional servers with other names by using the New… button in the initial window. You can also reconfigure an existing server setup using the Configure… button.

Finally, you must press the Open button to get into communication with the selected server. Only then can you run an Internet application!

Using Internet Applications
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

Site Types
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

             Different types of Internet sites often need different applications — but if you’re 
              using OpenDoc and have 16 M of RAM to spare you could use Cyberdog (Apple)
              — it can view text, pictures, movies and sounds from almost any site.

The most common Internet sites are:-

          z  E-mail (SMTP/POP)                                                                                                                    

              For sending and receiving mail, often via CompuServe or similar server. TCP/IP 
              supports Standard Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) but Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) 
              is also used. UNIX systems may use UNIX-to-UNIX Copy Protocol (UUCP) instead.
              Software: Eudora or Emailer. Netscape Navigator is limited in this role.

          z  File Transfer Protocol (FTP)                                                                                                       

              For downloading software from remote sites. The name comes from a utility 
              originally used on UNIX computers. The TurboGopher application presents the 
              contents of FTP sites in the familiar form of folders and files.
              Software: Anarchie or TurboGopher. 

          z  Internet Relay Chat (IRC)                                                                                                          

              Also known as live chatting, this is similar to ‘CB’ radio but involves keyboards 
              rather than voices. Several people can indulge in what passes for conversation.
              Software: GlobalChat.

          z  News Groups (NNTP)                                                                                                                 

              Really a huge number of worldwide bulletin boards. Other users upload their data 
              onto a server for you to download. A suitable application lists all the newsgroups 
              — you just keep clicking to find want you want!
              Software: NewsWatcher or Nuntius.

          z  TELNET                                                                                                        

              For logging onto remote machines, usually as a VT102 terminal. TELNET
              originates from a UNIX utility used for dialling-up other Internet hosts.
              Software: Versaterm Link or similar.

          z  World Wide Web (HTTP/WWW)                                                                      

              For access to servers via a mouse-driven hypertext interface. It uses Hypertext 
              Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to handle HTML documents (see below). 
              Software: Netscape Navigator, Mosaic or Microsoft Network Explorer (MIE),

More About the Web                                                                                              

             Since it’s easy to use, the Web remains the fastest growing part of the Internet. It 
              uses a mouse-driven hypertext interface in which text files are created in the 
              HyperText Markup Language (HTML). Such documents can be produced and read 
              on any type of computer with suitable software.

HTML documents can be linked to graphics in GIFf or JPEG format and viewed using any one of the WWW browsers listed above. Underlined text usually indicates a hyperlink — just click on it to see the related Web page.

To create your own Web pages you’ll need an HTML editor such as UniQorn — this QuickDraw GX page layout system creates pages that work with any Java-based browser on any computer platform. Alternatively, you can create simple pages in another application and convert them using an HTML translator.

Uniform Resource Locators
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

             Every site on the Internet is identified by its own location address, known as a 
              Uniform Resource Locator (URL) code and based on its domain name. Here are some 
              examples:-

               URL                                                          Site                           

              http://www.bt.com                                     Web site using HTTP
              ftp://ftp.apple.com                                     FTP site
              mailto:hicomments@cyberdog.apple.com           E-mail
              news://cyberdog.apple.com                          News Group
              at:fred                                                      AppleTalk workstation

Standardised URL suffixes are used, often in combinations. Examples include:-

                URL Suffix                                 Meaning                               

              .com                                          Commercial business
              .edu                                           Educational establishment
              .net                                           Network gateway
              .org                                           Non-commercial organisation
              .uk                                             Country (United Kingdom)

Locating Folders and Files                                                                                         

URLs for Web sites, FTP or news groups, distinguished by a double slash (//) near the beginning, can specify a particular file inside a certain folder at the site. Each folder, or directory layer on a PC, is indicated in the URL as a single slash (/). For example, in:-
 
              http://www.slugcorp.com/userdata/update.htm        

an HTML file called update.htm resides in a folder or directory called userdata.

E-mail Addresses                                                                                                      

A typical e-mail address is of the form:-

              Freddy@online.uk

where Freddy is the actual user and online.uk is the server computer. The latter may be a  company machine, an Internet server or another service, such as America OnLine (aol).

Cyberdog
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

             Cyberdog is a powerful application that performs all the Internet functions you’ll 
              ever need! To use it you must install Apple’s OpenDoc and have at least 16 M of 
              memory to spare. Although powerful, Cyberdog is user-friendly. For example, it 
              lets you store your favourite sites in a notebook:-

 

You can get more information on each of these by pressing †-L. Cyberdog uses an appropriate icon to match the URL for each site. For example an e-mail site appears as:-

 

an FTP site as:-

a Web site as:-

and a news site as:-

Cyberdog has comprehensive Preferences settings, as shown below:-

 

 

A further range of options are provided for setting up e-mail. Cyberdog supports e-mail via an SMTP/POP3 account on a UNIX or similar system — or on a Mac server running MailShare or Internet Mail Server.

Netscape Navigator
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

              Netscape is a extremely powerful Web browser that can also be used to open HTML 
               documents on your own hard disk drive. The screen shot below shows an elderly 
               version of Netscape viewing a document on a drive called Hard Disk — the 
               curious %20 characters indicate a space in the name of any drives, folder or file.

Most of the toolbar buttons are self-explanatory — Back, Forward and Home let you move between pages, with any chosen site as your Home page. Should things go wrong you can use Reload, and the Images button can be used to speed up loading without graphics. The Stop button is useful if you’re in a job that’s taking forever!

 

At the bottom of the page the hand is resting on an underlined portion of text, indicating a hyperlink. The address, in this case for e-mail, is shown in the strip along the bottom of the window. Although Netscape isn’t primarily intended for e-mail you can send a message just by clicking on the text.

Amongst its many elegant features Netscape includes bookmarks — these allow you to recall any Internet page with a plain English name. Well, can you remember URLs?

©Ray White. All Rights Reserved 1997