Listed below are some usefully links covering many facets of general networking and networking under Linux. Please have a read through them, as they contain answers to a large number of often-asked questions.

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To keep in mind before you post:

- Before reporting a problem or asking a question, use the "Search" button located at the top of each forum page: http://justlinux.com/forum/search.php?s=

It will allow you to search our entire archive of past and present threads for information relating to your question, and chances are very good that you'll find your solution there.

- Please keep in mind that you're asking for free technical support. Any help we offer is an act of generosity, not an obligation, so try to make it as easy for us to help you as possible:

* Follow good, courteous practices in writing.

* Provide as much detail in your initial post as possible. Exact quoting of error messages, log entries, command output, and other output is better than a paraphrase or summary.

* Please don't describe your problem as "Computer A can't see Computer B". Of course it can't -- it hasn't any eyes! If ping from A to B fails, say so.

If your using a nic does its modules showup in lsmod?
If not, what is the contents of /etc/modules.conf?

What is your connection type? Dialup? Broadband?
When you're on broadband please specify the type:
CABLE ... Is it static, dhcp, or maybe pptp?
Or
DSL.... Is it bridged (you may have more than one IP) with no usernames? or PPPoE, must login. (creates a ppp interface)

When reporting a "ping" problem, please include this information:
The complete, exact output of
ifconfig OR (advanced) ip addr show
The complete, exact output of
route -n OR (advanced) ip route show

* Please give details about what doesn't work. Reports that say "I followed the directions and it didn't work" will elicit sympathy but probably little in the way of help. Again -- if ping from A to B fails, say so... If access by IP address works but by DNS names it doesn't then say so.

HINT: try to ping with an IP address... If that works, but pinging by name (URL) fails, include the contents of /etc/resolv.conf.

* If you edited a config file, please post the contents of that file. We may spot something in the file that you overlooked.

* Do not leave out any information that appears to be correct, or was mentioned in a previous post. There have been countless posts by people who were sure that some part of their configuration was correct when it actually contained a small error.

- Please don't describe your environment and then ask us to send you custom configuration files. We're here to answer your questions but we can't do your job for you.


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General Networking:

- Linux Networking Tutorial - A quick tutorial covering the basic aspects of network setup including NIC configuration, routing, and DSL Internet connections. (Redhat-oriented)

- TCP/IP Fundamentals - A good overview of IP addressing, including explanations of IP address structures, subnetting, classful vs. classless (CIDR) addressing, and private (non-routable) vs. public address ranges. (From O'Reilly)

- Guide to IP Layer Network Administration with Linux - Covers a very broad range of topics, from basic IP connectivity to advanced routing techniques. Also discusses the usage of configuration and troubleshooting utilities, and provides links to other helpful resources. Unfortunately, this guide is a work in progress; some sections of it are incomplete or missing altogether.

- Daryl'sTCP/ IP Primer - Another overview of TCP/IP-related subjects including addressing/masking, routing, protocols, the OSI Network Model, DNS, and more.

- The Book of Webmin - Webmin is a browser-based tool which allows you to administer many facets of your system, including networking.

- The Linux Documentaiton Project's networking HOW-TOs - Also look through their various Guides.

- Scyld - Don Becker's repository of network card drivers and utilities. Probably the definitive network driver site; also contains useful reference material, diagnostic utilities, and links.

- Basic NIC configuration and troubleshooting tips - As the title says. Relates to setting up a NIC with static addresses; does not deal with DHCP issues.


Samba:

Samba.org - The home of Samba.

O'Reilly's Using Samba (2nd edition) - Need we say more?

Samba as a PDC - Discusses setting up Samba as a PDC in a Windows environment. Somewhat dated; check the updated links at the bottom of the page.


Servers/security:

Server Configuration Guide - For Mandrake 9 (PDF format).

Using NAT - A descripition of the theory and implementation of Network Address Translation. (From SuSE, but not SuSE-specific)



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I'll be adding to this list over time, so if you have a link to contribute or any constructive suggestions, feel free to contact me via PM or email.

** Thanks to andycrofts for his initial contributions; they prompted me to get off my lazy rear and start this list.

** Thanks to jumperintothefire for submitting the contents of the "To keep in mind before you post" section.