Virtual networks consist of a group of standalone computers, each in an isolated location, that can connect to each other through PPP multipoint links. "Virtual Networks" introduces virtual network concepts. This section explains how to configure a virtual network.
The network shown in Figure 11-2 consists of three isolated computers. Each member of the network connects to the other members of the network through a multipoint PPP link. Therefore, to create such a network, you (and perhaps other network administrators at the remote location) have to configure a multipoint PPP link on each participating host.
You use the same generic process for configuring multipoint links as you do for configuring a multipoint dial-in server link, as described in "Overview of the Configuration Process". However, the virtual network has its own set of issues and requires you to configure each host in the network accordingly.
You must add host information to the /etc/hosts file for each machine in the virtual network. When typing the IP addresses used for the PPP endpoints:
Designate a PPP-specific IP address for its point-to-point link. Note that if the machine was not previously configured in a physical network, you must create an IP address for the PPP link. This address becomes the host's primary network interface.
Create a network number for the virtual network. See "Assigning a Network Number to the PPP Link" for more information.
The first step in the configuration process involves updating the hosts and networks databases with information about your virtual network.
The /etc/inet/hosts file on each machine must contain the addressing information for every member of the network that this host has permission to access. For example, each host in the network in Figure 11-2 would have this information:
# Internet host table # 127.0.0.1 localhost loghost 192.41.47.15 nomada 192.41.47.20 nomadb 192.41.47.12 nomadc |
Since the virtual network requires a unique IP address, you must type this address in the networks database. For example, the network shown in Figure 11-2 has the number 192.41.47. Moreover, if the hosts on the network need to communicate with other networks, you should register the network with the InterNIC addressing authority. See Chapter 4, Configuring TCP/IP on the Network, for information on editing the networks database.
Each host on the virtual network must have an entry with the network's address in the /etc/inet/networks file. For example, each host on network 192.41.47 might have the following in /etc/inet/networks:
# Internet networks # # arpanet 10 arpa # ucb-ether 46 ucbether # # local networks loopback 127 ppp 192.41.47 #remote sales offices |
The next steps in the configuration process involve editing the UUCP databases, the /etc/passwd file, and the /etc/shadow file. You edit these files for the machines in the virtual network just as you would for the multipoint dial-in server configuration. Refer to "Editing UUCP Databases" for UUCP-related information and "Modifying the /etc/passwd File" for information regarding the passwd file.
The configuration file for a local machine on a virtual network must contain information about all remote hosts on the network that the local host can access. Moreover, each machine on the virtual network must be configured for both dial-in and dial-out functions. After the local machine boots, its link manager reads the asppp.cf file to establish communications.
Example 11-2 shows a configuration file such as you would set up for nomada on a virtual network 192.41.47.
# /etc/asppp.cf for hosta ifconfig ipd0 plumb nomada netmask + up defaults interface ipd0 path peer_ip_address nomadb peer_system_name lawrence # name machine logs in with path peer_ip_address nomadc peer_system_name azziz |
Example 11-3 shows a configuration file such as you would set up for nomadb on virtual network 192.41.47.
# /etc/asppp.cf for nomadb ifconfig ipd0 plumb nomadb netmask + up defaults interface ipd0 path peer_ip_address nomada peer_system_name tamerlane # name the machine logs in with path peer_ip_address nomadc peer_system_name azziz |