Checklist on adding a new network host

To add a new host to the network you must do any and all of the following, may need more, but this is for in hopes of ensuring you are off to the right start!

1.       Install networking software and build a kernel that is capable of supporting networking and the already installed networking hardware. These days, basic networking is almost always installed by default on just about any distro. Sometimes you may have to add some features in manually.

2.       Physically (Yes this means you have to get off your ass and work.) connect the system to the network and enable the hardware network interface(s). Sometimes on older PC systems (Like your old Tandy 1000), the latter may involve setting jumpers or switches on the network adapter board or setting a lower-level system parameters, usually this is done in the pre-boot monitor programs that your boards may have. (If lost here then google some old school network configurations.)

3.       Assign a hostname and network address to the system or discuss this with a network admin if you are lost or if there is one running your network. ISP and etc… When you do add a new host to an existing network, the unique network address you assign it must fit in with whatever addressing scheme you are on already… If unsure ask someone if they run your network already. You can also decide on using DHCP to assign the IP address and other networking parameters dynamically in lieu of static addressing.

4.       Ensure that necessary config tasks occur @ boot time, including starting all required networking related daemons such as dnsmasq, iptables, ifconfig, and etc…

5.       Configure your name resolution meaning your hostname to IP address translation.

6.       Set up any or all static routes and configure any other routing services in use. This pretty much includes defining a default gateway for packets destined beyond the local subnets. If you are lost here google up some good stuff on default gateway, subnets and ip packet forwarding and routing.

7.       Test your networking connections

8.       Enable, configure, test any other additional network services that you plan to use on your work station.

So in hopes of helping others, hope this helps you out, if you have questions feel free to jump in and ask away!