Setting up a network is fairly easy, although it helps to read the
Ethernet-HOWTO. Some points to watch:

Hardware:

    * if you use RJ45 (twisted pair), it makes a difference if you connect 
      two machines together: they need the input and output wires crossed, 
      like a null modem. See the Ethernet-HOWTO
    * if you use BNC (thinnet), be sure to use the T's and terminate one
      side of each T with a 50 ohm resistor and connect the other two.
    * ethernet cards are often controlled via software if the BNC is used
      or if the RJ45 is used. For some cards the ethernet driver in the
      kernel will tell you which one it is. The Ethernet-HOWTO will point
      you to some diagnostics in this area.

Software:

Configuring a (new) network means you have to edit some files, mostly in
/etc. There are some HOWTO's on this, and the Linux Networking Guide is
pretty complete in this. However, it is even easier if you have the
script 'netconfig' (or netconfig.tty, since the former uses fancy color
menus).  Since I can move my machine from home (where it is standalone
and doesn't have a network) to work (where I plug it into the existing
network) I wrote a two simple shell scripts in /etc/netconfig that are
executed before I shutdown for a move. I simply copy them here (status:
15-aug-95)

#! /bin/csh -f
#
set host=rigel
set domain=astro.umd.edu
set ip=129.2.162.172
set router=129.2.162.1
set mask=255.255.254.0
set name=129.2.162.175
echo "Configuring in astro network as $host.$domain (IP=$ip)"
netconfig.tty > netconfig.log << EOF
$host
$domain
n
$ip
$router
$mask
y
$name
EOF



#! /bin/csh -f
#
set host=rigel
set domain=astro.umd.edu
echo Configuring as local network as $host.$domain
netconfig.tty > netconfig.log << EOF
$host
$domain
y
EOF