Configure and test node

Overview

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You should already know about confirming client requirements and network equipment, reviewing security issues, and installing and configuring gateway products and equipment. This resource will help you to configure and test node within an information technology environment.

In this topic you will learn how to:

  • assign nodes to a specific gateway
  • determine the connection type and configure with reference to network architecture
  • ensure node software and/or hardware is configured.

This topic contains:

  • reading notes
  • activities
  • references
  • topic quiz.

As you work through the reading notes you will be directed to activities that will help you practise what you are learning. The topic also includes references to aid further learning and a topic quiz to check your understanding.

Download a print version of this whole topic: Configure and test node (950 KB 2824.doc)

Reading notes

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Assign nodes to a specific gateway

Now that a new or revised gateway is configured and tested, client workstations, servers and other devices need to be configured to operate in the new networking environment. The nodes to be configured are divided into two groups, depending on their function. Any network node will need to be configured with an IP address, subnet mask and gateway address. This includes printers, wireless access points and network storage devices. Generally, client workstations are given dynamic IP addresses, while servers and other devices are allocated static IP addresses.

If your existing network has been using dynamically configured IP addressing, then updating the DHCP servers with the new parameters will cause all dynamic nodes to be updated at the next reboot if not forced to renew sooner. Statically allocated IP address nodes will need to be manually updated to use the new gateway parameters.

In most small business and home network environments, there tends to be only a single Internet gateway. This makes the configuration of nodes reasonably simple. In larger organisations, a more complex network structure may require the selection of the appropriate gateway necessary to deal with redundancy and fault tolerance measures. So long as the intermediate gateways have been configured correctly, remote access and management will be possible through any number of gateways.

Configuring a node to use a dynamic IP address

A network requiring any nodes to be allocated dynamic IP addresses will have a DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) server configured and available for each IP subnet. DHCP servers can be configured to provide a large number of network parameters, but the minimum subset of these is: the node’s unique IP address, network mask, gateway IP address and DNS server IP address. A dynamic IP address node will broadcast a request for its IP configuration during its boot process and a DHCP server, which monitors the network for such requests, will respond by assigning an unused address from its pool of addresses and send the configuration details back to the node.

To configure a node to use dynamic IP addresses, the management software of the node must be utilised. For a workstation, there are generally available network configuration utilities that allow the TCP/IP configuration to be modified. For devices, a web management facility is often provided; otherwise, you will need to check with your manual for the correct procedure to configure this option. You will be required to log-in as an unrestricted user or administrator in order to change the configuration of workstations or devices. You will then be able to set the network parameters to the correct options. The wording of options can vary and may include the following variations:

  • obtain an IP address automatically
  • automatically get IP address from DHCP server
  • activate DHCP client
  • use DHCP server.

Important: Do not confuse the compatibility of some devices that have DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name Services) with the DHCP settings!

Configuring a node to use a static IP address

Most networks require at least one node to be allocated with a static IP address. This is often a gateway or device such as a print server or wireless access point. The gateway itself should already be configured, but the device nodes and any static workstations will need to be configured manually.

In a similar manner to configuring for dynamic allocation of IP addresses and other network parameters, devices and computer systems will need to be configured whilst logged on as an unrestricted user or an administrator. You need to locate the sections that would turn the DHCP client configuration on or off; ensure the option is off. Once off, fields should be available to fill in the configuration details for the node. The details should be recorded as required by organisational guidelines to ensure that there is no duplication of addresses. Duplication of IP addresses will generally render all nodes with that IP address unreliable at best.

Hint: Many DHCP servers can be configured to provide a ‘virtually static’ IP address. This is achieved by configuring the DHCP server to provide a particular network interface’s MAC address with a reserved IP address. In this case, the node is configured to obtain its parameters from the DHCP server. The DHCP server always provides the device, workstation or server with the same IP address at each renewal request and updates other details at the same time. Only when the network card or interface is changed will the DHCP server need to have its reserved list changed.

Activity 1

To practise determining the IP configuration method, go to Activity 1-Determine the configuration method,in the Activities section of the Topic menu.

Determine the connection type and configure

Some parameters of the new network configuration may not be provided by a DHCP server and are not part of the IP configuration directly. Among these are the use of proxy servers for various protocols such as HTTP (General web browsing access) and VoIP gateways. These additional protocol requirements need to be configured on each client to match the new network structure.

Note: Some network gateways will have transparent proxy servers implemented, which will automatically capture certain protocol traffic and provide the proxy service.

Other applications can also require configuration to match the gateway settings - in particular, peer to peer (P2P) networking applications that require a matching port to be open and redirected at the gateway with their port on the local workstation.

In general, only workstations and servers will need to have proxy server and port number configurations. Examples of application and utility software that may need configuration include web browsers and anti-virus/malware. Browsers such as Internet Explorer may use a proxy server to locally cache files. These files are then available for use by any browser if they are accessed again. This serves to reduce download bandwidth requirements and to speed access to compatible sites. Direct access to the sites is ideally blocked so that the proxy server must be used. Similarly, many anti-virus and anti-malware programs obtain their updates through a standard web server (HTTP, Port 80) and so must also be configured to use the proxy server or likewise be blocked from access.

Activity 2

To practise configuring Internet Explorer to use a proxy server, go to Activity 2 -Configuring Internet Explorer to use a proxy server,in the Activities section of the Topic menu.

Ensure node software and/or hardware is configured

A representative sample of the nodes in the network can now be fully tested to ensure that everything is functioning correctly. You can use the test system put in place during the gateway configuration and testing. The remaining nodes of the network should work in a similar manner to these sample cases.

A minority of nodes may experience lack of full functionality. These are typically due to random hardware failures coinciding with restarts and human error during re-configurations. Such problems can be resolved using existing disaster / business continuity processes.

A report should be prepared for the client to sign-off against which details the results of testing. The intent of the report is to back your claim that the Internet gateway and systems technically provide for the client’s requirements and are functioning as specified by the client.

This report would include a summary followed by details of the test methods used and results that were obtained. Good documentation here should include the identification of the problems and the steps taken to resolve them. This documentation can then be included in the ongoing troubleshooting guidelines for technical and non-technical staff.

Activity 3

To practise testing capabilities ofthe completed nodes, go to Activity 3 -Testing completed node capabilities,in the Activities section of the Topic menu.

Activities

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Activity 1 – Determine the IP configuration method

In order to determine how the IP configuration is obtained on a Microsoft Windows XP system we first have to log in as an unrestricted or administrative level user.

Once you have logged in

  • go to Start -Control Panel
  • from the control panel list, open the Network Connections option. This will open a window with a Dial-up section and/or a LAN or High-Speed Internet section.

Note: If control panel displays in Category View, you will have an additional step of opening the Internet and Network Connections option before opening the Network Connections option.

Part 1 – Dynamic IP settings

Most dial-up connections are configured as dynamically-allocated IP addresses, so if you have a Dial-up section with a connection present

  • right-click on a connection and select Properties from the pop-up menu
  • select the Networking tab from the dialog then open the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) by selecting it from the list and clicking on the Properties button.

In most cases this Properties dialog will show that the options Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected.

Important: Leave these settings as they are by clicking the Cancel buttons until the Network Connections list is displayed again!

Feedback

In Part 1 you should have moved through and displayed the TCP/IP Properties dialog for a Dial-up connection and obtained a dialog similar to the following:

Image: The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog showing a Dial-up connection configured to automatically obtain IP address configuration.

Activity 1 – Determine the IP configuration method (cont.)

Part 2 – Static IP settings

The IP address configuration can be statically (or manually) allocated.

  • If you have a connection in the LAN or High-Speed Internet section, then right-click on a connection and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
  • Select the Networking tab from the dialog then open the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) by selecting it from the list and clicking on the Properties button.

In many cases, this Properties dialog will show that the options Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected.

Change the selected options to the following:

  • Use the following IP address and use the following DNS server addresses. Notice that the IP address fields become available to take the static IP address information including the IP address, Sub-network mask, default gateway address and the Preferred DNS server address.

Important: Leave these settings as they are by clicking the Cancel buttons until the Network Connections list is displayed again!

Feedback

In Part 2 you should have moved through and displayed the TCP/IP Properties dialog for a LAN or High Speed Internet connection. By selecting the options Use the following IP address and Use the following DNS server addresses, you should have obtained a dialog similar to the following:

Image: The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog showing a LAN connection configured with static IP address details.

Activity 1 – Determine the IP configuration method (cont.)

Part 3 - Current values

In order to determine the current values being used by the system, a command line tool is available.

Open a command prompt window by doing the following:

  • Start, Run, type cmd in the Open field and click on the OK button. This brings up a black command prompt window.
  • at the flashing prompt, type ipconfig /all and the current values will all be displayed.

Feedback

In Part 3, the IP settings should be displayed in the command prompt window similar to the following:

Image: The current Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration as shown by the ipconfig /all command.

Activity 2 - Configuring Internet Explorer to use a proxy server

Internet Explorer is integrated into the Windows operating system to the degree that you do not need to open Internet Explorer to set parameters. To set the proxy server settings for Internet Explorer on a Microsoft Windows XP system you should

  • log in as an Unrestricted or Administrative level user
  • go to Start thenControl Panel
  • from the Control Panel list, open Internet Options and select the Connections tab.

Note: If Control Panel displays in Category View, you will have an additional step of opening the Internet and Network Connections option before opening Internet Options.

This will open a dialog with a Dial-up and Virtual Private Network settings section and a Local Area Network (LAN) settings section. For this activity you can choose an available Dial-up setting and click on the Settings button or click on the LAN Settings button. The difference between the two dialogs is in the Dial-up including fields for the User name and Password for the connection.

To activate the use of a proxy server

  • click on the check box under Proxy server beside the instruction Use a proxy server for this connection
  • this activates the fields that allow you to enter the IP Address and the Port number for the HTTP proxy server
  • you can also activate to bypass the proxy server for local addresses by clicking on the Advanced button. You can configure different server addresses and ports for the different protocols displayed.

Important:Leave these settings as they are by clicking the Cancel buttons until the Control Panel is displayed again.

Feedback

There are a number of different ways to open the proxy settings dialogs. Each connection can be configured with a different set of parameters. Most DHCP servers cannot be used to supply this information to a DHCP client. You should have obtained a dialog for the proxy settings similar to the following:

Image: The Proxy Server Settings dialog showing both the standard and advanced settings dialogs.

Activity 3 - Testing completed node capabilities

The testing tool that you created in order to test the operation of the gateway can be used in the testing of each node as well. Download and open

  • Test Plan - Sample Workbook (20 KB 2824_reading01.xls)

Practice filling in the workbook as you perform the tests.

  • Do all the tests work?
  • What other tests would be helpful in this test tool?

Feedback

Practice filling in the workbook by

  • saving the Sample Test Plan with a new file name
  • changing the date heading to reflect the date on which you perform the tests
  • fill in either Pass or Fail in the results column under the date you just entered.

Additional tests that would extend the usefulness of the test tool include

  • trial downloading various file types – ZIP, EXE, COM
  • trial using different communications programs – MSN Messenger, ICQ, SSH, Telnet, BitTorrent.

References

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Print

Butzen and Hilton. (1998), The Linux Network, IDG Books Worldwide Inc.

Meyers, Mike. (2003), A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, McGraw Hill.

Mueller and Ogletree. (2003), Upgrading and Repairing Networks Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, (5th ed.), Que.

Internet

The following websites contain information on risk analysis, disaster recovery planning and/or links to other similar sites. If the web page does not open by clicking on the link, try copying and pasting the link into your web browsers address bar.

of Red Hat Linux as a Gateway; scroll down to the section on The Client Computers)

(Look in Contributions for: Small office/ Home networking with Linux)

TechNet - The Cable Guy – Default Gateway Behaviour for Windows TCP/IP)

Topic quiz

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This quiz will help you review the content you have learned in this topic.

Answer the questions, check the feedback at the end of each question and take note of the areas you need to review.

1. What are the minimum Internet Protocol (IP) parameters that any node will need to have configured?

Feedback

Any network node will need to be configured with an IP address, subnet mask and gateway address. This includes printers, wireless access points and network storage devices. Generally, client workstations are given dynamic IP addresses, while servers and other devices are allocated static IP addresses.