This guide provides an overview of the network configuration for our server. It covers essential settings and best practices to ensure optimal performance and security.

Overview

The network configuration involves setting up and managing the server's network interfaces, IP addresses, and routing. This guide will help you understand the basics and provide links to more detailed resources.

Network Interfaces

Types of Network Interfaces

  • Physical Interfaces: These are the physical connections to the network, such as Ethernet cables.
  • Virtual Interfaces: These are software-based interfaces, often used for virtualization.

Configuring Network Interfaces

To configure a network interface, you need to specify the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. Here's an example for a physical interface:

sudo ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0

IP Address Management

Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses

  • Static IP Addresses: These are manually assigned and do not change.
  • Dynamic IP Addresses: These are assigned automatically by a DHCP server.

Assigning IP Addresses

For static IP addresses, you can edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. For dynamic IP addresses, you can use a DHCP server or configure the client to obtain an IP address automatically.

Routing

Basic Routing

To route traffic between networks, you need to set up routes. Here's an example:

sudo route add -net 192.168.2.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 gw 192.168.1.1

This route directs traffic destined for the 192.168.2.0/24 network to the gateway at 192.168.1.1.

Security

Firewalls

Firewalls are essential for protecting your server from unauthorized access. You can configure iptables to control incoming and outgoing traffic.

sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j ACCEPT

This rule allows incoming TCP traffic on port 80 (HTTP).

Additional Resources

For more detailed information, please refer to the following resources:


Networking Diagram