README for XFree86 on OS/2 : Remarks on the Network Configuration
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10. Remarks on the Network Configuration

It is beyond the scope of this document to even give an introduction about the correct installation of the TCP/IP networking system. You must do this yourself or seek assistance elsewhere. It is only possible to say here that a PC working well in a TCP/IP based LAN network will also work with XFree86/OS2 (when all other prerequisites are matched as well).

With IAK, there is a special configuration necessary, unless you want to use XFree86/OS2 only during a hot link to your Internet provider, the so called ``localhost'' or ``loopback'' configuration. This is a local network interface which ``loops'' back to the same host. The following settings are necessary for this:

  1. Create a file \tcpip\etc\hosts with the following content:
    127.0.0.1  localhost
    
  2. Add the following line to your \tcpip\bin\tcpstart.cmd:
    ifconfig lo 127.0.0.1 up
    
    If you don't have such a tcpstart.cmd file (Warp 4 calls this file \MPTN\BIN\MPTSTART.CMD), create one, and add a line like the following to your config.sys file: CALL=C:\OS2\CMD.EXE /Q /C C:\tcpip\bin\tcpstart.cmd >NUL: (implying that your bootdrive is C:).
  3. Set the HOSTNAME environment variable to localhost as described in the last section.
  4. Add the following line to CONFIG.SYS:
    SET USE_HOSTS_FIRST=1
    
  5. After rebooting, verify that the following command works:
    [C:\] ping localhost
    

You don't need this ``loopback'' interface if your PC is connected to a LAN (either directly or through SLIP/PPP).

In case of a SLIP/PPP line, you have to establish this connection BEFORE you start XFree86.

The checkinstall.cmd script coming with XFree86/OS2 gives some advice on the configuration as well.

If you have problems to get this or other basic networking things running, seek assistance elsewhere.


README for XFree86 on OS/2 : Remarks on the Network Configuration
Previous: Adding Variables to CONFIG.SYS
Next: Configuring X for Your Hardware