Virtual Private Server User Guide
Internet and UNIX Basics
Chapter 1 Internet and UNIX Basics
Note: This chapter introduces basic Internet concepts that you need
to understand in order to administer your VPS server successfully.
You may skip this chapter if you are already familiar with these
concepts.
Internet Basics
The Internet is comprised of a network of computers, each of which is assigned a
unique numeric address called an Intenet Protocol (IP) address. Computers use
the IP address to communicate with other computers on the Internet. Your virtual
server was assigned a unique IP address when it was set up. An IP address is
comparable to the personal telephone numbers that we use to contact others by
telephone.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a two layer system by
which computers communicate over the Internet. The Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) translates data into small "packets" of information that can be sent
from one computer to another. Packets are assigned a target address, including
the order in which they are to be reassembled once the destination is reached.
The Internet Protocol (IP) then locates the target IP address and sends the
packets over the Internet to the target computer. The target computer s IP layer
receives and transfers incoming packets to the target computer s TCP layer. The
TCP layer then reassembles the packets into useful information.
The Client/Server Model
Most Internet software applications require both a server and a client. A server
application is a program that provides a useful service, and a client is a program
that connects to a server to access that service. For example, a Web browser is a
client program for connecting to a Web server.
Some examples of applications that your VPS server has includes email and
database servers. It also provides client applications that allow your server to
access and transfer data from other servers on the Internet.
Your Virtual Disk
Technical Training Department
August 2004
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