Connecting to the Internet

Windows NT Workstation includes all the software you need to connect to and use the Internet. These components enable you to access the Internet:

• The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network protocol in Windows NT version 4.0.

The TCP/IP network protocol is used by virtually all computers on the Internet.

• Windows NT Workstation Dial-Up Networking.

Dial-Up Networking is used to connect to an Internet service provider (ISP) or other online service over a modem and phone line or by using an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) card and ISDN line.

You can install Dial-Up Networking and the TCP/IP protocol by using the Networks option in Control Panel. For more information, see "TCP/IP Internet Configuration" and "Dial-Up Networking Internet Configuration" in this chapter or the corresponding topics in online Help or the Windows NT Server Networking Supplement.

There are two methods used to connect clients to the Internet:

• By using Point to Point Protocol (PPP).

• By using Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP).

The most popular and more robust method is PPP. The Microsoft Network (MSN) acts as a PPP provider, connecting users who have MSN accounts to the Internet. See the procedure in the next section for an example of how to connect to MSN.

In addition to the Windows NT Workstation software listed above, before you connect to the Internet, you need the following items:

• A modem and telephone line or ISDN card and ISDN line.

• An account with an Internet service provider .

An Internet service provider is a company that gives remote users access to the Internet. ISPs now offer Internet access at reasonable rates in many places worldwide.

• Internet tools such as Internet Explorer, FTP, and Telnet.

Internet Explorer, FTP, and Telnet are all Internet clients provided in Windows NT Workstation.