This week we are continuing with our series on the small office/home office peer network. In the previous article in this series we looked at the installation and configuration of TCP/IP Services. Before we proceed to a detailed configuration of File and Print (aka Peer Services), it would be well for us to take some time to clarify the distinction between the purpose of Peer Services and TCP/IP Services. From some of the questions in the OS/2 Forum it's clear for example that some of you aren't sure if you always need both components in their networks. Then answer is quite simply, "No." You only need the component(s) that support(s) the activities you wish to use your network for. This is consistent with any other aspect of Warp: you install only what you need.

Now let's look at what the two components were designed to do and the strengths and weaknesses of each.

1. TCP/IP Services

   1. Capabilities

      1. Communication with Internet and external Intranets.

         • This is the main purpose of TCP/IP Services. If you want your LAN workstations to be able to communicate with the Internet, then you have no choice: you must install and configure TCP/IP.

         • You may not be interested in the Internet, but don't forget the advantage it has of making your software available to people around the world! With proper security controls, this can be a powerful marketing tool. Authorized people can download beta programs right from your computer.

      2. Support the use of Internet software.

         • Because the Internet has become so popular, there is a host of ready-to-run software, much of it free, to accomplish almost any task. Adding TCP/IP to your LAN, even if you are not using the Internet, may provide you with a quick and easy solution to a problem through the use of some of this software.

   2. Disadvantages

      1. Limited or poor access below the workstation level.

         • TCP/IP is principally intended to communicate at the machine level. Access below that (e.g. directory, file, port) is artificial and often problematic.

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—Walter Metcalf