B.3 Protocol File

The sys:\etc\protocol file, as shown in Figure B-3, contains information about the known protocols used on the internetwork. Each line provides information about one protocol. An entry cannot extend beyond one line.

NOTE:The protocol file is called protocols on UNIX systems. The name is shortened to protocol here because of the DOS eight-character limit.

Figure B-3 Sample Protocol File

The protocol file entry has the following format:

protocol_name protocol_number [alias [...]]

The protocol_name is the name of the Internet protocol associated with this protocol number. The name cannot contain a space, tab, pound sign (#), or end-of-line character.

The protocol_number is the number of the Internet protocol.

The alias is an alternate name for the protocol.

The sample file sys:\etc\samples\protocol is included with the TCP/IP software. When you are configuring TCP/IP for the first time, copy the sample protocol file from sys:\etc\samples to sys:\etc. You can then edit the sys:\etc\protocol file. You can change your configuration at any time by editing your existing sys:\etc\protocol file.