= Preparing for =Purpose / Objectives of Lab 6==[[Image:network.png|thumb|right|150px|Setting up networks is an essential operation for a system administrator. Maintaining network connectivity and securing the network are also essential operations for a system administrator.]]
== Purpose In this lab, you will learn the basics of Lab 6 ==networking by using your '''Virtual Machines''' and your '''c7host''' machine. You will first set up a virtual private network among those machines. In addition, you will learn to set up '''network names''' (to associate with server's IP Addresses), '''associate network services with port numbers''' for troubleshooting purposes, and setup '''firewall policies''' via the '''iptables''' command. <u>Main Objectives</u> # Configure a private (virtual) network for your '''VMs''' and your '''c7host''' machine# Configure network interfaces for your Virtual Machines using both '''graphical''' and '''command-line''' utilities.# Use '''local hostname resolution''' to resolve simple server names with their corresponding IP Addresses# Backup more recent files (eg. '''incremental backup''') using the '''find''' command and a '''date/time-stamp''' file# Use common networking utilities to associate network services with port numbers for troubleshooting purposes# Gain initial exposure to the '''iptables''' command used to configure and maintain a firewall for protection and troubleshooting# Configure '''iptables''' to '''allow/disallow/forward''' different types of network traffic