R/V Atlantis Shipboard Computing: Shipboard Network

Because of recent virus and worm problems with (primarily) Windows computers, all science computers brought onboard should have the latest service packs and up to date virus scanning software installed. Prior to connecting to the ship network, all computers will be scanned for viruses. Any Windows or Macintosh machine that does not have scanning software installed and does not pass the scan will not be allowed to connect to the network.

Various ethernet switches can be deployed as needed to expand network capability. Any of the switches onboard can be disconnected from the ship's network to provide a stand-alone local area network separate from the ship (for security or other reasons).

Any computer that supports TCP/IP networking can be connected to the Atlantis network. Multiple IP addresses have been set aside to assign to computers brought by the Science party. These addresses are:

199.92.161.50 (atsci0) through 199.92.161.95 (atsci45)

However, the preferred method of networking visiting computers to the ship's network is via dhcp (dynamically hosted configuration protocol).

If you want to bring a computer to use on the Atlantis network, you must install and test all drivers and interface cards on your own network prior to bringing the computer onboard -- we have limited time and resources to troubleshoot new and untested computers. If it works on your TCP/IP network, then we can most likely make it work on Atlantis. Our Class C network IP address is 199.92.161.0. The domain name is atlantis.whoi.edu, netmask is 255.255.255.0, and the gateway is 199.92.161.3. “linus” (199.92.161.2) is the mailhost.

Your computer must support TCP/IP networking on ethernet. Macintosh, DOS, and Windows95 all require add-on products to support this. The Macintosh uses MacTCP, and for DOS and Windows95 there are a number of commercial products available that provide this capability. WindowsNT and later, OS/2 and virtually all versions of UNIX support TCP/IP without any third-party additions.

You will need a “telnet” or SSH program to connect to the ship’s mail server. NCSA Telnet is a freeware possibility for either Windows or Macintosh computers. Commercial products include packages from PC/TCP and PC/NFS for DOS, and Ethertalk for Macintosh. However, most third-party packages that provide TCP/IP capability include a telnet utility. Use of email is discussed in detail in the electronic mail section.