Windows 7 comes with some networking
features or services that are not used in most networks but can be
essential in others. I don’t cover these features in great detail
because your network manager will probably install them for you if
they’re used on your LAN.
Table 1 describes the optional features. Not every component is available on every version of Windows 7.
Table 1. Windows 7 Optional Networking Features
| Category/Component | Description |
|---|
| | Web and Application Services |
| Internet Information Services and Internet Information Services Hostable Web Core | IIS
is a full-featured web server. IIS can also be used by software
developers as a platform for a new generation of peer-to-peer
application software, which is why certain IIS components are provided
with all versions of Windows 7. If you install an application that
requires IIS, the application’s installer will most likely configure it
for you. |
| Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation | The
HTTP Activation system can be used by .NET application software to run
services on demand. This component is enabled by the application
program(s) as needed. (This selection is located under Microsoft .NET
Framework 3.0.) |
| Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) Server | MSMQ
Server is a tool used primarily in distributed database applications.
It is provided with Windows 7 primarily for use by software developers
who are writing and testing such applications. |
| Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA) | SUA
provides a UNIX-compatible environment and toolkit that can be used to
migrate UNIX applications and services to Windows.
|
| | Management and Monitoring Tools |
| SNMP Feature | The
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a remote monitoring and
measurement tool used by some network-management systems. |
| WMI SNMP Provider | This allows Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) applications to access SNMP data. |
| Telnet Client | This
enables you to connect computers and network devices using a
command-line interface. This service has significant network security
risks and should not be enabled unless required by a network
administrator. |
| Telnet Server | This enables you or an administrator to log on to your computer remotely using only a command-line interface. |
| TFTP Client | This
can be used to retrieve files from a TFTP server. This tool is used
primarily to test network boot servers or to retrieve network device
firmware. |
| | Networking Services |
| Internet Printing Client | This provides support for network- or Internet-hosted printers or printing services using the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). |
| LPD Print Service | This service lets UNIX computers send print output to your Windows computer’s shared printers. |
| LPR Port Monitor | This
enables you to send print output to network-connected printers or UNIX
servers. (IPP, LPD, and LPR are found in the Print and Document
Services list.) |
| RIP Listener | This
service is used to listen for network routing information in large
networks. Don’t install it unless it’s required by your network
administrator. |
| Services for NFS | This enables you to use files shared by NFS file servers (typically UNIX file servers). |
| Simple TCP/IP services | This
suite of services performs simple functions for testing purposes, such
as echoing data to a remote computer or generating a stream of data.
Don’t install these services unless you’re instructed to do so by a
network administrator. Hackers can use them to tie up your network with
pointless traffic. |
| Reliable Multicast Protocol | This
network protocol is also called Pragmatic General Multicast, or RFC
3208. It may be required by certain file sharing or multimedia
applications that transmit content to large numbers of computers at
once. |
To enable
any of the components, click Start, Control Panel, Programs, Turn
Windows Features On or Off. Check the box next to each desired feature,
and then click OK.
The Reliable Multicast Protocol is installed using a different procedure from that used to install the other services listed in Table 1. If required, it can be installed for a specific network adapter using these steps:
1. | Click Start, Control Panel, View Network Status and Tasks (under Network and Internet), Change Adapter Settings.
|
2. | Right-click a network adapter and select Properties.
|
3. | Click Install. Select Protocol, and click Add.
|
4. | Select Reliable Multicast Protocol and click OK. |
