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Tutorial - A Taste of Network Programs

Activity 1: Install and test Fomine LAN Chat

Fomine LAN Chat is tiny and simple multi-users LAN chat software.

• Download Fomine LAN Chat 1.3
• Run the LAN Chat and test it with your classmates

Activity 2: Use netstat to check the network activity

netstat (network statistics) is a command-line tool that displays network connections (both incoming and outgoing), routing tables, and a number of network interface statistics. It is available on Unix, Unix-like, and Windows NT-based operating systems.

• Run netstat to determine the following

Note: Alternatively, you can use ipconfig DOS command to know the IP address of your machine.

• Find out if your computer is secretly connecting to the Web
  • Type cmd in your Windows Run box.
  • Type "netstat -b 5 > activity.txt" and press enter.
  • After say 2 minutes, press Ctrl+C.
  • Type "activity.txt" on the command line to open the log file in notepad (or your default text editor)

Activity 3: Install and test Softros LAN Messenger

Softros LAN Messenger is a secure serverless instant messaging program for user-to-user or user-to-group message and file exchange through your corporate network (LAN, WAN, VPN).

• Download Softros LAN Messenger 4.4.2
• Run the LAN Messenger and test it with your classmates.

Class Discussion

• The program you experiment in Activity 1 is called LAN Chat. What are the key characteristics of it when compared with ICQ or MSN Messenger?
• Give a number of network applications that are currently running in your PC.
• Give a number of additional features of Softros LAN Messenger when compared to Fomine LAN Chat.
• The IP address of your PC is a private IP addresses that are behind a firewall. Private IP addresses are nonroutable on the public Internet, so they must be translated into public IP addresses before they touch the Internet. Work with your classmates to find the public IP address when your PC access the Internet.