.. _explanation-networking:

Networking
***********

This section contains introductions to (and more details about) various aspects
of networking in Ubuntu. 

Introduction
============

If you are new to networking, you should start with these pages to obtain an
understanding of the key terms and concepts.

.. toctree::
   :titlesonly:

   intro-to/networking
   Networking key concepts <networking/networking-key-concepts>

Configuration
=============

Network configuration in Ubuntu is handled through Netplan. Find out more
:ref:`About Netplan <about-netplan>` or get started with our walkthrough on
:ref:`network configuration <configuring-networks>` which gives a practical
demonstration.

.. toctree::
   :hidden:

   About Netplan <networking/about-netplan>
   Configuring networks <networking/configuring-networks>

Network tools
=============

In our how-to section we show to set up virtual switching using Open vSwitch
(OVS) and the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) library. This page discusses
DPDK in more detail.

* :ref:`about-dpdk` discusses DPDK in more detail

.. toctree::
   :hidden:

   The DPDK library <networking/about-dpdk>

DHCP
====

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) handles automatic IP address
assignment.

* :ref:`About DHCP <about-dhcp>` gives detail about DHCP and how it works

.. toctree::
   :hidden:

    About DHCP <networking/about-dhcp>

Time synchronisation
====================

* :ref:`About time synchronisation <about-time-synchronisation>` discusses the
  Network Time Protocol (NTP) and how it works

.. toctree::
   :hidden:

   Time synchronisation <networking/about-time-synchronisation>

Network shares
==============

Samba and Active Directory are two tools you will need if you want to share
resources and directories between Linux and Windows systems.

* :ref:`introduction-to-samba` will talk you through the key concepts you will
  need to be able to follow our how-to guides on Samba
* Our :ref:`explanation-active-directory-integration` section has both an introduction
  and in-depth discussion about Active Directory integration

.. toctree::
   :hidden:

   intro-to/samba
   active-directory

See also
========

* How-to: :ref:`Networking section <how-to-networking>`