12. Various extensions

Installing and operating TCP/IP software requires a certain amount of expertise. A first extension consists in automating software installation and maintenance, so that a user can connect his machine to the network without having to set it up manually. As a result, a user can connect his or her computer to the Internet without having to call in a specialist to install software and update configuration and routing parameters. In particular, it is possible to achieve automatic ECU configuration through new protocols that enable a machine to automatically obtain and store all the name and address information it needs.

Working groups are examining what further improvements can be made to the Internet environment. The "router learning" group is working on protocols that allow a machine to discover the routers it can use. Currently, it is necessary to configure a router's...