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+
+There are a few network parameters that can be tuned to better match
+the kernel to your system hardware and intended usage. The defaults
+are usually a good choice for 99% of the people 99% of the time, but
+you should be aware they do exist and can be changed.
+
+The current list of parameters can be found in the files:
+
+        linux/net/TUNABLE
+        Documentation/networking/ip-sysctl.txt
+
+Some of these are accessible via the sysctl interface, and many more are
+scheduled to be added in this way. For example, some parameters related 
+to Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) are very easily viewed and altered.
+
+        # cat /proc/sys/net/ipv4/arp_timeout
+        6000
+        # echo 7000 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/arp_timeout
+        # cat /proc/sys/net/ipv4/arp_timeout
+        7000
+
+Others are already accessible via the related user space programs.
+For example, MAX_WINDOW has a default of 32 k which is a good choice for
+modern hardware, but if you have a slow (8 bit) Ethernet card and/or a slow
+machine, then this will be far too big for the card to keep up with fast 
+machines transmitting on the same net, resulting in overruns and receive errors.
+A value of about 4 k would be more appropriate, which can be set via:
+
+        # route add -net 192.168.3.0 window 4096
+
+The remainder of these can only be presently changed by altering a #define
+in the related header file. This means an edit and recompile cycle.
+
+                                                Paul Gortmaker 06/96