TCPIP via ethernet under DOS? (I know that is possible...but!)

Here is I have this: Cable modem, few classic and (few not so-classic) machines w/ ethernet cards, DOS. Got drivers for netcards alright except: What s/w is needed to do the ip polling to gather in ip numbers on outset of connecting to cablemodem? Is there's an good FAQ on this? I have seen the FAQ's for dos and ppp, TCPIP setup by modem is easily found by net searches but I'm not able to find any on this premises I'm looking for. Ever there's is a FTP program for DOS at all as well? WHY? I had enough troubles with win9x's file mangler when d/ling linux files and fragile files that breaks (once in a while). Ram is no problem, I can choose any machines and/or add more than 1MB. :-) I'm aware of web browsers for DOS but I dunno know what they're capable of as I outlined here. I have heard of Pmail 3.40 and Arachne solution by popping by pmail these to be sent files in correct location for Arachne to pick up and send it and vice vesa. Again, that's partially ppp but I wanted to know if Arachne does it themselves too? It would be nice if there is a addon that works with pmail so I don't have to depend on arachne for both ways. (Remember each of two have to run seperately). Is there's a good email for DOS that still meets standards that pmail does? Ditto mime and uueneoded attachments. I seems to sound like newbie, yeah it is! Wizard