System Upgrades:

The latest version of System 7.1 is 7.1.3, but you won't see this in the "About this Macintosh" window. To check if you have this update, look at the Memory control panel. If the version number in the corner is 7.1.3, then you already have the update. If not, you should get it, but it won't prevent you from connecting to World if you don't.

You also may want to get AppleScript in order for to make the connection process easier. To see if you have AppleScript, look for the AppleScript extension in the Extensions folder in the System folder of your hard drive. If you don't have it don't worry, i just means a few extra clicks when you want to connect.

Network Software:

System 7.1 can use either MacTCP or Open Transport. Open Transport is preferred, as it is faster and more stable than MacTCP. To determine which of these you have, look in the Control panels folder. If you have MacTCP, click on the "MacTCP" link below. If you have a TCP/IP control panel, click on "Open Transport" link.

I have:

MacTCP

Open Transport

None of the above, or I want to upgrade to Open Transport