ZyXEL Communications Prestige 480 - Manual (Page 105)

Prestige 480 Dual BRI ISDN Router
IPX Configuration 6-1
Chapter 6
IPX Configuration
This chapter shows you how to configure the IPX parameters of the Prestige.
6.1 IPX Network Environment
Novell bundles the protocol stack, the server software and routing functionality in their NetWare server
products. So a NetWare server is not only a file or print server, it is also a router.
6.1.1 Network and Node Number
Every IPX machine has a network number and a node number, together they form the complete address of
the machine. The IPX network number is a 32-bit quantity and is usually expressed in 8 hexadecimal digits,
e.g., 0893A8CF. The host number is a 48-bit quantity and usually is taken from the MAC (Media Access
Control) address of the Ethernet hardware, so you don’t have to explicitly configure the node number.
An IPX client obtains its network number from a server that has the network numbers statically configured.
If there are multiple servers on a network, only one server need to have the network numbers configured, and
all other stations (clients and servers) can obtain the network numbers from it. The server with configured
network numbers is called a seed router.
If you have a NetWare server on the same LAN as the Prestige, we recommend that you set up a NetWare
server as a seed router. Even though the Prestige is capable of functioning as a seed router, a NetWare server
offers a much more extensive facility for network management.
6.1.2 Frame Types
IPX can run on top of four different frame types on the Ethernet. These frame types are 802.2, 802.3,
Ethernet II (DIX), and SNAP (Sub-Network Access Protocol). Each frame type is a separate logical
network, even though they exist on one physical cable ( see the following diagram).