Visara LINCS Features - Manual (Page 27)

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4. IPX Routing
The LINCS IPX Router feature allows a LINCS node to act as an IPX router when attached to
a NetWare internetwork via one or more LAN boards. IPX routing is supported between all
LAN connections. The LANs can be any combination of Ethernet and/or Token Ring lines, or
two different frame types on the same line.
To enable IPX routing, enable one of the following protocol combinations:
• one LAN board with multiple IPX/MAC layer protocols
• multiple LAN boards with one or more IPX/MAC layer protocols enabled
• one LAN boards with IPX SNA Server enabled
MAC Layer Protocol Conversion
Using IPX protocol, LINCS routes packets to and from various clients, servers, and routers in
the internetwork to their final destination network. MAC layer protocol conversion is performed
when packets are routed between network segments using differing MAC layer protocols.
LINCS IPX Router feature uses the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and Server Information
Protocol (SAP) to maintain an internal database of network route and service information.
MAC layer protocol conversion is done between different frame types. The following frame
types are supported:
• Token Ring and Ethernet 802.2 LLC
• Token Ring and Ethernet SNAP
• Ethernet 802.3
• Ethernet Version 2
RIP Database
The RIP database is used by IPX to determine the best route to a destination network when
routing IPX packets. The RIP application is used to broadcast internetwork route information
to directly connected network segments, to keep other routers in the internetwork up to date on
network configuration changes. This information is broadcast when network configuration
changes are detected, and periodically during normal operations. The RIP application also
responds to RIP routing information requests from other routers, clients, and servers in the
internetwork. RIP uses an Aging process to remove networks from the network route database
if no broadcasts are received periodically to indicate that a given network is still available.
SAP Database
The SAP database is used by Servers residing on the LINCS internal IPX network. The SAP
application is used to broadcast internetwork service information to directly connected network
segments, to keep other routers and servers in the internetwork up to date on network service
changes. This information will be broadcast when network service changes are detected, and
periodically during normal operations. The SAP application also responds to SAP service
information requests from other routers and servers in the internetwork. SAP uses an Aging