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Prestige 153/153X WAN Bridge/Routers
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 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 network.
Even though there are four frame types available on the Ethernet, you should configure as few
frame types as possible on your NetWare server and use automatic frame detection on the clients,
to simplify management and to reduce network overhead.