Enterasys Networks CSX6000 IPX Network Interfaces, IPX Network Number Background Information

CONFIGURING IPX

IPX Network Interfaces

IPX NETWORK NUMBER BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Novell NetWare networks use IPX external and internal network numbers. An IPX internal network number is a unique identification number assigned to a network server or router at the time of installation. Servers and routers periodically broadcast their numbers across the network to advertise their presence. Each server/router must have a unique internal network number to distinguish itself from other servers/routers. A second address, an IPX external network number, must be assigned to identify the network to which the server/router belongs. Unlike the internal network number, all servers/routers connected to the same network must be assigned the same external network number in order to communicate.

IPX NETWORK INTERFACES

The IPX feature on the CyberSWITCH supports the following three network interfaces:

•LAN

•WAN

•Remote LAN

The Remote LAN interface allows the CyberSWITCH to connect to remote bridge devices over the WAN. In other words, when incorporating a Remote LAN interface along with traditional WAN interfaces, the CyberSWITCH can connect to routers or bridges or a mix of both. The CyberSWITCH (acting as an IPX router) treats all bridge devices connected to the Remote LAN as if they were on an Ethernet LAN segment.

Both LAN and Remote LAN network interfaces must be configured. WAN network interfaces, on the other hand, do not explicitly need to be configured. These are dynamically assigned by the CyberSWITCH when a WAN connection is established to another router.

CONFIGURING IPX NETWORK INTERFACES

USING CFGEDIT

1.Press 3 from the IPX menu to configure the IPX interface information.

2.Press 1 to add an interface.

3.Select the interface type from the displayed list (LAN or WAN [Remote LAN]).

4.Enter the user-defined interface name.

5.Enter the hexadecimal IPX external network number for the LAN or the Remote LAN, as applicable.

6.Enter the LAN port number of the interface, if applicable.

7.Select the packet encapsulation type from the displayed list.

8.Enter the MTU size. Note that the maximum value for the MTU size varies based on the packet encapsulation type chosen.

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