Optimizing the NetWare Client Software

Increasing Speed

Increasing Speed

NetWare 3.12 and 4 support the Packet Burst and Large Internet Packet technologies which increase the access speed of network resources and services for client workstations.

Using the Packet Burst Protocol

The Packet Burst protocol allows high-performance data transmission between client workstations and servers.

Some network topologies, such as Ethernet and token ring, allow large packets to be sent over the network. The LIP (Large Internet Packet) capability enhances throughput over bridges or routers by increasing the packet size.

The following sections provide you with information and procedures for setting parameters used in the client workstation configuration file (NET.CFG).

Packet Burst on the client workstation is enabled automatically in the NetWare DOS Requester™ software.

Requirement for Packet Burst

The Packet Burst protocol code requires about 6 KB of memory. However, as a default, the NetWare DOS Requester uses the Open Data-Link Interface™ architecture for Packet Burst and doesn’t require additional workstation memory.

How Packet Burst Works

At connection time, maximum burst sizes are negotiated with each server. Since Packet Burst is established with each connection, it’s possible to “burst” with one server but not with another.

Once you establish a Packet Burst connection between a client workstation and a NetWare server, the client workstation automatically uses the Packet Burst service whenever an application requests to write more than one physical packet of data.

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