23-2 Riverstone Networks RS Switch Router User Guide Release 8.0
SAP (Service Advertising Protocol) IPX Routing Configuration
23.2 SAP (SERVICE ADVERTISING PROTOCOL)
SAP provides routers with a means of exchanging internetwork service information. Through SAP, servers advertise
their services and addresses. Routers gather this information and share it with other routers. This allows routers to
create and dynamically maintain a database of internetwork service information. SAP allows a router to exchange
information with a neighboring SAP agent. As a router becomes aware of any change in the internetwork server layout,
this information is immediately broadcast to any neighboring SAP agents. SAP broadcast packets containing all server
information known to the router are also sent periodically.
The RS uses IPX SAP to create and maintain a database of internetwork service information. The RS’s implementation
of SAP allows the following exchanges of information:
•Workstations locate the name and address of the nearest server of certain type
•Routers request the names and addresses of either all or certain type of servers
•Servers respond to the workstation’s or router’s request
•Routers make periodic broadcasts to make sure all other routers are aware of the internetwork
configuration
•Routers perform broadcasting whenever they detect a change in the internetwork configurations
23.3 CONFIGURING IPX RIP & SAP
This section provides an overview of configuring various IPX parameters and setting up IPX interfaces.
23.3.1 IPX RIP
On the RS, RIP automatically runs on all IPX interfaces. The RS will keep multiple routes to the same network having
the lowest ticks and hop count. Static routes can be configured on the RS using the CLI’s ipx add route command.
Through the use of RIP filters, the RS can control the acceptance and advertisement of networks per-interface.
23.3.2 IPX SAP
On the RS, SAP automatically runs on all the IPX interfaces. The RS will keep multiple SAPs having the lowest hop
count. Static SAPs can be configured on the RS using the CLI’s ipx add sap command. Through the use of SAP
filters, the RS can control the acceptance and advertisements of services per-interface.
23.3.3 Creating IPX Interfaces
When you create IPX interfaces on the RS, you provide information about the interface (such as its name, output MAC
encapsulation, and IPX address). You also enable or disable the interface and bind the interface to a single port or
VLAN.