<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2 Final//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="SGML-Tools 1.0.9"> <TITLE>Linux IPX-HOWTO: A brief discussion of IPX network topology</TITLE> <LINK HREF="IPX-HOWTO-6.html" REL=next> <LINK HREF="IPX-HOWTO-4.html" REL=previous> <LINK HREF="IPX-HOWTO.html#toc5" REL=contents> </HEAD> <BODY> <A HREF="IPX-HOWTO-6.html">Next</A> <A HREF="IPX-HOWTO-4.html">Previous</A> <A HREF="IPX-HOWTO.html#toc5">Contents</A> <HR> <H2><A NAME="s5">5. A brief discussion of IPX network topology</A></H2> <P>This is a much simplified explanation for people new to IPX. Large networks will probably break lots of the rules explained here. In complex IPX networks the administrator should always be consulted. <P>IPX networking revolves around a scheme of numbered <EM>networks</EM> unlike IP which places more emphasis on the <EM>interface</EM> addresses. A network is a collection of equipment connected to the same LAN segment and <EM>using the same frame type</EM>. Different frame types on the same LAN segment are treated as seperate networks. <P>Each network must be allocated a number which is unique across the entire internetwork. This is usually performed by a NetWare(tm) server, but can easily be performed by Linux. IPX clients are given this number by the server when starting, they only require to know the correct frame type. <P>Routing between networks is usually performed by putting two network cards in a server. This server then runs the RIP protocol which holds a routing table for the internetwork. Periodic broadcasts of this routing table are exchanged between servers. Within a short time each server 'discovers' the topology of the internetwork. <P>If you only wish to use the services of an existing NetWare server, you can use <CODE>ipx_configure</CODE> (section 7.1) to automatically define the IPX interfaces by using broadcast queries to look for a server. If this fails, or you wish to provide IPX services, you will need to define the interfaces manually using <CODE>ipx_interface</CODE> or <CODE>mars_nwe</CODE>. <P> <HR> <A HREF="IPX-HOWTO-6.html">Next</A> <A HREF="IPX-HOWTO-4.html">Previous</A> <A HREF="IPX-HOWTO.html#toc5">Contents</A> </BODY> </HTML>