Appletalk Overview; Features - 3Com 4007 Implementation Manual

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AppleTalk
Overview

Features

T R
ALK OUTING
AppleTalk is a suite of protocols defined by Apple Computer, Inc., for
connecting computers, peripheral devices, and other equipment to a
network. AppleTalk protocols support most of the functions that are
offered by the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.
The AppleTalk protocols work together to provide file sharing and printer
sharing, as well as applications like electronic mail and database access.
All Macintosh computers have AppleTalk connectivity options built into
them, which makes it the de facto standard for Apple networks.
AppleTalk transport and application services operate over a best-effort
Delivery Datagram Protocol (DDP). The AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol
(ADSP) ensures reliable transmission of AppleTalk information.
Your system supports AppleTalk version 2, which runs the AppleTalk
Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP). A distance-vector based
routing protocol, RTMP constructs best paths based on hop-count
information propagated by neighbors.
AppleTalk routing includes these features:
AppleTalk Interfaces — An AppleTalk interface is one that can send
and receive AppleTalk traffic. When you configure an AppleTalk
interface, you define the behavior and role of the interface within the
AppleTalk routing domain. For example, seed interfaces propagate
network configuration information, while nonseed interfaces listen for
it. See "AppleTalk Interfaces" later in this chapter for more
information.
AppleTalk Routes — Your system maintains a table of reachable
AppleTalk networks. You may want to view the contents of the table
for administrative purposes. See "AppleTalk Routes" later in this
chapter for more information.
AppleTalk Address Resolution Protocol (AARP) Cache — The
AARP cache contains a list that maps each known AppleTalk address
to a corresponding MAC address. Your system lets you view this list, as
well as remove entries from it. See "AppleTalk Address Resolution
Protocol (AARP) Cache" later in this chapter for more information.