Ipx Overview - Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch 6850-48 Network Configuration Manual

IPX Overview

IPX Overview
IPX specifies a connectionless datagram similar to the IP packet of TCP/IP networks. An IPX network
address consists of two parts, a network number and a node number. The IPX network number is assigned
by the network administrator. The node number is the Media Access Control (MAC) address for a network
interface in the end node.
IPX exchanges information by using its own version of RIP, which sends updates every 60 seconds.
NetWare also supports SAP to allow network resources, including file and print servers, to advertise their
network addresses and the services they provide. The user can also define routes. These routes, called
static routes, have higher priority than routes learned through RIP.
When IPX is enabled, devices connected to ports on the same VLAN are able to communicate. However,
to route packets between VLANs, you must create an IPX router port on each VLAN. In the illustration
below, a router port has been configured on each VLAN. Therefore, workstations connected to ports on
VLAN 1 on Switch 1 can communicate with VLAN 2; and workstations connected to ports on VLAN 3 on
Switch 2 can communicate with VLAN 2. Also, ports from both switches have been assigned to VLAN 2,
and a physical connection has been made between the switches. Therefore, workstations connected to
VLAN 1 on Switch 1 can communicate with workstations connected to VLAN 3 on Switch 2.
Switch 1
RIP Routing Table
VLAN 1
00000111
Network
111
68:27:43:29:00:00
22:45:67:87:00:00
In IPX routing, the switch builds routing tables to keep track of optimal destinations for traffic it receives
that is destined for remote IPX networks. The switch sends and receives routing messages or advertise-
ments to/from other switches in the network. When the switch receives an IPX packet, it looks up the
destination network number in its routing table. If the network is directly connected to the switch, the
switch also checks the destination node address.
page 33-4
IPX Router Port
=
Physical
VLAN 2
Connection
00000222
IPX Routing
OmniSwitch AOS Release 6 Network Configuration Guide
RIP Routing Table
VLAN 2
VLAN 3
00000222
00000333
Network
333
53:45:72:30:00:00
41:57:67:36:00:00
Configuring IPX
Switch 2
September 2009