Chapter 6; Ipx Configuration; Ipx Network Environment - ZyXEL Communications Prestige 128 Plus User Manual

Prestige 128+ ISDN Router

Chapter 6

IPX Configuration

This chapter shows you how to configure the IPX parameters of the Prestige.
6.1

IPX Network Environment

Novell bundles the protocol stack, the server software and routing functionality
in their NetWare server products. So a NetWare server is not only a file or print
server, it is also a router.
6.1.1 Network and Node Number
Every IPX machine has a network number and a node number, together they
form the complete address of the machine. The IPX network number is a 32-bit
quantity and is usually expressed in 8 hexadecimal digits, e.g., 0893A8CF. The
host number is a 48-bit quantity and usually is taken from the MAC (Media
Access Control) address of the Ethernet hardware, so you don't have to explicitly
configure the node number.
An IPX client obtains its network number from a server that has the network
numbers statically configured. If there are multiple servers on a network, only
one server need to have the network numbers configured, and all other stations
(clients and servers) can obtain the network numbers from it. The server with
configured network numbers is called a seed router.
If you have a NetWare server on the same LAN as the Prestige, we recommend
that you set up a NetWare server as a seed router. Even though the Prestige is
capable as a seed router, a NetWare server offers a much more extensive facility
for network management.
IPX Configuration 6-1