Compatibility Mode (Cm); Ipx Compatibility Feature Dependencies - Novell NETWARE 6-DOCUMENTATION Manual

Compatibility Mode (CM)

IPX Compatibility Feature Dependencies

Because most existing NetWare servers have some dependency on IPX
applications and services, NetWare 6 installs with IP running Compatibility
Mode as the default. When you install NetWare 6, you can choose to load with
IPX only, or IP with Compatibility Mode. Although the Compatibility Mode
driver is loaded on the server by default, it remains dormant until the server
receives a request for IPX services. This allows backward compatibility with
IPX while using minimal system resources.
Use of the other components of Compatibility Mode will be determined by
your networking requirenment and existing infrastructure. Each component's
role in a multiprotocol network is described to help you determine if you need
to use it.
The Compatibility Mode driver (CMD) has two parts, one for the server and
one for the client. At the server, the CMD is viewed as a network adapter. You
can bind both protocols to the CMD and it acts like a router when IPX packets
need to be sent within the server. Otherwise, the CMD patiently waits in the
background, doing nothing and using no resources.
At the workstation, the CMD is invisible because it is an integral part of the
new client. It provides the IP communications link required by an IP client.
Because NetWare 6 is pure IP, there is no need for IPX at the client.
The IPX Compatibility driver's job is to provide IPX connectivity over the IP
network, allowing applications using the IPX stack for communications to
function in an IP network. The IPX Compatibility driver also allows IP
systems to communicate with IPX systems by using the services of Migration
Agents.The IPX Compatibility driver treats the IP network as a virtual IPX
network segment (CMD network segment), by encapsulating IPX datagrams
inside UDP datagrams, and by resolving RIP and SAP requests through the
use of the Service Location Protocol (SLP).
If you want to run IPX applications in your IP network, or you need to connect
IP systems with IPX systems, you must ensure that the Service Location
Protocol is enabled across the networks, because the IPX Compatibility
drivers are dependent on the capabilities of SLP. Customers who want to
interconnect IPX and IP systems must introduce at least one Migration Agent
on the network.
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Planning