Ipx Addressing; Network Number - Novell NETWARE 6-DOCUMENTATION Manual

IPX Addressing

Network Number

IPX defines its own internetwork and intranode addressing. For intranetwork
(node) addressing, IPX uses the physical address assigned to the network
interface board.
The IPX network address uniquely identifies an IPX server on an IPX network
and individual processes within the server. A complete IPX network address
is a 12-byte hexadecimal number comprising the following components:
A 4-byte network number (server)
A 6-byte node number (server)
A 2-byte socket number (server process)
The following is an example of a complete IPX network address:
FEDCBA98 1A2B3C5D7E9F 0453
Each number in an IPX address is contained in a field in the IPX header and
represents a source or destination network, node, or socket. The network
number is used only for Network-layer operations, namely routing. The node
number is used for local, or same-segment, packet transmission. The socket
number directs a packet to a process operating within a node.
For more information about each address component, refer to
"Network Number" on page 17
"Node Number" on page 19
"Socket Number" on page 20
The IPX network number is the 4-byte hexadecimal address that serves as the
basis for IPX packet routing. Each network segment on an internetwork is
assigned a unique network number. NetWare routers use this number to
forward packets to their final destination network.
An IPX network number can contain up to eight digits, including zeros.
(Leading zeros are usually not displayed.) For example, 0xFEDCBA98,
0x1234567D, and 0xC7 are all valid network numbers.
With the fast setup feature available from NIASCFG, the routing software can
automatically detect the network number and data-link frame type used on an
17
Understanding