Address Assignment; Network Components - Foundry Networks Switch and Router Installation And Configuration Manual

This chapter describes how to configure AppleTalk on Foundry Layer 3 Switches using the CLI and the Web
management interface. Foundry Layer 3 Switches support Phase II of AppleTalk routing.
For complete syntax information for the CLI commands shown in this chapter, see the Foundry Switch and Router
Command Line Interface Reference.
NOTE: In addition to the routing features described in this chapter, the Chassis Layer 3 Switches and the
TurboIron/8 support AppleTalk cable VLANs. If you configure multiple cable VLANs, the Layer 3 Switch bridges
traffic within a VLAN and routes traffic between VLANs. See "Configuring AppleTalk Cable VLANs" on page 25-
34.
Overview of AppleTalk
AppleTalk inter-networks are built upon distinct networks interconnected by routers such as Foundry's NetIron,
TurboIron/8, and BigIron. Each network is composed of nodes—workstations, printers, and servers. AppleTalk
zones are assigned across AppleTalk networks to further define end-user access to shared resources such as
printers and servers.

Address Assignment

AppleTalk node addresses are assigned dynamically. When a Macintosh running AppleTalk starts up, it selects a
network address and checks to see if that address is already in use. If the address is already in use by another
client, a message will be returned to the requesting station and the process will repeat until an uncommitted
address is located.

Network Components

Nodes
The node is the primary building block of any AppleTalk network. A node is any device on an AppleTalk network
such as a workstation, printer, or server running AppleTalk.
Networks
Multiple nodes that share the same logical segment comprise an AppleTalk network. Each node in the network is
assigned an AppleTalk address.
An AppleTalk address is comprised of a 16-bit network number and an 8-bit node number. For example, 500.50
refers to node 50 on network 500.
December 2000
Chapter 24
Configuring AppleTalk
24 - 1