Configuring Novell for Different Ethernet Packet Types

ID: Q98568

SUMMARY

If you run Novell NetWare's IPX protocol on a server or workstation, you can choose the type of packet/frame used. It is important, though, that you make sure the NetWare server and workstation are configured for the same frame format--if they are not, communications will be unreliable, and the problem will affect LAN Manager workstations using NetWare Connectivity and Windows for Workgroups workstations using the MS$IPX driver.

MORE INFORMATION

You can configure machines running NetWare or NetWare Connectivity products to use either the 802.3 or DIX frame formats. NetWare 3.11 servers and ODI workstations can also be configured to run SNAP and 802.2 frame types.

The rest of this article describes ways to configure the IPX protocol stack for different frame types.

NetWare 2.2, NetWare IPX-based, LM NetWare Connectivity

NetWare 2.2 servers, NetWare IPX based workstations, and LAN Manager NetWare Connectivity workstations use the Econfig program (on the NetWare WSGEN disk) to configure the frame type they will use. The syntax for this command is:

ECONFIG filename option:type number

The "filename" parameter is the name of the file you are configuring (for example, IPX.COM [workstation] or NET$OS.EXE [NetWare 2.2 operating system]).

The "option" parameter is "SHELL" for a workstation and A, B, C or D for NetWare 2.2, representing the LAN driver letter associated with the card you are setting the frame type for.

The "type" parameter is "N" for 802.3 or "E" for Ethernet II or DIX frame format.

The "number" parameter is the packet type value represented in the type field of a DIX packet. You should use the NetWare default of 8137; since it is the default you don't have to specify it.

Typing "econfig filename" without any other options displays the current settings. NetWare 3.11 servers are configured when the LAN driver is loaded at the server console or through AUTOEXEC.NCF. The frame type defaults to 802.3, or you can change it by including a FRAME= option on the load line. The following frame options are supported:

FRAME=Ethernet_802.3
FRAME=Ethernet_II
FRAME=Ethernet_Snap
FRAME=Ethernet_802.2

ODI-BASED

For an ODI-based workstation, you can specify the frame type to use in the NET.CFG file's "Link Driver drivername" section in the format "FRAME frametype." The supported frame types are the same as the NetWare 3.11 server above. Refer to the NetWare "Using the Network" guide for more information.

Windows for Workgroups

Windows for Workgroups workstations are configured for frame type in the PROTOCOL.INI file, in the [ms$ipx] section. The "MediaType=" parameter defines the frame format to be used. You can set it by editing the PROTOCOL.INI file, or working through the Control Panel Networks application. When using Control Panel, choose Network, Adapters, Setup, Protocols, select the IPX protocol, then select settings. Valid values are "Novell/Ethernet" for 802.3 (the default) and "Ethernet_II (DIX)."

NOTE: The difference between IEEE 802.3 packets and Ethernet II packets is the Type or Length field as shown below.


    --------------------------------------------
    | Destination | Source |  Len  | Data Unit |
    --------------------------------------------  IEEE 802.3
    |     6       |   6    |   2   |  46-1500  |    Packet
    |   bytes     | bytes  | bytes |   bytes   |
    --------------------------------------------

    --------------------------------------------
    | Destination | Source | Type  | Data Unit |
    --------------------------------------------  Ethernet II
    |     6       |   6    |   2   |  46-1500  |    Packet
    |   bytes     | bytes  | bytes |   bytes   |
    --------------------------------------------

REFERENCES

Novell NetWare installation and user manuals

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