Demultiplexing an IPX Packet

When an IPX packet arrives at its destination and is handed to the IPX protocol, the application data must be demultiplexed, or forwarded to the proper process.

The demultiplexing of the IPX packet within the destination host is done in two stages. First, the IPX module checks the Destination Network and Node numbers to ensure that they correspond to a locally configured IPX interface. Second, the IPX module checks the Destination Socket number and based on its value, passes the IPX payload (the resulting packet minus the IPX header) to the appropriate process.

Figure 5.3 illustrates the IPX demultiplexing process.

Enlarge figure

Figure 5.3 Demultiplexing an IPX Packet

For example, a NetWare client sends a file sharing request to a NetWare server. Upon arrival at the NetWare server's IPX module, the destination Network and Node numbers are checked to verify that it corresponds to a local IPX interface. The IPX module then notes the Destination Socket field value of 0x451 and passes the IPX payload to the NetWare file server process.

© 1985-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.