Interoperability Using NBF

NetBIOS Frame (NBF) provides compatibility with computers running on the previous versions of operating systems, such as Microsoft LAN Manager, MS-Net, and IBM LAN Server. NBF can be used to connect LAN workstation and server computers, and to connect remote and dial-up clients, including portable computers, to computers running Windows 2000 Server.

NBF can be used with programs that implement a variety of services based on the following application programming interfaces (APIs):

• NetBIOS
• Named Pipes
• Mailslot
• Network dynamic data exchange (DDE)
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC) over NetBIOS
• RPC over Named Pipes

NBF is most efficient when used for computers connecting to small or medium-sized, single-location networks. NBF is not a routable protocol like Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), although NBF does support Token Ring routing — available only on IBM Token Ring networks. Additionally, NBF uses a single part naming scheme that does not support network segmentation used in most large networks.

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