Ethernet configuration

The setup that allows communication using an Ethernet environment.

In an Ethernet environment, stations communicate with each other by sending data in frames along an Ethernet cabling system.

Different Ethernet standards use different frame formats. NetWare 4 uses the IEEE 802.2 standard by default. The following figure illustrates the Ethernet 802.2 frame:

Figure 23
Ethernet 802.2 Frame

To configure stations for Ethernet standards other than 802.2, use a frame statement . For servers and routers, add the frame statement to the LOAD command. For workstations, add the frame statement to the NET.CFG file.

In addition to 802.2, you can use one of the following frame types:

Ethernet 802.3 is used as the default in NetWare 3.11 and earlier versions. This frame type is also referred to as the raw frame. Don't use this frame on a network that uses protocols other than IPX.

The following figure illustrates the Ethernet 802.3 raw frame:

Figure 24
Ethernet 802.3 Raw Frame

Ethernet II is used on networks that communicate with DEC* minicomputers, and on computers that use TCP/IP. The following figure illustrates the Ethernet II frame:

Figure 25
Ethernet II Frame

Ethernet SNAP is the IEEE standard 802.2 frame type with an extension (SNAP) added to the header. Used on networks that communicate with workstations using protocols such as AppleTalk Phase II. The following figure illustrates the Ethernet SNAP frame:

Figure 26
Ethernet SNAP Frame

NOTE: On Ethernet 802.2, Ethernet II, and Ethernet SNAP cabling systems, stations using different protocol numbers can coexist, but they cannot communicate directly with each other. The 802.3 raw frames are able to communicate with other frames using an internal IPX router in the server.

Using Novell ODITM technology, NetWare 4 allows stations with different Ethernet frame types to coexist on the same Ethernet cabling system, as in the following figure:

Figure 27
Coexisting Frame Types

Because of the ODI Multiple Link Interface DriverTM (MLID) and Link Support LayerTM (LSL), a single workstation with one network board can communicate with other devices using different types of Ethernet frames.

Even though there may be only one physical network board in the computer, the MLIDTM gives the effect of having multiple network boards and multiple LAN drivers.

Unlike traditional dedicated LAN drivers, the MLID is responsible for removing the media-specific (frame-specific) information from the data packets it receives.

The packets are then passed on to the LSLTM, which functions much like a switchboard operator, sending the packet to the assigned protocol stack (such as IPX).

The following figure illustrates the ODI architecture in a multiple Ethernet frame configuration using IPX protocol.

Figure 28
ODI Architecture Using Multiple Ethernet Frames