AppleTalk supports the following WAN connections:

• Permanent and on-demand unnumbered point-to-point links
• Permanent numbered point-to-point links
• Permanent multiaccess links

We recommend selecting unnumbered point-to-point WAN connections. Multiaccess and numbered point-to-point links are offered mainly to allow interoperability with other router vendors that do not offer unnumbered point-to-point mode.

To configure AppleTalk to run over a WAN connection, you must complete the following tasks:

1. Configure the WAN interface you are using for your connection.

   For information about setting up PPP and PPP/ISDN interfaces, refer to Chapter 3, "Configuring Permanent PPP Connections,” and Chapter 4, "Configuring On-Demand PPP Connections.” For information about configuring WAN protocols, refer to Chapter 17, "Configuring NetWare Link/ATM,”; Chapter 18, "Configuring Frame Relay Network Access,”; and Chapter 19, "Configuring NetWare Link/X.25.”

2. Configure the WAN call destination for your WAN connection.

   For information about setting up permanent WAN call destinations, refer to Chapter 3, "Configuring Permanent PPP Connections.”

   For information about setting up on-demand WAN call destinations, refer to Chapter 4, "Configuring On-Demand PPP Connections.”

3. Configure the basic AppleTalk options, such as Type of Packet Forwarding, Filtering Support, and Internal Network, if necessary.

   For information about these AppleTalk options, refer to "Configuring Basic AppleTalk Parameters.”

4. Configure the following AppleTalk options, if necessary:
   1. Static Routes for On-Demand Calls, if you are setting up AppleTalk over an on-demand WAN connection.
   2. Expert Configuration Options, if your configuration involves a WAN connection (frame relay, X.25, ATM, or other WAN media) over which AppleTalk for NetWare interoperates with another vendor's AppleTalk implementation.
5. Bind AppleTalk to a WAN interface, including the following options:
   1. WAN Network Mode, to establish whether this is a numbered point-to-point, unnumbered point-to-point, or multiaccess interface. Numbered point-to-point and multiaccess modes are offered mainly to allow interoperability with other vendors that do not offer unnumbered point-to-point mode.
   2. AppleTalk Network Type, which is required for numbered point-to-point and multiaccess interfaces. Select NonExtended or Extended, depending on the other vendor's implementation of AppleTalk over that WAN media.
   3. Network Range/Number, to specify the network range for extended networks or a single network number for nonextended networks. This parameter is used for numbered point-to-point and multiaccess configuration.
   4. Local AppleTalk Address and Zone List, to identify this WAN interface. Each numbered point-to-point or multiaccess link must have a unique address. This parameter is active only if you selected numbered point-to-point or multiaccess as the WAN Network Mode.
   5. WAN Call Destinations, which can be any one of three types: permanent automatic, permanent manual, or on-demand. If the link is permanent automatic, the list includes WAN call destinations that should make the call automatically when the router comes up and/or the remote node address of the WAN call destination peer. For on-demand calls, the list includes WAN call destinations and static routes for the WAN call destinations for unnumbered point-to-point interfaces.
   6. Negotiation, to negotiate the RTMP updates interval for this interface. If set to Yes, this interface will negotiate all incoming calls using the Routing Update Timer value specified in the next field. Any manual calls that are not configured in this interface's peer list, but are executed through the Call Manager utility (CALLMGR), will use the setting of the Negotiation and Routing Update Timer fields as defined here.

      If this is a link to a remote Novell Internet Access Server 4.1 peer, set the Negotiation value to Yes. In most cases, third-party vendors might not understand our negotiation packet; therefore, setting the Negotiation value to No and specifying a value for the Routing Update Timer will force this interface to transmit RTMP packets within the specified time without going through the negotiation process.

   7. Routing Update Timer, to specify the number of seconds between updates of the routing table. The called and calling routers should be configured to use the same value. If they have different values, the shorter time is used. Note that using a long time value results in a prolonged route convergence time.

Configuring AppleTalk for a Permanent Connection

A permanent call is always active between the local router and the remote peer router associated with a WAN call destination. The call remains active until AppleTalk is unbound from the board, or until the call is disconnected using CALLMGR from the calling router. If the disconnect is initiated from the called router, the calling router will try to reestablish the call if the call's Retry Mode parameter is set to Retry All Failures. For a detailed discussion of the options for the Retry Mode parameter in the WAN Call Destination configuration menu, refer to the previous WAN Call Destination chapter. If the connection fails at the initial call attempt, the calling router immediately tries to establish the call again.

To configure AppleTalk for a permanent WAN connection, complete the following steps:

1. Load NIASCFG, then select the following parameter path:

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing

2. Configure the basic AppleTalk options.

   For information about the basic AppleTalk configuration options, refer to "Configuring Basic AppleTalk Parameters.”

3. Bind AppleTalk to a WAN interface or a group interface.

   For information about binding AppleTalk for a permanent WAN connection, refer to "Binding AppleTalk to a WAN Interface.”

   If you want to configure other parameters, do so now. When you are finished, complete Step 4 and Step 5.

4. If you want to save these changes, press Esc to exit AppleTalk, select Yes to save your changes, then press Esc again to return to the Internetworking Configuration menu.

5. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, select Reinitialize System from the Internetworking Configuration menu. Select Yes when prompted.

Configuring AppleTalk for an On-Demand Connection

An on-demand call is a WAN connection between two routers that becomes active only when one router must send data to the other. On-demand calls are well-suited for occasional use, to save money on connections that use expensive telecommunications carriers and for slow links over which it is undesirable to exchange routing traffic.

If you want to use an on-demand call instead of a permanent call, you must complete the following tasks:

• Enable Static Routes for On-Demand Calls in the AppleTalk Protocol Configuration menu.

• Select a WAN call destination of call type on-demand.

• Configure at least one static route for the on-demand WAN connection.

  AppleTalk does not send routing traffic across an on-demand call. Instead, you must configure static routes to run an on-demand WAN connection. Static routes inform AppleTalk which networks are reachable and how to forward packets to those destinations.

  When AppleTalk receives a packet for a destination specified as a static route, it initiates the on-demand call and forwards the packet. For on-demand calls to work successfully, both ends of the link for a configured call must configure a call to each other. Each call must be configured with enough static route information to send and receive AppleTalk packets between the routers at both ends.

On-demand connections are supported only on the unnumbered point-to-point WAN network mode. To select and configure the WAN network mode, refer to "Configuring the WAN Network Mode.”

NOTE: You cannot configure on-demand connections for frame relay.

To configure AppleTalk for an on-demand WAN connection, complete the following steps:

1. Load NIASCFG, then select the following parameter path:

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing

2. Configure the basic AppleTalk options.

   For information about the basic AppleTalk configuration options, refer to "Configuring Basic AppleTalk Parameters.”

3. Enable Static Routes for On Demand Calls.

   This selection activates static routes for AppleTalk. It lets you configure static routes for each WAN call destination in the binding menu.

4. Press Esc to exit the AppleTalk Protocol menu. Save your changes when prompted.

5. Select WAN Call Directory.

6. Press Ins. Enter a Call Destination Name.

7. In the Call Type field in the WAN Call Destination configuration menu, select On-Demand.

   NOTE: When configuring an on-demand call or a permanent call that can be initiated by either end of the connection, enable inbound authentication on the network interface as described in the chapter that explains how to configure the WAN protocol you are using. This allows AppleTalk to identify the remote system making the inbound call and to associate that call with the outbound WAN call destination.

   Depending on the type of WAN connection, consult one of the following chapters for more information about WAN call destination configuration:

   • For more information about PPP or PPP/ISDN, refer to either Chapter 3, "Configuring Permanent PPP Connections,” or Chapter 4, "Configuring On-Demand PPP Connections.”
   • For more information about ATM, refer to Chapter 17, "Configuring NetWare Link/ATM.”
   • For more information about X.25, refer to Chapter 19, "Configuring NetWare Link/X.25.”

8. Bind AppleTalk to a WAN interface or an Interface Group.

   For information about binding AppleTalk for an on-demand WAN connection and configuring static routes, refer to "Binding AppleTalk to a WAN Interface.”

   If you want to configure other parameters, do so now. When you are finished, complete Step 9 and Step 10.

9. If you want to save these changes, press Esc to exit the WAN Call Directory menu, select Yes to save your changes, then press Esc again to return to the Internetworking Configuration menu.

10. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, select Reinitialize System from the Internetworking Configuration menu. Select Yes when prompted.

Configuring the WAN Network Mode

The WAN network mode governs how AppleTalk operates over a WAN connection. Depending on which WAN medium you use---ATM, frame relay, X.25, PPP, or PPP/ISDN---and how you want to use the connection, you can use any of the following network modes:

• Unnumbered point-to-point

  We recommend this mode, unless you are connecting to a third-party router that does not support it. This mode does not require an AppleTalk network address for the interface. You can use unnumbered point-to-point mode with any WAN medium that supports single or multiple connections to remote peer routers.

• Numbered point-to-point

  Numbered point-to-point is used with PPP and PPP/ISDN when you are connecting to other vendors that do not support unnumbered point-to-point. Numbered point-to-point supports a single permanent connection to a remote system, such as a link between a local branch office and the main office.

• Multiaccess

  Multiaccess is used with ATM, frame relay, and X.25 when you are connecting to other vendors that do not support unnumbered point-to-point. Multiaccess supports multiple simultaneous connections to remote peer routers.

Table 12-1 indicates the supported mode for each network medium. Use this table as a guide when you are choosing a network mode for your WAN connections.

		WAN Network Mode
WAN Medium	WAN Call Type	Unnumbered Point-to-Point	Numbered Point-to-Point	Multiaccess
ATM	Permanent	X		X
	On-Demand	X
PPP	Permanent	X	X
	On-Demand	X
PPP/ISDN	Permanent	X	X
	On-Demand	X
X.25	Permanent	X		X
	On-Demand	X
Frame relay	Permanent	X		X

Table 12-2 lists the vendors and WAN media with which AppleTalk WAN connections can interoperate.

WAN Medium	WAN Network Mode	AppleTalk Network Type	Vendor Interoperability
PPP	Unnumbered point-to-point	Nonextended #	3Com, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.1, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0
	Numbered point-to-point	Nonextended	Bay Networks, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.1, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0
		Extended	Cisco, 3Com
X.25	Unnumbered point-to-point	Nonextended #	3Com, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.1, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0
	Multiaccess	Nonextended	Cisco, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.1, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0
		Extended	Cisco, 3Com
Frame relay	Unnumbered point-to-point	Nonextended #	3Com, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.1, NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0
	Multiaccess	Nonextended	Cisco
		Extended	Cisco, 3Com
# If Unnumbered Point-to-Point WAN Network mode is selected, the nonextended AppleTalk network type is automatically configured.

NOTE: The latest releases of router software from third-party router vendors might have better interoperability than is indicated in Table 12-2.

Binding AppleTalk to a WAN Interface

To configure the WAN network mode and bind AppleTalk to a WAN interface, complete the following steps:

1. Load NIASCFG, then select the following parameter path:

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing

2. Configure the basic AppleTalk options.

   For information about the basic AppleTalk configuration options, refer to "Configuring Basic AppleTalk Parameters.”

3. Select Bindings from the Internetworking Configuration menu, then press Ins.

   The Protocol-to-Interface/Group Bindings menu displays a list of the configured bindings that includes the following information:

   • Protocol---Name of the protocol.
   • Interface/Group---Name of the interface or the interface group to which the protocol is bound.
   • Status---Current status of the binding. The status can be toggled between Enabled and Disabled by pressing Tab.
   • Identifier---Network address, type of network, type of interface, or type of connection associated with the interface to which the protocol is bound.

   If you are changing an existing binding, select that entry, press Enter, then continue with Step 7.

   If you are creating a new binding to a WAN interface, press Ins. A new screen displays a list of the configured protocols, which should include AppleTalk. Continue with Step 4.

4. Select AppleTalk from the list, then press Enter.

   A screen is displayed that asks if you want to bind AppleTalk to a particular network interface or to each interface in a group.

5. Select A Network Interface, then press Enter.

   A new screen displays a list of the configured WAN interfaces.

6. Select a WAN interface from the list, then press Enter.

   A new menu displays parameters for binding AppleTalk to the selected WAN interface.

7. Select WAN Network Mode. Then select the mode for this connection.

   Select Unnumbered Point to Point, unless you must allow interoperability with a system that does not support this mode. You can select Multiaccess only if you are using ATM, frame relay, or X.25.

   Refer to Table 12-1 and Table 12-2 for more information about when each WAN network mode can be used.

   If you select Numbered Point to Point or Multiaccess, configure the AppleTalk Network Type, Network Range/Number, Local AppleTalk Address, and Zone Name parameters for the interface as follows:

   1. Select AppleTalk Network Type and press Enter. Select NonExtended or Extended, depending on the other vendor's implementation of AppleTalk over the WAN media used, then press Enter.

   2. Select Network Range/Number and press Enter. Enter your network number, then press Enter.

      The network range/number must be the same for all peers, and the node number must be unique among peers. Select Yes to save your changes.

   3. Select Local AppleTalk Address and press Enter. Enter the AppleTalk address and node number for this WAN interface, then press Enter.

   4. Select Zone List and press Enter. Press Ins, enter a zone name, then press Enter.

      Repeat this step to enter additional zone names as required.

8. Skip WAN Call Destinations for now, select Negotiation, and press Enter. Select No and press Enter again.

   Setting this value to No, and specifying a value for the Routing Update Timer parameter that follows, forces this interface to transmit RTMP packets within the specified time without going through the negotiation process. Any manual calls that are not configured in this interface's peer list, but executed through CALLMGR will use the setting of the Negotiation and Routing Update Timer fields as defined here.

9. Select Routing Update Timer, enter a value, and press Enter.

   This value specifies the number of seconds between updates of the routing table. The called and calling routers should be configured to use the same value. If they have different values, the shorter time is used. Note that using a long time value results in a prolonged route convergence time. The range of values is 10 through 1,800 seconds. The default value is 10 seconds.

10. Select WAN Call Destinations, then press Enter to specify the WAN call destination that you want this interface to establish.

    NOTE: You do not need to configure WAN call destinations for routers that receive only permanent calls. For on-demand call configuration, each router must have a call configured to the other router with static routes for the packets to go out and return.

    For permanent calls using numbered point-to-point, unnumbered point-to-point, or multiaccess interfaces, press Ins, then configure the following parameters for the WAN destination peer with which you want to establish a connection:

    • WAN Call Type---select Automatic or Manual. Automatic calls are placed automatically when the router is started. Manual calls are placed through CALLMGR.

      NOTE: The Network Number and Node Number are required only for numbered point-to-point interfaces.

    • Network Number---enter the network number of the remote peer for this WAN interface.

      For an extended network, enter a network number within the Start of Network Range and the End of Network Range as specified in the Binding AppleTalk to a WAN Interface menu Step 7b.

      For a nonextended network, enter the same network number as specified in the Binding AppleTalk to a WAN Interface menu.

    • Node Number---enter the node number of the peer.

    • Configure the Negotiation and Routing Update Timer parameters for the WAN call destination, if necessary. We recommend that you leave these values at their default settings.

      Set Negotiation to No when the peer on the other side of the connection is not an AppleTalk for NetWare router.

    • Routing Update Timer---specify the number of seconds between updates of the routing table. The called and calling routers should be configured to use the same value. If they have different values, the shorter time is used. Note that using a long time value results in a prolonged route convergence time.

    For on-demand calls using an unnumbered point-to-point interface, configure the following parameters for the WAN call destination that you want this interface to establish:

    You must first pick an on-demand call destination from the list of configured WAN call destinations. On-demand calls are supported only on unnumbered point-to-point WAN links to a remote peer. For on-demand connections, you must enable static route configuration and configure the appropriate static routes.

    • Press Ins in the Unnumbered Point-to-Point WAN Call Destination screen to select a WAN call destination of call type on-demand, then press Enter.

      The WAN Call Type is automatically set to on-demand when you select an on-demand WAN call destination.

    • Select Static Routes, then press Enter.

      Press Ins to enter a static route. The Static Routes for On-Demand Calls screen is displayed. Configure the following static route parameters:

      AppleTalk Network Type---Press Enter, select Extended or NonExtended depending on the network type of the destination network that you are configuring, then press Enter again.

      Network Range/Number---Press Enter, specify the network range for extended networks or a single network number for nonextended networks, then press Enter again.

      Hops to Network---Press Enter, specify the number of hops between this router and the destination network, then press Enter again.

      Each router the packet goes through is one hop.

      Network Zone(s) List---Press Enter, then press Ins, add a zone, then press Enter again. Repeat this procedure until you have entered all the zones on the destination network.

      To add more static routes, press Ins in the Static Routes for On-Demand Calls screen and repeat the above procedure. When you are finished, complete Step 11 and Step 12.

11. If you want to save these changes, press Esc, select Yes to save your changes, then press Enter.

    You must do this four times to return to the Internetworking Configuration menu.

12. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, select Reinitialize System from the Internetworking Configuration menu. Select Yes when prompted.

Using Interface Groups

An interface group is a grouping of several PPP, PPP/ISDN, or X.25 interfaces with similar characteristics. Interfaces that belong to a group can be used interchangeably by a WAN call. Interface groups are defined during configuration of PPP or X.25 interfaces that belong to the group. To configure WAN interfaces, load NIASCFG and select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing > Network Interfaces.

Defining an interface group lets you make a permanent or an on-demand call on any of several network interfaces without creating an individual WAN call destination for each interface. When an interface group name is specified in place of the interface name in the WAN call destination, an available interface is selected automatically from the group when a call is made.

Interface groups are used for permanent or on-demand connections for X.25, PPP, and PPP/ISDN. You can bind AppleTalk to interfaces that belong to an interface group only for the unnumbered point-to-point network mode.

Backup calls can be configured with interface groups. However, all backup calls that are part of an interface group must be configured as permanent calls using PPP. The primary call associated with each backup call must also be permanent but can use any WAN medium supported by Novell Internet Access Server 4.1. For information about configuring backup calls, refer to Chapter 5, "Configuring Backup Calls.”

IMPORTANT: All AppleTalk bindings to interfaces in the same group must have the same configuration. When you bind AppleTalk to an interface in a group, you must make sure that the settings for that binding are the same as the settings for every other binding to interfaces that belong to that group. The WAN network mode must be set to Unnumbered Point-to-Point.