Both IP routers and end nodes can use the ICMP Router Discovery Protocol. Routers use it to advertise themselves as an IP router and to answer queries from end nodes. End nodes use it to locate an IP router on their network. Your system acts as a router when Packet Forwarding is enabled for IP, and acts as an end node when Packet Forwarding is disabled for IP.

NOTE: For an end node to locate an IP router by this method, it must also support the ICMP Router Discovery Protocol.

How to Configure Router Discovery

To configure router discovery on an interface, complete the following steps:

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

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing > Bindings > an existing binding > Expert TCP/IP Bind Options > Router Discovery Options

2. Select the Status field, then select Enabled.

3. Select Destination Address.

   This is the method by which the IP router or end node sends router discovery packets. Select one of the following options:

   • Broadcast---Sends the packets to all nodes on the network.
   • Router Discovery Multicast---Sends the packets to an IP multicast address used specifically for router discovery exchanges. The packets are received only by nodes that understand this multicast address.

4. Press Esc until you are prompted to save your changes, then select Yes.

5. Press Esc to return to the Internetworking Configuration menu.

6. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, select Reinitialize System and select Yes to activate your changes.