NetWare Client for DOS and MS Windows User Guide

2-14
Understanding the NetWare Client Software
The ODI LAN Driver
The ODI LAN Driver
Every transmission prepared by the NetWare DOS Requester must pass
through the network board connecting the workstation to the network. The
LAN driver, often referred to as a Multiple Link Interface Driver™
(MLID™), makes the connection between the physical network board and
the logical routines and programs that use it.
A LAN driver is linked both to the specific network board and to the
network protocol.
In 1989, Novell and Apple* jointly developed the Open Data-Link Interface
(ODI) specification to provide seamless network integration at the transport,
network, and data-link levels.
ODI simplified the development of LAN drivers for a wide variety of
network boards and network transport protocol stacks by providing the
following functionality:
• Supports multiple network boards and protocols in a single client workstation
• Supports multiple protocols on a single network board and topology
• Supports multiple frame formats over a single network board and topology
• Provides transport support
This allows a UNIX workstation (using the TCP/IP protocol), for example, to
use a NetWare server to queue and print documents and save data files that are
shareable with IPX client workstations.
The result is easier access to a wide variety of networked resources without
requiring multiple network connections or additional investments in
hardware and software.