User Manual

IPX Routing Overview
358 Enterasys X-Pedition User Reference Manual
RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
IPX routers use RIP to create and dynamically maintain a database of internetwork routing
information. RIP allows a router to exchange routing information with a neighboring router. As a
router becomes aware of any change in the internetwork layout, this information is immediately
broadcast to any neighboring routers. Routers also send periodic RIP broadcast packets containing
all routing information known to the router.
Note: The XP supports a maximum of 120 RIP interfaces.
The XP uses IPX RIP to create and maintain a database of internetwork routing information. The
XP's implementation of RIP allows the following exchanges of information:
• Workstations locate the fastest route to a network number by broadcasting a route request.
• Routers request routing information from other routers to update their own internal tables by
broadcasting a route request.
• Routers respond to route requests from workstations and other routers.
• Routers perform periodic broadcasts to make sure that all other routers are aware of the
internetwork configuration.
• Routers perform broadcasting whenever they detect a change in the internetwork
configurations.
XP's RIP implementation follows the guidelines given in Novell's IPX RIP and SAP Router
Specification Version 1.30 document.
SAP (Service Advertising Protocol)
SAP provides routers with a means of exchanging internetwork service information. Through SAP,
servers advertise their services and addresses. Routers gather this information and share it with
other routers. This allows routers to create and dynamically maintain a database of internetwork
service information. SAP allows a router to exchange information with a neighboring SAP agent.
As a router becomes aware of any change in the internetwork server layout, this information is
immediately broadcast to any neighboring SAP agents. SAP broadcast packets containing all server
information known to the router are also sent periodically.
The XP uses IPX SAP to create and maintain a database of internetwork service information. The
XP’s implementation of SAP allows the following exchanges of information:
• Workstations locate the name and address of the nearest server of certain type
• Routers request the names and addresses of either all or certain type of servers
• Servers respond to the workstation’s or router’s request
• Routers make periodic broadcasts to make sure all other routers are aware of the internetwork
configuration
• Routers perform broadcasting whenever they detect a change in the internetwork configurations