User Guide

20 Internetwork Packet Exchange
Internetwork Packet Exchange
103-000176-001
August 29, 2001
Novell Confidential
Manual 99a38 July 17, 2001
Socket Number
The socket number is the 2-byte hexadecimal number that identifies the
ultimate destination of an IPX packet within the node. This destination is
actually a process —such as routing (RIP) or advertising (SAP)—that
operates within the node. Because several processes are typically operating at
any given time, socket numbers provide a type of mail slot by which each
process can identify itself to IPX.
A process that must communicate on the network requests that a socket
number be assigned to it. Any packets that IPX receives that are addressed to
that socket are passed to the process. Socket numbers provide a quick method
of routing packets within a node.
Table 2 lists some socket numbers and processes used in the NetWare
environment.
Table 2 NetWare Socket Numbers and Processes
Socket numbers between 0x4000 and 0x7FFF are dynamic sockets; these are
used by workstations to communicate with file servers and other network
devices. Socket numbers between 0x8000 and 0xFFFF are well-known
sockets; these are assigned by Novell to specific processes. For example,
0x9001 is the socket number that identifies NLSP. Software developers
writing NetWare applications can contact Novell to reserve well-known
sockets.
Socket Number Process
0x451 NCP
0x452 SAP
0x453 RIP
0x455 Novell NetBIOS
0x456 Diagnostics
0x9001 NLSP
0x9004
IPXWAN
TM
protocol
(For information about IPXWAN, refer to “IPX
Operation over WAN Links” on page 24.)