RFC 1551 (rfc1551) - Page 3 of 22

Novell IPX Over Various WAN Media (IPXWAN)

RFC 1551                         IPXWAN                    December 1993


   naturally aging it out.

1.3 Operation over X.25 Permanent Virtual Circuits

   The nature of X.25 PVC's is that no call request is made.  When the
   router is informed that X.25 Layer 2 is up, the router should assume
   that link establishment is complete.

   Each IPX packet is encapsulated in an X.25 data frame sequence
   without additional framing. Novell IPX assumes a particular X.25
   permanent circuit is devoted to the use of IPX.

   If a router receives a layer 2 error condition (e.g., X.25 Restart),
   it should reflect lost connectivity for the permanent circuits in its
   routing information database and re-perform the necessary steps to
   obtain a full IPX connection.

1.4 Operation over Frame Relay Permanent Virtual Circuits

   To determine when a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) has become active
   or inactive, the router interacts periodically with either a private
   Frame Relay switch or a public Frame Relay network. The method used
   depends on the switch or service provider. Some support [7], section
   6l others support [3], Annex D. Novell supports both methods.

   When a router is restarted, IPXWAN exchanges over active Frame Relay
   PVCs (that is, PVCs that have remained active before and after
   restart) can begin immediately.

   Each IPX packet is encapsulated in a Frame Relay frame sequence as
   defined in [3] without additional framing.

   When a router detects that a Frame Relay PVC has transitioned from an
   inactive to an active state, link establishment is considered
   complete and IPXWAN exchange over this newly activated link begins.

   When an active PVC becomes inactive, the router reflects the lost
   connectivity in its routing information database.

1.5 Operation over other WAN media

   Additional WAN media will be added here as specifications are
   developed.








Allen