RFC 2106 (rfc2106) - Page 1 of 19

Data Link Switching Remote Access Protocol

Network Working Group                                          S. Chiang
Request for Comments: 2106                                        J. Lee
Category: Informational                              Cisco Systems, Inc.
                                                               H. Yasuda
                                               Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
                                                           February 1997


               Data Link Switching Remote Access Protocol

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  This memo
   does not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of
   this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   This memo describes the Data Link Switching Remote Access Protocol
   that is used between workstations and routers to transport SNA/
   NetBIOS traffic over TCP sessions. Any questions or comments should
   be sent to .

1.  Introduction

   Since the Data Link Switching Protocol, RFC 1795, was published, some
   software vendors have begun implementing DLSw on workstations. The
   implementation of DLSw on a large number of workstations raises
   several important issues that must be addressed. Scalability is the
   major concern. For example, the number of TCP sessions to the DLSw
   router increases in direct proportion to the number of workstations
   added. Another concern is efficiency. Since DLSw is a switch-to-
   switch protocol, it is not efficient when implemented on
   workstations.

   DRAP addresses the above issues. It introduces a hierarchical
   structure to resolve the scalability problems. All workstations are
   clients to the router (server) rather than peers to the router. This
   creates a client/server model. It also provides a more efficient
   protocol between the workstation (client) and the router (server).











Chiang, et. al.              Informational