IPX interface configuration Introduction _L_i_n_u_x supports network connectivity to _N_o_v_e_l_l networks using native novell protocol. The basic transport protocol used by novell is IPX. This screen is the minimum step to prepare your computer for IPX/nov- ell connectivity. 11.. IIPPXX iinntteerrffaacceess An IPX interface is like a virtual device. You must enable it or not. An IPX interface is defined by these elements: +o An Ethernet device. +o A frame type (type of packet sent on the wire). +o A network number. Further, an IPX interface may be qualified as the primary IPX interface. A _L_i_n_u_x computer may have several IPX interfaces and even several IPX interfaces sharing the same Ethernet device, only one IPX interface may be the primary interface. The dialog enforce this fact. 22.. AAuuttooccoonnffiigguurriinngg tthhee iinntteerrffaacceess On an active network, it is possible for _L_i_n_u_x to probe some packets and learn the type of interface needed. There is some functionnality in the _L_i_n_u_x kernel to auto-configure the interface frame types and also to assign the primary interface. When using _L_i_n_u_x as a client workstation on an IPX network (the default case), auto-configuring is a safe bet. 33.. DDeessccrriippttiioonn ooff tthhee ddiiaalloogg The IPX configuration is done with a huge dialog letting select at once all the interfaces needed on your network. 33..11.. AAccttiivvaattiinngg IIPPXX nneettwwoorrkkiinngg An check box lets you turn on IPX networking. This check box lets you do this without loosing the configuration you have previously entered. If you activate the IPX networking, _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f will search for the IPX network support in the kernel. If not available, it will try to load the IPX kernel module. 33..22.. AAuuttoo--ccoonnffiigguurree sseeccttiioonn Most _L_i_n_u_x workstation will need to checked the Autoconfigure primary and Autoconfigure interfaces frame types radio buttons. 33..33.. MMaannuuaall ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonn The dialog offers you for each Ethernet adaptor several sections allowing you to configure each possible IPX interface based on the available packet types. Each sub-section has a check box letting you activate of not this interface. A radio button let you select if this interface is the primary one. "Checking" this radio button deselect all related radio button including the autoconfigure primary one. A field also lets you enter the network address which is an hexadecimal number. A value of 0 mean to autoconfigure it based on packets seen on the wire. 44.. RReellaatteedd iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn This dialog is a exhaustive frontend for two programs, ipx_configure and ipx_interface.