NetWare 4.1/9000 Concepts

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NetWare Glossary
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How ODINSUP Works
ODINSUP functions as a default protocol stack. As a default protocol stack,
it accepts packets from the ODI Link Support Layer (LSL) that aren’t
specifically marked with a protocol identifier (PID) for registered ODI
protocol stacks (such as IPX or TCP/IP).
When it receives a packet, ODINSUP provides the packet to the NDIS
Protocol Manager and passes it on to the NDIS protocol stack.
ODINSUP allows the NDIS protocol stack to communicate with a network
board.
The NDIS protocol stack acts as though it is communicating with the
network through an NDIS 2.0 MAC (Media Access Control) driver, and
isn’t aware of the ODINSUP protocol stack.
The details of the packet’s transmission are handled by the Multiple Link
Interface Driver (MLID), which is the ODI driver. This is illustrated in the
following figure.
Figure 1-40 ODINSUP
NDIS TCP/IP AppleTalk
Protocol stacks
A packet is
transmitted from
the network.
Network board
ODINSUP
(default)
The MLID determines
whether the packet has
a protocol identifier (PID).
The LSL sends the
packet to the correct
protocol stack.
LSL
Without PID
With PID
MLID