User manual

LAN-to-LAN Routing 7-

Static Routes

Static routes are user-defined. By adding entries to the Routes

Table, you tell the NETServer how to forward packets bound for

specific networks.

Dynamic Routes

Fortunately, most networks do not require you to build routing

tables by hand. All IP, IPX, and AppleTalk networks can use a

dynamic routing protocol that builds routing tables dynamically

to reflect changing network conditions. Dynamic routing

protocols supported by NETServer include:

• IP RIPv1

• IP RIPv2

• IPX RIP

• AppleTalk RTMP

Although these are different protocols, they accomplish the

same thing in roughly the same manner. The NETServer

handles all dynamic routing protocols identically.

For example, network devices running RIP (either version)

broadcast the destination addresses to which they can forward

packets. Routing tables are built by listening to the broadcasts

of other devices.

If the NETServer does not periodically hear a broadcast for a

given (dynamic) route, the route will be assumed unavailable

and deleted from the table. Static routes remain in the table

until removed by the administrator.

If you have defined a static route to a given location, the

NETServer assumes you want that route used and ignores

dynamic routing broadcasts pointing to the same location.