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VINES Protocol Definition

Chapter 1 - Overview of VINES Protocols

Introduction

Table 1-1. VINES Protocols and OSI Layers

Table 1-2. VINES Protocols

Data link layer protocols
Network layer protocols
Transport layer protocols
Session and presentation layer protocols
Application layer
Interfaces to other protocol families
Protocol format
Direction of transmission

Data Link Layer Protocols

Fragmentation Protocol (FRP)
Echo Protocol

LAN Protocols

Token-Ring

Logical Link Control (LLC)
Medium Access Control (MAC)

Ethernet

NDIS

WAN Point-to-Point Telecommunication Protocols

LAPB

X.25 Level 3

Block Asynchronous

LAPD

ISDN BRI

Fragmentation Protocol

Echo Protocol

Network Layer Protocols

VINES Internet Protocol (IP) - Moves packets through the network. Together with RTP, VINES IP is responsible for making routing decisions, which involve determining the appropriate routes packets should take to reach their destinations. A route is an interconnected pattern of data links and nodes that connects two nodes in a network.

VINES Routing Update Protocol (RTP) - Distributes network topology information. Responsible for resolving internet addresses and LAN addresses.

VINES Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) - Assigns unique internet addresses to nodes without addresses.

VINES Internet Control Protocol (ICP) - Provides three support functions: indications of network layer exceptions (such as unknown or mismatched addresses), special routing-cost information, and network layer echoing.

Transport Layer Protocols

Unreliable Datagram - Supports the transmission and reception of unreliable datagrams. An unreliable datagram is a single packet sent out on the network and routed on a best-effort basis to one or more destination nodes. An unreliable datagram is not acknowledged by the network layer or the transport layer when it arrives at its destination. The packet can occasionally be duplicated, lost, or delivered out of sequence.

Reliable Message - Supports the transmission and reception of reliable messages. A reliable message is a small block of up to four VINES internet packets that is transferred from a process on a source node to a process on a destination node. When a reliable message arrives at its destination node, it is atomic, unique, acknowledged, and in sequence with other messages.

Data Stream - Supports a data stream, which is a controlled flow of data between two processes. Unlike reliable message exchange, a data stream supports the transfer of messages of unlimited size.

VINES Interprocess Communications Protocol (IPC) - Provides unreliable datagram service and reliable message service.

VINES Sequenced Packet Protocol (SPP) - Provides data stream service.

Session and Presentation Layer Protocols

NetRPC Protocol

SMB Protocol

Application Layer

StreetTalk Service - Provides distributed naming of users, services, and lists of users and services to the network.
Security Service - Authenticates user login and access to network services.
Server Service - Manages other services on servers and provides time synchronization to the network.
File Service - Provides an integrated DOS, OS/2, and AppleShare file system to users.
Print Service - Allows DOS, OS/2, and Macintosh users to share network printers.
AppleTalk Filing Protocol (AFP) Service - Allows Macintosh users to access files and other resources on servers.

Services and Clients

Support for Multiple Protocol Families

Application Development Environment

Interfaces to Other Protocol Families

TCP/IP - Servers equipped with the appropriate server-to-server option can tunnel VINES traffic to other VINES networks through TCP/IP networks. Servers equipped with the TCP/IP Routing option can act as IP routers.

When also equipped with the appropriate Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) options, servers can act as SMTP mail gateways and SNMP agents. SMTP mail gateways allow VINES users to exchange messages with users of SMTP mail systems. SNMP agents can be managed according to the SNMP standard.

Workstations can be equipped with PC/TCP from FTP Software Inc., which provides RLOGIN, FTP, TELNET, and other TCP/IP application support.

AppleTalk - Servers can provide AppleShare file services, print services, and mail services to Macintosh workstations, and can act as AppleTalk routers. Servers can tunnel AppleTalk traffic through VINES networks.
IPX/SPX - ENS servers and VINES servers equipped with the ENS for NetWare option can run IPX/SPX protocols in order to provide services to NetWare networks. Servers can tunnel NetWare traffic through VINES networks and can tunnel VINES traffic through NetWare networks.
SNA - ENS for UNIX servers support the VINES communications gateway for SNA, which provides 3270 emulation support to DOS and Windows workstations. VINES servers support a native 3270/SNA service which also provides 3270 terminal emulation support.

VINES servers support the SNA Server-to-Server option, which allows VINES networks to communicate through an intermediate SNA network.

Protocol Format

Figure 1-1. Sample Frame

Direction of Transmission

Figure 1-2. Direction of Transmission

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