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Novell MultiProtocol Router 3.0 for use with NetWare 3.12 or NetWare 4.1 Server Configuration Information for LAN-Dial Service

The NetWare MultiProtocol Router provides TCP/IP connectivity to the global Internet, with the ability for concurrently routing IPX, TCP/IP and AppleTalk protocols across a local area network. This package is fully integrated into the NetWare environment, and can interface your branch office or regional Novell network to the Internet with Lan-Dial service.

Configuration Information and Installation

Installation software is provided on two CD-ROM's and 3.5" diskettes. Software includes a 2 user runtime version of both NetWare 2.12 and NetWare 4.1. The runtime software is recommended for use in a network where the MPR is a separate machine from the Novell Server. If you are going to install the MPR on your Novell Server, you should not use the runtime software since it only supports two users. The two CD-ROM's also include Novell On-line documentation.

Consult the NetWare MultiProtocol Router Installation and Basic Configuration guide for installation instructions specific to your configuration. Another helpful document is the NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0 Release Notes pamphlet.

Loading the software on the server

From the server console type LOAD INSTALL

From the Installation Options menu, select Product Options and press enter. Press the INS key.

Insert the NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0 INSTALL diskette and press ENTER.

From the Installation Options menu, select Install on Local Server Only and press ENTER.

Enter the path to the MultiProtocol Router software when prompted, A:\.

After all the diskettes are loaded, the list of Currently Installed Products is displayed. Verify that "NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0" is on the list.

Press ESC to return to the Installations Options menu. Exit from this screen back to the server console screen. Bring the server down and exit, then restart it by entering RESTART SERVER.

Editing the STARTUP.NCF file

At the server console screen type LOAD INSTALL.

Select SYSTEM OPTIONS, then select EDIT STARTUP.NCF file and add the following lines to the end of the file:

SET MINIMUM PACKET RECEIVE BUFFERS=400

SET MAXIMUM PHYSICAL RECEIVE PACKET SIZE=(value)

Refer to the NetWare MultiProtocol Router Installation section of the Basic Configuration Guide for the correct value for your network. The value used in our tests was 1524.

Press ESC and select YES and press ENTER to save your changes.

Press ESC to get back to the Installation Options menu, select EXIT to get back to the server console screen. Bring the server down, then restart it.

Updating the AUTOEXEC.BAT file

Configuring the NetWare MultiProtocol Router 3.0 software begins by updating the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

From the server console screen enter LOAD INETCFG. Select YES when prompted to "Transfer lan driver, protocol and remote access commands?"

The Internetworking Configuration Program (INETCFG) is where all networking parameters are maintained. After the server is activated, type LOAD INETCFG, there you will be presented with the following menu where each parameter is addressed in detail.

The Boards Option

Boards are selected from a pull down menu by hitting the ESC key. The recommended configuration uses one ethernet card and the PC's internal serial port for use with the modem. The internal serial port should utilize 16550 UART chips (universal asynchronous receiver transmitter) or later. The WHSMAIO driver is used for analog modem communications.

This driver has a speed rating of 19,200 bps. For improved reliability beyone 19,200 bps, Novell recommends using third party "smart" COM port boards, such as the Accelport from Digi International.

Configured Boards

This shows the ethernet card is a 3com 3C509, and the board connected to the modem is a COM port board set to COM3. Both boards are enabled.

The Network Interfaces Option

There is no configuration option for the ethernet card here. The board named EXTMODEM, which is what we have named our COM port board interface to the external modem, is where you set things such as:

Overview of Timeouts & Retries

Overview of Negotiation Options

It is very important that you set your MRU Optimal Size to 1524 bytes. If you do not use this value, the hub that you dial into will not accept any connections running at speeds higher than 2400 bps.

Overview of Physical Options

Now, let's look at the WAN Call Directory from the Internetworking Configuration.

PPP Call Destination Name

Overview of TCP/IP Protocol Information

The Static Routing Table

Settings for the Default Route

The Static Route Configuration

The Bindings Option

Overview of TCP/IP EXTMODEM Settings

Overview of Expert TCP/IP Bind Options

The Manage Configuration Option

Overview of Configure Remote Access To This Server

The MPR can be configured to allow for remote configuration and remote access. The above settings show Telnet and FTP are enabled. FTP user names and passwords come from the Novell bindery.

Overview of the AUTOEXEC.NCF File

Here you can edit your AUTOEXEC.NCF file. Note that the load and bind commands for the ethernet card have been commented out. When INETCFG is loaded, it transfers these to the INITSYS.NCF file. AIOCOMX is also loaded from this file:

load iocomx port=03E8 int=4 maxrate=38400

Here we see the address, interrupt and baud rate settings. AIOCOMX can be "overdriven" by using the maxrate switch.

The View Configuration Option

These options give detailed board and protocol information. The Console Messages option is helpful in troubleshooting as it lists all the Console Messages since the server was booted.

Other useful utilities that can be loaded from the console or from the AUTOEXEC.NCF file include:

Load TCPCON

Provides statistics on number of packets sent and received.

Load Ping

Allows you to ping IP addresses and host names.

Load PPPTRACE

Allows monitoring and capture of packets sent and received.