Netware protocols and the OSI model

The protocols used by NetWare do not all correspond exactly to the OSI model definitions.

NetWare uses a variety of protocols; some were developed specifically for NetWare, while others are used throughout the networking industry. The protocols required for communications between NetWare workstations and file servers are as follows:

• Medium-Access Protocols (MAC) provide bit-level (0,1) error checking.

• IPX provides a connectionless transport.

• SPXII provides a guaranteed delivery, session-oriented transport.

• Routing Information Protocol (RIP) maintains routing information and provides routing services to IPX.

• Service Advertising Protocol (SAP) provides dynamic service advertising on the network.

• NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) defines connection control and service request encoding for client/server interaction.