The PPP Internetworking Packet Exchange Control Protocol (IPXCP)
RFC 1552

• Status
• IESG evaluation record
• IESG writeups
• Email expansions
• History

• Versions
• 04

Network Working Group                                         W. Simpson
Request for Comments: 1552                                    Daydreamer
Category: Standards Track                                  December 1993

     The PPP Internetwork Packet Exchange Control Protocol (IPXCP)

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) [1] provides a method for
   transmitting multi-protocol datagrams over point-to-point links.  PPP
   defines an extensible Link Control Protocol, and proposes a family of
   Network Control Protocols for establishing and configuring different
   network-layer protocols.

   The IPX protocol was originally used in Novell's NetWare products
   [3], and is now supported by numerous other vendors.  This document
   defines the Network Control Protocol for establishing and configuring
   the IPX protocol over PPP.

   This memo is the product of the Point-to-Point Protocol Working Group
   of the IETF.  Comments should be submitted to the ietf-
   ppp@ucdavis.edu mailing list.

Simpson                                                         [Page 1]
RFC 1552                       PPP IPXCP                   December 1993

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction ...................................................2
   1.1 Specification of Requirements ..................................3
   1.2 Terminology ....................................................3
   2.  A PPP Network Control Protocol for IPX .........................4
   2.1 Sending IPX Datagrams ..........................................5
   2.2 IPX-WAN protocol ...............................................5
   2.3 Desired Parameters .............................................5
   2.4 Co-existence with IPX-WAN ......................................6
   3.  IPXCP Configuration Options ....................................6
   3.1 IPX-Network-Number .............................................7
   3.2 IPX-Node-Number ................................................8
   3.3 IPX-Compression-Protocol .......................................9
   3.4 IPX-Routing-Protocol ...........................................11
   3.5 IPX-Router-Name ................................................12
   3.6 IPX-Configuration-Complete .....................................13
   APPENDIX A. Link Delay and Throughput ..............................14
   SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS ............................................14
   REFERENCES .........................................................15
   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................15
   CHAIR'S ADDRESS ....................................................15
   AUTHOR'S ADDRESS ...................................................16

1. Introduction

   PPP has three main components:

      1. A method for encapsulating multi-protocol datagrams.

      2. A Link Control Protocol (LCP) for establishing, configuring,
         and testing the data-link connection.

      3. A family of Network Control Protocols for establishing and
         configuring different network-layer protocols.

   In order to establish communications over a point-to-point link, each
   end of the PPP link must first send LCP packets to configure and test
   the data link.  After the link has been established and optional
   facilities have been negotiated as needed by the LCP, PPP must send
   IPXCP packets to choose and configure the IPX network-layer protocol.
   Once IPXCP has reached the Opened state, IPX datagrams can be sent
   over the link.

   The link will remain configured for communications until explicit LCP
   or IPXCP packets close the link down, or until some external event
   occurs (an inactivity timer expires or network administrator
   intervention).

Simpson                                                         [Page 2]
RFC 1552                       PPP IPXCP                   December 1993

1.1 Specification of Requirements

   In this document, several words are used to signify the requirements
   of the specification.  These words are often capitalized.

    MUST

      This word, or the adjective "required", means that the definition
      is an absolute requirement of the specification.

    MUST NOT

      This phrase means that the definition is an absolute prohibition
      of the specification.

    SHOULD

      This word, or the adjective "recommended", means that there may
      exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore this
      item, but the full implications should be understood and carefully
      weighed before choosing a different course.