NWLink IPX/SPX format

Before setting up Adaptive Server network support, configure the NWLink IPX/SPX software according to the instructions for your NT operating system. Specify the correct network number (usually 0) and frame type during the configuration.

The frame type is generally mandated by the frame type of a NetWare file server on the network, usually 802.3. If your network does not use a NetWare file server, make sure all client and server computers use the same frame type.

Available NWLink IPX/SPX connection formats

Table 4-1 describes the available connection formats for NWLink IPX/SPX MASTER and QUERY entries.

**Table 4-1: Connection information formats for IPX/SPX**
Format	Connection information syntax	Example
1	net_number,node_number,socket_number	00000000,02608CDA1997,83BD
2	cotmputer_name,socket_number	piano,83BD
3	computer_name	piano

Keep the following items in mind when working with these formats:

Any of the three formats is acceptable for the MASTER entry.
Only Format 1 and Format 3 are acceptable for QUERY entries.
Some formats are not acceptable for accessing a local Adaptive Server.

For more information, see “Selecting valid connection formats”.

In Table 4-1, net_number is the network number that you specified during the NWLink IPX/SPX configuration.

To find the network number, open the Windows NT Control Panel and open Network. The current network number is the decimal number in the NWLink Transport entry.

To determine the node_number, enter the net config command at the Windows NT command prompt. For example:

net config workstation

Computer name              \\PIANO
User name                  user1
Workstation active on      NBT_Elnk31 (00A0242EA892)
Software version           Windows NT 4.0
Workstation domain         AMERICAS
Logon domain               AMERICAS
COM Open Timeout (sec)     3600
COM Send Count (byte)      16
COM Send Timeout (msec)    250
  
The command completed successfully.

In the preceding example:

The node_number, which is a 4-byte, hexadecimal number in the connection information string, appears in parentheses; “00A0242E”.
The socket_number, which can be any unused socket number on the computer, in 2-byte, hexadecimal format, appears with the node_number; “A892”.
The computer_name can be any unique name on the network. Use the local computer’s name to ensure uniqueness.

Selecting valid connection formats

The NWLink IPX/SPX connection formats you use depend on whether you want to access Adaptive Server on a local computer or on a remote, network computer.

When both Adaptive Server and the client program reside on the same computer, a local connection, use a Named Pipes connection.
If you must use NWLink IPX/SPX for a local connection, follow these guidelines:
- Use either Format 1 or Format 2 for the MASTER entry.
- Use only Format 1 for the QUERY entry.
If Adaptive Server and its clients reside on separate computers, a remote connection, you have two options:
- Use Format 3 for both the MASTER and QUERY entries.
- Use either Format 1 or Format 2 for the MASTER entry, but use Format 1 for the QUERY entry.