IPX Datagram Structure

IPX Datagram Structure

The IPX datagram contains an IPX header and any data to be transferred on the network. The IPX header is a 30 byte header that contains 10 fields. Figure 16-1 illustrates a conceptual view of an IPX datagram:

Figure 16-1. IPX Datagram in Detail

See Table 16-1 for a description of the IPX datagram Structure fields:

Table 16-1. IPX Datagram Structure Fields
Field	Definition
Checksum	Provides integrity checking. NOTE: Note: Checksum is normally not enabled in IPX networks and is usually set to 0xFFFF.
Packet Length	Length (in bytes) of the packet.
Transport Control	Number of routers a packet has traversed. This is used to discard a packet if the packet traverses a maximum number of routers (16).
Packet Type	Indicates the type of service required or offered by the packet. Types include: Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX packet) NetWare Core Protocol (NCP packet) NetBIOS (propagated packet)
Destination Network	The IPX network address of the destination network.
Destination Node	The MAC address of the destination node.
Destination Socket	Address of the process running in the destination node. Sockets route packets to different processes within the same node.
Source Network	The network address of the source network.
Source Node	The MAC address of the source node.
Source Socket	Address of the process running in the source node.