Newsgroups: bit.listserv.novell
Date:         Thu, 16 Apr 1992 10:11:40 CST
Reply-To:     Novell LAN Interest Group <NOVELL@SUVM.BITNET>
From:         Jiang-Cherng Jean <jean@OAX2.CCL.ITRI.ORG.TW>
Subject:      SUMMARY: Why don't replace IPX with TCP/IP ?
X-cc:         imhw400@indyvax.iupui.edu

    Few days ago, I post a question "Why don't replace IPX with TCP/IP?".
Here are the replies I received:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:	<imhw400@indyvax.iupui.edu>

    Just to make everybody mad, I'll admit that I'd be more interested in
    being able to replace IPX with ISO CLNS.

    Flames to me, not the list, please!
---------------------
        This isn't a flame, but a little open speculation. What I want from
the NetWare packets are:
        a) run easily on workstations (includes memory consumption and not
           having to generate a detailed shell for individual workstations.
           If we use IP then guess what folks: assigning/maintaining IP
           numbers for each station and figuring out subnetting <impossible>,
           and all those other delightful parts of TCP/IP.)
        b) be routable by NW servers
        c) be routable by cisco/Proteon/Wellfleet routers
        d) permit other programs to use the same Ethernet/TRN/Arcnet/etc board
        e) should work ok on long distance links (the new burst mode) and still
           go fast on broadcast networks (lans). Go fast is the name of the
           game in the lan business.
        f) should preserve the full functionality of NW, more or less as
           we have it. However, I am willing to disguise Name Server lookups
           for all the Service Advertizing Protocol broadcasts. This is a
           technical view about net bandwidth.

        So, one can have IP, IPX, ISO CLNS, whatever, as far as I am concerned
if the conditions above are satisfied. I run them all from time to time. As
Brian said, some folks make frame interiors be a religious issue, whereas it
ought not to be. Comments about "hewing to international standards" can be
placed in the circular file because IPX is such a standard, a de facto one,
as is IP for that matter.
        I too pat Brian and Co. on the back for listening to customer comments
on the IPX vs IP issue and doing things about it. The recent test .NLMs (Bootp,
Rarpserver, etc) are good examples of the company responding.
        Joe D.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:	<conlonmp@snypotvx.bitnet>

JJ--
     One reason is historical.  When Novell developed Netware, TCP/IP
was not used as commonly as it is today, and it was used mostly on long-haul
(wide-area) networks.  Novell developed IPX for local area networks.

     A second reason is for competition.  If they use a standard protocol,
users could buy upgrades and services from other vendors.  The only reason we
are continually fighting with packet drivers, ODI, NDIS, etc. is to get around
the incompatibility vendors build into their products so that we cannot
(easily) upgrade with products from other vendors.

     There is no reason that Novell could not re-write their upper layers
(NETX) to talk to a TCP/IP transport layer and internet layer.  I think that
users should be demanding this of them.

--Mike
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:	<nate@psygate.psych.indiana.edu>

    Novell developed as a PC-based local-area network which has subsequently
been integrated with larger networks as technology has advanced. Therefore
the reasons for using IPX are primarily historical; that's the way it has
always been done.

    No good reasons, but Novell hasn't gotten around to changing yet. There
are rumors that a change over to TCP/IP is in the works for new versions of
Novell, but I don't expect any immediate relief. IPX will be with us for a
few more years (at least).

--
Nathan Engle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Most of responses think the first reason is historical. But Novell want
to intregrate NetWare file server with UNIX-based machines, and there are
many kind of PC-based TCP/IP products. So I ask this question.

    Thanks to all who replied!

- Jiang-Cherng Jean
  Apr. 16, 1992.

*********************** Taiwan, R.O.C. *****************************
*  Industrial Technology     * Jiang-Cherng Jean (JJ)		   *
*  Research Institute        * Design Engineer			   *
*  ------------------------  * Office Automation Dept.		   *
*  Computer & Communication  * Internet: jean@oax2.ccl.itri.org.tw *
*  Research Laboratories     * Telephone: 886-35-917537		   *
********************************************************************
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU