Troubleshooting Tools

The IPX-specific troubleshooting tools are explained in the following sections:

• IPXCON
• System Console Commands

IPXCON

IPXCON is a NetWare^® Loadable Module^TM (NLM^TM) utility that provides access to statistics and information about the status of various components of the IPX^TM protocol. It uses SNMP to access this information from any local or remote system on the network. IPXCON operates over IPX and TCP/IP networks, and uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to run over the networks. For more information on IPXCON, refer to Managing.

Enter LOAD IPXCON at the system console prompt. You can use IPXCON to perform the following tasks:

• Monitor and troubleshoot IPX routes and network segments throughout your IPX internetwork
• Display the status of any IPX router or network segment on your internetwork
• Display all paths through which IPX packets can flow
• Locate all active IPX routers on your internetwork
• Display operational circuits for IPX
• Monitor remote routers running the Novell Internet Access Server 4.1 routing software

System Console Commands

Specific commands are available from the system console prompt that prove useful in troubleshooting IPX connection problems. The following commands are examples:

• DISPLAY SERVERS

  This command lists all known NetWare server names and the number of hops (IPX routers that must be crossed) to reach each server. This information is similar to the information shown in the IPXCON forwarding table, but it is less comprehensive than IPXCON.

• DISPLAY NETWORKS

  This command shows the IPX network number, the number of hops needed to reach the network, and the estimated time, in ticks (1/18 of a second), for a packet to reach a network. The number of known networks is shown at the end of the list. For NetWare servers, both the internal IPX network numbers and the cabling network numbers are displayed. This information is similar to the information shown in the IPXCON services table, but it is less comprehensive than IPXCON.

• RESET ROUTERS

  This command resets the IPX routing table in the file server if the table has become inaccurate or corrupted.

• TRACK ON

  This command displays three types of RIP and SAP information: Server, Network, and Connection Requests. This information is formatted according to whether the router/server is receiving the information (IN), broadcasting the information (OUT), or receiving a connection request. Refer to Utilities Reference for more details.