Configuring Routed or Static On-Demand Calls

Novell Internet Access Server 4.1 enables you to configure a routed on-demand call or static on-demand call for each WAN call destination.

Unlike the standard on-demand call, which relies on statically configured routes and services at each end of a point-to-point connection, a routed on-demand call runs a routing protocol while the link is active. When the link goes down, the routes and services made known by the routing protocol become unavailable.

Typically, a Data-Link layer timer triggers the termination of an on-demand call after no data has crossed the link for some period of time. Because a routing protocol running over a routed on-demand call would reset this timer each time a protocol packet is sent or received, it would keep a link active because of the protocol data flowing through. To solve this problem, Novell Internet Access Server 4.1 uses a timer that operates at the Network layer. This timer is reset only when data packets---not protocol packets---cross the link. In this way, the routing updates do not keep an on-demand link active when no data is being transmitted.

NOTE:  A minimal (seed) set of static routes and services must be associated with a routed on-demand call for key server access. Unless the call is known to get somewhere, the link will not come up. After the link comes up, other services and routes can be accessed.

For more information about routed and static on-demand calls and related topics, refer to Call Types.

How to Configure Routed or Static On-Demand Calls

Before you begin, you must complete the following tasks:

• Configure at least one on-demand WAN call destination.
• Configure a minimal set of routes and services for key server access.

To configure a routed or static on-demand call, complete the following steps:

1. Load NIASCFG, then select the following parameter path:

   Select Configure NIAS > Protocols and Routing > Bindings

2. Select an on-demand call.

   If you are modifying an on-demand call that has already been configured, select one from the list.

   If you are configuring a new on-demand call, press Ins and choose a call from the list of available calls.

   The WAN Call Destination Entry screen is displayed.

3. Select WAN Call Destinations .

4. Select a WAN call destination from the list of configured calls, then do one of the following:

   To configure a routed on-demand call, select Routed On Demand from the pop-up menu, then proceed to Step 5.

   To configure a static on-demand call, select Static On Demand from the pop-up menu, then proceed to Step 6.

   By default, on-demand calls are static, and routing traffic over an on-demand call is disabled.

5. For a routed on-demand call only, do the following:

   1. Select RIP Bind Options.

   2. Configure the routing protocol you want to run over the call.

      If you want to run RIP/SAP:

      • Select RIP Options .
      • Set RIP State Override to On .
      • Configure the other RIP override parameters as necessary.
      • Press Esc .
      • Select SAP Options .
      • Set SAP State Override to On .
      • Configure the other SAP override parameters as necessary.

      If you want to run NLSP:

      • Select NLSP Options .
      • Set NLSP State Override to On .
      • Configure the other NLSP override parameters as necessary.

6. Press Esc and save your changes.

7. Press Esc to return to the Internetworking Configuration menu.

8. If you want these changes to take effect immediately, select Reinitialize System .

   If you want to configure other parameters, do so now, then reinitialize the system when you are finished.