NetWare Asynch Remote Router 
                              Rules of Thumb 
 
Novell has endeavored to make the NetWare Async Remote Router reliable, 
efficient, and easy to use.  To aid you in configuring the Router for 
optimal reliability and performance, we asked our engineers what components
they would use and what hints they would give if they were installing the 
product.  Here's what they said. 
 
LAN to LAN Connection 
The NetWare Async Remote Router connects two or more LANs, typically remote

from each other. 
 
NEW FEATURES 
This release of the Async Remote Router software contains the following 
features: 
     <Support for 
          - V.32 modems 
          - 9600 bps Hayes and Telebit modems 
          - the WNIM+ adapter in 80386 based personal computers 
          - modems that require Data Terminal Ready (DTR) to hang up 
          - hardware flow control 
     <Improved reliability 
 
NETWORK PROTOCOLS and LAN ADAPTERS 
Novell NetWare network products are optimized for use with the IPX/SPX 
protocol.  For this reason, we recommend that you use IPX/SPX with the 
Async Remote Router; NetBIOS is no longer supported.  We also suggest that
you use LAN adapters from the recommended list in this document.  Each has
been tested thoroughly with the Router. 
 
PERSONAL COMPUTERS 
For an external router (one installed in a LAN workstation), we recommend 
any IBM PC/AT or compatible from the list of recommended PCs.  If you 
choose not to use one of the recommended machines, router performance may 
be degraded.   
The router PC should meet the following minimum requirements: 
o Minimum of 512K RAM for a dedicated external router (real mode) 
o Minimum of 640K RAM for a nondedicated external router (real mode) 
o Minimum of 1MB RAM for a dedicated external router (protected mode) 
 
We recommend a dedicated router for optimum system performance.  You may 
use the PC as a nondedicated external router and also as a workstation on 
the LAN, but if you do so, you may not have sufficient memory to run 
applications on the workstation.  The router software (ROUTER.EXE) takes up
to 350KB of RAM, NET3 takes up about 20KB, and DOS takes up 40 to 60 KB, so

as little as 170KB may be available for applications. 
For an internal router (one installed in a file server), we recommend a 
minimum of 512KB of additional RAM.  We do not recommend internal routers 
because of potential file server problems if modems malfunction. 
 
 
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS 
The personal computers, LAN adapters, and modems listed below have been 
tested by Novell and are recommended for use with the Async Remote Router.

 
     Standard Test Bed Environment 
          Network Operating Systems 
               SFT NetWare 286 v2.12 and 2.15 E 
               NetWare 386 v3.0 (external router only) 
          Network Protocols 
               IPX/SPX 
 
Personal Computers 
     IBM PC/AT (8MHz) 
     IBM PC/XT (4.77 MHz) 
     IBM PS/2 Model 30/286 
     Compaq DeskPro 386S 
     Compaq DeskPro 386/25 
     Compaq 386/20e 
     Compaq 386/16 
     Zenith Z-386AE 
     Novell 286B 
     Novell 386AE 
 
LAN Adapters 
     Novell RX -NET 
     Novell NE1000 
     Novell NE2000 
     IBM token ring Adapter 16/4 
     Standard Microsystems Arcnet 100, 110, 120 
 
Modems 
     Hayes SmartModem 2400 
     Hayes SmartModem V9600 
     Hayes V-series ULTRA 96 
     MulitTech MultiModem V.32 
     Telebit Trailblazer Plus 
     Telebit T1000 
     Telebit T2500 
 
HOW TO CHOOSE A MODEM 
Several factors may affect your choice of modems: 
o     Cost 
o     Error correction 
o     Data compression 
o     Speed 
 
If cost is a concern, you may want to buy a high quality standard 2400 bps
modem from the list above and not worry about features such as error 
correction or data compression.  Such modems provide reliable service over
the high quality phone lines in most parts of North America, and  
can achieve throughput of 120 to 240 characters per second with minimal 
delays. 
 
If you are concerned about reliability, you can purchase a modem that 
supports error correction or data compression at 2400 bps.  
 
If you do so, we recommend that you choose an MNP standard modem. With 
error correcting protocols, you will experience far fewer, if any, errors 
on your connection. You may notice a slight increase in response time due 
to the data being organized into packets for error correction. 
 
If speed is your greatest concern, choose one of the V.32 9600 bps modems;
performance suffers with most non V.32 9600 bps modems. V.32 modems are 
full duplex and offer high throughput with no line turn around delay.  
However, they are more expensive.  Most V.32 modems offer error correction
and data compression and are compatible with 1200 bps and 2400 bps modems.

 
 
MNP Modem Configuration  
When using modems that support MNP protocols, the modem response codes 
should be set to Basic, not Extended. 
     Example setting:    Microcom: ATX0 
 
Failure to set for Basic Hayes type responses could cause the router to 
hang. 
 
SUPPORTED CONFIGURATIONS 
This release of the Async Router supports the following configurations: 
     INTERNAL ROUTER 
     1 COM port and up to three LAN adapters 
     1 WNIM+ multiport adapter and up to three LAN adapters 
     Maximum of four communication lines 
 
     EXTERNAL ROUTER 
     Up to two WNIM+ multiport adapters and one COM port 
     One LAN adapter 
     Maximum of nine communication lines 
 
CONFIGURATION NOTES 
When configuring the Async Remote Router, ACONFIG and ROUTER.EXE must be in
the same directory. 
 
OPERATION NOTES 
If you are installing this release of the Async Remote Router software on a
PC that has a previous release of the router software already installed, 
you must delete the older release and reboot the PC before you install the
new software. 
 
LIMITATIONS 
This release of the Async Router software has the following limitations: 
o It supports the COM1 and COM2 ports only up to 2400 baud. 
o If you are using Telebit T1000 or T2000 modems, you must disable hardware
     flow control. 
o For Telebit T1000 & T2000 modems, the Reset option of LCONSOLE does not 
     operate correctly. 
o You can set Idle Time Out only to one minute. 
o When using the COM1 or COM2 port and you want to set Not Enabled, you 
     must use the Special Configuration option. 
o When you configure an internal router with a WNIM+ adapter, the router 
     aborts if the modem fails or you are using a modem that is not 
     supported. 
o Each port on the WNIM+ adapter and each COM port must be configured with
     a different server name because each is treated as a separate LAN. 
o NetWare for the Macintosh is not supported across the Async Remote 
     Router. 
o For WNIM+ adapter, all ports must be at same baud rate. 
o In the "Special Configuration" modem type, the "Modem Initialization  
     String" option is not supported.  Characters entered into this field 
     are NOT sent to the modem. 
 
README FILE 
Most products released by Novell include a README file to include up to the
minute corrections and additions, and to assist you in configuring and 
troubleshooting.  Please read this file before you attempt to install the 
Async Remote Router as it will alleviate many problems during installation
and operation.