GLDv2 Device Support (Writing Device Drivers)

Writing Device Drivers

GLDv2 Device Support

The GLDv2 framework supports the following types of devices:

DL_ETHER: ISO 8802-3, IEEE 802.3 protocol
DL_TPR: IEEE 802.5, Token Passing Ring
DL_FDDI: ISO 9314-2, Fibre Distributed Data Interface

Ethernet V2 and ISO 8802-3 (IEEE 802.3)

For devices that are declared to be type DL_ETHER, GLDv2 provides support for both Ethernet V2 and ISO 8802-3 (IEEE 802.3) packet processing. Ethernet V2 enables a user to access a conforming provider of data link services without special knowledge of the provider's protocol. A service access point (SAP) is the point through which the user communicates with the service provider.

Streams bound to SAP values in the range [0-255] are treated as equivalent and denote that the user wants to use 8802-3 mode. If the SAP value of the DL_BIND_REQ is within this range, GLDv2 computes the length of each subsequent DL_UNITDATA_REQ message on that stream. The length does not include the 14-byte media access control (MAC) header. GLDv2 then transmits 8802-3 frames that have those lengths in the MAC frame header type fields. Such lengths do not exceed 1500.

Frames that have a type field in the range [0-1500] are assumed to be 8802-3 frames. These frames are routed up all open streams in 8802-3 mode. Those streams with SAP values in the [0-255] range are considered to be in 8802-3 mode. If more than one stream is in 8802-3 mode, the incoming frame is duplicated and routed up these streams.

Those streams that are bound to SAP values that are greater than 1500 are assumed to be in Ethernet V2 mode. These streams receive incoming packets whose Ethernet MAC header type value exactly matches the value of the SAP to which the stream is bound.

TPR and FDDI: SNAP Processing

For media types DL_TPR and DL_FDDI, GLDv2 implements minimal SNAP (Sub-Net Access Protocol) processing. This processing is for any stream that is bound to a SAP value that is greater than 255. SAP values in the range [0-255] are LLC SAP values. Such values are carried naturally by the media packet format. SAP values that are greater than 255 require a SNAP header, subordinate to the LLC header, to carry the 16-bit Ethernet V2-style SAP value.

SNAP headers are carried under LLC headers with destination SAP 0xAA. Outbound packets with SAP values that are greater than 255 require an LLC+SNAP header take the following form:

AA AA 03 00 00 00 XX XX

XX XX represents the 16-bit SAP, corresponding to the Ethernet V2 style type. This header is unique in supporting non-zero organizational unique identifier fields. LLC control fields other than 03 are considered to be LLC packets with SAP 0xAA. Clients that want to use SNAP formats other than this format must use LLC and bind to SAP 0xAA.

Incoming packets are checked for conformance with the above format. Packets that conform are matched to any streams that have been bound to the packet's 16-bit SNAP type. In addition, these packets are considered to match the LLC SNAP SAP 0xAA.

Packets received for any LLC SAP are passed up all streams that are bound to an LLC SAP, as described for media type DL_ETHER.

TPR: Source Routing

For type DL_TPR devices, GLDv2 implements minimal support for source routing.

Source routing support includes the following tasks:

Specify routing information for a packet to be sent across a bridged medium. The routing information is stored in the MAC header. This information is used to determine the route.
Learn routes.
Solicit and respond to requests for information about possible multiple routes.
Select among available routes.

Source routing adds routing information fields to the MAC headers of outgoing packets. In addition, this support recognizes such fields in incoming packets.

GLDv2 source routing support does not implement the full route determination entity (RDE) specified in Section 9 of ISO 8802-2 (IEEE 802.2). However, this support can interoperate with any RDE implementations that might exist in the same or a bridged network.