Routing information database corrupted on large internetwork

NetWare servers broadcast routing information every 60 seconds using the Routing Information Protocol (RIP), and they broadcast service information every thirty seconds using the Service Advertising Protocol (SAP). On a very large internetwork or wide-area network, the RIP or SAP database can grow so large that the time necessary to download it exceeds the interval between downloads, especially if you have a low-speed WAN link. This can cause the apparent disappearance of volumes, printers, or servers or extreme delays in packet re-routing, if a node fails.

Novell will replace RIP and SAP with NetWare Link State Protocol (NLSP). NLSP associates multiple network interfaces with a single network number, distributing traffic across multiple network segments. If a node fails, NLSP can quickly establish an alternate path. NLSP builds a map of the network incrementally and sends updates only as needed. NetWare 3.11, 3.12, 4.11, and 4.12 servers support NLSP. They can still work with existing SAP/RIP servers.