Assigning AppleTalk network numbers and ranges

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Assigning AppleTalk network numbers and ranges

Follow these guidelines when you decide how to assign network numbers and network ranges:

  • Use network numbers that leave room for expansion.

    For example, if your first AppleTalk zone has a network range of 1024-1099, then make the range of your second AppleTalk zone 1400-1450. This will leave plenty of room for growth of the first AppleTalk network.

  • Network numbers are essentially arbitrary. The important thing is for them to be unique and not to overlap (if in a range) with other ranges.

  • Base your network ranges on the number of nodes you expect to have in the future on each network.

    Base the extent of a network range on the number of AppleTalk nodes expected on the physical network. The total number of possible AppleTalk nodes is 253 times the number of network numbers in the range.

    For example, a network range of 101 through 103 permits 759 nodes (3 * 253 = 759); a network range of 120 to 129 permits 2530 nodes (10 * 253 = 2530) on a network. Leave room for more nodes than are currently connected.

For more information, see AppleTalk routing information, Configure AppleTalk protocol, Assigning AppleTalk zones, and Working with AppleTalk seed routers.