Packet Type (1 byte)

Protocol: VARP VARP PCI

Field: packet tpye

Length: 1 byte

Contents: VARP operation indicator

00 = Query request (client to server)

01 = Service response (server to client)

02 = Assignment request (client to server)

03 = Assignment response (server to client)

VIP addresses are assigned by the VINES server. This is always done in four phases when a VINES workstation starts network operation. These four phases use different VARP packet type IDs.

1. client query request

VARP Packet Type = 0

The client sends a broadcast to all local VINES servers.

2. service query response

VARP Packet Type = 1

All local VINES servers reply.

3. client assignment request

VARP Packet Type = 2

The client requests ist VIP address from one of the servers.

4. service assignment response

VARP Packet Type = 3

The called VINES server sends the client's VIP address in return. The VIP address is also known as network address" which consists of network number" and subnetwork number".