Open Data-Link Interface (ODI) is Novell’s standard of LAN driver which allows multiple network protocols and adapters (physical boards) to be used simultaneous on the same client (workstation) or server. ODI provides a flexible, high performance Data Link Layer interface to Network Layer protocol stacks such as TCP/IP, IPX, NetBIOS, AppleTalk, etc. The ODI specification is comprised of the three elements below:

Protocol Stacks: transmit and receive data over a logical or physical network. They also provide routing, connection service and APIs, and provide an interface to allow higher layer protocols or applications to access the services provided by the Protocols Stack’s service.

Link Support Layer (LSL): LSL handles communications between the Protocol Stack and MLIDs and directs various protocols to proper MLIDs.

Multiple Link Interface Drivers (MLIDs): MLIDs are device drivers that handle the sending and receiving of packets to/from logical or physical topology.

Open Data-Link Interface (ODI) Architecture:

ODI: Open Data-Link Interface

Related Terms: NIC, NetBIOS, MAC, LLC, NDIS, ODI

Reference Links: documents/novell-odi.pdf: Open Data-Link Interface (ODI) Specifications