1.6 IPX Routing Overview
1.6.7 GNS get nearest server protocol
The NetWare client/server interaction begins when the client powers up and runs its client startup programs. These programs use the client's network adapter on the LAN and initiate the connection sequence for the NetWare shell to use.

GNS is a broadcast that comes from a client using SAP. The nearest NetWare file server responds with a GNS reply. From that point on, the client can log in to the target server, make a connection, set the packet size, and proceed to use server resources.

If a NetWare server is located on the segment, it will respond to the client request. The Cisco router will not respond to the GNS request. If there are no NetWare servers on the local network, the Cisco router will respond with a server address from its own SAP table.