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You are here: Lab Home > Computing Sciences > Lab Services > CIS > Novell > Accessing Novell File Services |
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Accessing Novell File Services There
are three different ways to access and use files on Netware file servers. The
first and most transparent occurs when a client starts their computer and
responses to the Novell login dialog.
Various drives are mapped
to the computer via a login script based on the client’s properties. For instance, drive H: is normally
mapped to the client’s home directory.
Other drive letters can be mapped to other locations either
permanently or only for the current session using the file explore tool. This facility also works for those
off site, if the client enters the server’s full DNS name into the server
field in the advanced option tab, while logging in. For example, most central site clients should enter “cisnov11.lbl.gov”
into this field. As for onsite
clients, the Novell login script will map the appropriate volumes to drive
letters.
A
second approach to access files is called NetStorage. In this case, using Win98 through XP,
the client can configure access to Netware Volumes. Access to home directories and group-shared information is
supported. The
third method to access files is called iFolder. It operates quite different then the above three methods.
Its purpose is to synchronize data that is accessed and updated
from many locations. This data is not part of a client’s
home directory and is not sharable.
The data is encrypted and backed up (all Novell data is backed
up) however restores cannot be done for a subset of files. It is necessary to restore all data
for a particular client.
If
a login script does not map the desired folder, then the client can use the
“Explore” option after right clicking on Network Neighborhood to select the
desired server and volume. Using
“Explore”, open “Network Places”- “Entire Network” – “Netware Services” –
“Netware Servers” – and select the desired NetWare server. In the right panel, the volumes on
the server appear. Right click
on the volume and select Novell Map Netware Drive. Select the drive letter to associate and whether it should
be remapped at when you start Windows.
Note: the exact wording above depends on the version of the windows OS
and the Netware client. Rights
to files are granted based on the client’s login, no other authentication or
passwords are required.
Using a web browser the following URL
is entered:
Setting up access to iFolders
requires installing the iFolder Window Client. It is available from the following URL:
https://ifolderb.lbl.gov. Follow the directions for its installation,
including accepting the licensing agreement. The installation will require rebooting
the computer at its conclusion. When the client logons on, a prompt appears which a User
ID, password and server. Click
Login and enter a pass phrase.
If you accepted the defaults, an iFolder icon will appear on
the desktop. This iFolder installation process must
be used on each PC in which you wish to access the data in the iFolder. Q&A
When would you choose to use
“Mapping a Drive Letter”? This method is the best alternative for
general access if you have the Novell client installed and can reach the
server. It is faster, mappings
can be automated, and it is the more natural for both the PC and the Mac. Since the Mac currently uses IPX, it
only works on LBLnet. For PC’s
wishing off site access, use the DNS name of the Novell server in place of
the server name (i.e. cisnov11.lbl.gov). Mapping a drive is the best method and easiest to
use. This method should be tried
before any other. When should you use the “Netware
NetStorage”? This is the appropriate method should
you wish general file access and do not have the Novell client installed.
It can be used locally or over the Internet.
Its not as fast as “Mapping a Drive Letter”.
So when is iFolder a good choice? iFolder is quite different than the other
alternatives. It should
be used to synchronize files among several of your computers. It is not designed to allow file sharing
with other people like the access methods above. This method compares the data at the
local computer with that on the server.
It updates the local data and then keeps it coordinated. This introduces a delay that might be
considerable if large files or there is slow network access. The data is encrypted and stored on
a server different then the client’s home directory. Thus no access or coordination is available for this data
and the client’s home directory.
It might be the right choice for maintaining bookmarks and address
books between multiple computers in multiple locations or other similar
small but continually changing files.
All PCs accessing iFolder must have Internet access. |
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© Copyright 2002 Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory |