Chapter 10Netware-Based Networking

Network+ Guide to Networks, Fourth Edition

Objectives

• Identify the advantages of using the NetWare network operating system

• Describe NetWare’s server hardware requirements• Understand NetWare’s file system and directory

structure• Plan for and perform a simple NetWare server

installation• Explain how NetWare supports multiple clients and

integrates with other network operating systems

Introduction to NetWare

• Novell released first NetWare in 1983– NetWare versions prior to 4.11 require IPX/SPX protocol

suite– Refined to run over TCP/IP in version 4.11

• NetWare 6.5’s key features:– Support for multiple processors, multitasking, and SMP– Flexible use of virtual and physical memory– eDirectory– Simple, centralized management of multiple clients,

resources, and services

Introduction to NetWare (continued)

• NetWare 6.5’s key features (continued):– Multiple, integrated Web development and delivery

services

– Support for multiple modern protocols

– Excellent integration with other NOSs and support for many different clients

– Remote client services

– Built-in clustering services

– Provisions for monitoring server performance, automatic backups, and resource utilization

Introduction to NetWare (continued)

• Noteworthy changes in NetWare 6.5:– iManager

– DirXML

– Capability for continuously backing up a server as it runs

– Server Consolidation Utility

– Popular open source Web development tools

– Virtual Office

– Branch Office

– Nterprise Linux Services

NetWare Server Hardware Requirements

Table 10-1: Minimum hardware requirements for NetWare 6.5 servers

A Closer Look at the NetWare Integrated Kernel

• Core of NetWare 6.5 OS– Oversees all critical server processes

– Started by server.exe, which runs from server’s DOS partition

• Takes advantage of SMP– Up to 32 processors

• NetWare loadable modules (NLMs): Enable server to run variety of programs and services– Each consumes some of server’s memory and processor

resources

A Closer Look at the NetWare Integrated Kernel

• Load or unload NLMs through server’s console– Enables network administrator to manage disks and

volumes and modify server parameters

– Monitor: text-based menu system

– ConsoleOne: graphical menu system

• X Server: NetWare 6.5 server’s graphical desktop• Remote Manager: access console commands via

Web browser on another network computer

A Closer Look at the NetWare Integrated Kernel

Figure 10-1: A ConsoleOne client window

A Closer Look at the NetWare Integrated Kernel

Figure 10-2: Remote Manager Health Monitor

NetWare File System

• Novell Storage Services (NSS):– 64-bit interface– Files or directories up to 8 TB– A trillion files in single directory– File compression– User and directory space restrictions– Advanced fault-tolerance techniques– Efficient use of memory– Browser-based volume management– Split volumes over multiple storage devices

NetWare File System (continued)

• NSS-based system may have up to four partitions– One must be a DOS partition

• Primary boot partition

– Unlimited volumes on each partition

• Volumes are basis for organizing files and directories

• NSS can combine free storage space from multiple storage devices into a storage pool– Provides flexibility

• iManager: GUI tool used to manage objects

NetWare File System (continued)

Figure 10-3: A storage pool in Novell Storage Services

eDirectory

• NetWare 6.5’s directory database– System for organizing and managing multiple servers and

their resources

– Similar to Active Directory in Windows Server 2003• Treat every networked resource as separate object with distinct

attributes

• Objects belong to classes

• eDirectory information stored in database that supports LDAP– Compatible with other NOS and Internet directories

eDirectory (continued)

Figure 10-4: eDirectory objects

eDirectory (continued)

• Schema: defined set of object classes and their properties– Base schema: simple schema installed by default with

eDirectory

– Extended schema: changes made to base schema

• Trees and OUs:– Hierarchical organization

– Tree can have one root• Tree Object

eDirectory (continued)

• Trees and OUs (continued):– Below root is an organization object

• Branches out in hierarchical arrangement of OUs

– A user is a leaf object

• Naming Conventions:– Each eDirectory tree object has a context

• Indicates where object belongs in the tree

• Consists of object’s OU names, arranged from specific to general, plus organization name

– Typeful and typeless contexts

eDirectory (continued)

Figure 10-5: A simple eDirectory tree

eDirectory (continued)

Figure 10-6: Ways of grouping objects in an eDirectory tree

eDirectory (continued)

Figure 10-6 (continued): Ways of grouping objects in an eDirectory tree

eDirectory (continued)

Figure 10-7: A more complex eDirectory tree

Planning for Installation

• Poor planning results in more work for installer, potential downtime for users, and headaches for whomever supports server after installation

• Critical preinstallation decisions:– Where does the server fit in the eDirectory tree?

• After server’s context established, cannot change it

– What name will the server have?– How many and what kinds of NICs will the server use?– What protocols and network services should the server

use?

Planning for Installation (continued)

• Critical preinstallation decisions (continued):– What will the Administrator password be?

– What kind of disk controllers does the server have?

– How many, how large, and what kind of volumes will the server require?

• Initially all free space on hard disk assigned to default volume, SYS

– What server pattern, or type, will the server be?

– What kind of license do I have?

– How can I remember all of this information?

Installing and Configuring NetWare 6.5

• Installed from CD or another server on network• Installation tasks:

– Select language

– Select regional settings

– Accept License Agreements

– Choose Default or Manual installation

– Prepare boot partition

– Choose pattern

– Select components to install (Manual installation)

– Copy files

The Installation Process (continued)

• Tasks to set up server:– Name server– Enable cryptography– Specify network protocols for each network adapter

• If TCP/IP, specify server’s IP addressing information

– Enter server’s host and domain name– New eDirectory tree or add server to existing tree?– Enter eDirectory information– Choose an Administrator ID and password– Select login method

Establishing Users and Groups

• Need to add objects—including user objects—to eDirectory tree– Use ConsoleOne, Remote Manager, or iManager

• To run ConsoleOne, computer must have ConsoleOne client installed – Running same protocols as server

• To run Remote Manager, point Web browser to IP address of server management interface– By default, port 8008 on server

Establishing Users and Groups (continued)

• To start iManager, point browser to /nps/imanager.html page on server

• After eDirectory objects created, may want to change properties

• Home directory: directory in which user can store files– By default, users have full access privileges to files and

subdirectories within their home directories

Establishing Users and Groups (continued)

Figure 10-8: The iManager Create User window

Establishing Users and Groups (continued)

Figure 10-9: The iManager Create Group window

Client Services

• Several ways for different types of clients to access server and its resources– Traditional client access

– Native file access

– Browser-based access

Traditional Client Access

• Clients running Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX-type of OSs traditionally connected via a Novell client specifically designed for that client– Client must have appropriate protocol suite installed

– May require additional client software

• Novell provides utilities to automatically install client software (and updates) on all clients

Traditional Client Access (continued)

Figure 10-10: Novell Login dialog box

Native File Access

• NetWare capable of providing clients with direct access to NSS using clients’ native file access protocols– Users can browse folders and directories as if connected

to server running same file access protocols

• All file access protocols installed by default– Network administrator must set up network share for each

protocol• Via iManager

Native File Access (continued)

• Client must run same protocols and software normally used to connect to a server natively running its file access protocols

• NetDrive: When installed on Windows clients, allows access to directories on NetWare 6.5 server– Uses IPs such as HTTP and FTP

Native File Access (continued)

Figure 10-11: NetDrive connection dialog box

Browser-Based Access

• Users can navigate directories and manage files via Novell’s NetStorage tool– Only need to have TCP/IP protocols installed and

configured

– Uses standard Internet application protocols

– Users connect to URL on server• By default, server’s IP address (or host name) plus /NetStorage

Internetworking with Other Operating Systems

• Novell has adopted LDAP directory standards• DirXML: Novell’s tool for integrating eDirectory

and Windows Active Directory or Windows NT domain data– Can synchronize Windows and Novell server’s directories

– Can configure so that Active Directory or eDirectory is authoritative source for directory information

Internetworking with Other Operating Systems

• Nterprise Linux Services: Simplifies NetWare access for users running Linux NOS– Client tools for accessing eDirectory– Development tools for integrating Linux servers with

DirXML– Browser-based file and print services

• Novell purchased two companies that write and distribute Linux software– NetWare 7.0 will combine NetWare and Linux kernels

• Full compatibility

Summary

• With NetWare 6.x, Novell has maintained its NOS’s traditional file- and print-sharing strengths while adding browser-based management tools; popular open source Web development tools; a fast, efficient file system; and flexible methods for managing multiple servers, volumes, and storage objects

• The NetWare Integrated Kernel is responsible for overseeing all critical NetWare server processes

• NLMs are routines that enable the server to run a range of programs and offer a variety of services

Summary (continued)

• Using ConsoleOne, administrators can manage servers, volumes, disks, and eDirectory objects

• iManager is the primary means of managing eDirectory objects in NetWare 6.5

• NSS offers many advantages over traditional file systems, including faster access, more efficient use of memory, file compression, support of files or directories as large as 8 TB, support for sharing a single application over multiple servers, capability to limit user directory and volume size, and browser-based management tools

Summary (continued)

• eDirectory is NetWare 6.x’s system for organizing and managing multiple servers and their resources, including storage devices, users, volumes, groups, printers, and so on

• The word “schema” refers to eDirectory’s defined set of object classes and their properties

• eDirectory follows a tree structure• Each object has a context that indicates where that

object belongs in the eDirectory tree• NetWare recognizes two naming conventions for a

user’s context: typeful and typeless

Summary (continued)

• User and Group objects can be created through ConsoleOne, Remote Manager, or iManager

• Clients can connect to a NetWare 6.5 server, browse directories, and manage files in one of several different ways

• NetWare 6.5 uses the DirXML tool to share data between eDirectory and Active Directory or Windows NT domains

• Nterprise Linux Services integrates NetWare and Linux clients and servers