NOVELL TECHNICAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT TITLE: DS Enhancement Pak (DS.NLM v4.89a) README FOR: DSENH.EXE NOVELL PRODUCTS and VERSIONS: NetWare 4.1 ABSTRACT: The DS Enhancement Pak contains DS.NLM version 4.89 for NetWare 4.10 file servers. This file replaces the previous Directory Services and provides increased performance, additional functionality, and addresses any known issues. All NetWare 4.10 servers should be updated to this new version to obtain the new functionality. ----------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER THE ORIGIN OF THIS INFORMATION MAY BE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL TO NOVELL. NOVELL MAKES EVERY EFFORT WITHIN ITS MEANS TO VERIFY THIS INFORMATION. HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. NOVELL MAKES NO EXPLICIT OR IMPLIED CLAIMS TO THE VALIDITY OF THIS INFORMATION. ----------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOM: N/A SOLUTION: The DS Enhancement Pak contains DS.NLM version 4.89 for NetWare 4.10 file servers. This file replaces the previous Directory Services and provides increased performance, additional functionality, and addresses any known issues. All NetWare 4.10 servers should be updated to this new version to obtain the new functionality. Performance: This DS.NLM significantly increases the performance of NetWare Directory Services. Some of the improvements will be noticeable to the users, while others will improve the background processes and are not immediately apparent. Changes in the login and authentication process will reduce the time it takes to accomplish tasks when large numbers of users attempt concurrent access. Improvements in the resolve name routines will also allow DS to more quickly locate objects and complete the required actions. Background processes involving revision attributes and backlinks have been altered to improve synchronization and replication, especially when operations were not "normal" because of server or communications faults. The introduction of a "tuned resolve name" ability in background consistency checking of external references insures greater reliability and improved performance. Bindery Services: Code changes in how the bindery handles names have been improved, and in general performance will be improved and server utilization will be reduced. A name can now exist in more than three of the bindery contexts set on a server and show up during a list operation. Previously, this was not the case. Management: The addition of the "Partition Status" attribute makes it easy to determine the health of background synchronization. This attribute keeps a record of the last successful time a complete synchronization cycle was accomplished. If synchronization errors were encountered, a record of those errors is recorded in this attribute. Included in the error record is the object on which the failure occurred, the server to which synchronization was being attempted and whether it was a local or remote error. This status is displayed by the new DSREPAIR.NLM, the enclosed sample utilities, and will be used in future management tools. This functionality reduces the time required to administer the Directory Services. Internal DS commands were added to assist in making future utilities more useful. These will promote self-healing and global repair strategies. Status flags may be used in future In addition to enhancement of the Directory Services Novell continues to enhance the diagnostic and repair utilities. At your convenience you should copy the DSREPAIR.NLM to the SYS:\SYSTEM directory of each file server. The DSREPAIR.NLM version 4.26b contains new functionality and will more completely identify and correct data inconsistencies. The older DSREPAIR.NLM version 4.23 may still be used with the new version of the DS, but will not provide these improvements. Although the DSREPAIR version 4.26 will identify and correct data inconsistencies for any version of the DS you cannot obtain status information from servers which are not running the new DS version 4.89. Once the new DS NLM is loaded and synchronization has occurred the status information about DS replication and synchronization will be available. The option on the first menu "Report Synchronization Status" will display and log the status of ALL copies of ALL replicas of ALL partitions contained on this server. It will contact each server which contains a replica copy and verify the status. If this involves multiple partitions and many copies the screen display will scroll rapidly and the logfile will be required to check the results. By careful selection of servers you should be able to obtain data on the status of your entire tree without checking all servers. A sub-set of the above information may also be obtained. From the "Advanced Options" sub-menu you may select "Replica and Partition Operations" and then select a partition. Selecting the new option "Report Synchronization Status" will contact all servers with a replica of that partition and then display and log the status. You may also select the option "View Replica Ring", select a server, and display the status of the replica on that server. Self-Extracting File Name: dsenh.exe Files Included Size Date Time ..\ DSENH.TXT (This file) DS.NLM 366889 8-30-95 9:06:36 pm DSENH.TXT 9752 9-13-95 9:56:24 am DSMAINT.NLM 63034 9-8-95 1:36:32 pm DSREPAIR.NLM 149352 9-5-95 4:09:00 pm README.TXT 46190 9-13-95 10:11:14 am REPAIR.DOC 35288 3-3-95 11:40:52 am REPAIR.NLM 84703 3-7-95 3:19:52 pm TRAINING.TXT 9439 9-7-95 12:36:06 pm UPGRADE.TXT 24625 9-7-95 12:39:44 pm Installation Instructions: HOW TO INSTALL THE DS.NLM If you are upgrading from NetWare 4 versions prior to 4.10 Please read the attached UPGRADE.TXT file first. DS.NLM is normally installed as part of a server upgrade or new install. It also may be loaded and activated on existing NetWare 4.10 servers without the need to restart the server. Note: If you have installed the NetWire patch DSPRCSFX.NLM version dated 4-28-95 it MUST be replaced with the version dated 5-10-95 and the server rebooted before the new DS is installed. A. EXISTING 4.10 SERVERS MANUAL METHOD To install the new DS.NLM on an existing NetWare 4.10 server you should: 1. Log into the network as ADMIN or a user with rights to the SYS:\SYSTEM directory of a current NetWare 4.10 file server. Locate the file SYS:\SYSTEM\DS.NLM 2. Copy the new DS.NLM file to the SYS:\SYSTEM directory of the NetWare 4.10 file server to be upgraded and overwrite the existing file. You should also copy the DSREPAIR.NLM and overwrite the old file on SYS:\SYSTEM. 3. At the file server console of the server being upgraded (or using RCONSOLE) toggle to the system console screen. 4. Enter the command "SET DSTRACE = *." and press to reload the Directory Services without downing the server. 5. Repeat the process for each 4.10 server in the network which may be running the older version. 6. Although you do not have to upgrade all servers at once, the DSREPAIR status commands will not report the status of servers running the older version. NOTE: Reloading the DS will not affect currently connected users. Users who request new connections while the file server reloads will, however, receive an error because the data base is still closed. You may wish to perform the upgrade during a period of minimal user activity. B. NEW INSTALLS OF NETWARE 4.1 Because it is not possible to copy the DS.NLM file to the read-only CDROM one of the following processes must be used: 1. Staging Server (Preferred) Many people copy the contents of the CDROM to another server's magnetic disk drive and perform the install across the network. Generally this provides high performance and the ability to alter the files to be installed. If you use this method you should copy the new DS.NLM to the NW410\SYSTEM\PREINST directory. Run the installation and the correct DS will be loaded and activated. 2. Install or Upgrade from CDROM The CDROM may be connected directly to the file server being installed or upgraded or it may be attached to another file server and accessed across the network. BEFORE you begin the upgrade of the NetWare 4.0x server you must first copy the new DS.NLM onto the file server in the SYS:\system directory. Prior to NetWare 4.10 the DS was embedded in the Operating System, so this will have no effect on the operation of the server and may be done at any time before the upgrade. Begin the installation in the normal fashion. During the "Preliminary file copy" the older DS.NLM would normally be copied to the file server. When the install program detects a newer version is already present it will display the file name and ask "over write newer version?" Answer "NO" and continue with the installation. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. 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