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Hayes(r) Microcomputer Products, Inc. LANstep(r) Technical Note
"The LANstep Browser:
A User's Guide"
Number LS-2 September 1991
Summary:
The Browser is a utility available in LANstep to allow system
managers direct access to the file system. Using this tool, managers
can perform tasks such as:
* copying DOS applications from machine to machine
* editing batch files
* examining or re-organizing user data files
* investigating the tree structured file system
* making backup copies of applications
* creating or altering help files
* providing valuable information to Product Support
How to Start the Browser
The symbol for the Browser is located in the Support Room. Enter the
Support Room and run the Browser symbol. Its default mode is to
access the local file system 0. In order to browse a file system on a
LANstep Workstation, the System Manager must go to that station and
start the Browser at that location. Alternatively, starting the same
symbol at the NSS gives access to the NSS's tree structured file
system.
"Over the network" access to file servers is gained by making a few
simple modifications to the existing symbol. First F3:COPY the Browse
hard disk 0 symbol. Do not change existing symbols in the system; you
may need them later. F7:EDIT the new symbol and change the pathname
from a " 0 " to a " * " (asterisk). Also change the text within the
"box" part of the symbol to Network Servers to reflect the changes
that you have made to the symbol parameters.
You must press F2:SAVE and Escape to exit the Symbol Editor.
In order to start your newly created symbol, make sure it is
highlighted and press Enter. A list of all file services is provided
including all shared disks on LANstep Workstations. The names of your
file services varies depending on your naming conventions. Select the
file server that you wish to browse by using Tab or the cursor keys.
For our example choose DOS. Press Enter to begin browsing your
selection.
Moving Around with the Browser
The files at the top of the tree structure are displayed. Plus "+"
signs indicate that more files are located below. Movement up and
down the tree structure is accomplished by using the F3:CLIMB and
F4:DESCEND function keys. If a displayed file has the "+" indicator,
then Enter can be used to perform the same function as the F4:DESCEND
key.
Note the branches APPS + and BOOT +. Also note the file
installed_apps.
Apps Branch
The APPS branch contains all of the installed DOS applications that
were installed on the file server named "DOS." Make sure APPS is
highlighted, press F4:DESCEND.
Files shown are directories containing each DOS application that was
installed or copied to this server. Files that are represented by the
MAN00001 were installed using the LANstep manual installation utility
found in the Management Console. File names such as SCMEXC1X.001
represent applications that were installed using the Assisted DOS
Application installation utility. This appears different for every
LANstep network.
Highlight an application directory and press F4:DESCEND. You'll see
the actual application program and/or data files that are on drive F:
if you start the application from the Start DOS Program symbol in any
user's office.
As part of the startup process, F: is mapped to the directory where
the files for that application reside. Return to the level where the
APPS file was first displayed using the F3:CLIMB key.
The BOOT Branch
The DOS BOOT branch contains all the DOS operating system files and
utilities. These files were copied here during the "Install DOS on
NSS" procedure. Highlight BOOT and press Enter or F4:DESCEND.
E: is mapped to the directory where DOS resides as part of the DOS
startup process.
You can increase and decrease the size of the window by pressing
Control-+ (plus) and Control--(minus).
Use the up and down cursor keys (or Tab) to find AUTOEXEC.BAT. Press
F2:EDIT to open the file with a full screen Editor.
Note: Do not make any changes to the file at this time. Press Escape
to exit.
Press F3:CLIMB to back up to the level where the APPS file is
displayed.
The installed_apps File
The installed_apps file is very important for the automatic menuing
and starting of DOS applications located on this file server. For
example, when a user in a LANstep Network starts the Start DOS
Program symbol in their offices, each LANstep workstation that has
applications to share transmits the contents of installed_apps back
to the user's machine. The user is then presented with an
alphabetically sorted menu of available applications, subject to
security constraints. Highlight the installed_apps file, and press
F2:EDIT to look inside.
EDITing the installed_apps file on a server
Each application line is split by a symbol known as the pipe or
vertical bar ( | ). The words to the left of the symbol are placed in each
user's menu, i.e., a list of DOS applications to choose from. The name to
the right of the symbol is the directory name in which the program is
located. LANstep needs to know this information to start a particular
application for a user.
When a System Manager installs the applications using the DOS
Application Management tool, these entries are made automatically.
If, however, a manager copies programs to other servers using the
Browser utility, then these entries must be made manually. These line
items are case and space sensitive, so be careful that you don't put
extra blanks around the | symbol.
Consider the following line:
Lotus V2.2 Network|LOTUSNET.001
A user's menu would show:
Lotus V2.2 Network
LANstep would look in the LOTUSNET.001 directory on this server if
the user chose that particular menu item.
Copying Single DOS Applications
Applications can be copied from one machine to another using the
Browser utility. For example, suppose you have an NSS with some
applications on it that you wish to copy to a new LANstep Workstation
that is already up and running. We are assuming a new LANstep
Workstation, because any applications already installed on an
existing LANstep Workstation could be accidentally overwritten if you
should use the same name. For clarity, let's call these machines
"NSS" and "new LANstep Workstation".
Step 1:
The LANstep Workstation must be prepared using the Share
Workstation hard disk symbol.
Step 2:
Move to the NSS and login as Super_User. Start the Browse
hard disk 0 symbol in the Support room. There are actually four
parts to this exercise:
* Setting the source file or tree
* Pointing to the destination
* Verification and starting the copy
* Modify (update) the installed_apps file at the destination
Setting the Source File or Tree
Continue with these steps to set the source file or tree:
Step 3:
Using the F4:DESCEND operation locate the application
directory that you wish to copy to the LANstep Workstation . To
find the file(s), look under the branch DOS/APPS. Example:
LOTUSNET.001.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the file and the "+" sign are both
highlighted. This is done by tabbing to the filename and pressing the
down arrow key.
Step 4:
Press the F9:SET_PATH key. The full name of the file is
saved in a buffer. The full name for the file above is:
0/DOS/APPS/LOTUSNET.001
Press Escape to quit the Browser.
Pointing to the Destination
Follow along with these next steps to correctly point to the proper
destination:
Step 5:
From the same machine, start a Browser on Network Services
so that all file servers are displayed. This is outlined earlier
in the section, "How to Start the Browser" found on page one of
this document.
Step 6:
Highlight the name that corresponds to the LANstep Workstation
Press Enter.
Step 7:
Highlight the DOS branch. Press F4:DESCEND.
Step 8:
Highlight the APPS branch. Press F4:DESCEND. You are now
"pointing" to the place where all application directories must
appear.
Step 9:
At this point we need to call a more extensive set of
operations to complete the sequence for copying these files. Press
Control-E. The additional operations are displayed. Press
F7:COPY_TO.
Step 10:
Type a name into the field marked Destination filename: that
does not conflict with any name on the LANstep Workstation. For
example, LOTUS2. Press F2:OK.
Verification and Starting the Copy
Step 11:
Read the Source and Destination filenames to verify that
they are correct. If they are, press F2:COPY_ENTIRE_SUBTREE. The
copy proceeds and each filename is displayed in order. If F2:COPY
is the only operation, then you did not highlight the "+" sign
prior to the F9:SET_PATH operation. You must start over. (Go back
to step 3.)
Modify (Update) the installed_apps File
Step 12:
After the files have been successfully copied, Escape from
the copy window and F3:CLIMB one level up to where the file
installed_apps resides. Highlight this file and press F2:EDIT.
Step 13:
Move your cursor to the next available line and type a
description of the application that you copied followed by the "|",
followed by the directory name (destination). The following line
illustrates our sample copy.
LOTUS NETWORK VERSION 2.2|LOTUS2
Step 14:
F5:SAVE the file and press Escape to exit the editor.
Testing the Copy
In order to test that you completed all the above steps correctly,
terminate the Browser and leave the Support Rooms.
Enter Super_User's DOS room and run the Start Dos Programs symbol.
You should now see the new application listed on the menu along with
the new server name. You should now be able to start and successfully
run the new application at this time.
IMPORTANT: As a safeguard, back up the old copy before it is removed
using the DOS Application Management Utility. It is found by starting
the Management Console in the Super_User's office.
After installing any application, you should test it by logging in
as a user (not just Super_User). Some applications must be
individually configured for users and some applications may be locked
for security reasons.
Copying DOS Applications (Entire APPS Tree)
The entire tree of DOS Applications can be copied from one machine
to another using the Browser utility in a similar fashion. For
example, suppose you have a demonstration NSS and you wish to copy
all DOS applications to a new NSS that is already up and running. The
new NSS is to run a new network.
WARNING: Do not copy the complete APPS TREE to an NSS that has some
applications installed on it. Some files may be overwritten.
For clarity, we'll call these machines NEW NSS and OLD NSS.
Step 1:
The old NSS must be configured to boot as a LANstep
workstation from the new NSS. It is not necessary to run the Share
Workstation hard disk symbol. Two NSS's booted as NSS's cannot
exist in the same LANstep network. You should have a LANstep WS
Target diskette or a boot PROM in the old NSS for this function
to work properly.
Also, make sure you observe the old NSS as it boots. If the
LANstep WS Target diskette is poor quality or if a read error
occurs the machine may boot as an NSS as it progresses through
drive A, B, C,and finally the LANstep shared partition.
Note: If the Target disk is not found by the NSS during the boot
sequence, it boots off the hard disk as an NSS. This is to be avoided.
Step 2:
Move to the old NSS and login as Super_User. Start the
Browse hard disk 0 symbol in the Support room. There are four
parts to this exercise:
* Setting the source file or tree
* Pointing to the destination
* Verification and starting the copy
* Copy the installed_apps file
Setting the Source Tree
Step 3:
Using the F4:DESCEND operation locate the APPS branch under
the DOS file that you wish to copy to the new NSS. Make sure that
the directory APPS and the "+" sign are both highlighted. This is done by
tabbing to the filename and pressing O.
Step 4:
Press the F9:SET_PATH key. The full name of the file is
saved in a buffer. The full name for the file above is actually
0/DOS/APPS. Press Escape to quit the Browser.
Pointing to the Destination
Step 5:
From the same machine start a Browser on Network Services so
that all file servers are displayed. We discussed this earlier in
the section "How to Start the Browser" on page one of this
document.
Step 6:
Highlight the name that corresponds to the new NSS. Press
Enter.
Step 7:
Highlight the DOS branch. Press F4:DESCEND.
Step 8:
Highlight the APPS branch. You are now "pointing" to the
place where application directories must appear or must be
overwritten to.
Step 9:
At this point we need to call a more extensive set of
operations to complete the sequence for copying these files. Press
Control-E. The additional operations are displayed. Press
F7:COPY_TO.
Step 10:
Type the name APPS into the field marked Destination
filename: if it does not automatically appear. Press F2:OK.
Verification and Starting the Copy
Step 11:
Read the Source and Destination filenames to verify that
they are correct. If so, press F2:COPY_ENTIRE_SUBTREE. The copy
proceeds and each filename is displayed in order. If F2:COPY is
the only operation, then you did not highlight the "+" sign prior
to the F9:SET_PATH operation. You must start over.
Step 12:
Follow the same set of steps to copy the installed_apps file
from the old NSS (i.e., the LANstep Workstation) to the
installed_apps file on the new NSS.
Testing the Copy
In order to test that you completed all the above steps correctly
terminate the Browser and leave the Support Room. Enter Super_User's
DOS room and run the Start Dos Programs symbol. You should now see
the new application(s) listed on the menu. You should be able to
start and successfully run any of them at this time.
Remember, after installing any application you should test it by
logging in as a user (not just Super_User). Some applications must be
individually set up for users and some applications may be locked for
security reasons.
Hayes is a registered trademark and LANstep is a trademark of Hayes
Micrcomputer Products, Inc.
Other trademarks appearing in this document are trademarks of the
respective companies
(C) 1991 Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.