Tech Arsenal 1/Tech Arsenal (Arsenal Computer).ISO/tek-06/an006a.zip/AN006A.TXT

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286-Based NetWare v2.1x File Service Processes

The Final Word

 Jason Lamb
 Consultant
 Systems Engineering Division

Abstract:

This application note provides an in-depth explanation of File Service
Processes (FSP) under 286-based NetWare v2.1x. This includes ELS Levels I
and II; Advanced, dedicated and nondedicated; and SFT. Because of the way
in which FSPs are allocated, this application note will also provide a
detailed explanation of the RAM allocation in the DGroup data segment under
286-based NetWare v2.1x.

Introduction

The following application note is a preliminary excerpt from an upcoming
Novell Systems Engineering Division Research report titled "NetWare
Internals and Structure." The actual report may differ slightly from this
excerpt; however, the content will be the same. As noted in the abstract,
this particular excerpt provides an in-depth explanation of File Service
Processes (FSP) under 286-based NetWare v2.1x. This application note will
also provide a detailed explanation of the RAM allocation in the DGroup
data segment under 286-based NetWare v2.1x.

Note that NetWare 386 incorporates a completely different memory scheme
than 286-based NetWare. As a result, none of the discussion of limitations
or memory segments applies to NetWare 386.

The most evident problem experienced by users regarding FSPs is a shortage
of them. This problem has recently surfaced because of two reasons. The
first has been the growing tendency toward building bigger and more complex
server configurations. The second has been the addition of functionality
and features to the NetWare operating system (OS). With the shortage of
FSPs has come a variety of explanations for this problem, from both within
and without Novell. While some of these explanations have provided some
partially correct answers, this excerpt provides the actual mechanics and
breakdown of this component of the 286-based NetWare operating system.

After reading this report you should be able to understand all the factors
affecting FSP allocation, as well as be able to recognize when a server has
insufficient FSPs. Additionally you will have several options for dealing
with FSP-starved servers.

File Service Processes

A File Service Process (FSP) is a process running in the NetWare server
that services File Service Packets. These are typically NetWare Core
Protocol (NCP) requests. Workstations, or clients, in a NetWare network
request services from the file server through NCP requests. When a
workstation wants to read a file, the NetWare shell builds a packet with
the appropriate NCP request for reading the correct file, and then sends it
off to the server.

At the server, the NCP request is handed off to an FSP. The FSP processes
the NCP request. It is the only process running in the NetWare server that
can process an NCP request. At the server, the FSP processes the NCP
request in one of two ways. It either processes the request immediately, or
it can schedule additional processes that it will use for servicing the
request.

Because there are various processes with various lengths of run time that
can be used in the servicing of a workstation's NCP request, FSPs become a
potential bottleneck at the server. The following is an example:

A workstation sends an NCP request that asks for a certain block of data to
be read from the server's disk. The FSP servicing the NCP request schedules
the appropriate process to retrieve the information from the disk, and then
instructs this disk process to wake it up when it has the information. The
FSP then goes to sleep waiting for completion of the disk process.

If no other FSPs are available to run, no other NCP requests can be
processed until this first request is finished. Until an FSP becomes
available, the server is forced to process lower priority processes (if any
are scheduled to run) until the disk request is completed and the FSP
returns with another request. The server will also delay or ignore any new
NCP requests that come in during this time period.

It should be noted that an FSP will only go to sleep when it waits for
information coming back from a disk request. There are typically no other
processes in the NetWare server that the FSP uses which would cause the FSP
to go to sleep.

When a server does not have enough FSPs, performance will typically be
degraded, especially in heavy data-movement environments (large file
copies, database environments and so on). The problem that is created was
depicted in the example above. The file server must process the NCP
requests in a more serial fashion than parallel fashion, creating a longer
waiting line for requests.

(How many of us have expressed frustration at seeing only one bank teller
servicing the waiting line on a Friday afternoon?)

Additionally, because there is only a certain amount of buffer space
available on a server for incoming packets, packets coming in after this
buffer space is filled are trashed. The workstations must then spend more
time resending requests, which reduces performance for the workstation and
also reduces performance for the network due to the increased traffic over
the cable.

However, not all degradation can be attributed to a lack of FSPs, even in
heavy data-movement environments. In some instances, bad or intermittent
NICs, either at the server or at another node, can create the very same
performance degradations.

You can use FCONSOLE statistics to determine if your server has FSP
problems:

The FCONSOLE -> LAN I/O Stats -> File Service Used Route number, which
means the number of File Service Packets that had to wait for an FSP, is
one such statistic. You should note this number at one point in the day
(preferably before major application usage or heavy server utilization),
and then take another reading later (after heavy server utilization).
Subtracting these two numbers will give you a total File Service Used Route
number for this time period.

At the same time, you should note the amount of File Service Packets (NCP
requests), (on the same FCONSOLE screen) for both times mentioned above, to
get the number of File Service Packets for this time period. You can then
figure a percentage of File Service Used Route to File Service Packets
ratio. Current information suggests this ratio should not exceed 10
percent.

Note that the File Service Used Route counter will roll over at 65,536. If
you notice that your second measurement is less than your first, you will
have rolled over the counter (at least once). You may need to add the
second reading to 65,536 for your adjusted (true) second reading.
Additionally, you should take these readings several times over the course
of the day, or several days, using varying time periods, to see if there
are any radical differences in the percentages. (As a last resort you can
commit someone to continually monitor this particular FCONSOLE screen to
see how many time the File Service Used Route counter does roll over.)

The only condition under which this statistic will not give a true reading
of FSP shortages applies if your server is configured with the Racal-
Interlan NP600 NIC and you are using newer drivers supplied by Racal-
Interlan. Due to the way the driver was written it will cause the File
Service Used Route counter to increment for every File Service Packet
delivered to the server, whether an FSP is available or not. Using this
FCONSOLE method to determine FSP shortages will be misleading.

Finally, we will see later that attaching an FSP amount to a particular
option is inaccurate. For example, saying that a certain LAN board takes up
two FSPs is inaccurate. What one server's FSP allocation is like can be
radically different from another's. The most accurate information that can
be given for server options is in DGroup bytes used, not FSPs.

DGroup Data Segment

The DGroup data segment is the most important segment of memory for the
NetWare Operating System. It consists of a single 64KB block of RAM, which
cannot be changed due to how pre-80386 Intel microprocessors segment RAM
into 64KB blocks. This 64KB block of RAM exists (and is required for the
server to even operate) in the smallest as well as the largest of server
configurations. Adding or removing RAM does not affect this block at all.
(Indeed this RAM is part of the Minimum RAM required specification of the
NetWare OS.)

The DGroup data segment contains various integral components that serve as
the heart of the NetWare OS. These components are the Global Static Data
area, the Process Stacks area, the Volume and Monitor Tables area, Dynamic
Memory Pool 1 and the File Service Process Buffers area. The reasons that
these components all reside within this 64KB data segment are mostly for
performance advantages. In past versions of NetWare some components were
removed from the DGroup Data segment in order to accommodate increased
functionality as it was added to the OS. However, further removal of
components from this area with the current version of the OS would
necessitate major changes.

The Global Static Data area contains all the global variables defined in
the NetWare OS. This area also contains all of the global variables defined
by the network interface card (NIC) drivers and the disk controller (or
VADD) drivers.

The Process Stacks area provides stack space for all of the various NetWare
processes.

The Volume and Monitor tables contain information for the Monitor screen of
the file server, as well as information on all of the disk volumes mounted
on the server.

Dynamic Memory Pool 1 is used by virtually all NetWare processes and
routines as either a temporary or semi-permanent workspace.

The File Service Process buffers are the buffers where incoming File
Service Packets are placed. An interesting side note is that FSPs are not a
part of DGroup. However, the number of File Service Process buffers
directly determines how many FSPs are allocated.

The following graphic illustrates the five components and their minimum to
maximum RAM allocation:

: DGroup Data Segment

The following sections of this report will go into more detail on each one
of these DGroup components.

 Global Static Data:
     28-39.3KB

The Global Static Data area is typically the largest single segment of
DGroup allocated.

The Global Static Data area contains all of the global variables defined by
the operating system code. This number has increased not only with each
successive version of the OS, but for most revisions as well. A table of OS
DGroup allocations is included for comparison.

This area also contains all of the global variables defined in both the
NetWare network interface card (NIC) drivers and the disk drivers. Tables
for disk and NIC driver DGroup allocations are also included.

When loading multiple NIC drivers, the variables are allocated in DGroup
once for each NIC driver. If the same NIC driver is loaded twice, then the
variables are allocated twice. For example if you configure two NE2000s
into the OS, then the DGroup allocation is 812 bytes, (2 times 406 bytes).

When loading multiple disk drivers, the variables are also allocated in
DGroup once for each disk driver. However, if the same disk driver is
loaded multiple times, the variables are still only allocated once. For
example, if you configure the ISA disk driver and the Novell DCB driver
into the OS, then the DGroup allocation is 292 plus 783, or 1,075 bytes.
However if you configure two Novell DCBs into the OS, the DGroup allocation
is only 783, and not 1,566 bytes.

: Operating System / Disk Driver DGroup Allocation Tables

: NIC Driver Code Sizes

Determining Global Static Data Allocations

You can determine the Global Static Data allocation of any given driver by
using the Novell supplied linker program, NLINK.EXE, to generate a map
file. You simply select the particular object file which corresponds to
either the NIC driver, the disk driver or the NetWare OS object file
desired, and then generate a map file using the following command:

               NLINK -m <output file> <object file>

for example         NLINK -m scsi.map scsi.obj

The map output file would look like the one represented in . The DGroup
Global Static variable allocations will be listed in the first portion of
the file called the Segment Table. Search down the Segment Table listing
until you come upon the line(s) which lists DATA in both the Name and Class
columns. The size in bytes of the allocation will be represented by the
hexadecimal number under the Len (length) column. Simply convert the
hexadecimal number to decimal to get the byte size of the Global Static
Data variables that this particular driver allocates.

: NLINK SCSI Map Output File

You can also generate a map file for an entire OS by using this same
technique. Simply chain all the object files together in the command line
like the following:

NLINK -m net$os.map tts.obj cache.obj ane2000.obj bne2000.obj nullc.obj
nulld.obj scsi.obj

This is an example of all the object files that are used to create a
NET$OS.EXE file given this particular configuration. You can see what your
particular configuration is from looking at the existing NET$OS.LNK file
from the AUXGEN diskette. This file will list all of the object files used
when you last generated the OS. The resulting map file is much larger than
the one generated when using a single driver, but it is read in exactly the
same way as shown in .

: NLINK NET$OS Map Output File

 Process Stacks:
     7-10.5KB

There is a stack area allocated for each NetWare server process. Each of
the stacks range from 80 to 1,000 bytes. The following are the stack space
requirements for the NetWare processes:

Standard Operating System processes:         7,136 bytes

TTS Stack:                                   250 bytes

Print Spooler Stack:                         668 bytes

(This is allocated once for each port spooled in NETGEN)

Note that the print spooler stacks are created for a spooled port that is
defined in NETGEN. Print servers and print queues do not affect FSP
allocation.

 Volume & Monitor Tables:
     0.2-11.5KB

The Monitor table is used by the console to store information required to
display the Monitor screen. This table size is fixed, not configurable.

Monitor Table Size:                     84 bytes

The Volume table is used to maintain information on each of the disk
volumes mounted on the server. The size of memory allocated for this table
is dependent on the size of the mounted volumes, as well as the amount of
directory entries allocated in NETGEN.

Please note that mounted volume size is used for these tables so mirrored
drives are not counted twice. The following is the Volume table memory
requirements:

For each volume mounted on the server:            84.00 bytes

For each MB of disk space mounted:                1.75 bytes

For each 18 directory entries on all volumes:     1.00 byte

(These numbers are rounded to the next highest integer.)

For example, if you had a server with only one volume (SYS:) mounted, with
a size of 145MB and 9,600 directory entries, the Volume and Monitor tables
would require:

 84 + (1*84) + (145*1.75) + (9600/18) bytes of DGroup memory
                             or 956 bytes (rounded up)

 Dynamic Memory Pool 1:
     16-20.9KB

Dynamic Memory Pool 1 (DMP 1) is used by virtually all NetWare processes
and routines as temporary workspace. Workspace from 2 to 1,024 bytes (with
128 being the average) is allocated to a NetWare process. This workspace is
used, then recovered upon completion.

Additionally, there are several NetWare processes and routines that hold
memory allocated out of DMP 1, either on a semi-permanent basis, or until
the process or routine finishes. A table of these semi-permanent DMP 1
allocations is included.

If there is no DMP 1 RAM available for a process or routine, the
workstation will likely display "Network Error: out of dynamic workspace
during <operation>," where <operation> refers to the name of the DOS call
being tried. In some instances, with some versions of the OS, running out
of DMP 1 RAM can cause print jobs to either disappear (until more DMP 1 RAM
is released) or be lost completely. It has also been reported that under
some earlier versions of 286-based NetWare, running out of DMP 1 RAM can
cause the server to lock up without displaying an ABEND error message.

Please note that references to "dynamic workspace" in an error message can
refer to the unavailability of RAM in either Dynamic Memory Pools 1, 2 or
3. Use the FCONSOLE => Summary => Statistics screen to determine the exact
memory pool involved.

: Semi-Permanent Dynamic Memory Pool 1 Allocations

Please note that the DMP 1 allocations marked with an asterisk (*) are, in
practical terms, permanent allocations. To change these allocation requires
some type of server reconfiguration.

 File Service Process Buffers:
     1.5-12.8 KB

The File Service Process buffers are the buffers allocated in DGroup for
incoming File Service Packets. The number of FSP buffers available
determines how many FSPs your server will have in a one to one
relationship. If you have four FSP buffers available, then you will have
four FSPs. The maximum FSPs available for any server configuration is 10.
The following is the breakdown of memory requirements for each FSP buffer:

Reply buffer                             94 bytes

Workspace                               106 bytes

Stack space                             768 bytes

Receive buffer                          512-4,096 bytes

The total size of the FSP buffer depends on the largest packet size of any
NIC driver configured into the operating system. The exact packet size
constitutes the receive buffer portion of the FSP buffer.

For example, if you have configured an Ethernet driver with a packet size
of 1024 bytes, and an ARCNET driver using 4,096 byte packets, then the FSP
buffers for this server will be 5,064 bytes:

               (4096 + 768 + 106 + 94)

This shows that configuring a server with NIC drivers of different packet
sizes can be very inefficient. You can optimize this by keeping all of the
NIC driver packet sizes the same size.

Additional File Service Process Buffer RAM

There is also a one-time allocation of a single additional reply buffer of
94 bytes. Lastly, if any NIC driver configured into the OS supports DMA
access, there may be additional memory that will be set aside, unused.

Additional reply buffer                      94 bytes

Memory set aside for DMA workaround          0-4,095 bytes

This is due to the fact that in some PCs, the DMA chip cannot handle
addresses correctly across physical 64KB RAM boundaries. If the receive
buffer of an FSP buffer straddles a physical 64KB RAM boundary, the OS will
skip the memory (depending on the size of the receive buffer this could be
0 to 4,095 bytes) and not use it. This problem can be erased by changing to
a non-DMA NIC driver. It is also conceivable that changing the Volume
Tables can shift the data structures enough to avoid this straddling. The
following graphic depicts this workaround.

: DMA Workaround

: NIC Driver Packet and DGroup Buffer Sizes (bytes)

This table shows various NIC drivers, and their packet and FSP buffer
sizes, and whether or not they use DMA. Following tables will show the
exact steps in allocating DGroup RAM, options which have the biggest impact
on DGroup RAM allocation and some steps for alleviating FSP shortages.

DGroup RAM Allocation, Troubleshooting and Management

DGroup RAM Allocation Process

The following is the step-by-step process of allocating RAM in DGroup:

1) The OS first allocates the Global Static Data Area of DGroup. This
includes OS, NIC and disk variables.

2) The Process stacks are allocated.

3) The Volume and Monitor tables are allocated.

4) 16KB is set aside for Dynamic Memory Pool 1.

5) The remaining DGroup RAM is used to set up File Service Process buffers.

6) 94 bytes are set aside as an additional reply buffer.

7) 0-4,095 bytes may be set aside (unused) if any installed NIC driver
supports DMA.

8) The remaining RAM is divided by the total FSP buffer size up to a
maximum of 10.

9) The remaining DGroup RAM that could not be evenly made into an FSP
buffer is added to Dynamic Memory Pool 1.

A server configured with an NE2000 NIC and an SMC ARCNET NIC, using the
Novell driver, would require an FSP buffer size of 1,992 which is the FSP
buffer size of the larger packet size NIC. (The NE2000 has a 1,024 byte
packet size as opposed to the 512 byte packet size of the ARCNET card).

If after allocating all the prior DGroup data structures, there remain
7,500 bytes of DGroup available for FSP buffers, the allocation would be as
follows:

Subtract 94 bytes from the 7,500 for the one additional reply buffer and
divide the remainder by the 1,992 FSP buffer size. This gives 3 FSP buffers
and a remainder of 1,430 to be added to Dynamic Memory Pool 1. The
following is the computation:

     (7500 - 94) / 1992 = 3 with a remainder of 1430

Once understanding this process, it becomes very easy to see how close any
particular server is to gaining another FSP.

1) Figure out the FSP buffer size.

2) Take the maximum RAM in Dynamic Memory Pool 1 and subtract it from
16,384 bytes. (The fixed size of DMP 1.)

3) Subtract that difference from the FSP buffer size.

This is how many bytes short that server configuration is from gaining an
additional FSP.

For example, if the server configuration has a 1,992 FSP buffer size and
the maximum DMP 1 is 16,804, then you can figure that to get an additional
FSP you would have to free up an additional 1,572 bytes of DGroup. The
following is the computation:

     1992 - (16804 - 16384) = 1572

Two solutions for this configuration would be the following:

Remove three spooled printer ports (3 * 668 = 2004)

Or reduce directory entries by 28,296 (28296 / 18 = 1572)

Either of these would free up the necessary DGroup RAM; however, if current
DMP 1 RAM usage is close to the current maximum, the best choice would be
the option that leaves you with additional remainder RAM for DMP 1. That
choice would be removing the three spooled printer ports, which gives you
432 bytes for DMP 1.

Troubleshooting

The following items have the biggest impact on DGroup RAM allocation. They
are listed in order of importance:

1) NIC driver packet size

2) Amount of disk space mounted and directory entries allocated

3) NIC and disk driver global variables

4) Possible RAM loss to DMA workaround

5) Spooled ports defined in NETGEN

6) TTS

The following is the methodology used to define this list:

1) The NIC driver packet size has the most significant impact on the
allocation of FSPs because it determines what divisor is used to allocate
FSP buffers. The larger the packet size, the larger the FSP buffer and the
smaller the amount of FSPs.

2) Disk configurations have the second largest impact on DGroup RAM
allocation. Mounting a single volume of 2GB with 10,000 directory entries
would require 13,584 bytes of DGroup RAM alone.

3) These NIC and disk variables can be significant in size. The Async WNIM
driver alone requires 9,942 bytes of DGroup RAM.

4) The maximum DGroup RAM that can be lost to this workaround is 4,095
bytes.

5) The maximum DGroup RAM that can be allocated to print spooler stacks is
3,340 bytes.

6) The TTS process stack uses 250 bytes of DGroup RAM. Also, Global Static
Data variables for TTS can run from 142 to 152 additional bytes.

DGroup RAM Management Methods

1) Remove spooled ports in NETGEN

2) Decrease directory entries

Warning: Before decreasing directory entries, please read the Directory
Entries section later in this report. If you incorrectly reduce your
directory entries, it is possible that it will result in lost files,
directory structures and trustee priveleges.

3) Change NIC drivers to non-DMA ones

4) Decrease NIC driver packet size

5) Remove TTS

6) Decrease disk space

7) Use Dynamic Memory Pool 1 patch for qualified servers

Warning: Before using the DMP 1 patch, please read the Dynamic Memory Pool
1 Patch section later in this report. If you incorrectly use the patch, it
is possible that it will result in a dysfunctional or inoperable server.

This order was chosen because the impact on server configurations was
deemed minimal in choice 1 and increases as the list increases. However, it
goes without saying that some of these changes are impossible for certain
configurations. For example, removing spooled printers from your server may
be prohibitive or impossible.

TTS removal was placed fifth in this list and merits special mention due to
this fact. Even though you are not using implicit or explicit TTS with your
applications, the NetWare OS will still use TTS services for specific
operations. For example, when TTS is installed, the NetWare OS will make
use of it when performing updates to the NetWare bindery files. In the
event of a server failure, this would protect against corruption due to
incomplete bindery updates.

Directory Entries

When a 286-based NetWare server sets up a directory entry block based upon
the amount of directory entries defined in NETGEN, it allocates that as one
block. As directory entries are used up (by files, directories and trustee
privileges), the block is filled up sequentially. As the directory entry
block is filled, NetWare keeps track of the peak directory entry used. This
is the highest number entry used in the directory entry block.

However, directory entries are added sequentially only as long as prior
directory entries are not deleted. When directory entries are deleted,
holes in the directory entry block are created that are filled by
subsequent new directory entries.

: New Server Directory Entry Block

: Used Server Directory Entry Block

This directory entry block fragmentation is not defragmented either under
NetWare or after running VREPAIR. To determine the amount of directory
block fragmentation, perform the following:

1) Pull up the FCONSOLE => Statistics => Volume Information => (select a
volume) screen.

2) Take the Maximum Directory Entries number and subtract the Peak
Directory Entries Used number from it. This is the number of free directory
entries that can be safely manipulated via NETGEN without loss of files.

3) Next take the Current Free Directory Entries number and subtract the
number from step two. This number is the amount of free directory entries
that are inside your live block of directory entries. This number indicates
how much fragmentation of your directory block exists. The higher
proportion of free directory entries you have inside your live block of
directory entries (the number from step 3) to the ones you have outside
your live block (the number from step 2), represents a more fragmented
directory block.

When you down a server and run NETGEN in order to reduce directory entries,
the directory entry block is simply truncated to the new number. NETGEN
does not check to see if directory entries that are about to be deleted are
in use. If you have a fragmented directory block and you reduce the
directory entry block based upon the amount of free directory entries you
have available, it is likely that you will be deleting directory entries
that are in use.

This will cause files, directories and trustee privileges that were defined
in those directory entries to be lost. Running VREPAIR reestablishes
directory entries for those lost files and some of the directory structure,
and will save most files in the root directory with names that are created
by VREPAIR. These names are typically something like VF000000.000. For a
more complete description of VREPAIR program, consult section eight,
running the VREPAIR utility, in the SFT/Advanced NetWare 286 Maintenance
manual.

If you do not wish to manually defragment the server's directory block by
backing up and then restoring the entire volume, then the only safe number
to use in determining how much you can reduce your directory entries by is
your Peak Directory Entries Used number. You can reduce your total
directory entries to near this number, without loss of files. You can
quickly calculate if manipulating the directory entries will buy your
server any FSPs by checking your Maximum Directory Entries number against
your Peak Directory Entries Used number. The difference between these two
represents the amount of directory entries you can manipulate. You can then
calculate if reducing this number can give you additional FSPs.

If you recognize that you have a significant amount of directory block
fragmentation, you can elect to manually defragment it using the following
method:

1) Make a complete backup of the volume(s) whose directory entry block you
wish to defragment.

2) Make a note of how many directory entry blocks you have used.

Do this by rerunning FCONSOLE and selecting the Statistics => Volume
Information => (select a volume) screen. Next, take the amount of Maximum
Directory Entries and subtract the number of Current Free Directory Entries
from it. This is the number of directory entries that you have used. In
order to complete a full restore, you will need to allocate at least this
many directory entries in NETGEN.

(You can also get this number by running CHKVOL on your volume from the
command line.)

You should now calculate how many total directory entries you wish to have.
If you do not have a set number in mind, take the number of used directory
entries and add half again to it. For example, if you have used 6,000
directory entries, allocating 9,000 is a good start.

3) Down the server and rerun NETGEN.

4) Reinitialize the selected volume(s).

5) Reset the number of directory entries to the number you calculated from
step two.

6) Restore your volume(s) from your backup.

A final note regarding directory entries concerns NetWare servers that are
being used for Macintosh file storage. Currently, using the Peak Directory
Entry Used number for calculating how many directory entries you may safely
reduce without loss of files, will not work for these servers. This is due
to the fact that when Macintosh files are created on a NetWare server, the
resource fork portion of each Macintosh file does not increment the Peak
Directory Entry Used counter. As a result, the only way to reduce directory
entries for such servers is to use the manual directory block defragment
method outlined above.

Dynamic Memory Pool 1 Patch

Finally, be aware that Novell has a patch fix for some FSP-starved server
configurations. This patch has been available through LANSWER technical
support for qualified configurations. This is the only Novell supported
method for distributing this patch. This patch is also available from other
sources in an unsupported fashion. Warnings should precede its use.

The patch consists of three files, a general purpose debug type program
called PATCH.EXE, a patch file to be used with the PATCH.EXE program and a
README file. You can read the PATCH program instructions for a further
explanation of the PATCH program, by simply running the PATCH.EXE program
without any parameters. The patch program works by taking the patch
instruction file and patching the specified file. The patch instruction
file consists of three lines - a pattern line, an offset and a patch line.
The following is the Novell supplied patch instruction file called
SERVPROC.

: Novell Dynamic Memory Pool 1 Patch Instructions

The patch program will search the specified file (one of the OS .OBJ files)
for the pattern 8B E0 05 00 1F and will replace the byte 1F with 08.

This changes a portion of the fixed size of Dynamic Memory Pool 1. The 1F
bytes represents a fixed size of this portion of DMP 1 of 1F00h or 7,936
bytes. The patch program then changes that byte to 08 which represents a
fixed size of this portion of DMP 1 of 800h or 2,048 bytes. This change
means that DMP 1 will be reduced by 5,888 bytes or about 5.75KB.

          (7936 - 2048 = 5888)

If you understand the operation of the patch you can change the number of
bytes in the decrease of DMP 1 by changing the patch line of the patch
instruction file. In other words, you can use any value beginning at 1F and
decreasing to 00 in place of the 08. This will decrease DMP 1 in 256 byte
increments as follows:

          1E   Decrease DMP 1 by    256 bytes

          1D   Decrease DMP 1 by    512 bytes

          1C   Decrease DMP 1 by    768 bytes

          1B   Decrease DMP 1 by 1,024 bytes

          ...

          08   Decrease DMP 1 by 5,888 bytes

          ...

          00   Decrease DMP 1 by 7,936 bytes

Remember that the hex number you are changing is the two digit hex number
patch value followed by 00. In the first case you are patching the number
1F00h (the original value of 7,936 bytes) to 1E00h (or 7,680 bytes).
Subtracting the two gives the difference of 256 bytes.

It is conceivable that this patch can be used to increase the fixed size of
this portion of DMP 1. You could increase this fixed size by using numbers
greater than 1F. Again, you would be increasing this fixed size in 256 byte
increments for every single hex number increment above 1F. However, it is
not known if using the patch in this manner will result in an operating
system that will even work. Due to the untested nature of this, as well as
the unknown ramifications to other parts of the operating system, it is
strongly recommended that you do not attempt to increase this portion's
fixed size of DMP 1 with this patch.

It is also strongly recommended that you do not alter the patch line
numbers to decrease DMP 1 RAM by a larger value than the one supplied with
the patch. Just as you can produce a server OS that will not run by
attempting to increase DMP 1, you can also produce a server OS that will
not run by attempting to decrease DMP 1 too much.

If you have not performed the DGroup RAM calculations and you do not know
exactly what you are gaining in FSPs and losing in DMP 1, you should not
alter the patch. If you do alter the patch value, do the calculations on
paper first and remember the numbers involved.

Use the number you calculated from page 17 that told you how many bytes you
were short from gaining an additional FSP. At the minimum, your patch value
must be greater than that number or you will be accomplishing nothing by
patching the OS.

The current patch value of 08 was arrived at because it will provide the
following FSP gains in a minimum to maximum range of FSPs:

512KB Packet NIC Drivers           3-4 Additional FSPs

1024KB Packet NIC Drivers          2-3 Additional FSPs

2048KB Packet NIC Drivers          1-2 Additional FSPs

4096KB Packet NIC Drivers          1-2 Additional FSPs

The warnings for use of this patch should be self evident by now. If you
run short of Dynamic Memory Pool 1 RAM you will get erratic and sometimes
fatal server behavior. Also, altering the patch numbers is not a guaranteed
or supported function of the patch. These numbers and this explanation were
arrived at based on our understanding of how the patch works, and then by
performing the calculations. If you feel the need to use the patch, you
should use it as it is supplied.

Prior to sending a user the patch, LANSWER guarantees that the peak RAM
used of Dynamic Memory Pool 1 is at least 6KB greater than the maximum
allocated. If you receive the patch through other means you should, at the
minimum, check those numbers yourself.

Due to the nature of fixes that involve patching the operating system, it
is recommended that you try all prior means of curing an FSP-starved server
before resorting to this fix.

Final Notes

286-based NetWare v2.1x was designed on the principal of enhanced client
server computing being the foundation of future computer networking.
Therefore, technologies such as a non-preemptive server OS, disk mirroring,
transaction tracking and hardware independence, all implemented with
exceptional speed and security, formed the basis of the technology and
design that went into 286-based NetWare. The fact that almost all other
current network implementations are now borrowing heavily from these ideas
matters little. The additional fact that more and more users are placing
larger amounts of computer resources into their NetWare LANs only reaffirms
the sound concepts behind the design. However, as with any design,
limitations define the playing field.

One conclusion that can be drawn from this report is echoed on the final
page of the SFT NetWare 286 In-Depth Product Definition:

"*NOTE: Maximums listed are individual limits. You will not be able to use
these specifications at maximum levels at all times. You may have to
purchase additional hardware to achieve some of these maximums."

After understanding the relationship between the separate DGroup RAM
components and the File Service Processes, it becomes evident that setting
up an Advanced NetWare 286 server with 100 workstations, 2GB of disk space
and four NICs, is inadvisable. Many of the limitations for this type of
configuration can be largely attributed to many of the current hardware
limitations.

NetWare design technologies remain firmly focused at furthering network
computing. NetWare 386 is the next logical design step. The fact is that
NetWare 386 introduces a completely new memory scheme that renders all of
the current discussion on FSP and DGroup limitations academic. Using a
completely dynamic memory and module management system, NetWare 386 is
beginning to introduce a new set of features and technologies that will
represent the new standard for computer networks. And as the next
generation of computer hardware becomes available, we will find that
NetWare 386 will be ready and waiting.