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1996-07-10
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Chapter 1
Introduction
This document is a Theory of Operations for NetWare 386.
Its purpose is to give network system supervisors, MIS
people, developers, and users a detailed introduction to
the major components and overall design of NetWare 386,
v3.0 and v3.1. It includes information on NetWare
Loadable Modules (NLMs), Open Data-Link Interface
specifications, the NetWare STREAMS implementation,
NetWare 386 Directory and File Security attributes, etc.
These and other NetWare 386 components and services
combine to make NetWare 386 an open server platform and
the solution to a wide variety of networking needs. Open
Data-Link Interface specifications and the STREAMS
environment combined with NLMs allow media and protocol
independence and an overall versatility that extend
server capability. Thus NetWare 386 offers more potential
for developers and more freedom of choice for managers
and users who want networking solutions tailored to
specific situations. This document explains the
components and design considerations of NetWare 386 in
enough detail to enable managers, developers, and users
to accurately understand and evaluate NetWare 386.
A significant difference between NetWare 386 and previous
versions of NetWare is that NetWare 386 takes advantage
of the Intel 80386 chip. Some of these advantages are
listed in the following graphic.
----------------------------------------------
NETWARE 386 Takes Advantage fo the 80386 CPU
* Protected Mode
* 32-bit Instructions
* 32-bit Data Paths
* No Memory Segmentation
----------------------------------------------
The NetWare 386 operating system also uses the 80386
environment to feature a long list of enhancements.
------------------------------------------------
NetWare Supports
* 4 GB Physical Memory (Theoretical)
* Potential of 4,000 Concurrent Connections
(The current NetWare 3.0 version of the
shell limits access to 250 concurrent
connections.)
* 100,000 Open Files
* Dynamic Memory Configuration for directory
cache blocks, routing buffers, maximum
number of open files, etc.
* 32 Volumes with one volume capable of
spanning 32 hard disks.
------------------------------------------------
Perhaps the most significant enhancement, however, is
that NetWare is now an open server platform to which a
network supervisor can easily add customized enhancements
or services. These enhancements include
communication/service protocols, file and directory
systems, naming conventions, LAN drivers, and other value
added services--all suited to a particular environment
or situation.
The pieces or tools from which a customized server is
built are NetWare 386 Loadable Modules (NLMs). An NLM is
code that you write and then load into server memory to
become an integral part of NetWare. You can write NLMs
to add a variety of services to the NetWare server
platform, depending upon your needs.
One component that contributes to making NetWare 386 an
open server platform on which NLMs are built is a set of
specifications called Open Data-Link Interface. These
specifications allow multiple communication protocols
such as IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, and AppleTalk to share the same
driver and adapter. LAN Driver NLMs written to the Open
Data-Link Interface specifications allow you to choose
from among a variety of adapters supporting different
networking environments.
Thus, you can use NetWare 386 as a foundation to build
a server environment with features important to you; the
open system architecture offers you the potential to
customize your own networking solutions. For example,
NetWare 386 offers the enhancements and services
important to a basic networking platform, yet it no
longer limits you to one communication/service protocol
combination such as IPX/NCP. The limitation of one file
and directory naming convention such as DOS is also
eliminated since NetWare 386 allows Macintosh Name
Support. And with NetWare 386 v3.1, the limitation of one
file system such as the NetWare file system will also be
eliminated.