This section explains how to access help for server utilities and console commands, discusses types of NLM programs, and provides instructions for loading and unloading an NLM at the System Console.
Server utilities are NetWare Loadable Modules (NLM) programs. Some NLM programs are loaded whenever you start the server, some are loaded by other NLM programs when they are needed, and some must be loaded manually.
Server console commands are executed by entering the command at the System Console prompt.
When you enter a command at the System Console prompt, the command is stored in the command queue. To repeat a command, press the Up-arrow key until the desired command is displayed. You can make changes to the command or press Enter to execute the command. Up to 16 commands can be saved in the queue.
NOTE:The amount of commands stored varies based on the length of the commands enter
You can also disable the storing of console commands by pressing the F10 key at the System Console prompt. For more information, see Executing Console Commands.
You can also use the RECORD
and REPLAY
commands to enter commands that you enter frequently at the System Console.
For more information, see the following topics:
For a list of utilities and console commands, with descriptions, syntax, and examples, see NW 6.5 SP8: Utilities Reference.
The following table shows the information that you can get online at the System Console.
Table 5-10 Displaying Help for System Console Commands and Utilities
To display a list of all the console commands in Novell Remote Manager, click the link under the heading in the navigation frame. For help on a specific command, click the icon next to the command.
When loaded, an NLM program is dynamically linked to the operating system and the NetWare server allocates a portion of memory to it.
The amount of memory an NLM program uses depends on the task. Some tasks make calls that cause the operating system to allocate more memory. The NLM uses the memory to perform a task and then returns control of the memory to the operating system when the NLM is unloaded. When an NLM is unloaded, all allocated resources are returned to the operating system.
NetWare has five types of NLM programs:
NWPA drivers (.cdm and .ham extensions) control communication between the operating system and host adapters.
LAN drivers (.lan extension) control communication between the operating system and the network boards.
You can load and unload LAN drivers while the server is running and while users are logged in.
PSM modules (.psm extension) provide support for multiple processors in server class computers.
Management utilities and server applications modules (.nlm and .exe extensions) let you monitor and change configuration options.
For example, you can run REBUILD or VREPAIR on a dismounted volume or use Monitor to view server statistics.
After you finish your tasks, you can unload the utility and free memory for other server functions.
Name space support (.nam extension) lets non-DOS naming conventions be stored in the directory and file naming system.
Some NLM programs, such as utilities, can be loaded, used, and then unloaded. Other NLM programs, such as LAN driver and disk driver NLM programs, must be loaded every time the server is started.
Ncf files (startup.ncf and autoexec.ncf) allow you to store commands that load NLM programs every time the NetWare server is started.
Most NLM programs included with NetWare are copied to sys:system during installation. As you acquire additional NLM programs, decide where you want to copy them. The operating system must be able to find the NLM programs when a LOAD command is issued.
NLM programs can be copied to any of the following areas:
The sys:system directory
Any network directory on the NetWare server
A local drive of the NetWare server
For more information about using NLM programs, see LOAD
, UNLOAD
, and SEARCH
in the NW 6.5 SP8: Utilities Reference.
To load a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM), enter the following at the System Console prompt:
[LOAD] [path]NLM_name
If the NLM is stored in the sys:system directory or if you have a server search path to the directory where the NLM resides, enter just the NLM name (instead of the complete path). For information about server search paths, see SEARCH
in the NW 6.5 SP8: Utilities Reference.
If you want the NLM to be loaded whenever the server boots, add the command to autoexec.ncf.
If you want the NLM program to be displayed in a language other than English, see Changing the Language NetWare Uses.
NOTE:In most cases you can load an NLM program by entering just the name of the NLM at the System Console prompt. The exception is if there is a .ncf file of the same name as the NLM. In this case, you must use the LOAD command. Using the LOAD command directs the server to load the NLM instead of executing the file of the same name. For information about the LOAD command, see LOAD
in the NW 6.5 SP8: Utilities Reference.
When a module is loaded, a message is sent to the Logger screen showing information about the module including the load time.
To unload an NLM program, enter the following at the System Console prompt:
UNLOAD NLM_name
To unload an NLM program from a protected address space, enter the following at the System Console prompt:
UNLOAD ADDRESS SPACE = space_name module_name
You can also load and unload NLM programs from the server using Novell Remote Manager. For more information, see Managing NLM Programs
in the NW 6.5 SP8: Novell Remote Manager Administration Guide.
For more information about loading and unloading modules, see LOAD
and UNLOAD
in the NW 6.5 SP8: Utilities Reference.
For more information about unloading modules from protected address spaces, see Unloading Protected Address Spaces
in the NW 6.5 SP8: Server Memory Administration Guide.