6.6 Directory and File Attributes for NSS Volumes or NetWare Traditional Volumes

Directory and file attributes assign properties to individual directories or files. Some attributes are meaningful only when applied at the file level, but some apply to both the directory and the file levels.

File attributes apply universally to all users. For example, a file that has a read-only attribute is read-only for all users. The file attribute settings are like an on/off switch. Attributes can be set by any trustee with the Modify right to the directory or file, and attributes stay set until they are changed. Attributes do not change when you log out or when you down a file server.

IMPORTANT:Be careful when assigning a directory and file attribute. The attribute applies to all users.

For example, if a trustee with the Modify right enables the Delete Inhibit attribute for a file, no one, including the owner of the file or the network administrator, can delete the file. However, any trustee with the Modify right can disable the Delete Inhibit attribute to allow the file’s deletion.

The table below describes directory and file attributes and whether they are apply to directories, files, or both.

Attribute Code

Description

Applies to

 
A

Archive Needed identifies files that have been modified since the last backup. This attribute is assigned automatically.

Directories and files

 
Ci

Copy Inhibit prevents users from copying a file. This attribute overrides the trustee Read right and File Scan right.

Files only

 
Dc

Do Not Compress keeps data from being compressed. This attribute overrides settings for automatic compression of files not accessed within a specified number of days.

Directories and files

 
Di

Delete Inhibit prevents users from deleting a directory or file.

This attribute overrides the trustee Erase right. When it is enabled, no one, including the owner and network administrator, can delete the directory or file. A trustee with the Modify right must disable this right to allow the directory or file to be deleted.

Directories and files

 
Dm

Do Not Migrate prevents directories and files from being migrated from the server’s server disk to another storage medium.

Directories and files

 
Ds

Do Not Suballocate prevents data from being suballocated.

Files only

 
H

The Hidden attribute hides directories and files so they do not appear in a file manager or directory listing.

Directories and files

 
I

Index allows large files to be accessed quickly by indexing files with more than 64 File Allocation Table (FAT) entries. This attribute is set automatically.

Files only

 
Ic

Immediate Compress sets data to be compressed as soon as a file is closed. If applied to a directory, every file in the directory is compressed as each file is closed.

Directories and files

 
N

Normal indicates the Read/Write attribute is assigned and the Shareable attribute is not. This is the default attribute assignment for all new files.

Directories and files

 
P

Purge flags a directory or file to be erased from the system as soon as it is deleted. Purged directories and files cannot be recovered.

Directories and files

 
Ri

Rename Inhibit prevents the directory or file name from being modified.

Directories and files

 
Ro

Read Only prevents a file from being modified. This attribute automatically sets Delete Inhibit and Rename Inhibit.

Files only

 
Rw

Read/Write allows you to write to a file. All files are created with this attribute.

Files only

 
Sh

Shareable allows more than one user to access the file at the same time. This attribute is usually used with Read Only.

Files only

 
Sy

The System attribute hides the directory or file so it does not appear in a file manager or directory listing. System is normally used with operating system files, such as DOS system files.

Directories and files

 
T

Transactional allows a file to be tracked and protected by the Transaction Tracking System™ (TTS™).

Files only

 
X

The Execute attribute indicates program files such as .exe or .com.

Files only