9.1 Understanding Connections

The Connection Manager reports the status of current connections for NCP Server and lists the connections. You can access the reports using the Connection Manager page in Novell Remote Manager or the connection command in the NCP Server Console (ncpcon(8)) utility. In Novell Remote Manager, you can also view open files for a connection, clear specific NCP connections, and send a broadcast message out to current NCP connections.

9.1.1 Connection Information

The Connection Information report displays the current status of the following parameters:

Table 9-1 Connection Information Report

Parameter

Description

Connection Slots Allocated

Displays the number of slots currently allocated for use. As connection slots required on this server exceed the current number of slots displayed here, new slots are allocated.

Depending on the server’s memory, connection slots are usually allocated in blocks of 16. Connection slots are allocated as needed by users, NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) programs, and other services.

Connection Slots Being Used

Displays the number of connection slots currently in use. As this number matches or exceeds the Connection Slots Allocated entry, more connection slots are allocated to the connection table.

Signing Level

Displays the level at which NCP packet signature signing is set on the server. NCP packet signatures prevent packet forgery by requiring the server and the workstation to sign each NCP packet. A higher packet signature number impacts the performance of your server. At some point, the need for security might outweigh certain performance issues.

  • 0: The server does not sign packets (regardless of the client level).

  • 1: The server signs packets only if the client requests it (client level is 2 or higher). This is the default value.

  • 2: The server signs packets if the client is capable of signing (client level is 1 or higher).

  • 3: The server signs packets and requires all clients to sign packets or logging in will fail.

To set this value for NCP Server on Linux, issue the following command at a terminal console prompt:

ncpcon SET NCP Packet Signature Option = number 

For more information about configuring and managing the NCP Packet Signature, see Using NCP Packet Signature. On Linux, make sure to issue the NCP server commands in the NCP Console (ncpcon(8)).

Login State

Displays whether users are allowed to log in to the server.

To disable users from being able to log in to the server (for server maintenance or other reasons), enter disable login at the NCPCON prompt, or enter ncpcon disable login at a terminal console prompt.

To allow users to log in to the server, enter enable login at the NCPCON prompt, or enter ncpcon enable login at a terminal console prompt.

Licensed Connections

Displays the number of connections that are currently licensed. Licensed connections are authenticated, logged in, and consume a license. An unlicensed connection does not consume a license and can be authenticated or not. An unlicensed, authenticated connection can access the eDirectory database but cannot access any other resources.

Not Logged In Connections

Clears all user connections that are open but not currently authenticated to the server. The connections can be cleared whether they are based on an NLM or based on a user.

Use this parameter to clear all user or NLM connections that are not logged in.

IMPORTANT:Some connections based on an NLM, such as backup NLM programs, maintain a Not Logged In connection until it is time to log in and perform the specified service. If the connection is cleared, the NLM might not be able to reestablish a connection to the server unless it is unloaded and reloaded. This might prevent the NLM from performing the required task.

9.1.2 Connection Listing

The Connection Listing page displays the following information about each current connection:

Table 9-2 Connection Listing Report

Parameter

Description

Station

Shows the connection number for each connection. Connection 0 is the connection used by the server. The server’s operating system uses connection numbers to control each station’s communication with other stations. Remote Manager does not distinguish connections that don’t count against the server’s connection limit.

Name

Shows the name of the user, server, service, login status, and links to specific information about that user connection such as the login time, connection number, network address, login status, number of NCP requests, files in use, and security equivalence.

Connections with an asterisk (*) displayed next to the name indicate an unlicensed connection (it does not consume a license). These licenses can be either authenticated or not authenticated. An unlicensed, authenticated connection can access the Novell eDirectory database but not other server resources.

From this detailed Connection Information page, you can also clear the connection or send a message to the user.

Reads & Writes

Shows the number of reads and writes (in bytes) made by each connection.

NCP Request

Shows the number of NCP requests made by each connection.

Login Time

Shows the login day, date, and time for the connection.

9.1.3 Detailed Connection Information

For each connection, the Connection Manager reports additional details, which are available by clicking the Name link for the connection. Some parameters are not present if they do not apply.

Table 9-3 Detailed Connection Information Report for a Specific Connection

Parameter

Description

Connection

The station number for the connection.

Login Status

Shows whether the connection is Authenticated or Not Logged In.

Authentication Method

Shows the authentication method used if the connection is logged in.

Login Time

Shows the login day, date, and time for the connection.

Privileges

Shows whether the connection has privileges, such as Supervisor or Console Operator.

Connection Type

Shows whether the connection is internal or external.

Bytes Read

Shows the total number of reads made by the connection.

Bytes Written

Shows the total number of writes made by the connection.

NCP Requests

Shows the total number of NCP requests made by the connection.

IP Address

Shows the IP address where the connection originates.

Open Files

Shows the files open for the connection.

Security Equivalence

Shows the name of the user, server, or service if it is logged in.