Although it is frequently more convenient to refer to the computer where NetWare® resides as the server, the NetWare 5®server is the network operating system that is installed on a server class computer. NetWare 5 turns the computer into a high performance network platform that provides connectivity between workstations, printers, mass storage devices, and other networks such as the Internet. NetWare 5 also provides network users with a server platform for hosting Java applications.
The NetWare server manages the transmission of data among the network devices, stores and retrieves data from hard disks, manages one or more file systems, ensures data integrity, manages printers and printing, and allocates and manages memory.The NetWare server is designed to operate on either a uniprocessing or multiprocessing computer. For further information on the server, its console, and its performance, click any of the links below or click Understanding for more options.
If you are ready to begin installing the server, see Cobra Installation Guide. If you are planning to use a multiprocessing computer as your server, see New NetWare 5 Kernel for information on the higher level of support for multiprocessing.
NetWare 5 uses pure IP as its default communication protocol, but also supports IPX. If you choose IP, you can also choose to have passive IPX in Compatibility Mode. To decide which protocol to use, see NetWare Server Communications.
The NDS® database and the NDS tree are the foundation for convenient network administration. See Contents > Network Services Documentation > Directory Services > NDS Concepts and Planning in the online documentation.
NetWare offers a choice of file systems---Novell Storage Services (NSS) advanced file system and NetWare's traditional file system. For more information, see Novell Storage Services (NSS) and Traditional File Services.
For information about security services for your network, see Auditing the Network.
For information about NetWare's use of memory, see NetWare Server Memory.
For information about NetWare's use of disks and other storage devices, see NetWare Server Disks and Storage Devices.