Setting Server Parameter Values

Default values for NetWare^® server parameters provide maximum performance for most systems. You should seldom need to modify these values. But when you need to modify the default values, we recommend that you read the topics listed here.

Understanding Server Defaults

NetWare 5^TM has been tuned for the specific duties of a network server. It has been thoroughly tested with software tools designed to identify inefficiencies so they can be eliminated. NetWare gives outstanding off-the-shelf performance.

NetWare is also self-tuning: the following parameters are dynamically configured by the operating system:

Packet receive buffers

File cache buffers

Directory cache buffers

Memory for NLM ^TM programs

Service processes

Kernel processes

Kernel semaphores

Load balancing for multiple processors

File locks

Maximum number of open files

Turbo FAT index tables

TTS transactions

Router/server advertising

To tune the server for its particular processing load, two utilities are available to check or set server parameter values:

SET is a command line utility executed at the server console prompt. If you are an experienced NetWare administrator, you might find that using SET is faster for routine tuning as soon as you become familiar with the names of the server parameters. See SET in Utilities Reference.
MONITOR is a character-based menuing utility, the key NetWare tool for performance monitoring at the server level. MONITOR also allows you to configure SET parameters from its Server Parameters option. This means you can set server parameter values from within MONITOR without memorizing parameter names and their valid values. See MONITOR in Utilities Reference.

Parameter values are persistent and are stored in a hidden configuration file. A NetWare 5 server retains any settings that have been modified from the default values---even when it is taken down and then rebooted. The server will come up again with all the settings you have made to tune the server.

Finding Current Parameter Values from MONITOR

Use this procedure to explore parameter settings in MONITOR. For more information, see MONITOR in Utilities Reference.

At the server console prompt, enter
MONITOR
Select Available Options > Server Parameters.
Press F1 for descriptions of the server parameter categories.
Press Esc to return to the menu of parameter categories.
Select a parameter category.

The parameters are displayed in the upper window. As you highlight the field for each parameter, a popup window displays a description of the parameter, its current setting, and its range of valid values.
When you have finished, press Esc until you return to the Available Options menu.

Printing Current Parameter Values to a File

Settings for NetWare 5 server parameters are now persistent, whether you set them using MONITOR or whether you use the SET command. Nevertheless, you should record your optimum server configuration as part of documenting your network.

Use this procedure to write current values of settable parameters to the sys:\system\setcmds.cp file.

At the server console prompt, enter
MONITOR
Select Available Options > Server Parameters.
Press F3 to write the current parameter values to sys:\system\setcmds.cp, the default file for recording the value of settable parameters.
From a workstation, open the file with a text editor and print it.

Put the printout in the notebook that you use for documenting your network.

For more information, see MONITOR in Utilities Reference.

Finding Current Parameter Values with SET

Use this procedure to explore parameter settings in SET.

At the server console prompt, enter
SET

A numbered list of server parameter categories is displayed.
Enter the number associated with one of the categories.

A list of parameter names is displayed. The name of each parameter appears highlighted in white with the current setting highlighted in yellow. The information also includes the limits (or range of valid values), the .ncf file the parameter can be set in, and a brief description.

If necessary, press any key to display additional parameters in the same category. Press Escape to exit the category.
Run SET again to select another category.

For a complete description of SET parameters and guidelines for their use, see SET in Utilities Reference.

Checking Current Parameter Values with DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT

You can also check parameter values by using two new console commands: DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT and DISPLAY MODIFIED ENVIRONMENT.

The DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT command displays the current search paths and the current values of the settable server parameters. (Hidden parameters are not displayed.)
At the server console prompt, enter
DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT

The name of each parameter appears highlighted in white. The current value appears in yellow. The limits (or range of valid values) and the default setting (if applicable) also appear.
In comparison, the DISPLAY MODIFIED ENVIRONMENT displays only the server parameters that have values modified from the defaults.
At the server console prompt, enter
DISPLAY MODIFIED ENVIRONMENT

The display is similar to that of DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT. The difference is that only modified parameters values are shown.

For more information, see DISPLAY ENVIRONMENT and DISPLAY MODIFIED ENVIRONMENT in Utilities Reference.

When to Modify Defaults

NetWare 5 defaults were chosen after thorough testing to provide both excellent performance and system balance.

Before modifying defaults, use the MONITOR utility to track and log performance statistics. See Accessing MONITOR. You will also find the server log files useful in assessing the server's performance. See Checking Server Error Logs.

You can modify default values to

Compensate temporarily for a poorly performing subsystem, allowing the server to remain in service.
Resolve inefficiencies.
Optimize performance and tune the server for its processing load.

For example, if your server has a slow hard disk or insufficient RAM, you can compensate temporarily by modifying defaults. The long-term solution is to replace the disk or to add RAM. See Matching Performance Capabilities.

When Not to Modify Defaults

If you were to modify some defaults, you could sacrifice the system's balance and performance.

NetWare 5 defaults have been chosen after thorough testing. We recommend, for example, that you do not modify the default settings of the Load Balancing Threshold or the Transaction Tracking parameters.

Restoring Default Values with RESET ENVIRONMENT

If you want to restore the default values of the settable server parameters, you can use the RESET ENVIRONMENT command.

When you run RESET ENVIRONMENT , you are prompted at each changed server parameter value.

At the server console prompt, enter

RESET ENVIRONMENT

When the first parameter with modified values appears, you can choose to reset all values to their defaults, or just reset the value of the parameter that is displayed. Or you can also skip to the next modified parameter.

For more information, see RESET ENVIRONMENT in Utilities Reference.

Monitoring Dynamic Statistics

MONITOR reports many useful statistics and updates most of them every second with the return values from direct calls to the operating system. However, not all statistics are of equal value to the network administrator. The key dynamic statistics are displayed in MONITOR's General Information screen, which appears as soon as MONITOR is accessed. For a description of these statistics, see What to Monitor and Why.

ConsoleOne also allows you to monitor server performance. See Procedures > Setting Up > ConsoleOne for information on accessing the servertop.

Using Optional Commands in Startup Files

During initialization, NetWare executes two server boot files that are created by the install process and that reside in the System directory:

startup.ncf. This file executes first and loads the server's disk drivers, name spaces, and some SET parameters.
autoexec.ncf. This file stores the server name and IPX^TM internal network number, loads the LAN drivers and settings for the network boards, binds the protocol to the installed drivers, and loads other NLM^TM programs.
IMPORTANT: Even if you use IP, the internal network number stored in this file serves as a unique server ID. IP uses this number to provide passive IPX support called Compatibility Mode.

An .ncf file executes all the commands within it; the commands are not optional. However, you can make a command optional by placing a question mark (?) in front of it. For the procedure, see Making a Command Optional in a Server Batch (.ncf) File.

Using SET Commands in Startup Files

Remember that some SET commands can be executed only from the startup.ncf file. To find out whether a SET command must be executed in startup.ncf, refer to the explanations of the SET command parameters in SET in Utilities Reference.

When you install the server operating system, the installation process adds SET commands to the autoexec.ncf file---commands that control time zone and daylight savings time information, bindery context, and time server type.

You can add more SET commands to the autoexec.ncf file, if desired. Use NWCONFIG to modify server batch files. When the server is rebooted, any parameter values set by commands in the autoexec.ncf file override previous values for those parameters.