6.2 Defining and Using Auxiliary Classes

An auxiliary class is a set of properties (attributes) that are added to particular eDirectory object instances rather than to an entire class of objects. For example, an e-mail application could extend the schema of your eDirectory tree to include an E-mail Properties auxiliary class and then extend individual objects with those properties as needed. With Schema Manager, you can define your own auxiliary classes. Then, in the main ConsoleOne® window, you can extend individual objects with the properties defined in your auxiliary classes.

In This Section

6.2.1 Defining an Auxiliary Class

  1. Click anywhere in the eDirectory tree whose schema you want to extend.

  2. Click Tools > Schema Manager.

  3. On the Classes tab, click Create.

  4. Follow the instructions in the wizard to define the auxiliary class.

    Make sure to select Auxiliary Class when setting the class flags. If you need to define custom properties to add to the auxiliary class, cancel the Class Creation wizard and define the custom properties first. See Section 6.1, Defining Custom Object Classes and Properties for details.

6.2.2 Extending an Object with the Properties of an Auxiliary Class

  1. In the main ConsoleOne window, right-click the object > click Extensions of This Object.

  2. Depending on whether the auxiliary class that you want to use is already listed under Current Auxiliary Class Extensions, complete the appropriate action:

    Auxiliary Class Is Already Listed?

    Action

    Yes

    Quit this procedure.

    See instead Modifying an Object's Auxiliary Properties.

    No

    Click Add Extension > select the auxiliary class > click OK.

  3. If a message appears stating that generic editors will be used, click OK.

  4. On the screen that appears, set the property values you want.

    Depending on which screen you're using, note the following:

    Screen

    Notes

    Extensions tab (Properties dialog box)

    • Both mandatory and optional properties of the auxiliary class might be listed.

    • Click Help for details on specific properties.

    New dialog box

    • Only mandatory properties of the auxiliary class are listed.

    • You must know the syntax of a property to set it correctly. For details, see “ Replicas” in the Novell eDirectory Administration Guide.

    • After setting the mandatory properties, you can set optional properties as explained in Modifying an Object's Auxiliary Properties.

  5. Click OK.

6.2.3 Extending Multiple Objects Simultaneously with the Properties of an Auxiliary Class

  1. In the ConsoleOne right pane, Shift+click or Ctrl+click the objects to select them.

    The objects don't have to be the same type.

  2. Right-click your selection > click Extensions of Multiple Objects.

  3. Depending on whether the auxiliary class that you want to use is already listed under Current Auxiliary Class Extensions, complete the appropriate action:

    HINT:Only those extensions that are common to all the selected objects are listed. Those that are specific to individual objects aren't listed.

    Auxiliary Class Is Already Listed?

    Action

    Yes

    Quit this procedure.

    See instead Modifying an Object's Auxiliary Properties. You'll have to modify the objects one at a time.

    No

    Click Add Extension > select the auxiliary class > click OK.

  4. If a message appears stating that generic editors will be used, click OK.

  5. On the screen that appears, set the property values you want.

    IMPORTANT:Each property value you set will be applied to each selected object. If the property already exists in the object and is single-valued, the existing value will be replaced. If the property already exists and is multi-valued, the new values will be added to the existing values.

    Depending on which screen you're using, also note the following:

    Screen

    Notes

    Extensions tab

    • Both mandatory and optional properties of the auxiliary class might be listed.

    • Click Help for details on specific properties.

    New dialog box

    • Only mandatory properties of the auxiliary class are listed.

    • You must know the syntax of a property to set it correctly. For details, see “ Schema” in the Novell eDirectory Administration Guide.

    • After setting the mandatory properties, you can set optional properties as explained below. You'll have to modify the objects one at a time.

  6. Click OK.

6.2.4 Modifying an Object's Auxiliary Properties

  1. In the main ConsoleOne window, right-click the object > click Properties.

  2. On the Extensions tab, select the property page that's named after the auxiliary class. If the auxiliary class isn't listed or if there's no Extensions tab, use the generic Other page.

  3. On the screen that appears, set the property values you want. Depending on which screen you're using, note the following:

    Screen

    Notes

    Extensions tab

    • Both mandatory and optional properties of the auxiliary class might be listed.

    • Click Help for details on specific properties.

    Other tab

    • Only the properties of the auxiliary class that have already been set are listed. Click Add to set additional properties.

    • You must know the syntax of a property to set it correctly. For details, see “ Schema” in the Novell eDirectory Administration Guide.

  4. Click OK.

6.2.5 Deleting Auxiliary Properties from an Object

  1. In the main ConsoleOne window, right-click the object > click Extensions of This Object.

  2. In the list of current auxiliary class extensions, select the auxiliary class whose properties you want to delete.

  3. Click Remove Extension > Yes.

    This deletes all the properties added by the auxiliary class except for any that the object already had innately.

6.2.6 Deleting Auxiliary Properties from Multiple Objects Simultaneously

  1. In the ConsoleOne right pane, Shift+click or Ctrl+click the objects to select them.

    The objects don't have to be the same type.

  2. Right-click your selection > click Extensions of Multiple Objects.

  3. Depending on whether the auxiliary class whose properties you want to delete is listed under Current Auxiliary Class Extensions, complete the appropriate action:

    HINT:Only those extensions that are common to all the selected objects are listed. Those that are specific to individual objects aren't listed.

    Auxiliary Class Is Listed?

    Action

    Yes

    Select it > click Remove Extension > Yes.

    This deletes all the properties added by the auxiliary class except for any that the object already had innately.

    No

    Cancel the dialog box.

    You'll have to delete the auxiliary class from each object one at a time. See Deleting Auxiliary Properties from an Object.