1.0 Installing the Novell Client for Linux

This quick start explains how to install the Novell Client for Linux* software on a workstation.

For information on installing a preconfigured version of the Novell Client, see Using Configuration Files to Preconfigure the Novell Client in the Novell Client for Linux Administration Guide.

1.1 System Requirements

The Novell Client for Linux 1.2 requires workstations running one of the following:

  • SUSEĀ® Linux Enterprise Desktop 10
  • SUSE Linux 10.1

IMPORTANT:The Novell Client for Linux supports 32-bit hardware platforms only. Even though SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 and SUSE Linux 10.1 support some 64-bit hardware platforms, the Novell Client for Linux 1.2 is designed for 32-bit hardware only.

If you want to use the precompiled Novell Client for Linux Virtual File System provided with the distribution, make sure the following packages are installed on your workstation before you install the Novell Client for Linux:

  • novfs-kmp-default
  • novfs-kmp-smp or novfs-kmp-bigsmp (depending on the kernel)

If you want to compile the Novell Client for Linux Virtual File System from sources provided with the Novell Client for Linux 1.2, make sure the following packages are installed on your workstation before you install the Novell Client for Linux:

  • gcc
  • kernel-source
  • make

For information on using YaST to install packages, see Installing the Required Packages in the Novell Client for Linux Administration Guide.

1.2 Installing the Novell Client Using the YaST Control Center

Installing the Novell Client for Linux using YaST requires the following steps:

Installing the Novell Client for Linux Packages

  1. Launch the YaST Control Center.

    SLED 10 GNOME: Click Computer > More Applications > YaST.

    SUSE Linux 10.1 GNOME: Click Desktop > YaST.

    KDE: Click the menu button > System > YaST.

  2. If you are not logged in as root, type the root password, then click Continue.

  3. Click Software in the left column, then click Add-on Product in the right column.

  4. Select the appropriate Add-on Product source (such as CD, DVD, or Local Directory), then click Next.

    HINT:Select Local Directory if you downloaded the file from Novell Downloads.

  5. Select Patterns from the Filter drop-down list.

  6. Select the Novell Client for Linux check box in the Additional Software category to automatically select all packages for installation.

  7. Click Accept to install all of the selected packages.

  8. Start the Novell Client for Linux.

    See Starting or Restarting the Novell Client for Linux.

You can customize your Novell Client Options, such as the placement of the Novell Client tray application on the Desktop or in the application tray. This can be done from the Novell Client tray application. See Using the Novell Client Tray Application in the Novell Client for Linux User Guide.

Starting or Restarting the Novell Client for Linux

Use any of the following ways to start or restart the Novell Client for Linux:

  • Restart the Linux Workstation: This is the best way to ensure that the Novell Client for Linux is completely restarted.

  • Manually Start the Novell Client: Open a terminal window and log in as root. From the /opt directory, enter one of the following commands:

    • New Installations: /opt/novell/ncl/bin/ncl_control start

      This command loads all the Novell Client for Linux daemon modules.

    • Updates: /opt/novell/ncl/bin/ncl_control restart

      This command stops and then reloads all the Novell Client for Linux daemon modules.

    If either of these commands displays any errors, restart the Linux machine.

In addition, /opt/novell/ncl/bin/ncl_control status shows whether the NCL drivers are loaded properly or not, and /opt/novell/ncl/bin/ncl_control stop stops all Novell Client for Linux daemon modules.

1.3 Installing the Novell Client Using the Installation Script

An installation script called ncl_install is provided in the Novell Client for Linux .tar.gz file you downloaded from Novell Downloads. This script can be used to install, update, verify installation, display information, and uninstall the Novell Client directly from a command prompt using documented RPM commands. This same script is copied to the /opt/novell/ncl/bin directory during the installation of the Client for later use in verifying or uninstalling the Client.

Run these commands from the directory where you unarchived the Client download file or from /opt/novell/ncl/bin after the initial installation. You must be logged in as root to run these commands.

Table 1 ncl_install Commands

Command

Description

./ncl_install install

Installs the Novell Client for Linux.

./ncl_install install force

Forces the installation of all Novell Client for Linux packages.

./ncl_install upgrade

Upgrades the Novell Client for Linux.

./ncl_install upgrade force

Forces the upgrade of all Novell Client for Linux packages.

./ncl_install uninstall

Uninstalls all Novell Client for Linux packages.

./ncl_install verify

Verifies the installation of all installed Novell Client for Linux packages.

./ncl_install information

Displays summary information for all installed Novell Client for Linux packages.

./ncl_install files

Displays a list of all files contained in the Novell Client for Linux packages.

1.4 Uninstalling the Novell Client for Linux

Uninstall the Novell Client for Linux using either of the following methods:

Uninstalling Using the YaST Control Center

  1. Launch the YaST Control Center.

    SLED 10 GNOME: Click Computer > More Applications > YaST.

    SUSE Linux 10.1 GNOME: Click Desktop > YaST.

    KDE: Click the menu button > System > YaST.

  2. Click Software in the left column, then click Software Management in the right column.

  3. Select Patterns from the Filter drop-down list.

  4. Click the check box to the left of Novell Client for Linux in the Additional Software category until a trash can appears.

    This automatically selects all of the packages that need to be deleted.

  5. Click Accept to delete all of the selected packages.

    YaST displays the progress of the uninstall.

Uninstalling Using the Installation Script

To uninstall the Novell Client for Linux using the installation script, enter./ncl_install uninstall in a terminal window. You can run this command from the directory where you unarchived the Client download file or from the /opt/novell/ncl/bin directory. You must be logged in as root to run this command.