Novell Client for Linux 1.1

December 23, 2005

Table of Contents

1.0 Installation Issues

1.1 Install Only on 32-Bit Hardware

Novell® Client™ for Linux supports 32-bit hardware platforms only. Even though Novell Linux Desktop might support some 64-bit hardware platforms, Novell Client 1.1 for Linux is designed for 32-bit hardware only.

1.2 Install Script Contains Fatal Error Messages But Still Installs Correctly

When running the installation script, two fatal error messages appear, but the Novell Client for Linux installs correctly. The errors are:

  • 7706 Segmentation fault
  • ERROR: Module novfs does not exist in /proc/modules

These messages will be rewritten in the future to avoid any confusion. They should be ignored in version 1.1.

2.0 Login Issues

2.1 Integrated Login Not Provided

This version of Novell Client for Linux does not provide an integrated login experience with the initial workstation login screen. Users who have migrated from Windows* desktops to Linux do not have the same experience and must log in to the workstation and then log in to the network using the Novell Client for Linux.

2.2 CN User Identifier Variable Displays the Wrong Information

If the CN user identifier variable is used in the login script, it displays the wrong information if the Other Name field is filled in. This results in drive mappings not being made. Depending on how the variable login script is used, errors might occur.

2.3 Supported MAP Command Login Script Syntax

The following is a sample of valid login script syntax for the MAP command:

map my_projects:=server/vol:path

map f:=server/vol/path

map f:=vol:path

map f:=vol:\path

map display on f:=server\vol:path

map display off f:=server\vol:path

map “my projects”:=server/vol:path

map f:=\\server\vol\path

map *1:=server\vol:\path

NOTE:Linux does not support backslashes on the command line. UNC names can be written with forward slashes. For example, map f:=//server/vol/path

2.4 Map Command Differences from Windows Behavior

The MAP command works differently based on whether you run it from a login script or at the command line. The following is a list of differences in how the MAP command behaves at the command line in Linux versus how it works at the command line in Windows*.

  • UNC names must be designated with forward slashes instead of backslashes
  • Separate map requests on a single line with a comma instead of semicolon.

    map j:=server1/vol:/path;server2/vol:path

  • map errors on/off is parsed but does not do anything
  • map ins j:=server/vol:/path the ins is ignored
  • map root j:=server/vol:/path the root is ignored
  • map change is not implemented
  • map physical is not implemented

2.5 Login Script Commands Not Implemented in Novell Client for Linux

The following login script commands are not currently implemented in the Novell Client for Linux.

DRIVE

MAP S1:=server/vol:/path (Search drives are not implemented but default to creating symbolic links S1..S16)

2.6 IF Statement Does Not Work without the THEN Statement

In Linux, the IF statement cannot be used without the THEN statement. This is not true in Windows. Hence, the following statement does not work in Linux:

IF MONTH=”07” 
WRITE “This is July”

To resolve this, include the THEN statement each time.

IF MONTH=”07” 
THEN WRITE “This is July”

2.7 Cannot Log In

If you are experiencing problems logging in with Novell Client for Linux, a first step is to check that the needed packages are all running. At the Console Terminal, type ps -A | grep nov.

IMPORTANT:You must have root privileges in order to run this command.

The following should appear:

novell-xregd
novfs_ST
novfsd

If one of these processes is not listed, restart the Novell Client for Linux.

/opt/novell/ncl/bin/ncl_control restart

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.

2.8 Login Requires a Server Name for Trees Not Registered with DNS

If you are logging in to a tree that does not have a registered DNS name, you must enter the server name in the Server field to log in.

2.9 PAUSE Command in Login Script

When using login scripts that contain a PAUSE command, the Close button activates when the script is paused. If the user closes the login script window while the login script is running but paused, then processes are left open. To close the processes, restart the workstation.

2.10 Login Script Does not Run

There are rare occasions when a login script does not run. To solve this, log in again to rerun the login script.

3.0 Passwords

3.1 Users Not Prompted to Change an Expired Password if it has Expired

When a user’s password expires, the user is not notified during login and is not prompted to change their password. When the grace logins have been exhausted, the user cannot login.

An administrator must update the password using Novell iManager or ConsoleOne®.

4.0 General Issues

4.1 FAM/iNotify Causes File Copy to Hang

During a file copy, the workstation hangs because of issues with FAM/iNotify. These issues are not directly related to Novell Client, but happen because of the way FAM validates requests. This means that in order to complete a file copy, you must remove the FAM service.

To remove a service from a runlevel, you must either delete the symbolic links manually from the folder with all the scripts for the desired runlevel, or run the following command:

insserv -r fam

This command removes the service from all runlevels.

4.2 Invalid Connections Displayed

Occasionally, non-authenticated (invalid) connections are erroneously displayed in the /var/opt/novell/nclmnt directory. When the server name is displayed along with the volumes and files, this indicates an authenticated (valid) connection.

4.3 Send Message to User and Send Message to System Console Do Not Work

These features are not fully functional. Messages are sent but they can only be received by Windows workstations.

5.0 File and Folder Issues

5.1 Unable to Delete Folders After They Are Copied to Another Server

In NLD when running the GNOME* desktop, you can’t delete a folder if it has been copied from one server to another and then copied back to the original server if you use the GUI. For example, if you copy and paste a folder from Server A to Server B, delete the original folder from Server A, copy the folder from Server B back to Server A, and then attempt to delete the folder from Server B, an error occurs and the folder cannot be removed. To solve this problem, delete the folder using a terminal.

5.2 Unable to Delete Files on GNOME

Users are unable to delete files on GNOME if the trash folder is set up at the root of an OES or NetWare® server volume where the users don't have rights. Users are then unable to delete files in subdirectories on the OES or NetWare servers where they do have the proper rights to create/modify/delete files. The following is also true:

  • There is no indication on the user’s desktop that items are in a Trash folder and can be permanently deleted.
  • As long as these files remain in a .Trash-user folder on a remote file system, that system cannot offer any salvage or purge options because the files still remain in an UNDELETED state.
  • If additional files of the same name are subsequently created and then deleted, GNOME complains that the file already exists and asks for a rename or overwrite as it tries to move the files to the .Trash folder.

A patch for this defect will be posted.

5.3 Files are Left Open on GNOME

GNOME is leaking file handles, which is causing files to be left open.

A patch for this defect will be posted.

5.4 No Network Browsing Capability on Nautilus

There is no Novell network browsing capability in the Nautilus browser. Full capability is provided with the Konqueror browser.

5.5 Nautilus and FAM Generate High Amounts of Traffic

Nautilus and FAM generate high amounts of traffic during file operations and severely impact the performance of the Novell Client for Linux.

A patch for this defect will be posted. With this patch applied, a polling interval can be configured to improve overall performance of file I/O using the Novell Client for Linux.

5.6 Cannot See Cluster Virtual Server Objects

Users cannot see cluster virtual server objects through SLP from the Server button. To resolve this, use the IP address instead of the server name.

5.7 Map Dialog Box Does Not Display Previously Mapped Resources

The Map dialog box drop-down list of drive letters does not display the resources that are already mapped in the same way that Novell Client for Windows does (the Novell Client for Windows displays the drive letter and then the server/volume information).

Without this information, users might map over an already mapped resource without knowing that the drive is already in use. There is no current fix for this issue.

5.8 Extended (Swedish) Characters Are Not Displayed Correctly through Object Properties

Extended characters are mapped from workstation to server (and back again) incorrectly, resulting in odd or even characters that cannot be displayed. This will be fixed with the next release.

6.0 Man Page Issues

6.1 Man Pages Included for Utilities Not Included

Man pages exist for the NWSEND, NWPURGE, and NWSALVAGE utilities. However, these utilities were not included with version 1.1.

6.2 Manpath Issue Requires a Different Utility to Call Man Pages

There is a known bug related to the manpath environment variable on both NLD and SUSE® Linux Professional. This has been reported to Novell/SUSE via Bugzilla. The ncl_man utility has been provided for convenience until the manpath bug is resolved. You should invoke the ncl_man utility (instead of traditional man) to view NCL-related man pages. To do this, type the following in a terminal window the first time you want to view a Novell Client for Linux man page:

/opt/novell/ncl/bin/ncl_man

The ncl_man utility modifies the MANPATH to allow the Novell Client man pages to be displayed. If you enter man Novell_Client_man_page_name, the following error is displayed:

“No manual entry for Novell_Client_man_page_name.”If you enter ncl_man Novell_Client_man_page_name, the Novell Client man path is added to MANPATH and the specified man page is displayed.

For more information, see The Novell Client for Linux Commands in the Novell Client for Linux 1.1 Installation and Administration Guide.

7.0 Legal Notices

Novell, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this documentation, and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Novell, Inc. reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes to its content, at any time, without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revisions or changes.

Further, Novell, Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to any software, and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Novell, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to any and all parts of Novell software, at any time, without any obligation to notify any person or entity of such changes.

Any products or technical information provided under this Agreement may be subject to U.S. export controls and the trade laws of other countries. You agree to comply with all export control regulations and to obtain any required licenses or classification to export, re-export, or import deliverables. You agree not to export or re-export to entities on the current U.S. export exclusion lists or to any embargoed or terrorist countries as specified in the U.S. export laws. You agree to not use deliverables for prohibited nuclear, missile, or chemical biological weaponry end uses. Please refer to www.novell.com/info/exports/ for more information on exporting Novell software. Novell assumes no responsibility for your failure to obtain any necessary export approvals.

Copyright © 2005 Novell, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, stored on a retrieval system, or transmitted without the express written consent of the publisher.

Novell, Inc. has intellectual property rights relating to technology embodied in the product that is described in this document. In particular, and without limitation, these intellectual property rights may include one or more of the U.S. patents listed at http://www.novell.com/company/legal/patents/ and one or more additional patents or pending patent applications in the U.S. and in other countries.

NetWare, Novell, and SUSE are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc., in the United States and other countries.

Novell Client is a trademark of Novell, Inc.

All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.