Tips on Networking in Windows 95/98 Customize All Staff
Create a Network Shortcut
Create a shortcut to frequently accessed network directories by right-dragging the desired network directory folder to your desktop. Choose Create Shortcuts Here.
Do It Your Way
Windows 95 setup automatically installs Microsoft's Client for NetWare Networks when it detects that you are connected to a NetWare LAN. If you want to install Novell's own client, manually select the Custom setup option and install a NetWare client using Novell's software.
Drop TSRs from Log-ins
Novell's log-in processor allows batch file-like log-on scripts to execute commands, including Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) software. Unfortunately, Windows 95 virtualizes the attachments that it makes through NetWare log-in, and the TSR will likely not be available for Windows applications. Instead, load TSRs through the Windows AUTOEXEC.BAT file after log-in to the network.
Enable Long Filenames
NetWare 3.x and 4.x servers can be configured to support long filenames. The OS/2 namespace emulates an HPFS volume, allowing Windows 95 machines to store long filenames on NetWare volumes. Enable this on your file server by typing the following lines at your NetWare server console:
load os2
add name space os2 to
volume sys
Next, add the following line to your STARTUP.CNF file:
load os2
Then shut down your NetWare server and copy the latest version of the OS2.NAM file from NetWare's disks or CD-ROM into the same directory that contains the SERVER.EXE file. Finally, reboot your server so that the changes will take effect.
Keep Files From Prying Eyes
If you don't want files copied or altered by others who share your local drives, set them to Read Only (RO) with Win95's Network Explorer or Windows for Workgroups File Manager. From Windows Explorer, right-click the file you'd like to make private. The Read-Only box is located at the bottom of the Properties sheet; clicking on this box sets the file to read only. If you're using Windows File Manager, choosing File Properties or highlighting the file and keying Alt+Enter allows the read-only attribute to be chosen the same way as in Windows Explorer.
Masquerade Servers
Unless you want network users' Win95 PCs advertised as Novell servers on your network, disable SAP Advertising when using the Client for NetWare Networks in the Network Neighborhood Property sheet. SAPs permit the PC to broadcast packets advertising it as a network file server, clogging the network with useless packets.
Put in a Dial-Up Adapter
Adding the Dial-up Adapter to the Network Neighborhood Property sheet enables TCP/IP dial-up Internet services, as well as remote log-in to TCP/IP hosts and Novell NetWare Connect-compatible services. The defaults are usually OK to use, but you can also choose features like header compression and enable a log file for fault analysis as needed.
Set Your Options
To customize your NetWare options using Microsoft's supplied Client for NetWare Networks, choose the Network option in Control Panel (or follow our tip for displaying the Network Control Panel). Click the Configuration tab and double-click on the option for Client for NetWare Networks. In the Properties box, choose a preferred server from the drop-down combo box, pick a network drive to be the first NetWare drive letter or select the checkbox to enable logon script processing.
