Novell Client for Windows 95/98

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Novell Client for Windows 95/98 is workstation software that brings NetWare® and Novell eDirectory to Windows 95/98 workstation users. Novell Client for Windows 95/98 enables users to maximize the value of 32-bit desktop operating systems such as Windows 95/98 by tightly integrating the desktop with NetWare services. With Novell Client for Windows 95/98 you can browse through the eDirectory directory, transfer files, print documents, and use advanced NetWare services directly from a Windows 95/98 workstation.

With a cross-platform, client-networking architecture based on the32-bit networking technology of NetWare, Novell Client for Windows 95/98 provides high-performance, intuitive access to the information and advanced network services that you need.

benefits

Provide easy installation and "hands-off" distribution with Automatic Client Upgrade utility
Optimize access to NetWare services
Provide full support for eDirectory
Support a single, synchronized login to both Windows 95/98 and the network
Extend the Windows 95/98 interface for transparent access to network resources
Support ZENworks™ for Desktops, which simplifies network management
Simplify network administration and node management
Support Packet Burst technology and LIPs
Support SNMP
Utilize customizable modular components
Facilitate remote access
Provide backward compatibility with previous versions of NetWare
Provide multilingual capabilities
Provide advanced autoreconnect service

provide easy installation and "hands-off" distribution

With Novell Client for Windows 95/98, installing, updating, and configuring desktop nodes on the network is easier than ever. The integrated installation, automatic configuration, and intelligent workstation update process of Novell Client for Windows 95/98 significantly reduce the overhead associated with installing and updating network client software.

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 includes a customizable installation process that is integrated with the native Windows 95/98 installation process. This installation process automatically detects system parameters such as RAM size, disk space, and software versions.

In addition, configuration is simple because Novell Client for Windows 95/98 enables you to tune configuration parameters—including the number of IPX™ sockets, SPX™ sessions, and shell connections—using a graphical user interface (GUI) from within the Network Control Panel. The user can modify other configuration parameters such as the eDirectory tree, bindery server login, login scripts, and user variables, using the GUI presented at startup.

Updates are also easy with the Automatic Client Upgrade utility, which enables network supervisors to intelligently update workstations through network-based login scripts or through ZENworks for Desktops (available separately). When you log in to the network, the update mechanism automatically upgrades any older client software. Network supervisors can configure the installation and update for each user.

optimize access to NetWare services

Designed to work closely with NetWare, Novell Client for Windows 95/98 offers the best access to all NetWare services, including client-side caching, performance-oriented NetWare Core Protocols (NCPs), eDirectory, mobile connection optimizations, high-performance support for multiple local and wide area network connections and advanced autoreconnect optimization.

provide full support for eDirectory

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 offers Windows 95/98 users full 32-bit connectivity to NetWare and eDirectory—a global, distributed database that maintains all information about every resource on the network. eDirectory helps you locate information quickly and efficiently. Because eDirectory is replicated and distributed across the network, network supervisors can eliminate tedious duplication of effort by relying on eDirectory as their central information and management base. In addition, eDirectory users have reliable access to network resources, even if a server on the network goes down.

support a single, synchronized login

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 provides a single, synchronized login to the Windows 95/98 workstation and the NetWare network; users have to enter their names and passwords only once to access all the resources they are authorized to use.

access network resources through Windows interface

NetWare file and print services are easily accessed through the native interfaces of Windows 95/98, including My Computer, Network Neighborhood, and Windows Explorer. Novell Client for Windows 95/98 uses native Windows 95/98 interfaces for network resource access whenever they are available.

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 extends the Windows 95/98 interface so that you can access the advanced NetWare networking features that are not exposed natively in Windows 95/98. For example, you can easily navigate eDirectory from a Windows 95/98 workstation.

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 also supports Windows 95/98 user profiles and system policies, and enables profile and policy information to be stored on NetWare servers.

simplify network management

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 works with ZENworks for Desktops (available separately), which streamlines and monitors application usage across the network. ZENworks for Desktops helps you centralize and speed administrative updates across the network. It also extends NetWare services to a broad range of desktops, application servers, and intelligent devices. And ZENworks for Desktops dynamically maintains the application environment so that users see all available applications.

simplify network administration and node management

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 provides support for the 32-bit NetWare Administrator (NWAdmin) utility. It also enables network supervisors to implement NetWare using the network protocols, hardware, and applications of their choice, so they can build the configurations and custom options that best meet their companies' needs. They can choose network topologies and protocols, performance and security options, and more.

support Packet Burst technology and LIPs

Third-generation Packet Burst technology greatly reduces network traffic by sending multiple packets before requiring a response, enabling users to send large amounts of data more quickly across both local and wide area networks. Both file and print services can use Packet Burst technology to speed data across the network.

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 supports Large Internet Packets (LIPs), enabling you to increase the maximum packet size used from 576 to 65,535 bytes when sending data over bridges or routers.

support SNMP

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 includes Network Management Instrumentation Agents that enable the client to be managed by any Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) network management console.

SNMP is an industry-standard protocol for communications between a network management console and the network devices that the console monitors. The desktop SNMP provided with Novell Client for Windows 95/98 enables you to manage NetWare clients from Novell's ManageWise® SNMP console and other industry-standard SNMP management consoles.

You can easily configure the desktop SNMP Management Information Bases (MIBs) in the Novell Client kit to provide SNMP consoles with information about the network interface and system resources of individual desktop workstations. For example, you can find out information about desktop configurations, performance, network traffic statistics, memory usage, and more.

customize modular components

The modular components of Novell Client for Windows 95/98 are known as NetWare Loadable Modules (NLMs). You can customize the client by loading only the NLMs you need, making optimum use of workstation memory. NLMs also enable you to upgrade the client by simply replacing key pieces.

facilitate remote access

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 enables users to dial out to remote NetWare servers. Remote access also enables mobile users to take advantage of network services when they are away from their offices.

provide advanced autoreconnect service

Novell Client for Windows 95/98 includes an advanced autoreconnect service that provides client-side fault tolerance. If a connection to the network goes down, the client can effectively restore its network environment, automatically reconnecting to all the servers and print queues to which it was previously connected and restoring the drive and printer port mappings. Even if the server has not been notified that the client has been disconnected, the client can determine which files were open or had locks before it was disconnected.

hardware requirements

386-based PC or above
8MB of RAM

software requirements

Windows 95/98
One Windows 95/98 Service Pack or higher