Novell Login Script, Mapping Drives, and Pathing with Windows (89233)

SUMMARY

Novell recommends mapping drives and setting a path on a Novell Network by:

Using the Map Root command to map each drive.
Using the MS-DOS SET PATH command to set a MS-DOS path variable to avoid having the path overwritten by the login script.

You can also avoid this problem as follows:
- Configure your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to log you onto the network and then execute the MS-DOS PATH statement.
  
  -or-
- Log on manually after the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and then run a batch (.BAT) file after logging on to restore the path.

Using this method resolves pathing problems with a search drive.

MORE INFORMATION

Map Root

The Map Root command is an addition to the Map command in version 3.01 of the Novell NetWare shell. It allows directories to be mapped as the root of a logical drive, making it impossible to change the directory to a parent directory. The Map Root command is used with the same syntax as the Map command (see below).

MS-DOS SET PATH

The MS-DOS SET PATH command is used in Novell to define an MS-DOS variable in memory. By using the MS-DOS SET PATH command, an MS-DOS-type path variable is created that will be easier to use than a Novell search drive. Novell requires that the path variable be placed in quotation marks and that a backslash (\) be preceded by a backslash (that is, \\) to be properly recognized (see below).

This variable has the same limitations as a variable set from MS-DOS. A shell command may be required in the CONFIG.SYS file to provide enough environment space, and the variable may not exceed 128 characters.

A Sample Login Script

In the following sample, COUNT is the name of the server and the paths being mapped are:

F:\PUBLIC A public directory
F:\USER\JOHN\WIN31 The Windows user's directory
F:\USER\JOHN The user's directory
F:\WIN31 The shared Windows directory

   MAP ROOT F: = COUNT\SYS:\PUBLIC
   MAP ROOT S: = COUNT\SYS:\USER\JOHN\WIN31
   MAP ROOT U: = COUNT\SYS:\USER\JOHN
   MAP ROOT W: = COUNT\SYS:\WIN31
   COMSPEC = C:\COMMAND.COM
   DRIVE S:
   DOS SET PATH = "C:\\;C:\\DOS;F:\\;S:\\;U:\\;W:\\;"

Using this Login script returns a path variable similar to the one below when the Set command is issued:

     path C:\;C:\DOS;F:\;S:\;U:\;W:\;

The Novell product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the product's performance or reliability.