---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOV-VER.DOC -- 19980228 -- Email thread on NetWare Version Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Feel free to add or edit this document and then email it back to faq@jelyon.com Date: Wed, 20 Dec 1995 07:10:36 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: VLMUP4 Withdrawn? >>>>I've just checked ftp.novell.com /pub/updates/nwos/dsclnt12 and not >>>>only has vlmup4.exe disappeared, but the vlmkt?.exe files have reverted >>>>to version 1.20a. >>> >>> They are there Monday, Dec. 18 but not all in the same directory. >> >>I got everything I needed from ftp.novell.com/pub/netwire/techfiles. >>And the VLM 1.20b works just fine as does everything else in VLMUP4. >>Just thought I would pass that along FWIW !!. > >Fine, but can someone from Novell Quality Assurance have a look and tell >us: > >1: Which version of netbios.exe is actually the current one? The one > from techfiles/vlmup4.exe or from vlmkt?.exe (different versions). > >2: Which version of netx.vlm is actually the current one? The one > from techfiles/vlmup4.exe or from vlmkt2.exe (different versions). > Oct 95 or Nov 95 datestamp? > >3: Which version of rsa.vlm is actually the current one? The one > from techfiles/vlmup4.exe or from vlmkt?.exe (different versions). > Sept 95 or Oct 95? > >4: Why vlmup4.exe in /pub/updates/dosclnt has within it vlmup4.zip > with different versions of some files, as above? > >Phil Randal ------------ Rather good questions, actually. I'll add another: 5. Why isn't VLMUP4.EXE in the netwire\novfiles area? For what it's worth, here are some internal idents from the most current (changes by the hour??) VLMUP4.EXE, the one without the internal .zip file and now located in updates\nwos\dwclnt11. I guess the "11" part is just a sneaky part of the Treasure Hunt for this material. Miscellaneous chatter below omitted for brevity. NetWare Link Support Layer v2.16 (950417) Novell NE2000 Ethernet MLID v2.05 (950504) NetWare IPX/SPX Protocol v3.02 (950808) VLM.EXE - NetWare virtual loadable module manager v1.20 REV B (951002) CONN.VLM - NetWare connection table manager v1.20 REV B (951002) IPXNCP.VLM - NetWare IPX transport module v1.20 REV B (951002) TRAN.VLM - NetWare transport multiplexor module v1.20 REV B (951002) BIND.VLM - NetWare bindery protocol module v1.20 REV B (951002) NWP.VLM - NetWare protocol multiplexor module v1.20 REV B (951002) FIO.VLM - NetWare file input-output module v1.20 REV B (951002) GENERAL.VLM - NetWare general purpose function module v1.20 REV B (951002) REDIR.VLM - NetWare DOS redirector module v1.20 REV B (951002) PRINT.VLM - NetWare printer redirection module v1.20 REV B (951002) NETX.VLM - NetWare workstation shell module v4.20 REV B (951121) ^--------- Novell typo?? These are from a log file generated while starting up the client. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Dec 1995 13:17:00 GMT From: Teo Kirkinen Subject: Re: Netware 4.10 patches >Can someone clarify a few points re patches for NW4.10 - >first a very simple question - are the patch series 410ptn cumulative >or does the n+1 th patch file replace the n th patch file. Yes. >Why do the patch series 410itn contain static patches, requiring the >use of the LOADER.EXE, while the it series do not? ^this should read pt series? Because the IT series patches haven't yet passed Novell's "integration" testing. >Do the static patches in the it series embody all the previous >patches in earlier versions of the pt series? I think that they do not because Novell recommends applying both the latest IT and PT patches. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Dec 1995 03:21:56 GMT From: "Stephen M. Dunn" Subject: Re: Netware 4.10 patches >Can someone clarify a few points re patches for NW4.10 - >First a very simple question - are the patch series 410ptn cumulative >or does the n+1 th patch file replace the n th patch file. The n+1th patch file replaces the nth patch file. The same goes for all of the other xxxPTn.EXE patch kits for 3.11 and up. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 17:03:18 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: STRTL*.EXE, beware You may recall the message earlier today that streams and spxs.nlm in strtl4.exe killed a server. Well, I'd add that streams.nlm from strtl3.nlm may well have done so to one of my NW 3.12 servers. I've gone back to streams.nlm from NLSP material (netwire\novlib\01\ipxrt3.exe), 53,566 07-20-93. This suggests that one should treat all strtl*.exe files with much suspicion. In addition, strtl4.exe exists only in the "updates" heirarchy at this moment, and that heirarchy still suffers from dating every file as "today." Thus you simply have no way of knowing if Novell has yet again tricked you by replacing a file with a new one of the same name. Heirarchy "netwire" is largely free of this strategic mistake. Someday Novell management must learn to never reissue archived files without renaming the file and including clear evidence as to vintage and possible replacment of interior components. Just saying in the docs "this is the latest...," as has often occurred, is vacuuous. -------- I am often asked: which patches/updates to apply, and is it wise to apply them all. That is a reasonable and important question. My own action is to apply them all and see what happens, then report on gotcha's. I feel that most patches are to prevent problems from occuring, so better to be safe than sorry. Plus, someone needs to try out the new patches. I delay application onto very important production servers until local testing says matters seem to be safe. We know that Novell issues broken patches now and then, and they often hide the fact by reissuing the archive file under the same name and with no further comment. We know that full regression testing to discover interactions with other systems components is often not done (for reasons of time if nothing else). We know that some third party NLMs cause big problems in servers too; virus scanners and tape backup programs come to mind. Touching any xxxITxx.exe or xxxFTxx.exe archived file is playing with fire. They are not fully tested items, despite what pressures might exist to get at least something out to customers to solve problems. Be wary. There is a school of thought which says "Don't fix what ain't broken" and it has much to recommend it. The problem is we are often not in control of all events and traps will be sprung by mother nature (evolution). To survive one needs to keep careful track of changes made to a server, and preserve old material in expectation that it may need to be pressed into service again after a crash. This means making changes slowly enough to pinpoint the NLM yielding unstable behavior, as say no more frequently than one change per workday, and to remember/log what changes were made. Ignoring all updates and patches usually means being overwhelmed by evolution and existing bugs. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 13:57:21 -0800 From: schoonom@ccmail.sgo.sony.com (Mark Schoonover) Subject: C.4.5 VLM Version Numbers & Dates Was at www.novell.com/update and noticed that they released an updated VLM client kit. New version is 1.20B dated 12DEC95. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 10:02:36 GMT From: Phil Randal Subject: Re: STRTL*.EXE, beware Joe Doupnik writes: > You may recall the message earlier today that streams and spxs.nlm >in strtl4.exe killed a server. Well, I'd add that streams.nlm from strtl3.nlm >may well have done so to one of my NW 3.12 servers. I've gone back to >streams.nlm from NLSP material (netwire\novlib\01\ipxrt3.exe): 53,566 07-20-93. > This suggests that one should treat all strtl*.exe files with much >suspicion. STRTL4.EXE downloaded after January 13 1996 seems to work fine here - the spxs.nlm has reverted to the earlier (strtl3 and ipxrt3) version. > In addition, strtl4.exe exists only in the "updates" heirarchy at >this moment, and that heirarchy still suffers from dating every file as >"today." Thus you simply have no way of knowing if Novell has yet again >tricked you by replacing a file with a new one of the same name. Heirarchy >"netwire" is largely free of this strategic mistake. Someday Novell management >must learn to never reissue archived files without renaming the file and >including clear evidence as to vintage and possible replacment of interior >components. Just saying in the docs "this is the latest...," as has often >occurred, is vacuuous. Agreed. > I am often asked: which patches/updates to apply, and is it wise to >apply them all. That is a reasonable and important question. My own action >is to apply them all and see what happens, then report on gotcha's. I feel >that most patches are to prevent problems from occuring, so better to be >safe than sorry. Plus, someone needs to try out the new patches. I delay >application onto very important production servers until local testing says >matters seem to be safe. > We know that Novell issues broken patches now and then, and they >often hide the fact by reissuing the archive file under the same name and >with no further comment. We know that full regression testing to discover >interactions with other systems components is often not done (for reasons >of time if nothing else). We know that some third party NLMs cause big >problems in servers too; virus scanners and tape backup programs come to mind. Too true: LIBUP6.EXE plays havoc with Dr Solomon's Anti-virus File Access Monitor (FAM.NLM) with memory allocation errors when FAM attempts to load. Fortunately I'm in the process of building up a new server and these problems haven't affected production servers. > Touching any xxxITxx.exe or xxxFTxx.exe archived file is playing >with fire. They are not fully tested items, despite what pressures might >exist to get at least something out to customers to solve problems. Be wary. 312IT7, which Novell's web site says should be applied, completely screws up our servers. > There is a school of thought which says "Don't fix what ain't broken" >and it has much to recommend it. The problem is we are often not in control >of all events and traps will be sprung by mother nature (evolution). A new NLM for a third-party product may require a particular NLM which is not compatible with another third-party product loaded on your server. What do you do when this occurs? Scream abuse at your software vendors? > To survive one needs to keep careful track of changes made to a server, >and preserve old material in expectation that it may need to be pressed into >service again after a crash. This means making changes slowly enough to >pinpoint the NLM yielding unstable behavior, as say no more frequently than >one change per workday, and to remember/log what changes were made. Ignoring >all updates and patches usually means being overwhelmed by evolution and >existing bugs. Well stated, Joe. Some good news, though. My limited testing of SMSUP4 with various versions of Palindrome's backup software shows it to be more stable on our NW 3.12 servers than SMSUP2 or SMSUP3. But that may not be the case at your site, folks :-) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Jan 1996 11:36:23 -0800 From: "Robert S. Sfeir" Subject: Re: novell patches >We have been advised to install the 4.1 patches to our recently upgraded >system. However, after several bloody noses on the system, we are >reluctant to risk crashing everything. Does anyone know if this actually >works? Installing 28 patches seems like major surgery. I had the same problem, when I downloaded the PT2 and IT5 files and installed evrything (a total of 45 patches) the system ran like a charm. I've been up for 45 days with out a glitch and without having to do any maintenence on the system! My recommendation is DO IT, you'll be the happiest person in the company! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Jan 1996 19:52:38 +0000 From: Richard Letts Subject: Re: novell patches >We have been advised to install the 4.1 patches to our recently upgraded >system. However, after several bloody noses on the system, we are >reluctant to risk crashing everything. Does anyone know if this actually >works? Installing 28 patches seems like major surgery. There are 38 dynamic patches in the current patch kit, and a static patch to the loader in server.exe You will probably need to reload your server after applying the current patch-set, and you MUST have enoughfree disk space on c: to hold a temporary file created during the static patching of server.exe We've just installed the patch kit on the crappiest oldest server in town [a 386/20 ISA system sat in my office that we test such things on it before causing chaos around the campus] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 12:29:25 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: Sbackup >> SMDR-1.0-10 an internal error has occured. the TLI transport >> underlying SMS has fail. >> >The TLI [transport Layer Interface] is provided by the streams module. >I don't have any 3.11 left here; perhaps if you posted the version number to >the list, together with the cpatches you've applied someone else could help >further. > >[in the meantime, make sure you're running the latest streams] > >Richard Letts ------------ But, a rather large but... strtl4.exe holds a streams module which crashes my NW 3.12 server every few hours. I recommend bypassing that gem for the older strtl3.exe (if you can find it) or use what you have. I cannot speak on the matter for NW 3.11. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 11:24:51 +0000 From: Phil Randal Subject: Re: STRTL4.EXE >Looks like we may have to start swapping console.logs here if this >looks like being a problem. I put up the contents of STRTL4.EXE 15 >days ago on our main production server (120+ connections most of the >time, also AppleTalk, NFS, Softrack, Mercury, were already in >place) The only error since has been short term memory allocation >errors but this may be not be related. However, I still haven't >tracked them down. We've had to revert to LIBUP5 from LIBUP6 because of apparently spurious Short Term Memory Allocation errors with LIBUP6. I say "apparently spurious", as things work(ed) fine under LIBUP5. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 24 Feb 1996 16:59:28 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: NW 3.1x patch file 312PT7.EXE is available Today Novell issued self unpacking file updates\nwos\nw312\312PT7.EXE. This has the collected patches ("fix" files) to-date. Interestingly, all the patches are now loaded in startup.ncf, despite the documentation, and one perceives the intention is to load all the patches rather than pick and choose. There are several optional patches which should be loaded in autoexec.ncf. The floppy (or equiv) installation method executed by loading patch312.nlm puts the patch invokation lines at the top of startup.ncf. I don't like that and I moved them to be below the many SET commands in that file so the SETs were read before anything loads. Maybe this is a good idea or not; only Novell knows for sure. Disk drivers etc are loaded after the patch material. Be aware that you may have some of these patch files loaded via autoexec.ncf from previous patching; please track them down to avoid conflicts. Tried on one server today and all is well so far. Why do I have this feeling of being tied to a stake in a jungle filled with tigers? Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 08:01:01 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: ...latest patches & upgrades... >Good morning ....recently I addressed this group with the question, is >Netware v3.12 a "patched" v3.11 and what are the reasons for upgrading from >v3.11 to v3.12. In the interim I loaded the latest v3.12 patch kit. With >this patch kit 52 NLMs are loaded from Startup.ncf.......if my system need >them or not!.....I must unload two of these patches in the Autoexec.ncf to >make Inoculan run correctly. Apparently the whole virus detector NLM industry has many problems in servers as the server software evolves. It's difficult to know where the finger should be pointed; probably at everyone involved. > Does Novell believe that v3.12 needs all of >these patches to run correctly? This seems a "shotgun" approach at best >and a case of bad engineering at the least. I also believe all of these >NLMs are using quite a bit of memory that should be best used to serve >files and print requests. Cool reason rather than emotion will be more productive here. There is very little memory consumption, as can be verified by looking at Monitor. And of course Novell did all this just to annoy you personally. On the other hand MS products never have bugs, by fiat of Mr Gates; instead they have version number increases and Service Packs and "buy it again" messages from users. (GPFs are free and unlimited). Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1 Mar 1996 17:06:35 UT From: Dave Kearns Subject: New patch files Note that Novell has released: Filename: libup7.exe Abstract: This file includes the currently released Server C-Library NLM update for NetWare 3.11, 3.11sft3, 3.12, 4.10. Filename: 312it8.exe Abstract: This file contains the latest operating system test patches for NetWare 3.12. Included with this prerelease are all patches for all user-versions of NetWare 3.12. The patches included have not been system tested by Novell. For released patches refer to 312PTx.EXE. Filename: 312pt7.exe Abstract: This file contains the latest operating system test patches for NetWare 3.12. Included with this prerelease are all patches for all user-versions of NetWare 3.12. The patches included have been system tested by Novell. Filename: 410it6.exe Abstract: This file contains the latest operating system test patches for NetWare 4.10. Included with this release are all patches for all user-versions of NetWare v4.10. The patches included are currently being system tested by Novell. For the current patches that have been tested by Novell for NetWare v4.10 refer to the 410PTx.EXE (ie. x will reflect the version of the file.) on COMPUSERVE. Novell recommends loading ALL patches before contacting Novell for support. Filename: 410pt3.exe Abstract: This file contains the latest operating system patches for NetWare 4.10. Included with this release are all patches for all user-versions of NetWare 4.10. The patches included have system tested by Novell. Novell recommends loading ALL patches before contacting Novell for support.eatures are the following: New automated installation process. New patches.txt and install.txt have been added with this latest update. Filename: 41mac7.exe Abstract: This patch kit contains pre-release update files for NetWare for Macintosh 4.10. Filename: 41nds7.exe Abstract: PLEASE REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTATION CONTAINED IN THIS FILE BEFORE PERFORMING ANY UPDATES. This update contains version 4.97 of DS.NLM and version 4.32 of DSREPAIR.NLM for NetWare version 4.10. If upgrading from NetWare version 3.1x, you still will benefit by applying the new DS.NLM prior to upgrading. This file may be updated occasionally as new versions of DS.NLM are released. As new DS.NLM 's are released the naming format will be 41NDSx, where x denotes the revision of the patch file. Filename: 41nm1.exe This file contains update name spaces and vrepair for NetWare 4.10. These are pre-release files. Filename: dsmnt3.exe Abstract: DSMNT3.EXE contains an updated version of DSMAINT.NLM (version 4.92). This NLM was originally provided with the DS Enhancement pak distributed in July 1995. Filename: dsrp41.exe Abstract: DSRP41.EXE contains DSRepair version 4.32 for Netware 4.1. This version of DSRepair supercedes any previous release of DSRepair.NLM Filename: os2c4.exe Abstract: This file contains the latest field test patches for the v2.11 NetWare OS/2 Requester as of 2-6-96. These patches have not been submitted to Novell system test. Applying these patches will get you to the current code base. Filename: rplkt3.exe Abstract: RPLKT3.EXE which contains Remote Program Load files for NetWare v2.x, v3.1x, v4.x. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 08:01:51 +0000 From: Garry J Scobie Ext 3360 Subject: NLM Version list updated The NLM version list for 3.12 has recently undergone a major update http://mft.ucs.ed.ac.uk/novell/techsup/nlmver.htm ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Apr 1996 21:56:19 -0500 From: Jerry Shenk Subject: Re: NetWare Patch Observation and Suggestion >>Why does it have to be the case that we have to look for and apply each >>specific patch individually? This can be a painful process, prone to likely >>omissions. > >You got a point there. >Seems to me that Novell has a good working INSTALL util. >If they would modify that a bit so that it is able to do patching >with any number of downloaded patchfiles Novell would make me very happy. >Usually a combined number of patchfiles work fine. But I like to allways >have the option of applying patches on a file per file basis >(in case of trouble). I've started a listserver to this end. I ask that the ONLY thing posted on it is the location(s) and descriptions for new patches. There is very little activity (intentionally) - discussions about the patches can be held here. Feel free to post the NSD stuff to the list also. If you want in, just send a message to nwpatch@comtech.net with the subject being 'subscribe'. I'm courting offical Novell participation but if we have a couple hundred tech's in the field posting new patches, that will be nearly as good. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Apr 1996 08:54:33 -0700 From: Donovan Bray Subject: List of Patch Updates For anyone interested Novell IS maintaining a list of suggested upgrades/patches for Netware 3.11 and higher, including hyperlinks to download them as well. http://netwire.novell.com/FileUpdt/patlst.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996 00:56:42 -0400 From: Debbie Becker Subject: LIBUP8 There's now a LIBUP8 available on the novell ftp site. Check the osfiles area under nw410. File is dated 4/18/96. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 16:38:31 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: Netware 4.1 NDS - Unknown objects >I've just spent an entire weekend helping a client get their network back >up and running following the loss of a hard drive. > >As it turned out, there was no backup of the NDS available at all (they had >only recently moved to 4.1). Basically we restored all of the data using >Arcserve 5.01g and then re-created a new NDS from previous documentation. >Without an NDS, the trustee file assignments came back with objects which >didn't co-ordinate with valid NDS objects. No dramas - I thought this would >happen. Hence you can do a RIGHTS /T in various directories and see UNKNOWN >OBJECT with rights assigned to the file system. > >I was not overly concerned but now I want to clean them up as I suspect they >are causing some minor problems. > >When I run DSREPAIR and do a Unattended Full Repair, it reports 80 errors on >VOL1: and then aborts. I then tried Advanced, Check Volume Objects & Trustees >and it gets to approximately the same spot (probably identical) and comes back >with a "DSREPAIR-4.10-019: Could not read from file: "EMPTY.TMP" offset >0001F64E. Program execution could not continue normally." > >I then searched for this file on VOL1: and it does not exist. I also purged >all deleted files from the problem but it keeps stopping at the same place. >Does anyone have any suggestions? > >The client is presently running DS 4.89c and DSREPAIR 4.29. Short of trying >later versions, which I have downloaded but not tried, can anyone shed and >light on this? Does anyone know where to find a comprehensive listing of all >Novell error and warning messages? I have already done a number of searches on >the Novell KB on the Net without much success. ------------- I'm sure Debbie will have some encouraging words of advice. In the meanwhile I'll offer two comments about comfort in the future. In Green River the SMS group has created a safe/full backup anything to tape and restore it cleanly/safely facility. One can backup remote servers, partitions, sub/supersets etc via IPX from a given server. The ident numbers are kept intact too. TSA410 and TSANDS do the work. It's impressive. Preferred Systems Inc, the folks who make DS Standard, have a new product for Green River which tracks NDS access rights: who has them, whence they got them, whence the giver got them, and so on. It too looks like exactly what is needed to maintain a sane NDS network. I have no idea of what the price will be. Expected release date of Green River is late summer or early fall. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 May 1996 21:54:01 UT From: Dave Kearns Subject: Re: Update Notify via E-Mail how? >Sometime ago there was an rumor, that it is possible to get >an update-notify from Novell via E-Mail. Every patch and >every new file on Novell-Servers for users placed an any >novell-servers should be notified. >Is there any way to get it and if how? Novell doesn't email this info, but there's a new email notification service due to start soon. Here's the info on it: WELCOME to the NetNotify Bulletin and Notification mailing list! The purpose of this mailing list is simple: to bring time-sensitive and critical information right to your desktop on a routine basis. Did you know that there is a new exam currently in beta for your CNE designation that you can take for free? 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Should you feel that someone you know may benefit from a subscription to NetNotify, please feel free to pass the subscription information on to them. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 13:24:07 -0400 From: Rick Troha Subject: DS.NLM v5.01 Now Available For those running NW4.1, DS.NLM v5.01 is now available in file 41NDS9.EXE. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Jun 1996 10:30:38 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: New files in "updates" Two new files are present in the Novell "updates" heirarchy today: SMSUP5.EXE has new TSA files, and NPTR95.EXE is updated. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 13:21:59 +0100 From: Phil Randal Subject: STRTL5 SPXS.NLM Crashes NetWare 3.12 Novell have done it again, folks. The SPXS.NLM included in the 3.1x subdirectory is the NW4.1 version, and will crash a NW3.12 server in the following situation: Source server: NW3.12, strtl4 applied. Target server: NW3.12, strtl5 applied. Using Palindrome Storage Manager, I restored a file from the source server to the target server. The target server crashed and entered the debugger. Reverting to STRTL4 solved the problem. OK, Novell made an honest mistake, but: The first release of STRTL4 also had the NW4.1 version of SPXS.NLM, with the results as described above, which I also reported to this list. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 18:46:10 -0400 From: PowrTekSys@aol.com To: netw4-l@bgu.edu Subject: Re: Patch Question >Will the command PATCHES tell me if they've been applied, or will I have >to dig deeper? Maybe; maybe not. Comparing files, dates and versions is your best bet. We keep a list on each server that shows all this information. CONFGNUT.NLM will create this list for you. It is at: ftp://ftp.novell.com/pub/updates/nwos/nw410/tabnd2.exe ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Aug 1996 11:56:54 +0100 From: Phil Randal Subject: 312pt9 now available Novell have just (19 August 1996) released the NW3.12 patch update 312pt9. It is available from ftp://ftp.novell.com/pub/updates/nwos/nw312/312pt9.exe The changes from 312pt8: 1: A new loader.exe, which fixes the year 2000 problem. 2: dbldebfx.nlm and ntbiofix.nlm have been withdrawn. 3: a new version of the previously withdrawn zerobfix.nlm has appeared. 4: macnmfx.nlm and npapatch.nlm have been updated. 5: patch312 now installs the patches in c:\server.312\patches\312pt9 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 07:00:00 GMT From: "Forrest H. Swick" Subject: Re: 4.1 Patches >As a followup to Tony's note, I would appreciate the same >information for a 4.1 server that hasn't been updated in a year. >I should note that I've received conflicting opinions about whether >to apply patches from our more NetWare-aware sysadmins....some >believe if the server is stable, leave it alone. Following is the Patches.txt file that is in the 410PT3.EXE off of netwire. It states that "All OS patches should be loaded for the respective OS, no exceptions." Maybe you should print this out for your more "Netware-Aware" Sysadmins. I've just installed my 1st 4.10 server and have applied all patches* (except for LANDR7.EXE -- read why below). The *.txt files are particulary interesting in that they tell you exactly why you should install the patches. You should check them out. *In the LANDR7.TXT file it states: "The Novell LAN drivers listed are not backwards compatible with previous MSM.NLMs or TSM versions. However LAN drivers written to the 3.20 Assembly Specification are compatible with the new MSM.NLM and TSM versions." I have not researched as to whether my server NIC LAN drivers are written to the 3.20 Assembly Specification. January 8, 1996 NETWARE OPERATING SYSTEM PATCHES Anyone that has called Novell Technical Support with a SERVER problem has been asked if they have the patches loaded. This document will address what the patches are and why Novell insists they be loaded on your File Server. There is also a Q/A of the most commonly asked questions about the patches. The patches fix minor bugs in the SERVER.EXE code, they do not re-architect the code. They will fix many problems that an unpatched server may have and will keep the server up longer. All OS patches should be loaded for the respective OS, no exceptions. Some Novell customers are nervous to load any OS patches unless they are assured that it fixes their exact problem, and then they will only load that specific patch. Since version 3.12 and above Novell has architected the patches to work together and therefore ALL patches should be loaded. The patch kits referred to in this document are a combination of PT and the IT files. Novell recommends loading both of these files on the respective version of the OS. Loading all patches enables Novell Engineering to resolve problems faster, since time is not spent debugging old problems or verifying that a problem is fixed with a specific patch. In order to get your critical server issues resolved in a timely manner, load ALL the patches before calling Novell Technical Support. Who should load the OS patches? EVERYONE. Why should the OS patches be loaded? The OS patches contained in the "PT" and "IT" patch kits fix known problems with the SERVER.EXE file. NOT loading these patches leaves the server exposed to known problems. Why should ALL OS patches be loaded? The OS patches for 3.12 and the 4.x versions of NetWare have been engineered to work together, unlike the 3.11 patches. The 3.11 patches are being re-engineered to function the same way. Without all of the patches loaded the system is exposed to known problems that have already been fixed. What is the LSWAP.NLM and LSWAP.EXE in the 4.10 patch kit? The LSWAP is a utility used to exchange the LOADER.EXE contained in the patch kit with the one contained in the SERVER.EXE. The new LOADER fixes various problems with PCI machines as well as other types of machines. It is considered a patch and needs to be loaded. Read the Readme file in the patch kit for an explanation of how to exchange the LOADER. Running LSWAP will update the SERVER.EXE and cause it to get the current date and have a slightly larger size. If the Server is running fine, should the OS patches still be loaded? Yes. This will avoid known problems with the SERVER.EXE. This will also place you one step ahead in the troubleshooting process. If you call Novell Support with a server problem the first thing they are going to have you do is load the patch kits. Having ALL the patches loaded will expedite the troubleshooting process. What are the ramifications of loading only specific OS patches? When only loading specific patches, you are only fixing part of the problems. This still leaves the server susceptible to other known problems. When troubleshooting a server problem with Novell Technical Support, you will be asked to load the remainder of the patches, including the IT patches. Loading both the PT and IT files will make your server more stable and allow Novell Technical Support to solve your critical server problem in a timely manner. What is the difference between "PT" and "IT" patches? A patch kit for a particular OS consists of a "PT" and an "IT" file. For example as of January 8, 1996, the current patch kit for 4.10 consists of 410PT2.EXE and 410IT5.EXE. The PT "Passed Test" patches are patches that are older, meaning that they were the first problems found and solved. The IT "Internal Tested" patches are problems that have been discovered and solved later than the PT patches. Before an OS patch gets into the IT file it has been tested and loaded on servers throughout Novell on both production and test servers. These patches have also been loaded on the customers server, who the patch was written for, and it has fixed the problem. ALL PATCHES IN BOTH THE PT AND IT FILE HAVE SOLVED CUSTOMER PROBLEMS AND HAVE BEEN DEEMED NECESSARY BY NOVELL ENGINEERING. How much memory do the OS patches take when loaded? With the amount of memory today's servers have the patches take up an insignificant amount of memory. Loading the 410PT2 and 410IT5 patch kits take up 400 KB of memory. A very small price to pay for server stability. Do the OS patches affect performance? Yes. They allow your server to stay up. Some patches are specifically designed to improve Server performance. All the patches have been loaded on the server and now it is ABENDing. What went wrong? Troubleshoot the problem not the symptom. The PATCHES DO NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS, THEY FIX THEM. If there is a problem with a patch causing a server to ABEND it will be fixed long before they get into either the PT or IT patch files. OS patches are loaded on Novell corporate server as well as Test servers throughout Novell before they go into the PT or IT kits. Also, before they get to the IT file they have been tested by the customers who the patch was written for and it has fixed the problem. Where are the PT and IT files located? The PT and IT files can be downloaded from either CompuServe or the Internet. The IT files are located in the NSD area and are hidden but you can download the file by using the name. It should be 3 revisions higher than than the PT files. For example: 410PT2.EXE and 410IT5.EXE. NOVELL REQUIRES THAT BOTH THE PT AND IT FILES BE LOADED ON THE SERVER BEFORE ANALYZING A CORE DUMP OR TROUBLESHOOTING UTILIZATION OR ABENDING ISSUES. IN ADDITION, ON 4.X SERVERS THE MEMORY PARAMETERS "ALLOW INVALID POINTERS", "READ FAULT EMULATION" AND "WRITE FAULT EMULATION" NEED TO BE SET TO "OFF" BEFORE ANALYZING A CORE DUMP OR TROUBLESHOOTING UTILIZATION OR ABENDING ISSUES. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Aug 1996 14:11:43 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: NetWare 4.1 TCPIP.NLM >We recently migrated a 3.x server to 4.1. This seemed to go well except >for the TCPIP NLM's. They will not load. The error appears as follows > > Loader Cannot Find Public Symbol CSL_ApplGetGroupNameByBoard > Loader Cannot Find Public Symbol CSL_Appl... > Loader Cannot Find Public Symbol CSL_Appl... > Loader Cannot Find Public Symbol CSL_Appl... > Loader Cannot Find Public Symbol CSL_Appl... > > Load File Referenced Undefined Public Symbol > > TCPIP.NLM Could Not Be Loaded > >I used the given patches from the NetWare patch page, but the problem >persists. I could not find any answers in the documentation. Has anyone >had a similar experience? Also is there any known documentation on the >net that I could be pointed to for further information? Thanks in >advance for your assistance ----------- Best to check some version numbers and date stamps. Here are a few on a fully patched NW 4.10 server, no MPR, no DHCP, no nutt'in: TCPIP NLM 393,157 11-08-94 10:07a Version 3.00b TCPIP PDI 180 06-29-93 6:55p TCPCFG NLM 170,851 10-19-94 12:53p TCPCON NLM 222,424 10-18-94 4:49p INETLIB NLM 34,199 10-19-94 1:26p INETCFG NLM 330,230 02-02-95 5:25p ETHERTSM NLM 9,278 10-17-94 10:11a Version 2.33 MSM NLM 20,263 08-23-94 2:33p Version 2.32 CLIB NLM 217,743 04-15-96 2:35p Version 4.10h CSLSTUB NLM 3,122 10-19-94 9:40a Version 2.00a You can also try updates\nwos\nw410\TCPN01.EXE, but as the doc excerpt below indicates, figuring out what to use or ignore is difficult. The following TCPIP.NLM versions are included: ---------------------------------------------- - 2.02M; only for NetWare 3.11 servers not running NetWare Connect. - 2.75; A TCPIP which has not been officially tested for NetWare 3.11, however many NetWare sites have reported successful use of this NLM. [Yeah, right, but that leaves open everything else... jrd] [Grammar: for NetWare 3.11 but has not been tested officially...] - 3.10D; for ALL servers running MultiProtocol Router 3.1 (including servers running MPR 3.1 and NetWare Connect together). ONLY to be used on MPR 3.1 servers. - 3.0F; only for NetWare 3.12 servers that DO have a version of MPR earlier than 3.1, loaded (or both an early version of MPR and NetWare Connect). - 3.0H for NetWare 3.12 and 4.1 servers that do NOT have NetWare Connect, MPR, Web Server or DHCP loaded. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 3 Oct 1996 07:49:45 -0400 (EDT) From: Dennis Large To: netw4-l@bgu.edu Subject: Re: Appropriate server operations >With these information in mind, I want some feedback on how other >net. admin. handles these situations. > >How do you handle notifying your users of system upgrades and >maintenance? SiteMeter requires that the log files be emptied >periodically. This process requires unload SiteMeter's two NLMs. To date, >unload these NLMs (after close of business), emptying the log files, and >loading the NLMs has not caused any problems. Since this does not cause >any problems, I do not send out advanced warning when this happens. How >do you handle this? And for my final question, what are your opinions on >the fresh reboot after updating NLMs (with the above scenario in mind)? 1) rebooting after most upgrades of that nature is recommended. It's easy to miss the smaller autoloaded modules that aren't necessarily named. Or in a case like clib, you have to unload so much to get to it, it's just simpler. 2) I try not to do system stuff during the week as much as possible. If something has been proven reliable, then I can be a little more flexible. 3) We have weekly PM scheduled at which time we have full reign, but are expected to be 7x24 otherwise. ergo #2. 4) we're still trying to decide on the best method for notifications. Email is about it right now. 5) I hope you can find SOME way to tell your boss that his non-communication greatly hampers your ability to perform your job in a professional manner, as it seems you very much want to do. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 09:58:55 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Libup9 has returned to the archives LIBUP9.EXE has returned. A listing of files within it looks like the list below. Aside from LIBUP9.TXT I don't notice any changes from the previous issue. Joe D. Directory of G:\ ICMD MSG 5,232 08-31-94 8:48a ICMD NLM 15,850 05-10-95 3:48p PI_INIT NLM 1,491 03-08-96 11:38a INSTALL DOC 18,889 03-26-96 3:19p LIBUP9 IPS 4,256 08-26-96 1:30p INSTALL EXE 40,196 04-28-94 5:39p CHANGES 312 5,113 01-08-96 9:34a LIBUP9 TXT 7,278 10-21-96 9:34a 4 X 10-22-96 9:48a 3 X 10-22-96 9:48a Directory of G:\3.X CLIB NLM 344,994 12-20-95 11:30a NWSNUT NLM 175,546 10-17-94 2:14p MATHLIBC NLM 16,832 12-20-95 10:27a AFTER311 NLM 14,952 10-10-95 6:19p MATHLIB NLM 12,458 12-20-95 10:27a A3112 NLM 16,268 10-10-95 6:19p NWSNUT MSG 2,984 04-04-94 8:42a Directory of G:\4.X CLIB 10-22-96 9:48a DSAPI 10-22-96 9:48a MSG 10-22-96 9:48a Directory of G:\4.X\CLIB CLIB NLM 81,464 08-02-96 8:28p FPSM NLM 16,547 08-02-96 9:02p THREADS NLM 84,984 08-02-96 8:10p REQUESTR NLM 46,175 08-02-96 8:36p NLMLIB NLM 88,829 08-09-96 1:00p NIT NLM 48,151 08-02-96 8:56p MATHLIB NLM 417 10-06-95 3:22p MATHLIBC NLM 426 10-06-95 3:21p Directory of G:\4.X\DSAPI DSAPI NLM 620 07-01-96 11:15p AUDNLM32 NLM 9,219 07-31-96 7:27a CALNLM32 NLM 89,016 07-31-96 7:26a CLNNLM32 NLM 5,248 07-31-96 7:22a CLXNLM32 NLM 3,699 07-31-96 7:27a LOCNLM32 NLM 4,128 07-31-96 7:22a NCPNLM32 NLM 103,363 07-31-96 7:24a NETNLM32 NLM 152,806 07-31-96 7:27a DSEVENT NLM 1,983 07-19-96 12:28p Directory of G:\4.X\MSG CLIB MSG 4,275 07-24-96 11:33a FPSM MSG 543 07-24-96 12:27p THREADS MSG 8,821 07-24-96 11:28a REQUESTR MSG 498 07-24-96 11:42a NLMLIB MSG 3,635 07-24-96 12:56p NIT MSG 957 07-24-96 11:54a ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 20:47:05 -0700 From: "Robert S. Sfeir" Subject: Libup9... Attention! I ran the install.exe that comes with Libup9 with the /n (no action) parameter, and looked at the log file. It only installs files for Netware 3.x NCP servers... It does not install anything for netware 4.1!... At least it didn't pick up any candiate files for Netware 4.1 although I know some of those files were reverted back to the LIBUP8 files. As a matter of fact, if you click on the New files for the week button at support.novell.com, the LIBUP9 only comes up under Netware 3.X... You make the call! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Oct 1996 16:37:05 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: Patches for an old 3.11 setup >We've got a small shop (16 users) w/ a few 3.11 and 3.12 servers >running on 3/486s (16-32 meg) w/ generally no problems. Our main app >is run on unix which we use RS-232 terminal connections to get to, so >Novell is truly just a file&print server. Up till now, >our "not broke, don't fix" attitude has kept us from applying any >patches to the original systems. Well, recently I got a hold of >the config.nlm program, which seems pretty nice, esp. w/ the win95 >viewer, seems like a reasonable way to go about patching etc but ... >it only ran on our 3.12 server listing a number of outdated nlms, >the 3.11 servers need to upgrade clib et alias. However, >I'm sort of afraid to go out and apply, say libup9 to my setup as >it stands. All the talk of what could/has gone wrong elsewhere >w/ versions of clib etc. conflicts in makes me downright nervous. >So, could anybody weigh in w/ what sort of risk we'd be taking or >what'd be the safest path to get things back up to date? ------------ We go through this about twice a year: should I patch or not. The bottom line, put first, is the problems will be yours to sort out, whether a patch or lack of a patch causes trouble. If you call Novell Tech Support their standard advice is get fully patched and call them in the morning. Sharp managers lag behind a little and scan reports for indications of trouble. Discount many reports as interaction between other components, usually not detailed. Note the other reports if persistent. Eventually keep up to date. Recall that it's your particular system which may or may not react well to changes, and we can't predict how it will respond. Since I often make changes right away, to know if troubles will arise, I can't put myself in the category of sharp managers; wounded and bandaged managers is my group. Sharp managers always preserve the original environment in case they need to retreat from a change. In some cases a full backup is wise before adjusting things. Ah, I do fit in here. Libup9 has caused no trouble here. I don't know the kernel of the rumors going round, but one guesses they involve interaction with third party programs (say Arcserve and/or virus scanners) or particular hardware. But I have no information to relay. In the end it's your call and your neck, whether you act or just cross your fingers and hope. Gee, it could be worse where there are big problems and no fixes (Windows, for example). Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Oct 1996 17:44:17 +1000 From: Rod Stemp Subject: FAQ as a Windows Help File The latest version of the FAQ in Windows Help file format is available at ftp.ultra.net.au/pub/users/novell/nvfaqhlp.zip It now has a completed search facility based on keywords from each topic heading. It still requires further massaging for example I have VLM showing as VLM, VLMs and VLM's. I will exorcise all these demons over the coming weeks however if you find any please email me. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 13:56:22 GMT+0100 From: Chris Teuben Subject: Memory allocator errors After applying LIBUP6, 7, 8, or 9 memory errors appear: "Cache memory allocator exceeded minimum cache buffer left limit." and "Semi-permanent memory allocator is out of memory: 1 semi-permanent memory allocation request failed" This is a cosmetic error that will exhibit itself when initially loading message files for NLM's that require A3112.NLM and/or AFTER311.NLM. The error will only be displayed when initially loading the module. Novell advises to ignore the error for now. It will be fixed in future updates to the file. It does not cause any server problems. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 17 Nov 1996 17:13:32 +1100 From: Adrian Moore Subject: Re: 4.10 Patch Set (On SFT-III) >As we ready to deploy our next 4.10 server (it will be our first >SFTIII) [snip] Recommendation: Get a contractor in who has installed SFT-III if you have any nerves at all. You run a 24 hour site, proud of your uptime? Spend some dollars to ensure the machines are installed "like a bought one" - i.e. vanilla configuration with no shortcuts. The bonus is that someone with some experience is on hand to provide immediate troubleshooting if things go "off the rails". General recommendations: Apply the suggestions from TID 2905856. Also ensure that the IOEngines have about 25% of the physical memory allocated to them (The only place I've seen this documented is on NSEPro / Support Connection in the SFT-III Lab, so I'll document it here ;] ) Your issues: >1) The 410PT?.EXE has gone from 410PT3 to 410PT6 in 4 months. My thought: 410PT6.EXE contains a considerable set of patches for SFT III servers. The under-the-table information is that this patch was basically released because of SFT-III. Apply 410PT6 to you SFT-III server after installation. >2) The DSAPI.NLM (7/2/96) has changed, somehow, dramatically - going >from 85,032 bytes to 620 bytes. I assume it's been broken out as there >are a few new NLMs that come with it - AUDNLM32.NLM, CALNLM32.NLM, >CLNNLM32.NLM, CLXNLM32.NLM, DSEVENT.NLM, LOCNLM32.NLM, NCPNLM32.NLM, and >NETNLM32.NLM. NetWare 4.11 has prompted this "modular" architecture in NetWare 4.10. >3) While on LIBUP9 - CLIB has shrunk dramatically as well and now >included are the new NLMs NIT.NLM, NLMLIB.NLM, REQUESTR.NLM & THREADS.NLM. Modularity again - allows for snap in changes to part of the release. Check the threads on this listserv regarding problems with LIBUP9.EXE though. LIBUPA.EXE is available on ftp://ftp.novell.com/pub/netwire/nsd/libupa.exe as a pre-release kit, so steer clear of it too. One of the other recent postings suggested sticking with LIBUP8.EXE until the dust settles... but LIBUP9.EXE has been rolled out onto a critical SFT-III site by me with no apparent side effects. Remember: These servers are only performing file & print serving, so the relevance of CLIB should reduced greatly. >4) DSVIEW.NLM from DSVU41.EXE is no longer in a recommended patch. >Was it's fix done elsewhere? Did it come with 4.10 stock? DSVU41.EXE went through a period of not working with DS 5.01. I think it was updated, but the essential point is that it was never a patch, it is a utility for looking at some of the nuts & bolts of your NDS database. It shipped after NetWare 4.10. It is not required. >5) TCPN02.EXE's section for my 4.10 server is the same as the TCP41B >used on the production 4.10 servers except TCPCFG.NLM has not been included. Is this functionality picked up elsewhere or dropped? Over to someone else for this one. TCPCFG is called from INETCFG so it is still required. I think I don't understand what issue you are describing though. I think you mean that TCPN02 doesn't include TCPCFG. TCPN02 was released to address the confusion over the various different versions of TCPIP.NLM. Looking over the kit it seems as though you would only use the version of TCPCFG in TCPN02 if you had to use the verson 2.75 or 3.00F TCPIP.NLM. The way TCPN02 has been positioned is that it only offers a subset of the IP kits, and so you would use TCP41B unless you are using an affected product (according to the table) which would then require applying those NLMs (and ONLY those NLMs) from the relevant directory in TCPN02. I've said the same thing a couple of times there, so maybe another posting will be clearer. >6) 41RTR3.EXE is now only listed as an NLSP protocol update (besides >the fact that it is not recommended for my SFTII configuration). It was >recommended back when my now-production 4.10 servers were deployed. >The question goes back to interoperability again. Will an SFTIII server >in the same tree with 4.10 servers patched with 41RTR3 interoperate >successfully? Yes, 41RTR2.EXE is still the SFT-III compatible kit. 41RTR2 includes NLSP support. And NLSP is designed to interoperate with RIP servers anyway. >I know the knee-jerk reaction to most of these issues is to patch all >my 4.10 servers to the same rev. Folks, I run a 24-hour shop whose >downtime is [snip] That's the usefulness of the listserv, isn't it? However, you can't sue a listserv (at least I hope not) so you could check out the local Novell office to determine whether their Novell Consulting Services are available at a reasonable rate to install and optimally tune the servers. There is always the danger that even though your server is functioning, it may never really be performing well due to some oversite at install time. Additionally - the last time you want to find out that an SFT-III configuration parameter is set wrong is when a department has been brought to its knees, so make certain you set time aside to "break" the box using the inbuilt test parameters, or by stressing the MSEngine before rollout. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 21:53:40 +1300 From: "Baird, John" Subject: JRButils V3.0 released JRB300A.ZIP is now available at the following sites: ftp://netlab2.usu.edu/apps/jrb300a.zip ftp://ftp.let.rug.nl/jrbutils/jrb300a.zip ftp://tui.lincoln.ac.nz/jrbutils/jrb300a.zip ftp://risc.ua.edu/pub/network/misc/jrb300a.zip V3.0 comprises 36 bindery based utils in Part A, 32 bindery based utils in Part B and 55 NDS aware utils in Part C. The majority of the development effort for V3.0 has gone into Part C, but there are a number of fixes and minor enhancements in Part A plus four new programs. They are: o Vol_info: displays volume information including those statistics available under servman.nlm on NW 4.x. o Requests: Continuously monitors bytes read, bytes written and total NCP requests by workstation under NW 4.x, and displays values for the 20 workstations generating the most requests since monitoring began. o Cl_type: Detects whether NETX, VLMS or CLient32 are in use and sets an error level. o Jberrmsg: Pass it a NetWare error code (e.g. 0xFDA6 or -634) and it will look it up in JRBERR.MSG (which is used by all of JRButils) and display a one line description. Run JRBGUIDE for details of what is new and what has been fixed. Please report any problems, and suggestions for new features are always welcome. Updates have already been shipped to sites which purchased software only, and there will be a delay of 2-3 weeks while I await mass production of CDs before updates are shipped to sites which have bought software and documentation. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 09:40:12 -0600 From: "Lindsay R. Johnson" Subject: Re: Patch Order Installation >This may be a no-brainer, but I'm new to installing new servers. >After installing NetWare OS, is there any preferred method of >installing the plethora of patches? With MS, it is latest Service >Pack and then the few post-SP patches in chronological order. Of >course Novell separates the patches into OS, client, and other >categories which could complicate patch installing. I LOGIN to the new server, copy in all my prepared patches, and run the 410PT? patch of the month. When it reboots my patches are in place! 3.12 works about the same way. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Dec 1996 13:12:04 -0600 From: Bruce Sach To: netw4-l@bgu.edu Subject: Re: server patch info' needed -Reply >All of the server patches i've done have been cake... There is a utility >that will tell you what has been done to your server (two actually)... >config.nlm and confgnut.nlm... they will produce a text file in the >system directory called config.txt. You can also get a program called >config reader from the novell web site that will tell you what has been >done and what drivers you need to update. Also has general suggestions. The latest version of config reader is Internet saavy. It can download files from a Novell controlled FTP site, but it will only run on Win95 machines http://support.novell.com/cgi-bin/search/download?/pub/updates/nwos/nw312/cfgrd3.exe ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 15:36:44 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: Joe, 4.11PT1 OK? >Joe I know you posted a warning about the 411PT1 file, and it seems that >Novell has corrected the read me file but the size is still the same. >Anything new you'd like to add before I jump into it? ------------ You'd think I live in Utah, in Provo to be precise, but that's not correct. I live 140 miles north of those characters but still in Utah. Yes, Novell improved the docs on 411pt1. I have installed it without grief. Please do notice what is happening with this material: patches are now rolled into a single file, and most importantly they are applied by the loader as server.exe itself starts (before startup.ncf, before autoexec.ncf). The latter means we can't pick and choose or work around a patch which stops the system upon inital boot. We can remove patches by name or by ensemble, but only after the server is up. One may infer the Tech Support guys tearing their hair out with callers asking if they can omit a patch here and a patch here, or maybe even everywhere (see today's list), and still complain that the system does bad things. In revenge, we might say lightly, it's do the whole thing or none. We surely hope future patches are very solid affairs. Suppose there is a fatal patch one fine day. What to do? Easy: fetch server.exe from the distribution media and boot it instead, or go zap the patch file on C:. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 14:03:16 -0600 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: OS/2 Name Space >I did do an upgrade (Migrate from 3.11 to 4.1 and then upgraded to 4.11). >How can I tell which files should be there and which should not in the >SYS:SYSTEM and SYS:PUBLIC directories? -------- A person told me their extremely clever answer to that one. Before the upgrade change ownership of files to a newly created username. Then after the upgrade see which remain under that ownership. You should also do an NDIR /S > filename to have a listing of files, datestamps, etc from the original 3.11 system. Now having said these words there is another aspect to consider. That is disk allocation units. These days disks are large and it is best to go to 64KB allocation units. You can do that with NW 3.1x and tape restore files before unpacking the NW 4.11 CD-ROM. Naturally you will have really good backups (plural) before commencing, and you will know a restoration can be done via NW 4.11 (because you tested it on a play machine). Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 09:07:08 -0800 From: Michael Trier Subject: Network Update System v2.01 The Network Update System is a utility that I wrote in order to help me to maintain the 19+ modules that I have developed for in-house use. These modules are updated on a daily to weekly basis. The Network Update System runs on the client machines and makes sure that the end user is updated to the latest release of each module that the user uses. You can find out more information about the product in the Readme.txt file. In version 2.01 I have added quite a few features: * Separate 16/32 bit client side applications. The 32 bit version has full support of long filenames and a Windows 95 style interface. * Wildcard filemask ability and ability to copy whole directories and/or subdirectories. * Ability to choose whether the destination file time / date stamp is the same as the source file or the date and time of the file update. * Can automatically create client side directory structures on the fly if they do not already exist. The Network Update System is provided for free. It is available at: http://www.pobox.com/~mtrier Note: I will not be posting notices of updates to this listserv in the future; it is not the proper place for such postings. If you want to be notified about future updates, please sign up for the Mailing List available at the website. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 19:10:11 +0200 From: Mike Glassman - Admin Subject: Old Netware Patches TITLE: Old Novell Patches Available At... PRODUCT: NetWare 3.11 NetWare 3.12 intraNetWare NetWare 4.11 NetWare 4.0 DATE: 24SEP97 DOCUMENT ID: 2930303 REVISION: 3 DISTRIBUTION: Novell-Partners ISSUE Old Novell patch kits can be located at the following web address: http://www.apricot.co.uk/ftp/bbs/area37/index.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 09:46:11 -0700 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Re: Patches >(NW4.x) Do patches have to be sequentially applied in any case(s), or does >the most recent patch kit supercede (or include) all previous patch versions? >i.e. can I apply 410pt8 alone, or must I first apply 410pt7, etc.? --------- The general answer is patches are independent and can be applied alone. But that is too simple in some situations. Thus I always unpack the update file and look carefully at what it is about to change and compare it to the current installation. Compendium patches, say 410pt8.exe, typically are installed last because they include previous material. Novell's check is often matching file timestamps for older/newer/ same and a short log is produced listing what was replaced. That's fine, but manual prechecking by us is still a wise idea. Finally, Novell has a habit of packaging ancient modules in recent material, despite all, and we try to figure out if they really mean back away from a recent change or if the guys making the package are clueless. Often the latter case applies. Once patched I double check to see that the patch took. Changes to server.exe are reported to fail in some cases and will need to be repeated by hand. So look at the debris. Then review the list for comments on fixes because some are real trouble makers. Joe D. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 22:58:25 -0700 From: Joe Doupnik Subject: Those server updates The following is file warning.txt in brand new archive file updates\nwos\nw410\410pt8.exe. It does seem to strike some servers and the explanation might be of interest. Joe D. -------------- We have seen a compatibility problem between the new Loader.exe and some disk drivers. This issue will manifest itself as an abend "CPU Hog Detected by Timer" during the TimesyncMain process or a "PageFault Processor exception" abend also during the TimesyncMain Process. The changes made to the loader are correct and necessary to correctly provide year 2000 support, but have exposed some coding defects involving the way some disk drivers deal with real mode access. If you should experience this problem, contact your disk driver vendor to see if they have an updated driver that will fix the problem. A WORK AROUND that can alleviate the problem until the proper diskdriver can be located is to roll back to the previous version of the loader.exe or to another version with does not have the latest year 2000 fixes. A different solution would be to have the customer change disk controllers, thus eliminating the faulty driver. ------------------------------