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March 10th
1997

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CHAPTER 2

Network Installation



Manual Installation

This section is for advanced users and explains how to manually install and set-up NetSoft LAN on your machines. You will be required to perform some basic DOS functions, such as copy files, create batch files etc.

If you are not familiar with DOS commands, it is recommended that you use the automatic installation procedure, see Chapter 1 "GETTING STARTED".

To simplify the manual installation process, it is recommended that you break each configuration into three simple steps for each machine you add to the network.

1. Choose your hardware configuration.

2. Choose the basic network configuration.

3. Configure your network.

Because there are virtually no limitations in how you can configure NetSoft LAN, it is advisable that you set-up two machines only. You can add the rest of your machines to the network once you are familiar with the basic installation procedures.

Basic Installation Procedures

Install Step 1

The first step involves choosing your hardware driver. A hardware driver is the software that controls your network card. The hardware driver you choose will be dictated by your network cards. There are a number of hardware drivers supplied with NetSoft LAN.

Install Step 2

The second step involves choosing your basic network configuration. Each machine on the network may have a different configuration. There are three basic configurations, i.e. clients, servers, or full peer-to-peer. It is recommended that first time users use full peer-to-peer, as these are both clients and servers.

Install Step 3

The third step involves copying the network files onto your hard disk, creating the NETSTART.BAT file and configuring your two chosen modules from steps 1 and 2.

The last step (3) includes setting some basic network parameters, such as assigning a machine name and number to each networked machine, and setting your hardware's IRQ and I/O port address values.

After you have completed the three steps above, you can add additional network commands to your NETSTART.BAT file until your configuration is complete. The procedure for all the network modules is the same, so once you know how to configure one module, the others are configured in an almost identical fashion.

If you have problems installing NetSoft LAN manually, you can use the automatic installation method, and thus review what changes the NETSETUP program has made.

Step 1. Choosing your hardware configuration

Read the table below and choose the hardware driver you would like to install.
Driver standardsDescription
ARCNET.COMIf you have Arcnet network cards, you will require this driver.

This driver supports all bus topology and star topology network cards using coax or twisted pair cabling systems.

ETHERNET.COMIf you have Ethernet network cards that are Novell NE1000 or NE2000 compatible, you will require this driver.

This driver supports all cabling schemes.

You may have software drivers that were supplied with your Ethernet cards that support the ODI, NDIS or FTP standards.

The ETHERNET.COM driver supplied with NetSoft LAN is preferred when using NE1000 or NE2000 compatible Ethernet cards.

MODEM.COMIf you wish to connect two machines or two local area networks together by modems, you will require this driver.

This driver supports Hayes-compatible modems and fax/modems.

PARALLEL.COMIf you wish to use the parallel printer ports on your machines as network cards, you will require this driver.

This driver supports all IBM standard parallel ports (normally used to connect a printer to your machine).

This driver requires a special cable. The cable specifications are detailed in Chapter 19 "CableSpecifications".

SERIAL.COMIf you wish to use the serial ports on your machines as network cards, you will require this driver.

This driver supports all IBM standard serial ports.

This driver requires a special cable. The cable specifications are detailed in Chapter 19 "Cable Specifications".

The above drivers are the recommended drivers. If your hardware is not supported using one of the above drivers, you will require a Driver Standard, these driver standards are detailed next.

Using a Driver Standard

If you have an Ethernet card that is supplied with software drivers, you may be able to use one of the following standards.
Other standardsDescription
FTP.COMIf you wish to use a driver that conforms to FTP Software's Packet Driver Specification, you will require this driver (FTP.COM) in conjunction with the Packet Driver supplied with your network cards.

The FTP.COM driver supports Class 1, Ethernet Packet Drivers only.

ODI.COMIf you wish to use the Novell Open Data Link (ODI) Standard, you will require this driver as well as the DOS ODI device driver supplied with your Ethernet network cards.

Almost all Ethernet cards are supplied with an ODI compatible driver. ODI drivers are used in conjunction with the Novell Link Support Layer (LSL.COM).

NDIS.COMIf you wish to use the 3COM/Microsoft NDIS Standard, you will require this driver as well as the DOS NDIS device driver supplied with your Ethernet network cards.

Almost all Ethernet cards are supplied with an NDIS compatible driver. NDIS drivers are used in conjunction with the 3COM/Microsoft Protocol Manager (PROTMAN.DOS and PROTMAN.EXE).

SMC.COMIf you have Ethernet network cards manufactured by SMC (Standard Microsystems Corporation), or Western Digital, you will require this driver.

The list below gives you the program filenames of the drivers reviewed above. Each of the drivers listed is explained in detail in Chapter 10 "NETWORK HARDWARE DRIVERS".
Driver Filenames

       ARCNET.COM
     ETHERNET.COM
          FTP.COM
        MODEM.COM
         NDIS.COM
          ODI.COM
     PARALLEL.COM
       SERIAL.COM
          SMC.COM

When you have chosen your hardware driver you may proceed to step 2. As an example, ETHERNET.COM will be used, (as highlighted above).

Step 2. Choosing your network configuration

You must now choose which of the following network configurations you would like to use. In most cases the full peer-to-peer configuration is best suited. The table below explains each type of configuration.
Configuration typeDescription
CLIENT.COMClient configurations may use network resources, (e.g. they can use network printers, disk drives, CD-ROM drives, serial ports, etc.) that are located on other network servers.

Clients cannot share their resources with other network users, they may only use shared network resources.

SERVER.COMServer configurations allow use of their resources by clients, but cannot themselves use shared resources on other network servers or clients.

Servers can share their disks, printers, serial ports, modems, etc. with network clients or peer-to-peer client servers.

DOSNET.COMFull Peer-to-Peer configurations are both servers and clients. There are no restrictions on a peer-to-peer configuration.

These configurations can both share their resources and use other network resources.


The list below denotes the program filenames of each basic network configuration reviewed above.
Network Filenames
    CLIENT.COM
    SERVER.COM
    DOSNET.COM

When you have chosen your basic network configuration you may proceed to step 3. In this example, DOSNET.COM will be used, (as highlighted above).

Step 3. Configuring the network modules

You have chosen two program names from the lists provided. The following is an example using Ethernet on a full peer-to-peer network configuration.

Before configuring the network, the network files must be copied from the NetSoft LAN Set-up disk to your hard disk.

Copying NetSoft LAN to your hard disk

Insert Set-up Disk 1 in drive A:, and then type the following at the DOS command line:

c:
md \dosnet
cd \dosnet
copy a:\*.*

If your floppy disk drive is known as B:, you must change the copy command accordingly.

Creating the NETSTART.BAT file

To create the NETSTART.BAT file, you can use a text editor or use the COPY CON command. This example uses the DOS COPY CON command.

This procedure assumes that you have copied the network files to your hard disk C:\DOSNET directory. If you have used a different drive or directory name, you must make the appropriate changes.

From the DOS command line, type the following:


c:
cd\dosnet
copy con netstart.bat
cd\dosnet
dosnet
ethernet
cd\
^z (press ctrl+z or the F6 key to save)
1 file(s) copied
The NETSTART.BAT has now been created. Before you start the network, you must configure a few parameters. These are explained next.

Configuring the chosen network modules

In the C:\DOSNET network directory, there is a file called DOSNET.INI. This file holds the set-upparameters for each machine. This is a normal text ASCII file and may be edited using a text editor.

Below is a sample of the parameters it contains. As you can see, it's broken into sections. Each section has a section header which is denoted by square brackets [ ]. Below each section header there are a number of parameters that you must change for each machine that is added to the network.

For clarity, only two section headers are shown.

Each driver or network program has its own section header that allows configuration of that particular driver or program.

All of these parameters are explained in detail in Chapter 17 "THE DOSNET.INI CONFIGURATION FILE".

The parameters of interest in this case are under the headings [Setup]and [Ethernet-1].


Sample from DOSNET.INI file

[Setup]
MachineNode=1
MachineName=SERVER1
UserCount=2

[Ethernet-1]
IRQ=3
Port=300h

The following parameters must be set for each machine you add to the network. These parameters identify each machine and configure NetSoft LAN to use the correct network card settings.

1. Set the MachineNode= parameter to any number between 1 and 255 (inclusive). The value used for this parameter must be unique on the network.

2. Set the MachineName= parameter, it may contain up to 15 text characters that uniquely identify each machine. This example uses SERVER1 as the machine name.

3. Set the UserCount= parameter to indicate the total number of machines on your network.

4. Set the IRQ= parameter to the interrupt request line used by your network card.

5. Set the Port= parameter to the I/O port address used by your network card.

6. You may now start the network by running the NETSTART.BAT file you created earlier.

If you are using Arcnet cards, you must change the parameters under the heading [Arcnet-1] instead of [Ethernet-1].


NOTE If you are not using Ethernet as in this example, you should read Chapter 17 "NETWORK HARDWARE DRIVERS". You only need to read the section that relates to your particular network cards.

Adding network services

Once you have configured your basic network set-up for each machine, you may wish to add some network services to various clients and servers. To do this, simply add the program name (listed in the left hand column in the table below) to your NETSTART.BAT file.

Each network service has an entry in the DOSNET.INI file that allows you to customise each network program to your particular needs.


Network ServicesDescription
COMREDIR.COMThe Communications Redirector program is needed if you plan to use, or share, network serial ports.

This program is both the serial port server and client. i.e. you must run it on the client machine and on the server machine.

NETBIOS.COMThe NetBIOS Session Interface program provides the standard NetBIOS interface. This is not required for normal network operation.

This is only loaded if your software absolutely requires a NetBIOS interface. (DOS and Windows do not require NetBIOS).

NETCACHE.COMThe Network Cache program uses Expanded (EMS) or Extended (XMS) memory to provide fast file access to server machines.

This may be used with any existing disk cache you may already use.

NETFILES.COMThe Extended Network Filing System program extends the DOS open-file limit on server machines from 255 to 10,000 files, for large server based network applications.

This is not normally required in small network systems.

PRNREDIR.COMThe Printer Redirector program is required if you wish to use network printers.

Its purpose is to capture print jobs sent to a local port (LPT1-4) and send them to the server's print-spooler for printing.

PROTECT.COMThe Access Rights Protection program is required only if you require access-rights protection.

This program is also needed if you wish to protect directories or files from other network users.

SM.COMThe Station Manager program allows you to connect to network drives, printers, and serial ports on the fly. It is menu-driven and easy to use.
SPOOLER.COMThe Printer Spooler program is the print server's spooler program. It provides many print management options and is very easy to use.

NetSoft LAN Inventory List

You can use the inventory list below as a general guide. It detailswhich NetSoft LAN programs and drivers may be used with each typeof configuration.
Network FilesClientServerDosnetRouterDescription
CLIENT.COMYNNNClient Software
SERVER.COMNYNNServer Software
DOSNET.COMNNYNClient, Server, & Router Software
ROUTER.COMNNNYPacket Router Software
Configuration File
DOSNET.INIYYYYNetwork Configuration File
Hardware Drivers Files
ARCNET.COMYYYYArcnet Card Driver
ETHERNET.COMYYYYEthernet NE1000/2000 Driver
MODEM.COMYYYNHayes Modem Driver
PARALLEL.COMYYYYIBM Parallel Port Driver
SERIAL.COMYYYYIBM Serial Port Driver
SMC.COMYYYYSMC Ethernet Driver
ODI Standard Files
LSL.COMYYYYNovell ODI Link Support Layer
NET.CFGYYYYODI Configuration File
FILENAME.COMYYYYODI LAN Driver (MLID)
ODI.COMYYYYNetSoft LAN ODI Link Driver
NDIS Standard Files
PROTMAN.DOSYYYYProtocol Manager Device Driver
PROTMAN.EXEYYYYProtocol Manager Overlay File
PROTOCOL.INIYYYYNDIS Configuration File
FILENAME.DOSYYYYYour NDIS Device Driver
NDIS.COMYYYYNetSoft LAN NDIS Link Driver
FTP Standard Files
FILENAME.EXTYYYYYour Supplied Packet Driver
FTP.COMYYYYNetSoft LAN FTP Link Driver
Network Service Files
COMREDIR.COMYYYNCommunications Redirector
NET.COMYYYNNET Command
NETBIOS.COMYYYNNetBIOS Session Interface
NETCACHE.COMNYYNEMS/XMS Network Disk Cache
NETDEBUG.COMNYYNNetwork Server Debugger
NETFILES.COMNYYNExtended Network Filing System
PRNREDIR.COMYNYNPrinter Redirector
PROTECT.COMNYYNAccess Rights Protection
SM.COMYYYNPop-Up Station Manager
SPOOLER.COMNYYNPrinter Spooler
Y = May be used with configuration
N = May not be used with configuration
FILENAME.DOS

This file represents the name of your NDIS device driver that may be supplied with your Ethernet cards. There are two types of NDIS device driver; one for OS/2 and one for DOS. You must use the one with the .DOS filename extension.

FILENAME.EXT

This file represents the name of your FTP Packet Driver that may be supplied with your Ethernet cards. Normally this is a .COM or .EXE program file which is loaded from the DOS command line.

FILENAME.COM

This file represents the name of your ODI LAN Driver (MLID) that may be supplied with your Ethernet cards. Normally this is a .COM or .EXE program file which is loaded from the DOS command line.

Running NetSoft LAN from floppy disk

If you wish to run NetSoft LAN from a floppy disk-based system, you will need to copy the network programs on to a floppy disk using the DOS copy command.

To save space, only copy the program files that you actually require. The files that you will require depend on your particular configuration requirements, network card etc.


USEFUL TIP You can use The NetSoft LAN Inventory List to check which files you will require for your particular configurations.

Removing NetSoft LAN from your hard disk

If you wish to remove NetSoft LAN from your hard disk, type the following commands at the DOS prompt command line: (remember to press the ENTER key after each line)

c:
cd\
del c:\dosnet

When deleting the files in the C:\DOSNET directory you will be prompted with the question:

Are you sure (y/n)

press Y then press ENTER to delete all files in this directories. After issuing these commands NetSoft LAN will have been completely removed from your machine.

If you are using MS-DOS 6.0 or higher you can use the DELTREE command which combines of the above commands in to a single command as follows:

deltree c:\dosnet

you will be prompted by DOS to confirm with the following message:

Delete directory "c:\dosnet" and all its subdirectories? [yn]

press Y then press ENTER to remove all of the NetSoft LAN files and sub-directories.


NOTE If you added the NETSTART.BAT file to your AUTOEXEC.BAT start up file, you may also wish to remove that command.
In addition, if you are using the NDIS standard with NetSoft LAN you may wish to remove those commands from your CONFIG.SYS file. To do this, delete the following lines from your CONFIG.SYS file using a text editor such as EDIT which is supplied with DOS 5.0 and higher.

DEVICE=C:\DOSNET\NDIS\PROTMAN.DOS /I:C:\DOSNET\NDIS
DEVICE=C:\DOSNET\NDIS\FILENAME.DOS


[Chapter 3] [Chapter 1]
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