March 10th 1997 Mirror Sites ![]() Download the Software Network Card Drivers ![]() Features User's Guide Help ![]() Search Distribution Rights Listserv Shareware Links ![]() Order the Software Help Us Promote NetSoft LAN Dealer Enquires Welcome Home Page | http://www.netsoft.ie/WelcomeWelcome to NetSoft Computer Networks, a powerful network operating system for DOS and Windows-based personal computers. NetSoft LAN includes many features that turn your stand alone computers into a powerful networking system, ideal for business or personal use. These features are described in detail later in this introduction. If NetSoft LAN is not yet set-up on your computers, see Chapter 1 "GETTING STARTED" for information about how to use the network set-up program. This introduction to NetSoft LAN User's Guide includes a list of the printed documentation provided with NetSoft LAN, an introduction to NetSoft LAN features and a list of terms and conventions used in the guide. About NetSoft LAN DocumentationNetSoft LAN documentation consists of the NetSoft LAN User's Guide, some Quick Reference Guides and some on-line documents. This guide provides both information for users who have little experience with networks and more advanced users who are already familiar with NetSoft LAN. You may use the detailed table of contents and the index to find the information you desire. Below is a brief summary of each chapter in this User's Guide: Chapter 1 "GETTING STARTED" Explains how to install DOS-NET on to your hard disk. Chapter 2 "NETWORK INSTALLATION" Explains how to configure DOS-NET manually. Chapter 3 "THE NET COMMAND" Details how to execute network commands using the NET command. Chapter 4 "THE DOS-NET MAIN MENU" Shows how to activate the DOS-NET Pop-up Menus. Chapter 5 "THE STATION MANAGER" Shows how to share and connect to network resources using the menus. Chapter 6 "NETWORK PRINTING" Explains how to set-up a print server and a print client machine. Chapter 7 "THE COMMUNICATIONS REDIRECTOR" Shows how serial ports can be shared. Chapter 8 "FILE AND DIRECTORY PROTECTION" Details how to protect individual files and directories. Chapter 9 "EXTENDED NETWORK FILING SYSTEM" Shows how to share up to 10,000 open files at once. Chapter 10 "NETWORK HARDWARE DRIVERS" Details how to set-up your hardware. Chapter 11 "INTER-NETWORKING AND PACKET ROUTING" Explains how to connect incompatible hardware. Chapter 12 "NETBIOS" Details how to install and use the NetBIOS supplied with DOS-NET. Chapter 13 "THE DOS SHARE COMMAND" Details the command line parameters of SHARE.EXE. Chapter 14 "CD-ROM DRIVES" Details how to share Compact Disc drives on the network. Chapter 15 "MS WINDOWS INSTALLATION PROCEDURES" For MS-Windows users. Chapter 16 "DEVELOPING MULTI-USER APPLICATIONS" Notes for network application programmers. Chapter 17 "THE DOSNET.INI CONFIGURATION FILE" Details all of the network parameters in details. Chapter 18 "ERROR MESSAGES" Details all the DOS and network specific error messages in detail. Chapter 19 "CABLE SPECIFICATIONS" Details the cable pin-outs for serial and parallel based connections. Features of NetSoft LAN 1.40aMajor Features
Minor Features
Terms used in this guideIt is recommended that you become familiar with the followingnetwork terms, which are used extensively throughout this guide Terms Description Computer, Machine, A computer connected to, or being Station, Node connected to the network. Local The machine you are currently using. Local is the opposite to remote. Remote Any machine, except the one you are using. Remote is the opposite to local. Client A machine on the network that uses server resources (i.e. hard disks, and printers, etc.). A client cannot share its resources with other clients. Server A computer on the network that shares its resources (i.e. hard disks, and printers, etc.) With other network clients. A server machine cannot use another server or clients' resources. Peer-to-Peer A computer that is a server and a client. It can share its resources with other clients, plus use the resources on other servers. This is referred to as a DOSNET configuration. Resource Any drive, directory, printer device, or serial port that can be shared as part of the network. Resources include, CD-ROM drives, floppy drives, printers, tape backup systems, modems, computer fax machines, etc. Conventions used in this guideThis guide uses document and keyboard conventions to help youlocate and identify information. Document ConventionsTo help you locate and interpret information easily, this User'sGuide and the Quick Reference Guides use consistent visualcues and standard key combination formats. These conventions areexplained below.This Represents Courier Bold Commands you must type exactly as they appear. To carry out a command, type the command and press the enter key. For example, if you are instructed to type NET SHARE, type all the bold characters exactly as they are printed and then press the enter key. italics Place holders that represent information that you need to provide, e.g. if you are asked to type filename, you would type the actual name of the file, instead of the word shown in italic. \\ A double backslash, must precede all network machine names. ALL CAPITALS The names of computers, printers, directories, and files. NetSoft documentation uses the term MS-DOS or DOSto refer to Microsoft MS-DOS and IBM PC-DOS disk operating systems. Keyboard ConventionsKey combinations and key sequences appear in the following format: Notation Meaning KEY1+KEY2 A plus sign (+) between key names means that you must press both keys at the same time. CTRL+ALT These keys are known as the network keys when they are held down together. If these keys are pressed while the network is loading, the network does not install itself. This is useful to know when you do not want to load the network. CTRL+ALT+* This command is used to send a print job to the print queue. This is only required for old software that prints through the Pc Bios. CTRL+ALT+Right This command displays the DOS-NET Main Shift Key Menu. Most of the utilities provided with DOS-NET have a sub menu accessed through the DOS-NET Main Menu. The Right Shift key may be substituted for another key. Left Shift + ESC These keys are used to start and end a remote control session when using the NetSoft LAN remote control option (NET RC). CTRL+ALT+DEL This is the standard way to soft-boot a machine. NetSoft LAN traps these keys and displays a network warning message. Some of the key combinations may be changed or disabled by editingthe DOSNET.INI network configuration file. [Table of Contents] [Home Page] | |
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