Understanding How the Novell Client for Linux Differs from Novell Client for Windows 2000/XP

Using the Novell Client for Linux differs in a few ways from using the Novell Client for Windows*. For users and network administrators who are familiar with the Novell Client for Windows, knowing these differences can help the transition to Linux run more smoothly.

Installation and Upgrades

• The Novell Client for Linux can be installed and upgraded using either YaST or an installation script. For more information, see Installing the Novell Client For Linux.
• There is no Automatic Client Upgrade available on Linux.
• The Client Configuration Wizard lets you set up a configuration file that can be used to preconfigure workstations during installation. For more information, see Using Configuration Files to Preconfigure the Novell Client.

Logging In

• The Novell Client Login is not integrated into the initial workstation login. After you log in to the workstation, you must also log in from the Novell tray application. This means that there is no Novell username or password synchronization with the workstation username and password.
• When a user logs in to a local workstation and then opens a remote SSH session and logs in as the same user, the network resources that user has rights to are available to the user.
• The Novell Client for Linux can use the NMAS^TM login method to authenticate. However, the NMAS login is not integrated in to the Novell Client for Linux login screen, so the default login sequence cannot be set in the Novell Client Login screen.
• The Novell Client for Linux uses OpenSLP, whereas the Novell Client for Windows uses Novell's implementation of SLP. The network administrator must set up OpenSLP before users can look up trees, contexts, and servers using the Browse buttons in the Novell Client Login window. If OpenSLP is not set up, the user must enter a username, tree, and context to connect to the network. See Managing Login for more information.

  Because Linux uses OpenSLP, the implementation is different and the user's experience is different. For more information, see Using OpenSLP to Simplify Login.

• The Novell Client for Linux does not use the Dynamic Local User or Location Profiles that are available in Windows.

User Interface

Both a graphical user interface and command line utilities are available to complete client actions such as mapping drives, setting trustee rights, and copying files.

Login Scripts

Novell has been able to port the vast majority of login script functionality to the Linux platform. This means that the login scripts you create in your network work for both Windows users and Linux users with very little difference in functionality.

Some difference do exist, however. For example, mapped drives are implemented by creating symbolic links and search drives are not available on Linux. Other small differences are created by the inherent difference between Windows and Linux. All the differences and issues are listed in the Novell Login Scripts Guide.