2.2 Understanding the Novell Client for Linux Virtual File System

The Novell Client for Linux differs from previous Novell Clients to enable it to work on the Linux platform. In Windows, the Novell Client loads a single binary that works on multiple operating system platforms without modifications. The Novell Client for Linux has a Virtual File System that consists of a kernel module (novfs.ko) that runs as part of the Linux kernel and a daemon (novfsd) that runs in the user space. Both components must be running on the workstation for the client to connect to the network.

The daemon can run on any of the supported Linux platforms without modification. The kernel module, however, is dependent on the kernel version and must be compiled to match the kernel on the workstation. When the Novell Client is installed, it compiles the kernel module during the installation process. If this process fails, the kernel module cannot load. It attempts to recompile when the workstation is restarted.

2.2.1 Understanding When the Virtual File System Kernel Module Needs to Be Compiled

The following is a list of the instances when you must compile the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module (novfs.ko):

  • You installed the Novell Client and received an error message. This generally occurs because all the required packages are not installed on a workstation. You must install these packages, compile the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module (novfs.ko), and restart the workstation. See System Requirements in the Novell Client for Linux Installation Quick Start for more information.
  • You have previously compiled the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module (novfs.ko) and then made changes to the kernel.
  • You have a custom kernel of any of the supported versions.
  • Kernel updates are automatically pushed to the workstation via Red Carpet®.

In all of these instances, you must recompile the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module (novfs.ko) to ensure that it is compatible with the Linux kernel version on your workstation. However, when later shipping versions of SLED are provided by Novell, the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module (novfs.ko) is installed and you do not need to recompile it because the module is included in the kernel.

For more information, see Section A.0, Compiling the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module.

NOTE:If you patch the kernel for any reason, you must make sure that you have the required packages that correspond to the kernel patch. For a list of the required packages, see System Requirements in the Novell Client for Linux Installation Quick Start. The Novell Client for Linux then recompiles when the workstation is restarted. Without the corresponding packages, the recompile fails.

Under certain conditions, your version of novfs.ko could be rolled back when you install a new kernel module. For example, if you download and install a patched version of novfs.ko, and then later install an SLED 10 update to your kernel, the Novell Client Virtual File System Kernel Module patch might be overwritten. You should then reinstall the novfs.ko patch and recompile the kernel in order to ensure that the kernel module and the kernel are compiled.