1.1 How NetStorage Works

NetStorage is installed on the OES 11 SP3 server that acts as a Middle Tier (also known as XTier) server. Middle Tier server configuration information is stored in an XML file on the server. Novell iManager provides an easy method for changing Middle Tier configuration. XTier is the Novell Web services framework and is used by various Novell products.

NOTE:The NSAdmin utility has some limitations in displaying the UI buttons when opened in Firefox and Chrome. Novell encourages you to use Novell iManager to configure and administer NetStorage.

After the Middle Tier server is set up, it appears as an Internet Web server to users and can be accessed either with a Web browser or with Microsoft Web Folders.

Figure 1-1 Middle Tier Server

The Middle Tier server communicates with the NetWare or Linux servers in the network and provides secure authentication using eDirectory and the users’ usernames and passwords.

All transactions can also be encrypted by using SSL to increase the security.

NOTE:Although SSL can be used to encrypt transactions, no server authentication is performed.

For specific information on how login scripts are processed by NetStorage, see Setting Up Login Scripts in the Client for Open Enterprise Server Administration Guide.