Using Server Utilities and Console Commands

This section explains how to access help for server utilities and console commands, discusses types of NLM programs, and provides instructions for loading and unloading an NLM at the System Console.

Server utilities are NetWare Loadable Modules (NLM) programs. Some NLM programs are loaded whenever you start the server, some are loaded by other NLM programs when they are needed, and some must be loaded manually.

Server console commands are executed by entering the command at the System Console prompt.

When you enter a command at the System Console prompt, the command is stored in the command queue. To repeat a command, press the Up-arrow key until the desired command is displayed. You can make changes to the command or press Enter to execute the command. Up to 16 commands can be saved in the queue.

You can also use the RECORD and REPLAY commands to enter commands that you enter frequently at the System Console.

For more information, see the following topics:

• How to Access Help for Utilities and Console Commands
• Accessing MONITOR
• Using NetWare Loadable Modules
• Loading and Unloading NetWare Loadable Modules
• RECORD and REPLAY in Utilities Reference

How to Access Help for Utilities and Console Commands

• For a complete list of all utilities and console commands, with descriptions, syntax, and examples, see Utilities Reference.
• To display a list of console commands on the server console, enter the following at the System Console prompt:

  HELP

• To see online help for a specific console command, enter:

  HELP command_name

• To see a description for all valid console commands, enter:

  HELP ALL

• To display a list of all the console commands in NetWare Remote Manager, click the Console Commands link in the navigation frame. For help on a specific command, click the Info icon next to the command.
• To see online help for an NLM that displays a menu, such as MONITOR, load the NLM and then press F1. You can also press F1 at subsequent menus, lists, and information windows.

Using NetWare Loadable Modules

When loaded, an NLM program is dynamically linked to the operating system and the NetWare server allocates a portion of memory to it.

The amount of memory an NLM program uses depends on the task. Some tasks make calls that cause the operating system to allocate more memory. The NLM uses the memory to perform a task and then returns control of the memory to the operating system when the NLM is unloaded. When an NLM is unloaded, all allocated resources are returned to the operating system.

NetWare has five types of NLM programs:

• NWPA drivers (.CDM and .HAM extensions) control communication between the operating system and host adapters.

• LAN drivers (.LAN extension) control communication between the operating system and the network boards.

  You can load and unload LAN drivers while the server is running and while users are logged in.

• PSM modules (.PSM extension) provide support for multiple processors in server class computers.

• Management utilities and server applications modules (.NLM and .EXE extensions) let you monitor and change configuration options.

  For example, you can run REBUILD or VREPAIR on a dismounted volume or use MONITOR to view server statistics.

  After you finish your tasks, you can unload the utility and free memory for other server functions.

• Name space support (.NAM extension) lets non-DOS naming conventions be stored in the directory and file naming system.

Some NLM programs, such as utilities, can be loaded, used, and then unloaded. Other NLM programs, such as LAN driver and disk driver NLM programs, must be loaded every time the server is started.

NCF files (STARTUP.NCF and AUTOEXEC.NCF) allow you to store commands that load NLM programs every time the NetWare server is started.

Most NLM programs included with NetWare are copied to SYS:SYSTEM during installation. As you acquire additional NLM programs, decide where you want to copy them. The operating system must be able to find the NLM programs when a LOAD command is issued.

NLM programs can be copied to any of the following areas:

• SYS:SYSTEM directory
• Any network directory on the NetWare server
• A local drive of the NetWare server

For more information about using NLM programs, see LOAD, UNLOAD, and SEARCH in Utilities Reference.

Loading and Unloading NetWare Loadable Modules

To load a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM), enter the following at the System Console prompt:

[LOAD] [path]NLM_name

• If the NLM is stored in the SYS:SYSTEM directory or if you have a server search path to the directory where the NLM resides, enter just the NLM name (instead of the complete path). For information about server search paths, see SEARCH in Utilities Reference.
• If you want the NLM to be loaded whenever the server boots, add the command to AUTOEXEC.NCF.
• If you want the NLM to be displayed in a language other than English, see Changing NLM Message Files.

NOTE:  In most cases you can load an NLM by entering just the name of the NLM at the System Console prompt. The exception is if there is an .NCF file of the same name as the NLM. In this case, you must use the LOAD command. Using the LOAD command directs the server to load the NLM instead of executing the file of the same name. For information about the LOAD command, see LOAD in Utilities Reference.

To unload an NLM program, enter the following at the System Console prompt:

UNLOAD NLM_name

To unload an NLM program from a protected address space, enter the following at the System Console prompt:

UNLOAD ADDRESS SPACE = space_name module_name

For more information about loading and unloading modules, see LOAD and UNLOAD in Utilities Reference. For more information about unloading modules from protected address spaces, see Unloading Protected Address Spaces in the Server Memory Administration Guide.

You can also load and unload NLM programs from the server using NetWare Remote Manager. For more information, see Managing NLM Programs in the NetWare Remote Manager Administration Guide.