A drive mapping is a pointer to a location in the file system, represented as a letter assigned to a directory path on a volume.
A path includes the volume, directory, and any subdirectories leading to the file.
A drive mapping assigns a letter to a path so that the letter can be used instead of the complete path name.
Drive mappings can be temporary or permanent:
Permanent mappings. To make drive mappings permanent so you can use them every time you log in, place MAP commands in your login script, or use the mapping functionality of your client software to make them permanent, so they will be reconnected every time you log in.
Temporary mappings. To map a drive so you can use it during your current session, use the NetWare MAP utility from a DOS prompt, or use the mapping functionality of your client software. If you use MAP from a DOS prompt, the mapping is only valid until you log out.
For instructions on creating mappings, Creating eDirectory Objects to Facilitate File Management in the ConsoleOne 1.3 User Guide.
NetWare recognizes these types of drive mappings:
Local drive mappings are paths to local media such as hard disk drives and floppy disk drives.
To change this default (for example, if you are using the NetWare DOS Requester, you need all of your drives mapped as DOS drives), use the DOS LASTDRIVE command in your workstation CONFIG.SYS file.
Network drive mappings point to volumes and directories on the network. Normally, drives F: through Z: are used for network mappings. Each user can map drive letters to different directories.
To create a network drive mapping, use the MAP command.
Network search drive mappings point to directories containing files such as applications or files.
Search drive mappings enable the system to locate a program even if it isn't located in the directory you're working in.
Search drive mappings are numbered, although they also have drive letters. For example, search drive 1 (or S1) may also be known as network drive Z:.
You can map up to 16 network search drives (letters K: through Z:, starting with Z:). You can't map a search drive and a regular network drive to the same letter.
When you request a file and the system can't find it in your current directory, the system looks in every directory a search drive is mapped to.
The system searches, following the numerical order of the search drives, until either the program file is found or can't be located.
NOTE: Search drive mappings aren't supported on OS/2 workstations. The search functionality is provided with the OS/2 PATH, LIBPATH, and DPATH commands.