NetWare 6.5 SP4 and OES SP1 Available

The NetWare and Open Enterprise Server Supports Packs are available for downloads.

• NetWare 6.5 SP4 and OES SP1 Download

This Support Pack contains updates for components contained in the NetWare 6.5 product. The purpose of this Support Pack is to provide fixes that have all been tested together.

Applying this Support Pack upgrades all of your NetWare 6.5 components to OES NetWare, except for iManager. iManager 2.02 is not upgraded to iManager 2.5, but updates for iManager 2.02 or 2.5 are installed, depending on which version is installed.

What's new in OES SP1?

NetWare 6.5 SP4 and OES SP1 Overlays:

• Product CD iso file
  
• OS CD iso file

OES Linux SP1 Overlays and iso

Open Enterprise Server Linux SP1 Overlays and ISO files are avaiable.

What's New in OES SP1 and download information

To patch an existing Linux Open Enterprise Server, download the following required images:
oessp1linux1.iso
oessp1linux2.iso
oessp1linux3.iso

If you want to install a new server running Open Enterprise Server with Support Pack 1, download the complete installation set of images
http://download.novell.com
oessp1linux1.iso
oessp1linux2.iso
oessp1linux3.iso
oessp1lnx5sles92.iso
oessp1lnx6sles93.iso
oessp1lnx7sles94.iso

Optional ISO Images: the following ISO images contain source code and are not required during the installation.
oessp1linux4.iso
oessp1lnx8sles95.iso
oessp1lnx9sles96.iso

If you already have a copy of SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 and want to install Open Enterprise Server for Linux, download the following required images:
oessp1linux1.iso
oessp1linux2.iso
oessp1linux3.iso

(In addition to the these images, you need your original SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 for x86 architecture CDs.)

When burning the images to a CD, label the CDs as detailed below. The installation process prompts you to insert the relevant CD using the label name.

CD Image CD Label Name
oessp1linux1.iso Open Enterprise Server SP1 CD1
oessp1linux2.iso Open Enterprise Server SP1 CD2
oessp1linux3.iso Open Enterprise Server SP1 CD3
oessp1linux4.iso Open Enterprise Server SP1 CD4
oessp1lnx5sles92.iso SUSE CORE Version 9 CD 1
oessp1lnx6sles93.iso SUSE CORE Version 9 CD 2
oessp1lnx7sles94.iso SUSE CORE Version 9 CD 3
oessp1lnx8sles95.iso SUSE CORE Version 9 CD 4
oessp1lnx9sles96.iso SUSE CORE Version 9 CD 5

New Novell Client 4.91 SP1 is available

Novell Client for Windows v4.91 Support Pack 1

This Support Pack contains updates for Novell Client for Windows v4.91 only.

Download nc491sp1.exe

Obtain the Novell 4.91 Client from http://download.novell.com

NetWare CIFS Denial of Service Vulnerability

Description:
A vulnerability has been reported in NetWare, which can be exploited by malicious people to cause a DoS (Denial of Service).

The vulnerability is caused due to an unspecified error in CIFS.NLM when handling password lengths and can be exploited to cause crash the service.

The vulnerability has been reported in NetWare 5.1, 6.0, 6.5 SP2 and 6.5 SP3.

NOTE: The "worm_rbot.ccc" worm, which exploits a Windows vulnerability, may reportedly trigger this vulnerability.

Solution:
Apply CIFS update.

• NetWare 6.5 SP3
• NetWare 6.5 SP2
• NetWare 5.1 and 6.0

IP Subnetting

If you're persuing any certification such as CCNA, MCSE, CNE, LPI, or CLP be it Cisco, Microsoft, or Linux, you're going to get test questions on IP Subnetting.

I've come across some web sites that give good tutorials for IP Subnetting:

• About IP Tutorial
• Learn to Subnet on howtosubnet.com
• IP Address Subnetting Tutorial
• IP Address and Subnetting for new users on Cisco.com
  

CertCities.com Linux Certification

Test Question Example:
You have been allocated a 130.16.0.0 IP address for your network. At present we need 13 subnets. In the future we will need to allow for the expansion up to 28 subnets. You need to be able to connect up to 2000 IP addresses available in each subnetwork.

Devise an IP addressing scheme, giving the subnetwork, first host, last host and broadcast IP addresses for each subnet. Also specify the subnet mask you would use.
Use the methodology described next.
You will need to
i. Determine the required number of bits to borrow for subnetting.
ii. Determine the subnet mask
iii. Determine all subnet network addresses
iv. Determine the addresses of the first host, last host and broadcast on each subnet.
You need to include all the calculations and explanations for each item; no marks will be awarded for any unjustified correct answers.

Answer:
Range: 130.16.8.1 to 130.16.15.254
Broadcast: 130.16.15.255

Now, the others from the calc is:
2 - 130.16.16.1 to 130.16.23.254
3 - 130.16.24.1 to 130.16.31.254

More info:
The number of subnets will define how many bits of the IP address you need to use for the network portion of the address, and the number of hosts per subnet will define how many bits of the IP address you need to use for the host portion of the address.

Okay... you're given the Class B address 130.16.0.0. Normally, for a Class B address, 16 bits are used for the network portion and 16 bits are used for the host portion. At present, we need 13 subnets, but we must be prepared for future expansion. Therefore, we should allocate 28 subnets (yes, ignore the 13 subnet part - it's there to make sure you're reading the whole question correctly). That means we need to steal, at a minimum, 5 bits that we would normally use for host addresses and use them for subnets. Why 5 bits? Because 2 to the 5th power is equal to 32 (2 to the 4th power only gives 16 subnets... 2 to the 6th power gives 64 subnets). Even discounting the "all-zeros" and "all-ones" subnets, we still have 30 subnets we can use.

Okay, so how many bits does that leave us for host addresses for each of those subnets? Well, we used to have 16 bits... but we stole 5 for subnets. Is 11 bits enough to handle 2000 IP addresses per subnet? Let's calculate... 2 to the 11th power is 2048 - minus 2 addresses for the network address and broadcast address, and we've got 2046 available IP addresses per subnet. Barely enough!

Back to the subnet portion... how do you get the increase of 8 for each range? Here's how I look at it:

A /16 mask (normal Class B) has 1 big subnet, with an "increase" of 256 per range.
A /17 mask (stealing one bit for subnets) makes 2 subnets (provided you can use the all-zeros and all-ones subnets), with an "increase" of 128 per range.
An /18 mask makes 4 subnets, with an "increase" of 64 per range.
A /19 mask makes 8 subnets, with a 32 increase per range.
A /20 mask makes 16 subnets, with a 16 increase per range.
A /21 mask (stealing 5 bits, which is what you have), makes 32 subnets, with an 8 increase per range. Your calculations are accurate.

Tech Support Humour

How to patch SLES9 and OES Linux

Knowing how to correctly update your Novell/SUSE Linux system is crucial in keeping the system healthy and up to date. Different distributions use different update technologies to provide updates.

Guide to patching Novell / SUSE Linux Distributions

• Novell Open Enterprise Server

OES is updated using Red Carpet/rug. YaST Online Update is not used to update OES.

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

SLES is updated officially using YaST Online Update (YOU). In order to update via YOU, a current maintenance contract is required.

Access to updates via YOU is gained through the SUSE Portal at portal.suse.com. SUSE Portal accounts can be created for free off the Portal home page. Once an account is created, products can be activated by clicking the Manage Registrations link.

YOU is run by starting YaST and then selecting Software > Online Update.

• Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9

NLSBS is updated using Red Carpet/rug. Inside of Red Carpet/rug, apply updates to keep the system current.

• Novell Linux Desktop 9

NLD 9 is updated with Red Carpet/rug using the update functionality.


More documents:
How to register and receive updates

Patching Open Enterprise Server Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Checking for a support pack on a Linux Desktop or Server

Updating SUSE Linux Enterprise 9 - A list of YOU Servers

How to Mirror OES Server Patches with ZENworks Linux Management

Updating Open Enterprise Server

Subscribing to Channels in OES

OES Patch Channel not visible

Patching OES Linux when just using SLES9 without OES services with YOU

rug / Red Carpet FAQ

Terminology:
ZLM - ZENworks Linux Management
Red Carpet - SUSE Linux Update Utility - GUI
rug - Red Carpet command line Upgrade Utilty
YOU - YaST Online Update
YaST - Yet another Support Tool

Info:

The URL for OES updates is https://update.novell.com/data.

To see if the OES service is already added, enter rug service-list at the terminal.

If the OES service isn't present, add it with rug sa https://update.novell.com/data

See TID 10097537 (rug / Red Capet FAQ) for more information on Patching OES linux with rug.

News from Premium Service August 2005

August 15, 2005
Issue 8, Volume 5

Newsletter

I will be posting two newsletters each month on this blog. This is the 2nd newsletter for the month of August.

August is becoming a very busy month for Novell. This month Novell ships several new products including GroupWise 7, ZENworks 7, Novell Security Manager 6. In addition Novell is shipping Open Enterprise Server SP1. Novell also opened up Suse Linux with OpenSUSE.org.

- Bucky

Novell Ships GroupWise 7

WALTHAM, Mass.—15 Aug 2005—Novell today announced that Novell® GroupWise® 7 is now available worldwide. Novell GroupWise is the most secure and reliable collaboration platform in the industry and runs on multiple operating system platforms. GroupWise 7 delivers significant advances to increase end-user productivity such as integrated e-mail and instant messaging, enhanced Microsoft* Outlook* support and a pre-bundled license of SUSE^TM Linux Enterprise Server. As a result, customers benefit from reduced costs and increased productivity as GroupWise 7 manages mission-critical collaboration functions.

Press Release

For more information about GroupWise, visit http://www.novell.com/groupwise

Novell August Newsletter

This newsletter is a collection of information from Novell. It is provided to give you insight on how Novell can help.

What is the benefit to you? The biggest benefit is it provides links into Novell's website that can provide you with more information. Information that will help you pro-actively plan and manage your network environment; links where you can find tools, answers and solutions.

Novell August Newsletter

• SUPPORT ISSUES & INFORMATION
• Virus Warnings
• Technical Information Documents
• New Files
• Cool Solutions
• Advanced Technical Training
• Support Life Cycle
• Novell In The News

Open Enterprise Server (OES) SP1 - What's New

Open Enterprise Server Support Pack 1 (OES SP1) is scheduled for release on August 31, 2005.
Here is a cool solutions article that gives a quick overview on what's new with this release.

http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/15728.html

• iFolder 3.0
• Improved NSS performance on Linux
• Novell Client for Linux
• iPrint enhancements, including iPrint client for Macintosh
• Improved Migration Capabilities
• Includes SLES9 SP2, NetWare 6.5 SP4, Novell Client for Windows 4.91 SP1

Novell Press Release

- Bucky

Best quote of day

Best quote of the day from LinuxWorld:

---

Novell said at the show that it--and its channel partners--can now resell support for the popular MySQL database. Waltham, Mass.-based Novell joins Dell, which said on Monday that it will offer MySQL Network, the subscription support for MySQL.

"This gives us a much broader reach than before. This is a big vote of confidence because we're still a modest-sized company," said Zack Urlocker, vice president of marketing for MySQL, Cupertino, Calif.

Some solution providers said having big-name support backup is critical. For example, Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Novacoast is a VAR and integrator but also ends up doing custom application work for customers, said CTO Adam Gray.

"Having Novell or Dell support helps us better support the customers,” Gray said. “They're both 24 hours a day, and if I'm up at three in the morning fixing something, it's nice to have that."

---

Keep in mind the support offerings when you choose your vendors!

- Bucky

iPrint Troubleshooting

Geoffry Carmen posted an excellent article on iPrint Troubleshooting at Novell Cool Solutions.

http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/15685.html

In this article he mentions many troubleshooting techniques. He also recommends using a secondary IP Address and assigning it to iPrint.

"It is probably a good idea to get an IP address assigned to your iPrint service, since you can move it via a cluster, or even in case of a server failure. If all your users install printers that point at a service address (like iprint.yournetwork.com) instead of a server address (serverA.yournetwork.com), when you move it around, your clients will not need to reinstall the printer. If the IP of the service changes, then the printers look like new printers."

You can assign it as a Secondary IP address. At the console type:

add secondary ipaddress 10.0.0.5

Novell Announcements at LinuxWorld

Novell has made some announcements at LinuxWorld SF

Novell LinuxWorld Pressroom

• 09 Aug 05 Novell and MySQL AB Expand Partnership
• 09 Aug 05 Novell Delivers Data Center Virtual Infrastructure Through Expanded Partnership with VMware
• 09 Aug 05 Novell Goes to Market with Leading Open Source application providers
  
• 09 Aug 05 Novell Expands Worldwide Availability of Linux with the Launch of the openSUSE Project
• 09 Aug 05 Ritz Camera Selects Linux from Novell for In-Store Systems Nationwide
• 09 Aug 05 Novell Simplifies Server Migration to Linux
• 09 Aug 05 Novell Gives Indiana High Schools a High Tech Desktop Education
  
• 08 Aug 05 Siebel Systems and Novell to Cooperate on Linux
• 04 Aug 05 Novell Delivers Full Support for JBoss Enterprise Middleware System
• 04 Aug 05 Novell Validates High Performance Computing Stack on Linux
  
  

A one-hour press conference will be held at 11 AM MT on Tuesday, August 9th. Audio of the call will be archived and available on the Novell Pressroom Website.

More Novell in the News

LinuxWorld San Francisco August 8-11.

OpenSUSE details emerge

SUSE Professional 9.3 and Beta10 is truly opensource - check out www.opensuse.org

Open Enterprise Server Support Pack 1 (OES SP1) will be available Aug. 31

I Want GroupWise!

Feeling pressure to move away from GroupWise and Novell? Check this web site out!

www.iwantgroupwise.com

Novell GroupWise is a cross-platform, corporate e-mail system that provides secure messaging, calendaring, scheduling, and instant messaging. GroupWise also includes task management, contact management, document management, and other productivity tools. GroupWise can be used on your desktop at work, in a Web browser anywhere you have an Internet connection, and even on wireless devices. Your GroupWise system can run on NetWare, Linux, Windows, or any combination of these operating systems. GroupWise users can access their mailboxes from desktops running Linux, Windows, or Macintosh; in a Web browser anywhere an Internet connection is available; and even on wireless devices.

Did you know with GroupWise 7, it's very easy to use GroupWise as a backend system to MS Outlook?

Take a look at the GroupWise 7 links through this website.

I Want NetWare!

Microsoft's release of Windows 2003 indirectly raises the question of solution selection between Novell and Microsoft. While improvements have been made to Win2003 in specific areas (particularly closing some security holes and a redesigned Web server), it still suffers from architecture and administration weaknesses which lead to deficiencies in the areas of scalability, openness, administration and security. In addition, the level of features and number of services that are available with Win2003 out-of-the-box are minimal when compared to those available with NetWare® 6.5.

www.iwantnetware.com

How to obtain a coredump from NetWare

Only force a coredump with system hangs at the worst moment of the hang.
To force a coredump in NetWare hold down these four keys:
SHIFT SHIFT ALT ESC and at the prompt type ".c "

Otherwise wait for the ABEND to happen but first prep the server:

1. Turn off ASR (Automatic System Recovery) in BIOS of server.
2. SET AUTO RESTART AFTER ABEND = 0
3. Follow TID 10083803

Coredump type? - - Choose 2
1) Full (all server memory)
2) Full w/o cache (all server memory except file cache)

Compress coredump? (compression will use less disk space, but is slower) -- Choose 1
1) Yes
2) No

4. Rename COREDUMP.IMG to COREBUCKY1.IMG (or something)
5. Send to Novell FTP Host and email Bucky or your Novell Support Person.

ftp://ftp.novell.com/incoming

6. If possible email Bucky or your Novell Support Person a CONFIG.TXT report and ABEND.LOG file.

:LOAD CONFIG /ALL

sys:system\config.txt
sys:system\abend.log

It is possible to automate the process of collecting a coredump by following TID 10076467 and using DBNET6.NLM and DIAG500.NLM which is included with NetWare 6.5 SP2 and later.

Here is an example of a coredump.ncf file:
===================================================
set auto restart after abend = 0
set cpu hot timeout amount = 0
unload diag500
?load dbnet6
?load diag500 -AUTODUMP -COMPRESS -d NETWORK -h 192.168.1.192
#on remote server 192.168.1.192, load imghost vol2: (volume sys: is default)
====================================================

Article - Novell OES provides ties with NetWare and Linux

This is an interesting article from NetWork World / NWFusion.

"Based on our tests, we think OES is a major breakthrough in Novell's long-stated intention to marry its directory and administrative applications to Linux. OES layers a highly competitive directory service onto Linux, provides decidedly evolved administrative and management components and offers very good, egalitarian client support."

Top Issues at Novell

Top Issues at Novell:

• The Server Migration and Server Consolidation utilities have been merged into one product under the name Server Migration Consolidation Toolkit (SMCT). It is downloadable off the internet.

• For customers running with IBM Blade servers, we have been seeing an issue where people will lose access to the keyboard for their server. Engineering is working on a version of CIOS.NLM to fix this.

• Mac directories with a trailing period (.) have a sharing violation when backup programs try to back them up. The backup programs skip these files. The problem is that files with the trailing period are being incorrectly shared between namespaces. Watch for a new patch.

• Watch for a new MM.NLM that fixes a performance issue on Mirrored NSS partitions. It will increase performance by 80 to 90 %.
• Watch for a new PARTFIX.NLM utility. I have the latest utility if you need this. Just email me.

- Bucky

Volume will not mount after upgrade to NW65SP3

The following information is taken from TID's and a customer issue that I'd like to pass on:

Symptoms:
Customer upgraded server from NetWare 6.5 SP2 to SP3 and now they cannot mount their volumes. They cannot see their volumes.

ERROR: Partition size exceeds device capacity.

SYS volume will mount but will deactivate quickly

Symptoms very similar to TID 10093547

Fact:
Customer using IBM Hardware or Dell Hardware with PERC2.HAM and PERC2.CDM drivers v2.80
Dell PowerEdge 2650
IBM X series server model 225, 235, 345
This has been seen using the SCSIHD.HAM drivers also.

Error appears upon reboot and then the server hangs

TROUBLESHOOTING: back rev the perc2.ham and perc2.ddi or scsihd.ham and scsihd.ddi to nw65sp2 level drivers. This has worked on several servers.

Cause: One possible cause is that the new .HAM drivers fixed a problem in reported capacity, but the partitions have not yet been updated to accept the correct values.

Fix and Solution:
Run the PARTFIX.NLM utility with the /s switch first, then to repair use the /r switch.
Or check with Novell Support or myself to obtain the latest PARTFIX utility.

Once partfix is run, do a MM SCAN FOR NEW PARTITIONS to allow Media Manager to find the new partition, then do LIST PARTITIONS (look at the logger screen for output).

Also see TID 10096719 - Cannot see Pools after upgrading.

- Bucky

Novell Q&A

Here's a list of Questions and Answers by Novell System Administrators on NetWare, eDirectory, OES, and more.

These two lists are recent, but also go all the way back to 2000.
Take a quick look.

eDirectory Q&A

OES Linux / NetWare Q&A


- Bucky