Understanding the NetWare Client Software

The NetWare DOS Requester Architecture

applications.

Takes advantage of memory-swapping technology and DOS redirection capability.

Includes the Packet Burst protocol and Large Internet Packet (LIP) support.

Supports the installed base of NetWare users by providing backward compatibility with NETX.

Supports the NetWare Directory Services architecture in NetWare 4 software.

File and Print Services

Previously, the NetWare Client shell for DOS intercepted requests for DOS services. At the client workstations, the NetWare shell (NETX) software hooked interrupts in front of DOS and provided network services for files and printing.

The NetWare DOS Requester takes advantage of DOS redirection to provide file and print services. It also uses NetWare shell technology to add features to DOS and provide compatibility with applications that run on the NetWare shell software.

Memory Usage

The NetWare DOS Requester works with extended memory, expanded memory, and conventional memory. When loading in extended memory, the Requester loads in LIM XMS 2.0 memory, not in the High Memory Area (HMA), meaning that extended memory can coexist with DOS loaded high.

The VLM.EXE program automatically selects the best possible memory use: extended memory first, expanded memory second, and conventional memory only in the absence of enhanced memory options.

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