Advanced Server for UNIX® Systems is the industry’s only UNIX-based network operating system (NOS) that is fully compatible with Microsoft® networking technology. As a server for workstations on a local area network (LAN), Advanced Server provides file and print services that enable the efficient sharing of computing resources among a community of desktop users. It incorporates the latest Microsoft technology to deliver powerful new network administration and enhanced security features. Advanced Server interoperates seamlessly with systems running Windows NT™ Server, Windows NT Workstation, and Windows 95.
Advanced Server for UNIX Systems requirements are based on Windows NT Server, Version 4.0. As a result, Advanced Server takes advantage of the UNIX system’s native ability to function simultaneously as a file, print, communications, and applications server, while ensuring compatibility with Microsoft networking features and desktop environments. Advanced Server provides networking capabilities that are functionally equivalent to those offered by Windows NT Server.
Advanced Server represents the next generation of LAN Manager for UNIX Systems technology and enhances it with significant new features based on a distributed enterprise-wide networking model. Advanced Server maintains full down-level compatibility with LAN Manager for UNIX Systems. LAN Manager users can add Advanced Server to their existing network and migrate to the new technology at their own pace.
The following sections summarize Advanced Server features.
Advanced Server encompasses many of the features of the UNIX operating system, including preemptive multitasking and symmetric multiprocessing. The time-sharing, multi-user model employed by the UNIX operating system ensures file system integrity and continued server availability — even if a user’s application crashes.
Advanced Server uses the operating system’s native ability to act as a file, print, communications, and applications server. And, it takes advantage of the UNIX system’s administrative features, management tools, and utilities.
Advanced Server can function as a file and print server for a small, isolated community of users, or as the foundation of an enterprise networking scheme for a large network distributed over a wide area.
Advanced Server can be deployed as a primary domain controller in a network composed of other Advanced Servers, Windows NT Server computers, LAN Manager for UNIX Systems servers, and LAN Manager for OS/2® servers.
And, Advanced Server can act as a backup domain controller for other Advanced Servers and Windows NT Server computers.
Only LAN Manager servers need to be upgraded to benefit from Advanced Server functionality. Advanced Server is compatible with LAN Manager client software; there is no need to change the networking software on each desktop.
Users can benefit immediately from the new resources offered by Advanced Server without additional training because there is no change in the way users access network resources.
Advanced Server offers a logical administrative model that enables efficient management of large networks. An administrator can set up domains and trust relationships between domains to centralize user account and other security information, making the network easier to manage and use. Every user needs only a single account. This account can provide the user with access to resources anywhere on the network.
Advanced Server incorporates enhanced features that support discretionary access control permissions on individual files, directories, and resources. Comprehensive auditing capabilities are included. This provides an administrator with a fine level of control over user and resource permissions and auditing.
Advanced Server provides several tools that monitor network activity and track computer usage. For example, you can view servers and see which resources they are sharing; view which users currently are connected to any network server; see which files are open; log and view security auditing entries; keep sophisticated error logs; and specify that alerts be sent to administrators when certain events occur.
If your network uses the TCP/IP protocol, you also can configure Advanced Server computers to provide information readable by a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management utility.
You can browse domains, workgroups, and computers to look for shared directories and printers. Networks, domains, workgroups, computers, and shared directories are organized in a tree structure. Choose a network name to display available domains and workgroups, a domain or workgroup name to display available computers, or a computer name to display its shared directories.
Print driver files only need to be installed on the server if printing clients are running either Windows NT or Windows 95. Clients can browse the network for available printers and they can browse the network for print servers running other operating systems. Print servers can be managed remotely.
Advanced Server starts several network services automatically so that the capabilities of the network are available as soon as you want to work with the system. You also can choose to start other network services automatically at system startup depending on your system needs.
Advanced Server provides superior performance, reliability, and security for sharing files and directories among network users.
Advanced Server enables the sharing of both local UNIX system files — such as UNIX File System (UFS) — or networked UNIX system files — such as Network File System (NFS) — with network users.
Discretionary access controls and Advanced Server security on each file and directory provide the ability to specify the groups and users that can access files, define the levels of access that each group or user is permitted, and to control auditing. Additional features include file ownership, directory replication, and extended attribute support.
Logon scripts are used to configure Windows and MS-DOS® workstation environments by making network connections and starting applications.
Advanced Server supports Windows NT user profiles which enable administrators to control the access to network resources and desktops of Windows NT Workstation users.
Advanced Server can operate and be administered regardless of whether Windows NT is running on the network. However, client-based network administrative tools running on Windows NT Workstation and Windows 95 client computers enable remote administration of Advanced Server.
To administer Advanced Server from a Windows NT Workstation computer, you install Windows NT Administrative Tools. And, to administer Advanced Server from a Windows 95 client computer, you install Windows NT Server Tools. Network-installable versions of both program groups are included with Advanced Server.
Remote administration is supported for all network functions, including server management, security management, and printer administration.
Advanced Server supports Windows NT Server Tools for 16-bit Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups client computers in its current functionality. However, the 16-bit version of Windows NT Server Tools no longer is recommended as network-based administrative client software.
The 16-bit version of Windows NT Server Tools is made available with Advanced Server as a convenience for non-administrative users. Installation of Windows NT Server Tools is needed to view or set permissions on a user’s files, directories, and print queues.