About Device Definition

You can use the Device Definition window to view the current device definition. A unique token name is associated with each device definition. The token name is displayed in the Token Name text box on the upper left side of the Device Definition window.

In addition, when you are logged in as root, you can use the Device Definition window to create new device definitions, modify existing definitions, and delete definitions.

Device definitions provide the information that SCO Merge needs to access the device. Once the device definition has been created, you can use the device by selecting it to be a part of one of your Personal Merge Session Configurations (such as the standard dos or win configurations). This action is called "attaching" the device for use in a DOS or Windows session.

The actual device is not attached for use until you start a DOS or Windows session using a configuration that has the device selected.

Device Definition Categories

Use the buttons across the top of the Device Definition window to select the category of device you want to view, change, or create. All device definitions belong to one of the following categories:

Printer: Contains definitions for spoolers or printers.
COM1: Contains definitions for devices that can be attached to the COM1 serial port.
COM2: Contains definitions for devices that can be attached to the COM2 serial port.
Custom: Contains definitions for custom devices such as a game port or scanner.
DOS Drive: Contains definitions for volumes that can be attached to a DOS drive letter.

Views

A separate view of the Device Definition window exists for each device category. For example, if you click on the DOS Drive button at the top of the Device Definition window, the DOS Drive view of the window appears.

There are two versions of the COM1, COM2, and Custom views of the Device Definition window: one for Virtual Attach and one for Direct Attach device definitions. There are also two versions of the Printer view: one for Direct Attach and one for Spooler Attach device definitions. You will see the view corresponding to the type of device token currently selected.

Controls

The controls that are common to all views of the Device Definition window are described below.

Token Name

The Token Name text box shows the current token name of the device definition being displayed, modified, or created. You can use this control to select another definition in the current category. Note that if you modify a device definition, you cannot select another token name or change views until you save the changes (by clicking on the Save or Save As button) or abandon the changes (by clicking on the Undo button or responding to a prompt to discard the changes).

Button Controls

The following button controls appear on all views of the Device Definition window:

New

Displays a pop-up window prompting you to specify a token name for the new device definition. When making a new COM1, COM2 or Custom definition, you also have to specify if the token is for a Virtual Attach or Direct Attach device definition. When making a new Printer definition, you must also specify if the token is for a Spooler Attach or Direct Attach device definition.

Then, you click OK to close the pop-up window and display the appropriate view of the Device Definition window. You can then enter the definition for the new device. The definition is not saved until you click on Save or Save As.

Delete

Deletes the token identified in the Token Name text box.

Undo

Undoes any changes you have made since the last save.

Save

Saves the device definition.

Save As

Saves the definition under a new token name. A pop-up window appears in which you can enter the new token name.

Close

Closes the Device Definition window. If any unsaved changes are outstanding, a pop-up window with a message informing you of the unsaved changes is displayed. The changes are abandoned if you choose to continue without saving them.

Left Panel Controls

The following controls appear on the left side of all views of the Device Definition window:

Description

Contains a short description of the device definition. This text is displayed in the selection lists in the Personal Merge Session Configuration window. Therefore, this text should be descriptive enough to identify the device, but short enough to fit in the selection lists, which have limited width.

Usable By

Identifies the users who can use the device definition. If a user is not allowed to use the definition, an entry for the definition does not appear in the selection lists in the Personal Merge Session Configuration window. Usable By can be set to one of the following:

Root: Only users with root authorization can use the definition.
All: All users can use the definition.

On a multi-user system, you should set the Usable By setting to Root while you are developing the definition for a new device to prevent other users from accessing the definition until it is ready for everyone to use. When the device definition is ready for use, change this setting to All to enable all users to select the device for a DOS or Windows configuration.

Failure Action

Tells SCO Merge what to do when a user starts a session that uses this device definition and the device is not available (because it is in use by another session, does not exist, or is otherwise not accessible). Failure Action can be set to one of the following:

Abort: Display a pop-up message warning that the device is unavailable when the user attempts to start a DOS or Windows session. When the user clicks OK to dismiss the message, the DOS or Windows session is not started.
Warn: Display a pop-up message warning that the device is unavailable when the user attempts to start a DOS or Windows session. When the user clicks OK to dismiss the message, the DOS or Windows session is started.
Ignore: The DOS or Windows session is started. No message is displayed to inform the user that the device is not currently available.