Running LifeCare Plus Over Novell Networks

Overview
The LifeCare Plus family of products is compatible with a variety of network platforms, including Unix, Windows, and Novell. The nature of the LifeCare Plus application is such that files and data are accessed frequently over the network, stressing the network at a much greater level, for example, than simply opening a document stored on a network drive. Users of LifeCare Plus have reported a variety of problems when accessing the program through Novell networks. Our research has found that there are known flaws in the Microsoft implementation of Novell protocols, and there are settings that are frequently not made when Novell networks are first configured. Fortunately, while the issues range in both severity and frequency, there are some potential solutions that can be achieved by fine-tuning network and client settings.

The following document outlines known issues and related adjustments, and is intended for system administrators. LifeCare Software Solutions, Inc. makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or efficacy of the following information. Be sure to consult your IT services provider and network administrator before making any changes to your system.

Microsoft IPX/SPX Drivers
If you are running Microsoft clients on a Novell network, ensure that none of them are using the Microsoft IPX/SPX networking protocol. It must not appear in the list of protocols for the network cards in particular. As of this writing, there is an acknowledged bug in Microsoft's IPX/SPX protocol. This bug causes workstations to terminate a data file connection if the connection is held open for longer than 10 minutes. When the workstation disconnects, the protocol does not inform the program(s) that there is a file open and programs may lose data.

Netware Client 32's
Instead of Microsoft's IPX/SPX protocol, use the latest versions of Novell's Netware Client 32 packages. While some of the following items may have been resolved in the newest Client 32 packages, it is best to note them. Ultimately, the best recommendation LSS can make is that you obtain the latest Client 32 from Novell and review its documentation to determine what the default values are in that revision. Once running, make sure these settings are made to the Netware Clients:

1. TRUE_COMMIT: Make sure that the setting for TRUE_COMMIT is "on" at every workstation. If TRUE_COMMIT is "off", then data integrity is sacrificed in exchange for performance boosts, but data integrity is absolutely necessary when running LifeCare Plus. Most of the older Novell Client 32's defaulted to TRUE_COMMIT = off.
   
   
2. Cache Writes: Set cache writes = OFF on each workstation.
   
   
3. File Cache Level: Set file cache level = 0 on each workstation.
   
   

Windows XP/2000
Until recently, Novell's Client 32 package did not work properly with Windows 2000 or XP systems. Be sure that you are running the latest version of the Client 32's.

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