Copyright: (c) 1994 Network Instruments, LLC


Contents

Introduction

Installation

Using Discoverer

The Main MDI Window

Main MDI Window Button Bar

File Menu

Options Menu

Preferences

Discoverers Discovery Alias List

Login To Server

Window Menu

Information Window Options (general)

Server Information Windows

Node Information Windows


Server Information Windows (sub-index)

Server Information Windows (general)

Charts:

Number Connections

Open Files

IPX Packet Statistics

SPX Packet Statistics

Total Packet Statistics

Bridge Statistics

Volume Usage

Lists:

IPX Packet Statistics List

SPX Packet Statistics List

Bridge Driver Statistics List

Bridge Statistics List

Volume Information List

Open Files List

INFO:

Server Version

IPX-SPX Versions

Bridge Driver Information


Node Information Windows (sub-index)

Node Information Windows (general)

Charts:

IPX Packet Statistics

SPX Packet Statistics

Total Node Packets

Lists:

IPX Packet Statistics List

SPX Packet Statistics List

Shell Driver Statistics List

Shell Statistics List

INFO:

OS Version Information

IPX-SPX Versions

Shell Driver Configuration

User Volume Information


Introduction

 Welcome to Observer's Netware Discoverer.

Netware Discoverer has been designed to provide detailed information and statistics from Novell servers, stations, bridges and routers.  Discoverer also provides a Discovery Mode search similar to Observer's Discovery Mode.  Discoverers Discovery Mode supplements Observer's Discovery Mode auto aliasing of IP address to the hard network address - in Netware Discoverer's Discovery Mode, you can auto alias a users Novell login name to the hard network address.

Netware Discoverer supplies information about a specific Novell Server, and all Novell Servers reachable on the network (both LAN and WAN).  Some examples of this information are: the number of users logged in on a server, the nodes that are currently down, free/used disk space on all volumes, number of open files - total number and number used by each user, and much more.  For users, it gives information about number of files, directories and disk space used.

Statistical information from the Server's Bridge drivers provides information about the general condition of the network and routing activity between networks.  IPX and SPX statistics provide information about a particular node or server, number of packets sent and received, number of good and bad packets, ECB availability and failures.

Lists provide miscellaneous version information about servers, stations and users, which may be useful for a network administrator during daily operation, and particularly for keeping a network up to date.

Important information that changes over time can be monitored as it develops in a graphical format (charts).  These include IPX and SPX traffic statistics, number of users attached to a server, volume usage, and bridge statistics.  All of these graphs are auto scrolling thus showing your particular information graphically, as it develops over time.

Finally, all of this information is provided in a MDI (Multiple Document Interface), where a system administrator can simultaneously monitor the general condition of a network server, and a number of servers or users in particular - displaying similar information, or completely different information, all at the same time in each MDI sub-window (known as an information window).

Information windows come in two classes; 1) NODE windows that display station information and charts, and 2) SERVER windows that displays different information that a server provides.  For example, the initial list on the left of the Discoverer main MDI window (The List of Nodes) shows a list of servers, and each one can be double clicked on (using the LEFT mouse button) to display a list of users currently connected to that server.  Double clicking on the RIGHT mouse button on a server or node icon opens the SERVER or NODE information window (on the right of the MDI window).

On the right part of the MDI window there can be a server graphic chart showing network traffic on a server, and volume information of another server, A number of NODE windows showing statistics and charts on different users attached to different servers.  In essence, it is like a Windows within Windows, where SERVER or NODE windows can be re-sized, placed in different order, tiled, cascaded, minimized, etc.  With all of this power, an administrator can run Discoverer and notice very little interruption of the other functions of the Windows PC - Discoverer takes very little resource to function.


Installation

The installation of the Netware Discoverer programs are very simple.  Observer's Install copies all files necessary and creates the Discoverer program icon ready to run - in time limited mode if not licensed, or full mode after licensing.  Note: licensing Observer will automatically license Discoverer - you do not need to license Discoverer separately.

HOWEVER, FOR DISCOVERER TO WORK PROPERLY IT REQUIRES: LSL, IPXODI and VLMs to be installed and running.  Additionally you will need to have Novell's Windows Network support drivers and DLLs properly (and completely) installed on your PC (NETWARE.DRV, NWCALLS.DLL and NWIPXSPX.DLL need to be present in your Windows SYSTEM subdirectory).

If you are using Microsoft Windows for Workgroups (WFW), you will need to make certain you are using WFW over ODI.  The Netware Windows drivers and DLL's are proprietary programs of Novell Inc., and are either included with your Novell system or you can download the latest versions of the Drivers and DLL's from Internet (ftp.novell.com), from Compuserve, or ask your Novell dealer for the latest VLMUPx, NWDLLx.EXE and WINDRx (where "x" is the version number).


Using Observer
Using Discoverer

Discoverer's main windows consists of a MDI window (for a definition of what an MDI window is, see the Introduction section of this help file), with a menu on top and a set of  often used commands in a button bar.  On the left there is a graphical list of servers and nodes (Called the "List of Nodes), the right side is separated by a split window bar and is the area reserved for SERVER and NODE information windows.

All the buttons on the button bars have a short informational description for the button that can be invoked by placing the cursor over a particular button and pressing (and holding down) the RIGHT mouse button.

To display a list of nodes attached to a particular server, double click on the server icon on the left side of the MDI window (known as the "List of Nodes") with the LEFT mouse button.  To close the graphic node list of a particular server double click on the server icon again (using the LEFT mouse button).

To display a SERVER or NODE informational window click on the RIGHT mouse button on a server or node icon in the graphical list of servers on the left of the MDI interface, and an information window will appear in the area to the right.

From the SERVER or NODE informational window you may select the information you would like to display.  This information includes:

The Charts menu - this shows graphical information in real time about the network,

The Lists menu - this shows tables of information that are updateable with time,

The INFO menu - this shows version information and statistics that do not change considerably in short period of time and do not need to be updated as often.

Depending which selection you made you may use different entries in the Options menu to customize the display to fit your needs and preferences.  You can set update periods and colors separately for every type of chart.  The Color Setup dialog also can be invoked by click of the RIGHT mouse button anywhere on a chart.  The vertical scale of a chart can be changed from Scale menu item under Options in the specific NODE or SERVER information window.  The NODE list's update period is settable under Options and then Timing from any NODE information windows.  This sets the polling simultaneously for all NODE lists.  Setting this from a SERVER information window, sets it for all SERVER lists.  Timing set while displaying a chart sets timing for that chart only.

Note:  At certain moments - when Discoverer polls the network or collects information - new  commands that could interfere with current activity will be ignored.  Do not be alarmed - this is a normal way Discoverer operates.


Frame Window
The Main MDI Window

Discoverer's initial main screen (the MDI window) consists of a menu bar, button bar, List of Nodes listbox (on the left) and an information window area (on the right) divided by a vertical splitbar.

The List of Nodes is a two level graphical representation of servers and nodes on the LAN.   Discoverer fills the List of Nodes with icons of servers it finds on your LAN in the first few seconds after startup.

Note:  This first polling's success is as an indication whether or not the Novell support VLMs, drivers and DLLs are properly installed.  If you do not see an initial listing of servers, possibly some piece of the Novell driver set was not properly installed.  An error message should appear telling you which file needs to checked or added.

After listing of servers appears, you can display a list of nodes attached to any server by  double clicking on the LEFT mouse button.  This "opens" the server list.  Double clicking again on the LEFT mouse button closes the list.

Click on RIGHT mouse button over any server or node icon opens a SERVER or NODE information window on the right side of the MDI window.


Server Windows
Server Information Windows

A SERVER information window is displayed in the information area (on the left of the MDI main window) after a user clicks on the RIGHT mouse button on a server icon in the List of Nodes.  SERVER information windows (which are very similar to NODE information windows) consists of a button bar with Charts, Lists, INFO, and an Options popdown menu buttons and an Exit button.  Button bar buttons can be selected using mouse clicks, and in most cases by pressing a letter on the keyboard that corresponds to one displayed in red on the button. (Note: due to the nature of the MDI interface you DO NOT use ALT when accessing the information window buttons.  Use ALT-KEY combination to popdown menus on the Main MDI  window)

Charts

A SERVER information window Charts menu has the following choices:

Number Connections

Open Files

IPX Packet Statistics

SPX Packet Statistics

Total Packet Statistics

Bridge Statistics

Volume Usage

Options

A user can customize the way charts are displayed by selecting the Options button in the SERVER information window and then choosing 2D or 3D , Colors, Timing and Scale options from the Charts menu.

Under 2D or 3D there are choices of type of charts - Lines, Columns and Pie for 2D charts, and Separate columns and Alternate Columns for 3D charts.

The Colors dialog lets customize colors for every chart separately (for example, Open Files can have a different chart type and set of colors than IPX Packet Statistics, and Volume usage, and so on.

The Timing dialog sets timing periods for each chart separately, and one common for all Lists.

The Scale dialog lets change the vertical scale of a chart to fit best your system parameters.  The best way to understand this dialog is to just experiment.

Lists

Lists are updateable tables of information about servers. The update period is set in Options -> Timing menu.  The SERVER information window List menu has the following choices:

IPX Packet Statistics List

SPX Packet Statistics List

Bridge Driver Statistics List

Bridge Statistics List

Volume Information List

Open Files List

INFO

INFO menus consist of version and other constant information that does not need updating on the server.  The INFO menu consists of:

Server Version

IPX-SPX Versions

Bridge Driver Information


Information Windows Options

The following information applies to both the NODE Information window and the SERVER information window.

An information window Options button menu displays the following choices:

2D, 3D, Times, Colors and Scale - 2D charting offers choices of Lines, Columns and Pie charts.  3D charting offers Separate and Alternate Columns.  User can choose the chart that is most useful for their needs. Some menu items may be grayed out depending on applicability to the active window. (charts only)

Colors - The Colors dialog appears when the Colors item is selected from the Options menu, or when user clicks on the RIGHT mouse button anywhere on a chart.  It allows you to select the background and foreground colors, hatch, axis, coordinate lines, appearance, and color or a specific attribute.  This is done separately for every type of chart (as appears in Charts menu), and separately for servers and nodes. (charts only)

Scale - The Scale submenu allows to expand or contract the vertical scale of a chart to accommodate the charts scale to the wide range of amplitudes of data.  This value is also saved separately for every type of chart.

Timing - The Timing dialog is applied to all updateable information window display modes (included in Charts and Lists menus for SERVERS and NODES).  This is where you set the polling period for the chart or list.  Reading (list refresh) period is the interval of time between polling for parameters of a server or a node by Discoverer.  Values are from 10 seconds to 1 hour.


Number Connections (server)
Number of Connections chart (server)

Number of Connections chart displays the number of active connections to a specific Novell server.  This is also called the number of logged in users.  This statistic is received directly from the Novell server.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


Open Files (server)
Open Files chart (server)

The Open Files chart shows number of files currently open on a specific Novell server. This statistic is received directly from the Novell server.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


IPX Packet Statistics (server)
IPX Packet Statistics chart (server)

The IPX statistics chart displays the number of sent and received IPX packets as a function of time.  It shows the server's IPX packet flow activity.

Malformed packets for send and Get ECB (Event Control Block) for receive are a sum of several failure conditions, and can indicate, if significant, improper functioning or overload of the server.  More detailed information can be can be seen in IPX Statistics List.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


SPX Packet Statistics (server)
SPX Packet Statistics chart (server)

The SPX statistics chart displays the number of sent and received SPX packets as a function of time.  It shows the server's IPX packet flow activity.

Bad Send Packets for send and Get Bad Receive Packets receive are a sum of several failure conditions, and can indicate, if significant, improper functioning or overload of the server.  More detailed information can be can be seen in SPX Statistics List.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


Total Packet Statistics (server)
Total Packet Statistics chart (server)

The Total Packet Statistics display number of total (all protocols) sent and received packets by a server as a function of time.  It is an indication of the server's total network activity.

Bad Send Packets for send and Get Bad Receive Packets receive are a sum of several failure conditions, and can indicate, if significant, improper functioning or overload of the server.  More detailed information can be can be seen in Bridge Driver Statistics List.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


Bridge Statistics (server)
Bridge Statistics chart (server)

The Bridge Statistics displays the number of packets routed through the bridge as a function of time.  It includes the number of packets serviced and packets routed, and some the most common error conditions:

Packets Routed and Packets Serviced - self explanatory,

Too Many Hops - this is to many hops for the packet (that reached the current server) to reach it's destination it is the number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge received packets on the fifteenth hop across an internetwork bridge.  These packets are discarded.

Unknown Network - these are packets that reached the server can not be routed because the destination network is unknown to the server.

No Space for the Service - this is the number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge has received internetwork packets it could not accommodate because the router did not have enough space in its DGroup area to copy the packets.  These packets are lost.

No Receive Buffers - this is the number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge could not receive inbound packets because of inadequate buffer space.  These packets are lost.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


Volume Usage (server)
Volume Usage chart (server)

The Volume Usage chart displays used and free volume space (separately by each available volume) on a server.  It can be used to check remotely how much free disk space remains on a server volume, and take appropriate actions when any of the volumes reaches critical usage.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


Open Files List (server)

The Open Files List displays the number of currently open files.  This list shows the total number of files open on a server, and then number of files opened by each user attached to the server.


IPX Packet Statistics List (server)

The IPX Packet Statistics List shows a summary of IPX traffic since the Novell server was booted.  It includes (Note: see Observer manual for more detailed explanations):

Send Packet Count - total number of sent IPX packets,

Malformed Packets - number of times (since IPX was loaded) applications have passed malformed packets to IPX.  A packet is malformed if the value in its ECB's fragment count field is 0 or if the value of the size field within ECB's first fragment descriptor is less than 30 bytes,

Get ECB Request Count - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has supplied Receive ECBs for incoming packets,

Get ECB Failure Count - number of packets the driver have received, for which there was no available ECB,

AES Event Count - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has used the AES to schedule an event,

Postponed AES Events - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has been  unable to service an AES event on time.  For example - IPX cannot send an outgoing packet to a driver busy with another packet,

Max Configured Sockets - maximum number of open sockets possible on the target node,

Max Opened Sockets - maximum number of sockets open simultaneously since IPX was loaded,

Open Socket Failures - number of times (since IPX was loaded) applications have unsuccessfully called IPXOpenSocket.  IPX cannot open a socket if the socket table is full or if the socket is already open,

Listen ECB Count - number of times (since IPX was loaded) applications have given IPX a Listen ECB,

ECB Cancel Failures - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has been unable to cancel an ECB.  For example, IPX cannot cancel an ECB if the driver and the ECB have entered a critical section just prior to sending a packet.  In this case, the cancellation is too late,

Find Route Failures - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has been unable to find a route to a requested network address.


SPX Packet Statistics List (server)

The SPX Packet Statistics List shows a summary of SPX traffic since the Novell server was booted.  It includes (Note: see Observer manual for more detailed explanations):

Max Connections - maximum number of SPX connections possible on the target node,

Max Used Connections - maximum number of SPX connections open simultaneously since IPX was loaded,

Establish Connection Requests - number of times (since SPX was loaded)  applications called SPX Establish Connection,

Establish Connection Failure - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX Establish Connection calls failed because the SPX Packet Header was too small, the SPX Connection Table was full, or no router was found to the target network,

Listen Connections Requests - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications called SPXListenForConnection,

Listen Connection Failure - number of times (since SPX was loaded)  SPXListenForConnection calls failed because the SPX Connection Table was full,

Send Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications tried to send SPX packet,

Window Choke Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX failed to send a packet because the target station had not allocated a receive buffer,

Bad Send Packets Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPXSendSequencedPacket was incorrectly called by passing an invalid connection ID or bypassing the address of an ECB indicating a packet header size of less than 42 bytes,

Send Failure Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX was unable to send a packet across an SPX connection and receive acknowledgment.  In such a case, SPX aborts the connection and informs the calling application,

Abort Connection Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded)  SPXAbortConnection was called (see above),

Listen Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications gave listen ECBs to SPX,

Bad Listen Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications passed SPX a packet whose associated ECB is malformed.  An ECB is malformed if the value in Fragment Count is 0, if the value in its first Fragment Descriptor Size is less than 42, or if the listen socket is not open,

Incoming Packets - number of times (since SPX was loaded) the node's driver gave an incoming packet to SPX,

Bad Incoming Packets - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX received and discarded a packet because the connection ID in the packet was wrong,

Suppressed Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX discarded inbound packets because they were duplicates of previously received packets,

No Session Listen ECB Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX was forced to discard an inbound SPXEstablishConnection packet because SPX lacked a corresponding SPX Listen For Connection ECB,

Watchdog Destroy Sessions - number of times (since SPX was loaded) Watchdog  destroyed a connection because the connection was no longer valid.


Bridge Driver Statistics List (server)

Bridge Driver Statistics List includes the following entries:

Driver Version,

Statistics Version,

Total Sent Packets - number of packets the driver has successfully transmitted since the last driver reset or initialization,

Total Received Packets - number of packets the driver has successfully received and passed into the system since the last reset or initialization,

No ECB Available Count - number of packets the driver has received (since the last reset or initialization) for which there was no listening ECB,

Packet Too Big for Send - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) applications have asked the driver to send a packet over the maximum legal size,

Packet Too Small for Send - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) applications have asked the driver to send a packet under the minimum legal size,

Receive Packet Overflow - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has received a packet larger than the buffer space allocated for the packet,

Received Packet Too Big - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has received a packet over the maximum legal size,

Received Packet Too Small - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has received a packet under the maximum legal size,

Transmit Misc. Errors - number of miscellaneous errors preventing the driver from transmitting a packet,

Receive Misc. Errors - number of miscellaneous errors preventing the driver from receiving a packet,

Send Retry Count - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has  received a packet under the minimum legal size,

Checksum Error Count - number of checksum errors occurring while receiving packets (since the last reset or initialization),

Receive Hardware Mismatch - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the hardware has received more or fewer bytes than expected.


Bridge Statistics List (server)

Bridge Statistics List includes the following values:

Total Packets Serviced - total number of packets the bridge serviced since the bridge was initialized,

Total Packets Routed - total number of packets the router actually routed,

Too Many Hops - number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge received packets on the fifteenth hop across an internetwork bridge.  These packets are  discarded,

Unknown Network Count - number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge has received packets bound for an unknown network.  These packets are discarded,

No Space For Service - number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge has received internetwork packets it could not accommodate because the router did not have enough space in its DGroup area to copy the packets.  These packets are lost.

No Receive Buffers - number of times (since the bridge was initialized) the bridge could not receive inbound packets because of inadequate buffer space.  These packets are lost.

Not My Network - number of incoming packets with a destination other than LAN A.

NetBIOS Propagate - number of times the bridge received NetBIOS broadcasts since it was initialized.


Volume Information List (server)

The Volume Information List provides information about available disk space on the server volumes.  It includes total and free disk space, and total and free directory entries for each volume.


Server Version

The Server version provides an extensive list of versions of the Novell server and miscellaneous utilities and services, as well as maximum number of connections, current connections and maximum number of available volumes.


IPX-SPX Version (server)
IPX-SPX Versions (server)

The IPX-SPX version display contains the specific IPX and SPX version numbers of the server's IPX/SPX drivers (not of the node or operating system).


Bridge Driver Information (server)

This displays the "BOARD" Driver, which is how Novell describes the actual loadable card driver for each FRAME.  With respect to the Bridge Driver, each value is:

Max Data Size - maximum size of a packet's data portion for the target driver.  The data portion's maximum size is always 64 bytes less than the packet size advertised with the LAN board.  (The packet header and control information require 64 bytes.).

Transport times (ticks) - value indicating the speed of the LAN associated with the target driver and board.  Speed is measured by the amount of time it takes a 576-byte packet to travel from one node on the LAN to another node.  Time is measured in units of 1/18 second and rounded to the next highest 1/18.

Shell Version - is the major and minor versions of the driver release; this does not identify the installed NetWare version.

Description - lists the LAN hardware currently connected to the driver,

I/O Address - address of a block of I/O addresses to be decoded by the LAN board the driver is associated with,

RAM Address - address of a block of memory address space to be decoded by the LAN board (if it uses shared memory),

DMA Line - value of the DMA line used by the LAN board (if it uses DMA),

Selected Line - value indicating which hardware configuration in the Hardware Configuration Table the driver is using,

LAN hardware ID - whose value is hard-coded into the Master Configuration Table. This uniquely identifies the LAN hardware.  (i.e. the OEM/Driver Support Group Manager that Novell assigns this ID)

Note: Not all fields listed here may be available from different versions of Novell servers and drivers.


Node Windows
Node Information Windows

A NODE information window is displayed in the information area after a user clicks on the RIGHT mouse button on a node icon in the List of Nodes.  NODE information windows (which are very similar to SERVER information windows) consists of a button bar with Charts, Lists, INFO, and an Options popdown menu buttons and an Exit button.  Button bar buttons can be selected using mouse clicks, and in most cases pressing a letter on the keyboard that corresponds to one displayed in red on the button. (Note: due to the nature of the MDI interface you DO NOT use ALT when accessing the information window buttons.  Use ALT-KEY combination to popdown menus on the Main MDI  window)

Charts

A NODE information window Charts menu has the following choices:

IPX Packet Statistics

SPX Packet Statistics

Total Node Packets

Options

A user can customize the way charts are displayed by selecting the Options button in the NODE information window and then choosing 2D or 3D , Colors, Timing and Scale options from the Charts menu.

Under 2D or 3D there are choices of type of charts - Lines, Columns and Pie for 2D charts, and Separate columns and Alternate Columns for 3D charts.

The Colors dialog lets customize colors for every chart separately (for example, Open Files can have a different chart type and set of colors than IPX Packet Statistics, and Volume usage, and so on.

The Timing dialog sets timing periods for each chart separately, and one common for all Lists.

The Scale dialog lets change the vertical scale of a chart to fit best your system parameters.  The best way to understand this dialog is to just experiment.

Lists

Lists are updateable tables of information about nodes or servers. The update period is set in Options -> Timing menu.  The NODE information window List menu has the following choices:

IPX Packet Statistics List

SPX Packet Statistics List

Shell Driver Statistics List

Shell Statistics List

INFO

INFO menus consist of version and other constant information that does not need updating on a node.  The INFO menu consists of:

OS Version Information

IPX-SPX Versions

Shell Driver Configuration

User Volume Information


IPX Packet Statistics (node)
IPX Packet Statistics chart (node)

The IPX statistics chart displays the number of sent and received IPX packets as a function of time.  It shows the node's IPX packet flow activity.

Malformed packets for send and Get ECB (Event Control Block) for receive are a sum of several failure conditions, and can indicate, if significant, improper functioning or overload of the server or node.  More detailed information can be can be seen in IPX Statistics List.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


SPX Packet Statistics (node)
SPX Packet Statistics chart (node)

The SPX statistics chart displays the number of sent and received SPX packets as a function of time.  It shows the node's IPX packet flow activity.

Bad Send Packets for send and Get Bad Receive Packets receive are a sum of several failure conditions, and can indicate, if significant, improper functioning or overload of the server or node.  More detailed information can be can be seen in SPX Statistics List.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


Total Node Packets
Total Node Packets (chart)

The Total Packet Statistics chart displays the total number of packets (all protocols) sent and received by a node as a function of time.  It allows you to see node's total network activity.

Bad Send Packets for send and Get Bad Receive Packets receive are a sum of several failure conditions, and can indicate, if significant, improper functioning or overload of the node drivers.  More detailed information can be can be seen in Bridge Driver Statistics List.

This chart can be saved to a file in spreadsheet format (File ->Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format), or the current view of the chart can be copied to the clipboard to be used by an image editor (Paintbrush, for example).


IPX Packet Statistics List (node)

The IPX Packet Statistics List shows a summary of IPX traffic since the node's IPX/SPX shell was loaded.  It includes (Note: see Observer manual for more detailed explanations):

Send Packet Count - total number of sent IPX packets,

Malformed Packets - number of times (since IPX was loaded) applications have passed malformed packets to IPX.  A packet is malformed if the value in its ECB's fragment count field is 0 or if the value of the size field within ECB's first fragment descriptor is less than 30 bytes,

Get ECB Request Count - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has supplied Receive ECBs for incoming packets,

Get ECB Failure Count - number of packets the driver have received, for which there was no available ECB,

AES Event Count - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has used the AES to schedule an event,

Postponed AES Events - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has been  unable to service an AES event on time.  For example, IPX cannot send an outgoing packet to a driver busy with another packet,

Max Configured Sockets - maximum number of open sockets possible on the target node,

Max Opened Sockets - maximum number of sockets open simultaneously since IPX was loaded,

Open Socket Failures - number of times (since IPX was loaded) applications have unsuccessfully called IPXOpenSocket.  IPX cannot open a socket if the socket table is full or if the socket is already open,

Listen ECB Count - number of times (since IPX was loaded) applications have given IPX a Listen ECB,

ECB Cancel Failures - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has been unable to cancel an ECB.  For example, IPX cannot cancel an ECB if the driver and the ECB have entered a critical section just prior to sending a packet.  In this case, the cancellation is too late,

Find Route Failures - number of times (since IPX was loaded) IPX has been unable to find a route to a requested network address.


SPX Packet Statistics List (node)

The SPX Packet Statistics List shows a summary of SPX traffic since the node loaded IPX/SPX.  It includes (Note: see Observer manual for more detailed explanations):

Max Connections - maximum number of SPX connections possible on the target node,

Max Used Connections - maximum number of SPX connections open simultaneously since IPX was loaded,

Establish Connection Requests - number of times (since SPX was loaded)  applications called SPX Establish Connection,

Establish Connection Failure - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPXEstablishConnection calls failed because the SPX Packet Header was too small, the SPX Connection Table was full, or no router was found to the target network,

Listen Connections Requests - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications called SPXListenForConnection,

Listen Connection Failure - number of times (since SPX was loaded)  SPXListenForConnection calls failed because the SPX Connection Table was full,

Send Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications tried to send SPX packet,

Window Choke Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX failed to send a packet because the target station had not allocated a receive buffer,

Bad Send Packets Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPXSendSequencedPacket was incorrectly called by passing an invalid connection ID or bypassing the address of an ECB indicating a packet header size of less than 42 bytes,

Send Failure Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX was unable to send a packet across an SPX connection and receive acknowledgment.  In such a case, SPX aborts the connection and informs the calling application,

Abort Connection Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPXAbortConnection was called (see above),

Listen Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications gave listen ECBs to SPX,

Bad Listen Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) applications passed SPX a packet whose associated ECB is malformed.  An ECB is malformed if the value in Fragment Count is 0, if the value in its first Fragment Descriptor Size is less than 42, or if the listen socket is not open,

Incoming Packets - number of times (since SPX was loaded) the node's driver gave an incoming packet to SPX,

Bad Incoming Packets - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX received and discarded a packet because the connection ID in the packet was wrong,

Suppressed Packet Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX discarded inbound packets because they were duplicates of previously received packets,

No Session Listen ECB Count - number of times (since SPX was loaded) SPX was forced to discard an inbound SPXEstablishConnection packet because SPX lacked a corresponding SPXListenForConnection ECB,

Watchdog Destroy Sessions - number of times (since SPX was loaded) Watchdog  destroyed a connection because the connection was no longer valid.


Shell Driver Statistics List (node)

Shell Driver Statistics List includes the following entries:

Driver Version,

Statistics Version,

Total Sent Packets - number of packets the driver has successfully transmitted since the last driver reset or initialization,

Total Received Packets - number of packets the driver has successfully received and passed into the system since the last reset or initialization,

No ECB Available Count - number of packets the driver has received (since the last reset or initialization) for which there was no listening ECB,

Receive Packet Overflow - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has received a packet larger than the buffer space allocated for the packet,

Received Packet Too Big - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has received a packet under the minimum legal size,

Received Packet Too Small - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has received a packet over the maximum legal size,

Transmit Misc. Errors - number of miscellaneous errors preventing the driver from transmitting a packet,

Receive Misc. Errors - number of miscellaneous errors preventing the driver from receiving a packet,

Send Retry Count - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the driver has  received a packet under the minimum legal size,

Checksum Error Count - number of checksum errors occurring while receiving packets (since the last reset or initialization),

Receive Hardware Mismatch - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) the hardware has received more or fewer bytes than expected.

Packet Too Big for Send - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) applications have asked the driver to send a packet over the maximum legal size,

Packet Too Small for Send - number of times (since the last reset or initialization) applications have asked the driver to send a packet under the minimum legal size,

Note: Not all fields listed here may be available from different versions of the node drivers.


Shell Statistics List (node)

Shell Statistics List includes the following values:

Shell Requests - The number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell has made requests to a file server,

Operator Aborts - number of times (since the shell was activated) the user has aborted the shell-server connection by entering "A" in reply to a "Network Error" message,

Operator Retries - number of times (since the shell was activated) the user has instructed the shell to retry an operation,

Time-outs - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell sent a request to a server and then timed out without receiving a reply.  (Normally, the shell sends another  request packet),

Write Errors - number of times (since the shell was activated) the driver has been unable to send a request to a file server (after repeated retries).  In this case, the shell displays the message "Error writing to network" on the workstation screen.  The shell does not increment this counter if, after repeated retries, the driver is able to send the request.

Invalid Reply Headers - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell has received a reply packet header whose Checksum was -1 or whose PacketType indicated the packet was not a file server reply.

Invalid Slot Count - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell has received a file server reply packet specifying an incorrect connection ID.

Invalid Sequence Number - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell received a file server reply packet specifying an incorrect sequence number.  It usually indicates the reply was unnecessary.

Errors Receiving - number of times (since the shell was activated) IPX has indicated an error even though a packet was received on the socket.  It usually indicates an "Overrun" error.

No Router Found - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell tried and failed to find a route to a destination node.  The shell attempts to reroute a packet when a connection seems to fail and the user requests a "Retry.".

Being Processed - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell received a "being processed" reply from a file server.  A file server sends this reply to a shell when the server, while processing the shell's request, receives duplicate requests from the shell for the same service.

Unknown Errors - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell received a packet containing an undefined error value.

Invalid Server Slot - number of times the shell attempted to communicate on a particular client connection number, and the server indicated the connection number is invalid.

Network Gone Count - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell received a packet from a file server indicating the target network has gone away.  Only a 68000 file server can generate this kind of packet.

Allocate Can Not Find Route - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell, asked by an application to establish a connection with a file server, could not find a route to the destination.

Allocate No Slots Available - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell, asked by an application to establish a connection with a file server, could not establish the connection because the file server's connection table was full.

Allocate Server Is Down - number of times (since the shell was activated) the shell, asked by an application to establish a connection with a file server, could not establish the connection because the target file server was down.


OS Version Information

OS Version Information of a node includes:

Machine type - type of the computer on which the shell is running,

Operating System - for example MS DOS 6.22,

Shell Version - The IPX/SPX shell version number.


IPX-SPX Version (node)
IPX-SPX Versions (node)

The IPX/SPX versions list shows specifically the IPX and SPX version numbers of the nodes IPX/SPX driver (not the shell version number).


Shell Driver Configuration (node)

Information regarding the board driver on the node (this is the ODI or IPX driver):

Max Data Size - maximum size of a packet's data portion for the target driver.  The data portion's maximum size is always 64 bytes less than the packet size advertised with the LAN board.  (The packet header and control information require 64 bytes.).

Transport times (ticks) - value indicating the speed of the LAN associated with the target driver and board.  Speed is measured by the amount of time it takes a 576-byte packet to travel from one node on the LAN to another node.  Time is measured in units of 1/18 second and rounded to the next highest 1/18.

Shell Version - is the major and minor versions of the driver release; they do not identify the installed NetWare version.

Description - lists the LAN hardware currently connected to the IPX/SPX driver,

I/O Address - address of a block of I/O addresses to be decoded by the LAN board the driver is associated with,

RAM Address - address of a block of memory address space to be decoded by the LAN board (if it uses shared memory),

DMA Line - value of the DMA line used by the LAN board (if it uses DMA),

Interrupt Lines - value of the interrupt used by the LAN board,

Selected Configuration - value indicating which hardware configuration in the Hardware Configuration Table the driver is using.  This value ranges from 0 to n or -1,  where n is the maximum number of configurations supported by the driver, and -1 means no value (and is not displayed by Discoverer).

Note: Not all fields listed here may be available from different versions of Novell servers and drivers.


User Volume Information (node)

The User Volume Information list provides information about space restrictions for a specific user, numbers of used directories, files, and bytes.

Note:  Because server has to check all volumes and file systems to collect this information, obtaining this information can take considerable period of time (up to a few minutes).


Frame Window Button Bar
Main MDI Window Button Bar

The Main MDI Window button bar is provided for a quick access to some of the often used, or potentially often used functions of Discoverer.

Short help information for the purpose of each button can be seen by pressing (and holding down) the RIGHT mouse button on the button in question.

Here is the list of the buttons and their functions in order from left to right:

List of Nodes Display Options - allows to configure the display of the contents of the server and node text in the List of Nodes.  It can be a node name only, node name + address, or node name + address + attach time.

Save List of Nodes is used to save currently displayed list of nodes (and servers) when the network configuration changes.  You are recommended to keep "Ask Confirmation to Save List of Nodes checkbox selected (in preferences) to prevent inadvertent overwrighting of the current list.

Load Saved List of Nodes loads the saved list of nodes.

Delete entry in list of nodes deletes a highlighted entry on the List of Nodes.

Stop Polling for Statistics is used to stop polling, which will prevent updating the List of Nodes.  Stop Polling can be also used to save CURRENT state of a chart or a list, when it is necessary to prevent it from updating or changing position.

Tile Node Windows and Cascade Node Windows can be used to arrange Information Windows in the view area.

Exit closes Discoverer.


File Menu

File menu includes the following items:

License - If Observer is not licensed, then Discoverer is also not licensed.  You can license either program from either license dialog.  This dialog will not be present once the program is licensed.

Store List of Nodes - duplicates the button in the Main MDI window button bar, and is used to store a current list of nodes to a file.

Load List of Nodes loads saved list of nodes and displays it.

Save List of Nodes to a Text File lets save the complete current list of node to a file in plain text format.

Print List of Nodes prints out the list of nodes (prints all servers and all attached nodes).

Save Node Information to a File lets to store List or INFO tables to a file.  If the active information window (window displaying server or node information ) is currently displaying a chart, this menu item is replaced by:

Save Chart in Spreadsheet Format - which allows to save the charted information in coma delimited text format compatible with Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet applications.

Print Node Statistics prints out List or INFO.  If the active information window (window displaying server or node information ) is currently displaying a chart, this menu item is replaced by:

Copy Chart to Clipboard - which copies the current chart to Windows clipboard to be processed by any image editor including Windows Paintbrush.

Print Setup lets select printer from the ones currently installed, and configure it according to the users needs.

Exit terminates Discoverer.

About Discoverer displays version and copyright information.


Options Menu

Options menu consists of three entries:

Preferences Dialog

Observer Discovery Alias List

Login To Server

Preferences let a user to set general operational parameters for Discoverer.

Observer Discovery Alias List is designed to collect hardware addresses used on the network, and in the same way as Observer aliases them with Internet Addresses, it aliases hardware addresses with Novell user names.  When saved, these aliases will be used by Observer for Packet Viewing.

Logout From Server lets the administrator to logout from server.  To receive a list of users from the server, a Discoverer operator MUST HAVE SUPERVISOR privileges.  If he or she logged in earlier with different name, this option lets you logout from a server, and in a short while you will be asked to login, in which time he or she can login as supervisor.  Also, if desired Discoverer can autologin on some or all of the servers (this option must be enabled in Preferences dialog).


Preferences Dialog

The Preferences dialog includes the following items:

Ask Confirmation on Exit checkbox - if selected, Discoverer displays a warning message when a user chooses either the Exit button or chooses Exit from the File menu.  It is intended to prevent accidental termination of Discoverer and loss of collected data.

Ask confirmation to save List of Nodes - prevents accidental unwanted overwriting of the List of nodes.

Statistics display mode - gives a choice of three ways the information windows can be displayed:

Single maximized window node - In this mode only one maximized information window can be displayed at one time.  When a user starts information window for different server or node, the current information window terminates.

Multiple maximized window nodes - An information window is maximized as in the previous option, but when starting a new window the previous one does not terminates.  The new window takes place of the previous one.  A user can switch between the windows using the CTRL-TAB key combination, and the windows can be tiled or cascaded by the appropriate buttons from the menu bar.

Multiple normal window nodes - In this mode all information windows are displayed nonmaximized.  They can be positioned, tiled and cascaded to enable monitoring of multiple servers or workstations simultaneously.

Load saved List of Nodes on startup - automatically loads the current saved list of nodes.  Otherwise List of Nodes starts blank and is gradually filled with active servers and nodes (as they respond to polling).

Allow autologin to selected servers - When this option is selected, Discoverer automatically logs in on the servers that the Discoverer PC was not attached to prior to the start of Discoverer.  If the login entry was not saved, a user will be asked to login.  In this case if the user selects to save current login, Discoverer will use this login and password to login in future.

NOTE: To receive information about users attached, and consequently other information for these users from a server, you must be logged in as SUPERVISOR, or a user with equivalent privileges.  If you were not logged in as SUPERVISOR prior to starting Discoverer, you may find that all nodes are dark if Load Saved List of Nodes on startup option was selected, or there are no nodes attached to the server.  In this case LOGOUT FROM SERVER by pressing on the similarly named line in the Options menu, and on the next polling session (which happens every 20 seconds by default) Discoverer will autologin to the server, or you will be asked to enter your name and password.

Show Tips option if selected enables displaying a short list on the most essential tips on Discoverer's startup.

Display polling cursor when minimized - option toggles off and on the display of the Discover hourglass cursor when Discoverer itself is minimized but polling servers or nodes.  This special cursor will indicate whether a system delay is caused by Discoverer polling, or by another program.

Discoverer server polling period - This option allows you to adjust the polling period Discoverer uses to update the "List of Nodes" table on the left of the main MDI Discoverer Window. Two values are required:

Window - this is the number of seconds that Discoverer waits to poll all servers/nodes active in the "List of Nodes" WHILE DISCOVERER IS ACTIVE (NOT MINIMIZED).

Minimized - this is the number of seconds that Discoverer waits to poll all servers/nodes active in the "List of Nodes while Discoverer is iconified.  You may want to adjust this quite high if you are collecting statistics on a node or server.  Doing so will minimize the disruption of your work while Discoverer is running.

Additional Polling Time - this is a tuning parameter that should be used on large or busy LANs when the time required for the server to respond to a poll is so long that Discoverer believes that the server is down.  Typically this should be left at 0.  If your servers seem to go dark (i.e. Discoverer thinks they are down) every so often, introduce a 1 or 2 second additional delay.  This should solve the problem.


Discoverers Discovery Alias List

Discovery mode allows you to capture all of the hard network addresses on your LAN, store them in Observer's the filters table, and alias them as names or Novell Login names.

Press "Add New" to begin, and the discovery mode table will begin polling servers and capturing addresses.  Once captured you can:

Clear - clear the table

Add/Edit Alias - selecting one address and pressing this button will pop up the edit box to add an alias.  Make sure you click on the down arrow at the right when complete.

Highlight New - shows the new addresses.  These would be addresses that were discovered, but are not yet on you address list in Observer's filter section.

Save Highlighted - saves the highlighted address to Observer's filter table.

Save All -  Saves all of the addresses/aliases (overwrighting all others).

Check the box at the bottom of the dialog to automatically "Fill Addresses with Novell Name

Or check the "Load List of addresses at startup" to load Observer's filter table at startup to try and discover Novell login names for addresses without aliases.


Login To Server

To be able to receive and view information about users attached, and consequently other information for these users from your server, you must be logged in as SUPERVISOR, or a user with equivalent privileges.

If you were not logged in as SUPERVISOR prior to starting Discoverer, you may find that all the nodes are dark if Load saved List of Nodes on startup option was selected, or there are no nodes seemingly attached to a server.  In this case choose Login To Server from the Options menu as a user with supervisor privileges.  Discoverer will autologin to the server (if you have saved the servers autologin information and have Allow Autologin to Servers checked in preferences), or you will be asked to enter your name and password.


Window Menu

The Window Menu contains the following items:

Tile - tiles all information windows (both SERVER and NODE).

Cascade - arranges information windows in a standard Windows cascade.

Arrange Icons - if there are minimized information windows, this option lets you neatly arrange them.

Close All - closes all information windows.

In addition, if there is one or more information window, a list of them is appended to this menu, from which you can choose a window to make it the active window.